7-19-2009

**We only adopt our dogs to INDOOR homes. All BRBR dogs are kept indoors. There are NO exceptions to this rule!
**All current pets have to be current on all vaccines.
** Dogs must be on Heart Worm Prevention.

5-11-09

Hello everyone, Travis here…AGAIN. I know that I don’t write and keep in touch as much as I should. My foster dad keeps getting on my case to keep in contact but the truth is I’m frustrated and a little sad. I’ve been with my foster dad for almost a year and a half now. Please believe me when I say that he loves me and provides a great home for me. HOWEVER, it’s just not the same as having a family and a home to call my very own. I’ve been in rescue for around 2 years now!! I understand that I had some “issues” to work through in the past but that’s exactly what those issues are…”the past.” My foster dad has given me a clean bill of health. I remember to take my heartworm prevention every month like a good boy. I am getting along much better with my fur siblings than I used to. I have overcome having accidents in the house. In fact, I love it outside. Sun-bathing is one of my favorite hobbies!! And I take my other medication like a good boy too…eat it right up with my food. I know that I’m a little older but I’ve done everything that my foster dad has asked of me. Yet, here I sit…still forced to share a family…when all I’ve ever wished for was a family of my own. I’m very laid back and good with kids. I’m easy to please…feed me, pet me, take me outside once in awhile, and give me a nice storm door or window to watch the world go by and I’m a happy dog. If that sounds like something that you can provide, please contact the great people at BRBR rescue and ask about me, Travors. They have worked very hard to get me ready for a forever family of my very own. Now that I’m ready, I just need to find you. Are you out there?? I hope so. I’ve worked very hard to show you just how good of a dog I can be. Hope to see you soon!!







1-14-09 Hello everyone!! My name is Travis. To those close to me, I’m Travors. Why am I introducing myself? You’ve met me before?? Well, my foster dad disagrees. I am the all new Travors for 2009!! I’ve got a new position in my foster pack, a new collar, and a new attitude. Therefore, my foster dad wants me to sing my own praises but, honestly, I don’t like to toot my own horn. I’m really kind of a quiet guy but I will try my best.

It’s no big secret that I had some demons and issues to work through in the past, much like many of my foster siblings. But what is in the past, is in the past. Right? I chose to look forward because my foster dad tell me that the future is BRIGHT. I’ve been in a loving foster home for over a year now. After the last foster dog left for his new home, my foster dad decided to not take another…to try and focus on me. Boy did that make me happy!! Now it’s just me and his permanent dogs. I’ve also been on my medicine for around 8 months now. I’ve even got better about taking the pills. I wasn’t a big fan of my foster dad shoving them in my mouth so now I happily just eat them up with my food, like a good boy. But here is the really GREAT news…for the last two months (yes, you read that correctly) I have been allowed to roam the house freely, when my foster dad is home and when he’s not. After all this time, I have come to understand what a great privilege and big responsibility this is. I am PROUD to report that I have not had 1 accident in those two months and that I get along great with all three permanent dogs…1 male Boxer and 2 female Labs. In fact, I even try my best to let me foster dad know if I have to go outside (usually he just takes me anyway) and I have even been caught in the toy basket a few times!! I thought I might be in trouble but he just laughed, petted me, and let me be with my bone. Every now and then, I get a wild hair and will even play a little with Reynolds, the other Boxer in the house. This is a HUGE accomplishment for me and has made me understand what I have been missing all these years. It still takes me awhile, but I am more open to meeting new friends now. Last night, we even got a visit from an old friend…R.J.!!! Anyway, this is all a little embarrassing but my foster dad thought it was time for my big re-introduction. I’ve been with Blue Ridge for over a year and a half now, I sure would love a forever home of my own. I’m small in stature, calm, cool, and collected. Could you be the one to welcome me into your home??

As Travis’ foster dad, I can’t begin to explain how proud I am of this guy. It has been a definite struggle at times over the last 12 months. He has been my most difficult foster by far but, conversely, my most rewarding. To see the growth and improvement that this dog has shown since arriving at my house, it’s unbelievable!!! He is really coming out of his brindle shell and will make someone a great companion. Everyone that comes across him absolutely falls in love with him. He is full of charisma and now, truly deserves a chance to have a family of his very own. He will never be the crazy, active Boxer that will go on 3 mile runs with you BUT you will never find a more loving, loyal, appreciative companion than Travors. You will not regret contacting Blue Ridge about this wonderful guy…Travors, version 2009!!!



