Recognize this guy?

Does this guy look a little familiar?

Does he look a little like this little girl?

Thankfully, he is not a return… he is a brand new one.  Eli is brother to Bennett and Odie, the two Boxer puppies that we fostered last year.  I have mentioned him a few times recently, because he LOVES Eve, the new puppy.

If you remember, these guys came from an accidental litter.  They are 75% Boxer and 25% Rottweiler.  Both Odie and Bennett found amazing forever homes and recent updates suggest that they are doing just awesome in their new homes.  They were great puppies, so I am not surprised at all.

The home we initially took them from, lead us to believe the rest of the litter had been placed.  In reality, two of the puppies were still with them.  Eli was one of the two puppies that they kept.  After months of him screaming every time they put him in his kennel, they decided he was too much work and asked if we could  help find him a home.  They didn’t like that he kept them up at night…

The first week with us, Eli fought me every time I tried to put him in his kennel, it was a battle to see who was stronger.  Once he was in the kennel, he would bark and scream until he was hoarse.  Every time I came home, he would be sitting in his own stool.  I knew something had to be wrong.  Within a few days, we took him to the Vet.  A simple stool sample proved that he was positive for both coccidia and whip worms.  He was six months old… and this was his first trip to the Vet!  A few simple, inexpensive medications and he was quickly cured!  (What concerns me is knowing that both are highly contagious… I sure hope the other dogs in that home are getting some Vet care.)

Within a few short days of getting proper Vet care, Eli’s behavioral issues disappeared.  It is now two months later and he will go into his kennel with the point of a finger.  He only barks if he thinks he can get my attention and loving… ’cause he is a huge love bug.  He stays in his kennel the entire day that I am at work, without any accidents.  He never has an accident in the house (knock on wood).

Eli, just like his sister Bennett, has turned into one of our favorite fosters.  His eyes are so expressive that he can speak to us, with a simple look.  He loves to play and is even more excited to cuddle.  There is nothing he loves more than another dog… or maybe a good bone.  He is just wonderful.

At only eight months old, Eli already weighs in at 69 pounds.  However, he thinks he is the size of a small kitten.  He curls up in the tiniest spot and tries to cuddle.  (The other night, he fell asleep on top of Scott.  The two barely fit on the couch together.  They were snoring in unison and Eli had a long string of drool dripping from his mouth to Scott’s leg, it was adorable.  I tried to grap a snapshot, but Eli woke up at my stirring… Scott pretends it didn’t happen.)

We are working on some basic obedience, like learning not to jump up and how to play nicely, but he is quickly learning.

I adore this little/big guy… and am in no hurry to see him leave our nest.  Yet, one thing strikes me from it all.  Each week that passes with a puppy is essential in the adoption process.  His sibilings were adopted very quickly, with lots of competition.  Yet, Eli waits week after week for the right family.  Only a few months older and yet his desirability has diminished considerably.  How sad is that?  I sure hope people don’t like me less just because I have added a few months to my age.