When I met Remy on June 11th, 2004, he burst out of his foster mom’s building in NYC full of energy – and a super long tongue.  On the website pictures that I had seen of Remy, I had somehow overlooked his tongue; it could probably go in the Guinness Book of World Records.  Nevertheless, we walked to the dog park together, and hence began a friendship that I will never forget, and will forever miss. 

The only thing I know about Remy before he was saved by the Boxer Rescue is that he was very neglected.  He was so underweight that a transit cop stopped his foster mom on the street and offered her $10 to feed Remy.  Despite the fact that his first few years of life must have been challenging, Remy had an amazing amount of love to offer.  He always wanted to be around people – and couldn’t stand not to be part of a gathering.  I could always count on the fact that he was close by – if not directly under my feet.

When Remy and I first moved into the District, we lived in a street level condo unit on 13th Street that had floor-to-ceiling windows.  He would sit at the window for hours and just “people watch.”  He was so focused that people would be startled when he moved because they thought he was a statue!  In all the years that Remy and I were together, I only ever heard him bark once and he never showed any interest in chasing squirrels or birds.  However, when he slept, he was always chasing something, as evidenced by his kicking feet and sleepy boxer “woos” – which woke me up on many a night.

Remy was a beautiful dog, and we were often stopped on the street by people who wanted to inquire about him or simply meet him.  He knew he was good-looking, and he loved to strut his stuff down the street.  That is, he would strut until he would step on a branch and lose his balance when he jumped back in surprise.  Remy had some funny quirks: he didn’t have a lot of balance, he always managed to get his food and water everywhere, and he was scared of electrical cords and refused to walk over them.  But Remy LOVED water.  Whether he was getting a spa shower (thanks to my mom) or playing in the ocean or walking in the rain through as many puddles as he could, he loved all of it.  I secretly think it’s because he always got a long rub down with a warm towel afterwards.

In September 2009, I took Remy to the emergency vet late one night because he was coughing up a little bit of blood.  The ER vet seemed incredulous that I had even brought him in, but I insisted on x-rays and sure enough, they found a tumor in one of Remy’s lungs.  He had surgery two days later – and they almost lost him on the table.  But he must have known that I wasn’t ready to let him go yet and he pulled through and had a remarkable recovery. 

A year ago, the vet informed me that Remy was “geriatric.”  Over time, I noticed that it was taking him longer and longer to greet me at the front door when I came home.  Remy used to always be looking for me from the window when it was about time for me to come home, but that started to happen less and less often; he wasn’t in the window.  In the past few months, he seemingly drank gallons of water each day and despite getting chicken or cooked hamburger meat with each meal, he wasn’t able to keep any weight on.  Knowing that it wouldn’t be much longer, Remy and I took a week-long trip to the beach at the end of May so that we could have one last romp in the water together. 

Remy and I experienced so much together.  When things were good, I knew that he would always be my partner as we did the “happy dance” around the house.  When things were tough, I could count on him to put his head on my shoulder and simply be my wall of solidarity.

Remy passed away last Thursday, June 23rd.  There can never be a greater dog.  Ever.  He had the spirit of a puppy and the eyes of an old man.  I can’t wait to see him again – one day.
 

--Summer Spencer

6/4/04

I cannot begin to tell you how well Remy is doing. As you can see in the pictures, he's one playful fellow.  A vet tech at the dog run looked at his teeth and guessed that he's closer to 3 or 4 since there is almost no tartar.

Remy likes other dogs and people and, as promised, LOVES kids. He also loves balls, so when we passed a family in the park playing ball he looked at them longingly. His fur is the softest I've ever felt, and he is a real hug bug.

People in the neighborhood are heartbroken and in love with him. On our way to the pet food store Saturday, a sanitation cop stopped to ask what was wrong with Remy, and when I told him the story he pulled 10 bucks out of his pocket to put toward Remy's food. At the pet food store we tested him with Thorn, the huge tabby cat -first he bowed and barked, then whined when Thorn wouldn't play, then turned around and ignored him.

Remy is eating well now.  We had him weighed Sunday and he clocks in at 49.4lb but could use another 15lbs. He has put on a little weight and is not nearly so weak as he was.

I almost wish he weren't such a great dog because I know he won't be here long and we'll miss him.

5/31/04 - Remy

One of our volunteers went to the shelter to pick up Remy. Here is what she reported that afternoon.
 

The shelter said he'd been with a family who surrendered him because they were moving. He lived with a 10year old and 14year old, and that the people who turned him in said he was the "Guardian Angel to all children" and loves people.

However, they did not tell me what condition he was in and so I was not prepared for what I saw when I met him. I know NBR has seen its share of skinny dogs, but he's definitely among the skinniest. His hip bones and butt bones plus vertebrae and every single rib all stick out. I will get pictures this weekend to send. He will be handsome once he puts some weight on.

He was so anxious in the car at first that I had to get into the back to hold him to stop him from trembling. He calmed down quickly, though. The nubbin has already started wiggling. He has just gone around the living room, collected all the loose toys, plus the homemade cornbread-peanut butter chew treat I gave him (a neighbor made them), and put everything in a pile next to my chair.

He clearly is very gentle and submissive and has already paid homage to Nina my Boxer, whining and wiggling. I will write more when i get to know him better.

If you are interested in adopting this dog, please fill out an online application first.  Then e-mail the contacts below.  Be sure to include your full name, city, state, and area code in the subject line of your message.

Prior to adoption:

Northeastern Boxer Rescue
 

Jamie Meadow - Jamie@boxerrescue.com

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