12-18-08 Hey everyone. As a foster parent, I don’t think I have ever been more proud of one of my dogs as I have been of Travis lately. The number of dogs in my house has decreased lately and Travis has really begun to show improvement. I feel now, that he might have been stressed out by the sheer number of dogs before. He has been left in the house (he previously spent a lot of time in the basement), both while I am there and while I’m gone, for the last week. I am very proud to say that he has had absolutely NO accidents and NO incidents with other dogs!! In fact, I don’t remember the last “altercation” that Travis had with another dog.



As an example, I laid down to go to sleep the other night and in walks Travis…after having been let out only 10 minutes prior. He sat at my bedside and just began to whine. So, figuring he wanted some love, I began petting him. This calmed him while I was petting him but as soon as I stopped, the whining started again. So, I figured it would be in everyone’s best interest for me to try and take him out again…just in case. Sure enough, he darted outside and “did his business” right away!! The dog that used to potty in my house virtually every time I left had just TOLD me that he needed to go outside to use the bathroom!! I was so happy!! It was then that I truly believed that Travors could find his forever home, despite all that he has been through!!



Travors is a sweet, sweet boy that just needs some love and a little patience. Given the opportunity, he will make the right person a terrific companion. Please consider filling out an application and meeting Mr. Travors…you’ll be glad you did!! Happy Holidays!!







8-26-08 Hello all you potential adopters out there. This is Travis' foster
dad, and if it's OK with everybody, I thought that I would do his
'update' this time. I just want to start by saying that there will be
positives and negatives about Travis, BUT MAKE NO MISTAKE, he is a
wonderful boy and very deserving of his forever home.

Travis has been in rescue with BRBR for a little over a year now. He
has been with me personally since the start of 2008. In this time, we
have learned a lot about each other and made huge strides of
progress. But, he is also somewhat limited here, and is definitely
still a work in progress...as many of these rescue Boxers are.

Travis is definitely a 'special needs' Boxer. Don't get me wrong, he
is happy and healthy but there are certain circumstances that need to
be me in order for Travis to really excel. For example, Travors is
best suited to be in a single dog household. I say 'single dog'
because I did cat-test him once and he seemed pretty uninterested.
However, it was a very brief test as I am allergic. As far as canines
go, Travis can be somewhat picky as to the company he keeps. I have
two female labs that he has no problems with at all. However, his two
foster brothers he could do without sometimes. Is it a male/female
issue? I don't believe so. I've seen him get an attitude with some
females in the past. I believe that it is more of an energy issue.
Travis is very calm and laid back, not your typical, energetic Boxer.
I think that he gets a little uncomfortable and defensive around
energetic, hyper, 'in your face' dogs. I have never had him around
any smaller canine breeds. Again, this is not a constant issue, nor
is it with all dogs. However, to ease the stress on Travis, and
thereby ease the stress on his forever family, it is probably best
that he be in a single dog home.

Second, Travors has some separation anxiety. He is currently on
medication to help calm him which has made a difference and does not
necessarily need to be permanent. This poor guy has obviously been
through some rough times in his life and so, he just like to have
people around. It makes him feel safe and secure. That really all a
dog wants, right? He is afraid of abandonment. Therefore, it is my
opinion that Travis' ideal forever home would be a family that is home
as much as possible. Perhaps someone who works from home or a family
with a stay-at-home mom. Ideally, given his very laid-back nature, I
think Travis would be perfect for a retired individual or couple. The
more time he gets with his human, the happier he is. The more time
you spend with him, the better his behavior. Simple formula, right?
Absolutely!! Which is why handsome Travors needs his forever home.
Here, he is in a loving, warm environment but, with 5 dogs, it's a bit
of a three-ring circus. Travis would thrive in a spotlight of his
very own!!

Last, but certainly not least, Travis is absolutely wonderful with
people. In fact, I've never come across anybody who hasn't thought he
was just adorable. My friends and neighbors love him. People at our
adoption events love him. My fellow volunteers love him. He loves
young and old, big and small!! He is quiet, small in stature, but BIG
in personality!! He has this quiet way of sneaking up on you and just
giving you his paw when he wants to say hello. As if to say: 'Hey,
remember me? My head could use some scratching down here!!'

