Roxie: A New Beginning With A Little Help From Her Friends and Family

The story of Roxie is what Taming the Wild Side is all about. Yes we teach and do many fun things with all of our dogs. We hike, walk, compete, play games and so forth but the heart of our training is to heal, build confidence and self control in the dogs that come our way in order for them to bond and build a relationship within the family to keep them in that forever home and out of shelters or the possibility of being "dumped" dogs. A lot of the dogs that come our way have already been down that road and now we want to help set them on a much better journey in the new chapter of their life. Roxie is a great ambassador for our training and for her breed, the American Pit Bull.

 
This is a letter from one of Taming the Wild Side's Clients that was sent to Best Friends Animal Society.


Dear Kristi,

It’s been a while since we talked and I would like to update you on our American Pit Bull which we adopted from the Best Friends Sanctuary last fall. She was then called Jules, but her original name was Roxie and we noticed that she responded to Roxie when she arrived in Texas. We have called her Roxie ever since. At the time we got her, she weighed about 40 lbs, and was struggling with the effects of Inflammatory Bowel Disease. While volunteering at the Sanctuary, we observed that in spite of her underweight and sickly nature that she was a lover, always peacemaking with the other dogs that were a part of her kennel life. Our daughter Lindsay kept saying, if we don’t adopt Jule’s who will? “Please Dad…..”

So Roxie’s next chapter in her short life came to be in Arlington Texas. So what better situation could she every have imagined, becoming part of our family including a senior Great Dane ‘GI Jane’ (7 years) and our rescued 5 year old Golden Retriever named ‘Cowboy’. Roxie’s health was carefully monitored by her new veterinarian who continued the treatment regimen of Dr. Patti. Seeing the happy nature of Roxie, Dr. McGrath said that she hit lottery by being adopted into this new family. We agreed!. Her special diet and medicines were continued and Roxie’s health slowly improved. Within six weeks we began to wean her off the meds that were so critical to stabilizing her condition. With love and companionship, Roxie gained 25 lbs in the following 6 months and has been completely weaned off her medicines, except for her prescription hypoallergenic diet. We are happy to say that she is now a model of health, her skin is clear and she is strong as an ox. Her transformation was just short of remarkable.

Behaviorally, Roxie’s start was a bit rough in her new adopted home. She clearly had separation anxiety when we went off to work which was observed by excessive chewing and marking on our carpet. With support from our Vet, a behaviorist recommended by Best Friends ‘Taming the Wild Side’, our two dogs and her human parents, she gradually gained confidence and her anxiety is now much diminished. She has learned to love anyone and everyone. She has become the poster child ‘Pit Bull’, an ambassador of her breed. I feel that the many of those who have come in contact with her have reevaluated their misconceived views of just what a pit bull is. Six months later, Roxie continues to train with her behaviorist on a weekly basis. She has gained much confidence and subsequently has given back much love beyond whatever any of us have ever imagined. She is loyal and constantly at our side, and certainly one of our pact.

On a final note, I don’t believe this story would have ever have been as successful if it was not for the loving relationship she developed with our senior Great Dane. Jane was tolerant of Roxie, right from the beginning. They constantly played with each other and soon it was apparent to me, that the dogs drew love from each other. I believe that Jane helped Roxie with her anxiety and is largely the reason that Roxie integrated so well into this family. In many ways they became sibling like. When Roxie got to rough, Jane asserted her 140 lb frame and quelled the 2 year old “pit”. The love of the two also brought our Golden Retriever ‘Cowboy’ further into the fold .

Jane owned me, her master from the outset. From the time we got her as a puppy we traveled throughout the south while participating in Confirmation exercises as a representative of her breed. By the time Jane was three years of age, she was a registered champion and sole owner of her master. Interestingly, Roxie changed all of that as Jane stepped back to permit Roxie to share her love with her human family. Jane took ill a couple of weeks ago, and she suddenly developed lymphedema with great swelling of her extremities. She was clearly in pain and had difficulty walking. Roxie felt this difficulty and was constantly at Jane’s side, frequently seen licking Jane’s lips. Without a clear diagnosis, and our inability to easily lift and care for Jane, we moved Jane to the Vet Clinic for observation and treatment. On the first day, we day boarded Roxie with Jane, so as to give Jane comfort. Roxie was seen by the entire clinic for loyally laying at Jane’s side.

We took Roxie home as Jane’s treatment was intensified. Just two days latter, with Jane’s family of 5 tearful humans at her side, she passed away. Jane’s final rest will be at the Sanctuary in Kanab.

Since Jane’s passing, our home has not been the same. Cowboy is clearly depressed and Roxie has become glued to our side.

Clearly sheclearly has been affected by the loss of her sibling. Roxie’s interaction with Cowboy is slowly increasing and I anticipate that her journey to a full recovery is just around the corner. I sometimes wonder why we keep setting ourselves up, over and over, to deal with sorrow from our short lived friends. To that, our vet responded, ‘could you imagine a life without such a companion? Not me. Michael Kapin