The unbearable loveliness of boxer pups

Dear Dr. Forsythe: Neither my new husband nor I are what you would consider “dog lovers.” I like them, but he has never owned one and all the neighbors around us have unmanageable, impolite, yappy Sunday-morning four-footed aggravations. I love boxers and my sweetie knew this when he hooked up with me. We have the “no” rule in our house – when one of us says no, the debate is over. As I came up with this dumb piece of legislation early on in our relationship, I think I should have the veto power over it now. I want a boxer!
Politics aside, we have the room, I am a boxer fanatic, and despite how I sound, I am really not a brat.  I have fostered many kittens, have two shelter cats now, and am ready to have my next boxer boy. You, Judge Forsythe, shall be the final arbiter on the pluses and minuses of this magnificent creature and whether we start calling divorce lawyers. Kidding!
Thanks for your time. (And there is a nice crispy $100 Milk-Bone in it for you if I win!).
WantsaBoxer

Dear WantsaBoxer: You said you have the “no” rule, but you didn’t tell me whether or not your husband has flat-out said “no” or simply grimaced at the thought of a boxer. Bringing a new “baby” dog into the home is a big decision, so it is important to have your husband on board in order to avoid conflict and resentment down the road. A new puppy will require time, attention and veterinary care during the first few months, so you both need to be prepared with time and money for this effort.
When it comes to boxers, I must admit to a soft spot. When I see one come into my office or see someone walk down the street with one, I do wonder “Why wouldn’t everyone get one?” The boxer’s ancestors are thought to have been early Great Danes and English bulldogs, and they became wildly popular in the U.S. after World War I. The nub of the tail wags the rest of the dog, making them irresistibly sweet and huggable. Warm, sleek and loving, they are marvelous children’s playmates, and always-affectionate pets. My vote is absolutely, positively yes to improving your life, and your joy and your happiness, by bringing a boxer dog into your life. And this will also improve and beautify Sonoma as well, by adding another jiggly-jowled, moon-pie-faced pup to our population. If you are like everyone I know who knows the unbridled heaven of this breed, in no time at all, you will wonder how you ever managed to survive in the “pre-boxer” days, and you will never want to look back. (And I don’t need a crisp Milk-Bone – a photo of the new puppy will be just fine!) The gavel is down, Judge Forsythe has ruled, and it’s power to the pup.
Dr. F.

Dear Dr. Forsythe: My dog, a 6-year-old German shorthair Pointer, likes to eat fig leaves. As we walked by a vineyard today, he got up on his hind legs and ate some ripe grapes. Why? Is he satisfying a dietary deficiency? He is a healthy boy.
AC

Dear AC: Nobody knows for sure why pets eat so many unusual things.  It is not likely that a dog would eat grapes to replenish something missing in his diet. Grapes are somewhat toxic to pets and can lead to renal failure if eaten in significant quantities. It is more likely that your pet was curious and liked the taste and the texture of the item. I would recommend that you make sure the food you are feeding to your pet is a super-premium brand that is well balanced and complete. I would also make sure that your veterinarian has given you a nutritional consultation and confirmed that your pet has a body condition score of 5/9 (this is the ideal body condition score – not too thin, not too heavy). It is possible that your pet has a thyroid condition or a parasite that is causing increased hunger and a search for other food sources, which could lead to trouble and to some serious health problems. It would be a good idea to have this checked out by your vet. Good luck with your hungry pooch, and how about keeping him on a leash? Thanks for a great question.
Dr. F.