Back in 2001, I was looking for a companion/dog to share my new home with. I learned that a boxer/American Bulldog had been rescued from a “meth house” in town. He was always straying, was not properly cared for, suffered abuse, but was a very sweet dog despite it all.
Lelsie & I went down to the humane society to check out this “meth pup”. He was a good looking dog, with lots of energy/spunk! We placed a hold & two days later Leslie picked him up after his neutering & drove him to my place. While driving, the anesthesia began to wear off, he groggily looked around, & she feared for her safety as she did not know this dog or how he would react to her! Her worries were unnecessary, she was fine, & so was he (sore, but fine)! We soon learned he was the biggest baby we had ever seen!
He was named Winslow & immediately bonded with us & Leslie’s black lab, Franklin! So much so, that his separation anxiety got the best of him & he would scale the 6 foot walls when they left my house. After two escapes & close calls in traffic, Leslie took Winslow home to live with them to sooth his anxiety. Winslow blended in easily & was a friend to everyone! He loved long walks, road trips, chasing tennis balls & going to dog beach. People sitting on the beach & their belongings were not safe from Winslow as he would nervously mark them as his territory, much to their & our surprise. After apologies, he loved to chase that ball into the water!
Franklin went off to be a service dog, & Winslow became a big brother to a grouchy English bulldog, Whidbey. Despite her grouchiness, he loved her too. And he was great with her daughter, Sparky. He always let Sparky rest her head on his back whenever they lay down together.
We moved to Washington, where he had 2 + acres to roam! He loved his meandering constitutionals in the am & getting the paper on a regular basis. He would eat apples that fell from the trees, nap in the sun as we worked in the gardens, not chase deer (they were invisible to him), but on rare occasions would chase a squirrel. Winslow was most at ease when everyone was home! He followed you wherever you went in the house to keep an eye on us. If we left the house & he was in the kennel, he remained outside waiting for our return, no matter how much it rained or how wet he got. If he was in the house, he waited in the window seat.
He gave & he gave a lot. His calling in life was to be there for you! Winslow was a true gentleman, the official greeter at our house, a sweet boy, & a guardian of family. Everyone on the block knew him! He easily earned the name “baby boxer” from Leslie, as he was her baby, while he was & will always be my “buddy”!
Winslow “left” us this past February, approx. 11+ years old. It was very much unexpected, especially as we hoped he would live forever!
Thanks for putting so many smiles in our life! You are missed!

Jim M.