We, at BRBR, work very hard to find the perfect homes for all these
wonderful Boxers. The truth is, Travis is a little extra special and
will truly need the PERFECT home. Will it be worth it? Absolutely!!
Travis is a wonderful companion that just needs a special, loving,
patient person(s) to be his forever match. You think it could be
you? You think that you could take this wonderful, little guy over
that last hump so he can enjoy his very own forever home? If so,
please contact BRBR and ask about Travis (AKA Travors). He continues
to wait patiently, with lots of love to give and big brown eyes that
will melt your heart



6-25-08 Hey Everyone!! It's Travors again. Sorry that I have been out of
touch but a lot has been going on around here. Unfortuantely, none of
it has involved my forever home. My foster dad went away for vacation
for what seemed like an eternity. I think we each had tears in our
eyes when he left us at the kennel. I was shaking I was so
terrified. I was afraid that I was being abandoned again. But then I
realized, I have my bed and my toys here with me...this isn't the same
as before. Sure enough, he came back for me and my foster siblings!!
We went home and what I time we all had!! It was a great moment for
me, knowing in my heart that someone can leave me AND that they will
come back for me. Also, I have only had one accident since coming
back from the kennel...and that's been a week and a half. Maybe my
meds are really starting to work or maybe my foster dad just put the
fear of God in me by taking me to the kennel. Whatever the case, I'm
doing great and he tells me everyday. All in all, things are good
around here. I'm even getting along with my foster siblings better
than I was. My foster dad also took me to this event called Alive
After Five. There were tons of people there and even other dogs. It
was fun and dad said that I did a great job and was very well-
behaved!! However, there is still nothing that I want more than a
family of my very own. I am extremely grateful to my foster dad for
getting me healthy and being so patient with me BUT a family of my
very own would be the best. A family to love me and spoil me and take
care of me. A family that I can love and be loyal to...makes my
little nub wag just thinking about it!! If you think that you can
provide that forever home for me, please contact the great people at
BRBR and ask about Travis (AKA Travors). I'll be waiting!!


5-22-08 Hello again everyone!! I have an unfortunate anniversary approaching…I’m getting close to being in rescue for an entire year!! I know that I have my problems but my foster dad keeps telling me to keep my chin up, that there is a forever home of my own out there somewhere. He says that they just haven’t found me yet. I hope that my forever family will find me soon!! I’m happy for all my foster siblings finding their forever home but sometimes I can’t help but wonder…when will it be “my turn??”

Hey folks, this is Travis’ (AKA Travors) foster dad. Travors truly has been a challenge but he has so much love to give. I wish I knew more about what this dog has experienced so I could better understand. Unfortunately, knowing the truth would probably only make me angry. All I can do, is try and put the pieces together the best that I can. Travors has been fighting an uphill battle the entire time he has been in rescue but he has made wonderful improvements. I truly believe that, placed in the right situation, he will really flourish. We have been able to determine that he was once an outdoor dog. He absolutely loves to go outside, he gets a little jump in his step when it’s time to go out!! Make no mistake though, he loves a warm, soft, and loving place to sleep!! Can you blame him!? We have also discovered that he has some separation anxiety. These two issues combine to cause Travors to still have some accidents. He lashes out because he’s afraid he’s being abandoned. The house is full of dogs but he is terrified of being deserted by his human. To help with this, he has been placed on Prozac. This is a VERY manageable $8/month through the pharmacy at Wal-Mart. He has shown improvements and, therefore, may not be something that he has to be on permanently. That being said, he is still a “special needs Boxer.” He gets stressed out with a lot of commotion, he likes the outdoors, and he loves human companionship. He is also great with kids, a great traveler, and pays very little attention to cats. After all of our trials and tribulations, I believe that Travors would be ideally suited for a family/individual that is home a great deal…perhaps a stay-at-home mom or someone who is retired. Ideally, he would be an only dog because he deserves to be the center of someone’s universe. However, females he has done well with while being a bit “stand-offish” with some other males. Travors would also love to have run of a nice yard. I know that he sounds demanding but we do want what is best for these Boxers. Travors has been through more than we could probably ever imagine and he deserves to be in the best situation possible. If that happens, I can make you one promise…his forever family will have found one loving, loyal, and grateful companion!! Do you fit these loving guidelines?? If so, please contact BRBR and arrange to meet Travors…I guarantee you’ll fall in love!!

3-26-08 Hey everyone!! It's Travis again...AKA Travors!! My silly foster mom and dad have given me a new nickname. I love it though!! It REALLY gets my boxer wiggle going!! Not really a whole lot new going on but my foster dad says that I should keep in touch, so here I am. I do have some good news. Perhaps you notice the fancy new collar that I'm wearing?? Well, it's a present from my foster dad because I've been doing SOOOO well with my house-training. It's been quite awhile since I've had an accident and he thought I deserved a reward. Don't I look rugged and handsome!?!? Other than that, pretty much the same around here. I love my foster home but am eager to find a home of my very own!! I'm a very laid back, easy going boxer. I don't get too worked up about much of anything. I am a good watch dog though!! And, I confess, I can get a little crabby when another hyper dog gets in my face. I stay loose in the house with three fur sisters though, so it's not everyone!! My foster dad says that I really am a good boy and deserving of my very own forever home. I have made so much progress with BRBR and am very grateful!! Now, I just need to find a family to reap the rewards!! Is it you?? I sure hope so. I'm here waiting patiently. If we sound like a match, just contact the good people at BRBR and they will help you find me. I can't wait to meet you and be snug-a-licious with my forever family!!

