Skyler is a 14 week old white Boxer.
My daughter and I were both looking for Boxer pups and my daughter picked Skyler. I didn't get a pup that day. I had my heart set on a brindle and was waiting for the Breeder's next litter that wouldn't be born until mid July. I was looking for a Boxer pup to train as a service dog since I have Multiple Sclerosis and frequently need help picking things up off the floor, opening doors, etc.
I knew I wanted a Boxer in particular because I had been a breeder before becoming ill and after 10 years of raising them I was "hooked". They are such wonderful dogs, intelligent, good natured, and their greatest love above all is children. My previous Boxer was the best dog I ever had. I still get teary eyed thinking of her. Unless you've had a dog like that touch your life you probably think that's silly but she was like a child to me. Her picture is still above my bedroom dresser and she's been gone now for 7 years. I gave up breeding them shortly afterwards and couldn't bring myself to get another one until recently. It always reminded me of my special girl and it was just too heartbreaking. There would never be another one like her as far as I was concerned and I could never imagine another dog capturing my heart like she did. I Had to take a break just then to get a kleenex. See, I can't even write about her without crying. Good thing this isn't paper. haha.
Anyway, it didn't take us long to discover that Skyler was almost completely deaf (as unfortunately happens on occasion with white Boxers). My daughter came to realize that with the long hours she worked and having a small child at home she wouldn't be able to provide the extra time and training that this pup would need.
My heart went out to her but I have to admit I had my concerns. I was taking a risk because I needed a dog that could be a service dog someday and when you have a service dog you can't have any other dogs in the home since this distracts them from their "work". I knew that if I took her in I would never be able to give her up if she didn't work out as a service dog so I'd have to get along without one if that happened. But, having physical challenges myself, I had a strong feeling that I would be able to help her. So, I called the breeder and told her to take me off her list for the brindle pup I was waiting for. She was officially mine forever.
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