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| Update on Courage, Boxer who was poisoned,then rescued from the courage [kur-ij] –noun 1. the quality of mind or spirit that enables a person to face difficulty, danger, pain, etc., without fear; bravery. Courage, also known as bravery, fortitude, will, and intrepidity, is the ability to confront fear, pain, risk/danger, uncertainty, or intimidation. Courage is the mental and moral strength to venture, persevere, and withstand danger, fear, or difficulty. The quality of mind or spirit that enables a person to face difficulty, danger, pain, etc., without fear; bravery. When Haze bestowed the name of Courage, on our sweet boy, there must have been divine intervention. There is not a word in the English language than this that better encompasses his spirit and embodies his true essence. I have had the pleasure, along with the heartache, of watching Courage settle in to his new life, learning to deal with his challenges and becoming part of my family. I have seen courage in action and at it’s most excellence as Courage has given me a lifetime of lessons in just a few short days. Courage struggles with mobility, and use and control of his front legs, he has involuntary movements where he rears up slightly on his hind legs, he also has times where his body sort of curls like a cat arching it’s back, he has trouble with balance, but through all of these challenges, he perseveres and he wins.
As he has settled in, he is getting around quite well, he is learning to go up and down the steps with greater ease, he is learning to balance all over again, but most of all, he is happy and is learning how to play with his foster siblings. Courage and my other dogs will lie on the floor on their tummies and play fight and box. Courage even does some flocking with them outside while standing up. Slippery surfaces (hardwood floors, etc) are his greatest challenge, but we are getting throw rugs set around so that he has his paths through the house. Courage is such an inspiration, he has the typical boxer personality of just loving life, and even when he falls over, he likes to act like it is just want he intended to do, he rests a bit, then he is up and off to go a bit further till he lays down again for a bit. And so it goes…The simple lesson of life, when you fall down, just get back up and keep going! Courage is a gentle, kind soul who loves to be in your lap, he loves to cuddle and soak up affection. He is absolutely divine with Wyatt and they have found their own special magic that only Wyatt can share with another dog.
Courage is true inspiration to all the human race, he has faced more difficulty, pain and danger in his 10 short months on earth than I have in all my years, and he has done so without complaint, without anger, but with an open heart ready to love and be loved. He will be a true blessing to a very special family, and until that time comes, he is loved and admired by all in my home. Leegie
Saturday, April 3, 2010 In death, as in life, Courage showed us the true meaning of courage. 1. the quality of mind or spirit that enables a person to face difficulty, danger, pain, etc., without fear; bravery. Amidst tears and heavy hearts, the Take Me Home family shares our grief over the loss Courage with all of those who rallied around him with their prayers, donations, good wishes and love. Once in our care, Courage never wanted for a thing. We were able to provide him with the best medical care and exhausted every option trying to relieve his discomfort and struggles. Courage was an inspiration to us all, with a spirit of love and acceptance that soared. Courage accepted all of the challenges and difficulties that he faced with a happy heart and fearless determination. He blessed his foster family with his love and joy. Courage learned to manage his mobility issues. He re-learned how to use his front legs for balance, and his rear legs to move around, but he constantly struggled with his breathing, especially when he exerted himself in any way. Courage lived his every moment filled with love, kindness, and was cherished by his family. Courage enjoyed being spoiled, snuggling in bed with his family and sharing his home with four loving Boxer siblings. Courage was able to be a carefree pup himself, playing and frolicking with all of his pack, all of them with the instinctual understanding of his limitations, treating him no different than another, letting him play and be, but mindful of his difficulties.
Courage even had a special love of six little foster pups that he shared his home with. Though he could barely care for himself, he cared for them and protected them like the courageous boy that he was.
 Courage also had an adoring three year old human brother, Wyatt, who was his best friend and guardian, always quick to remind others that Courage, “just had a little trouble walking.”
After consultations with the finest medical experts, the neurologist confirmed that Courage had severe damage -- or an obstruction due to paralysis -- to his breathing passageway. It was a painful struggle for Courage to breathe. Every day was a struggle. Courage's condition we now believe was genetic. S omeone out there is most likely breeding Boxers with this condition and at least two of the pups (Courage had a brother who died shortly after he arrived at the shelter) had it. S adly, Courage tried to fight a fight he could never win. We ask all rescuers and Los Angeles shelters to be on the lookout for more Boxer pups that will most likely come in with similar symptoms appearing like poison. Courage and his sibling should not die in vain and the person breeding this line must be stopped. Take Me Home will continue to spread the word about this and we hope you do too.
And so, with there being nothing that could be done to help Courage, we made the painful decision to free him of his pain and suffering. On Thursday, April 1, 2010, Courage went to sleep in the arms of his family, surrounded by love and wrapped in the warm spirit of embrace by all who loved him. We sent Courage to a place where he is made whole, where he is free of suffering, where he is no longer in pain. We ask all of you to follow the advice of young Wyatt: look to the sky tonight and when you spot the moon, pause and watch Courage race through the flowery meadow with all of our beloved angels who surely greeted him. From all of us at Take Me Home, thank you for your love and support. And thank you for always giving us the courage to save precious lives. We will never forget our sweet Courage!
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