2-27-08 Hey everybody, Travis here!! Boy has a lot happened since I last
wrote. First, I picked up another fur sibling...another sister!!
Thanks goodness for my foster day or I would REALLY be outnumbered by
all these females!! She is actually really cool though and we get
along great. In fact, some think that we really look like brother and
sister because we are both beautiful brindles.

I also went to our latest Adopt-a-Thon in Burlington. My foster dad
thought it might me a great way to help my find my forever home. That
still hasn't happened...YET!!! But, I did have a great time!! It was a
beautiful day and there were lots of people to meet and other great
dogs like me there. Needless to say, I made some great new friends.
People kept calling me a 'ham.' I'm not sure what that means but my
foster dad was proud of me. He said that I really showed of my
personality which is weird to me because I didn't even know I had one
of those!!

Lastly, my foster dad wants me to talk about something that I'm really
quite embarrassed about. I really wanted to keep it to myself but he
said that it's better to be honest so here it goes. Like many other
BRBR dogs, I was neglected in my previous life and kept as an outside
dog. All this love, affection, and warmth is new to me...but I LOVE
IT. However, because of where I came from, house-training is not my
specialty. HOWEVER, since I have gotten healthy, my foster dad keeps
saying that I'm a whole new dog. I have made progress in leaps and
bounds!! I actually whine or go to the door when I have to go now. I
confess though, I still have a problem from time to time when my
foster dad is away for a long time. I try to hold it because I know
that I'm supposed to but I just can't sometimes. Fortunately, it
doesn't happen very often and he doesn't get mad at me because he
knows that it's partially his fault as well. He tries to stop in and
check on me but I know he has to work so I can continue to have yummy
food and treats!! I just need a little more love and patience to get
me over the hump!! We are both working very hard to get me over that
hump. Do you think that maybe you are the one that could help me
achieve my ultimate victory!?!? I'm very loving and turning into a
good little watchdog. I just want to please and am working very hard
to make that happen. If we sound like a match, please contact the
good people at BRBR and we can meet. I'm really excited to find my
forever home and show off all the great new things that I have
learned!! Hope to see you soon!!

1-29-08 Hi everyone, Travis here!! Sorry I've been a little out of touch
lately but I switched foster homes. That took a little getting used
to a first. I have two new fur-sisters that are both a little bigger
than me. Don't tell anyone but I was a little intimidated at first.
Now, I realize that they are great fun!! And boy, do they have lots
of stuff to play with when I'm in the mood!!!
I also had some other issues 'adjusting.' However, my new foster dad
didn't think that this was all my fault. Thank goodness he noticed!!
He took me to the vet and we found out that I had an inflamed and
slightly infected prostate. He laughed and told me that I'm 'such a
guy.' Not really sure what that means but I'm almost done with my
medicine and boy, do I feel better!!!
I love the people at BRBR but I've been in foster care for awhile
now. They have treated me great and showed me lots of love but I'm
really ready for a home of my very own. I am very mild-mannered,
quiet, and extremely affectionate. Now that I'm feeling better, I've
developed a great 'boxer wiggle.' My little slice of heaven...curled up
on the couch with my forever family, watching a movie. Are you that
family for me?? I hope so!! I'm here, waiting patiently for you to
come find me. Hope to see you soon!!!

11-7-07 Everyone who meets me says I'm the perfect dog.

I was brought in to the shelter as a stray, but that's just not true. I'm a loyal and devoted boxer. My family moved away and left me behind. I waited for days, then went to a nearby home where a kind family fed me and brought me to the shelter. The wonderful people there fed me and petted me, and pretty soon I found myself spending days in the office with the staff. They all say I'm the sweetest dog ever, and when Blue Ridge Boxer Rescue agreed to help me find my forever family, they were very happy for me.

I had a very mild case of heartworms, and completed my treatment last week. Although I felt bad for several days, my naturally laid back temperament has made the recovery period a breeze. My foster mom says I'm the perfect foster, and only fussed at me when I helped myself to the dogfood by ripping the bag open when she wasn't home. Otherwise, my behavior in my foster home has been flawless. I'm totally housebroken, and would never chew on anything that wasn't given to me (other than the bag of food).

I really don't like running, but excel at any activity on the couch, such as snuggling. If you want a loving companion please pick me!
10-20-07 More information to come on Travis!!

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