Final Update
July 2007
With
great sadness in my heart and after a long period of mourning, I am
reporting to you that the great friendship and love between Lucy and
me has come to an end. In the winter of 2006/2007 Lucy fell ill with
recurring heart and lung problems. In spring she was diagnosed with
the canine equivalent of congestive heart failure. In early summer,
after valiant efforts to overcome her disabling disease, Lucy
peacefully crossed the Rainbow Bridge. Lucy paid me one last visit,
if only in my dreams, to assure me that she would wait for me on the
other side of the Bridge.
Since then I have also fallen ill.
As devastating as Lucy's passing was, I am not suffering from a
broken heart. In May of this year I suddenly developed a neurological
disorder in my hind legs. First in one, then in the other as well. I
cannot control the movement of my legs any longer. I cannot carry my
weight on them. My mind, my heart, my spirit and my soul are well
and whole, but my flesh is weak. To be exact, the flesh in my
backside is weak. the front is working just fine.
I
joined the battle and did my best to overcome this dreadful illness.
First, I walked as much as I could - staggering like a drunk
and falling. But still walking. Then pulling myself around on my butt
with my front legs. Then we started to use a harness to support my
backside. It was horrible and embarrassing! But Lucy would not have
wanted me to give up. I did not.
Instead I materialized a
wheel chair for dogs. All by myself. How about that?
Now, I
get around almost like new in my very own wheel chair. Watch me speed
along! I am flying -sort of! 
People
stare at me and other dogs run away in horror. But, hey, I am mobile
again and can chat up women. Lucy knew that it always was, and still
is, my favorite thing to do. And believe me when you are a Boxer in a
wheel chair, you certainly get a lot of attention. I cannot
complain.
Certainly, my friends, this happiness will not last
forever. There is no cure for this insidious disease. It only gets
worse. But I am gratefully enjoying my lease on life for as long as
it will last. Thereafter, I am prepared for a most joyful reunion
with my dear Lucy. We shall forever live
in health, harmony and beauty together.
I'm on my way from
misery to happiness today . . .
Windsor
King MacArthur
Posted
December 2007
***
Lady in
waitingﾅ
Searching
for the one to wait on.
May I introduce myself: My name is Beth.
I am a distinguished Boxer lady
with a sweet disposition, housebroken, spayed, healthy in body and
spirit, wealthy with love to give freely and wise to the ways of
humans. 
A
lady does not speak about her age. Therefore, suffice it to say that
I am very youthful. Most of the ﾑgrayﾒ
in my face is actually
white. I have a strong, muscular and enduring body. I dare any
youngster to outlast this ﾑseasoned
puppyﾒ
in a game of ﾑcatch
the leashﾒ
or in a good down to
earth tug-of-war. Yet, in your apartment I am quiet as a church
mouse, eager to please my human friends and I can do without a lot of
macho exercise if need be - just as long as you have a soft couchﾅ
With my human family, I am gentle and kind,
loving, attentive and protective. I love children. I learn fast and I
like to learn new things. Nevertheless, this lady of distinction has
a strong body and a strong will. Therefore, I prefer an equally
distinguished human who can truly appreciate a sophisticated, strong
Boxer lady. No wimps spoken here.
Why am I touting my horn, you ask. Why I am
sitting in I a little cell pleading for help?
Well, that is a sad story. First, I lived a
happy Boxer life with my human. Then the human suddenly disappeared
never to come back. Instead, many other humans went in and out of our
home and took things. When I attempted to defend our home, they
grabbed me and through me into a cell in a horrible place with many
other dogs. Ever since, I have moved from one little cell to another.
Humans come and go. They look at me, I look at them pleading, they
shake their head and move on. Come on, does a distinguished lovable
Boxer lady 
deserve
to live like this, grow old and spend her last days in a dreary
little cell? Without love? Without fun? Without even a couch?
No, no and no again. So, search your heart,
find mercy, get into your car and come over here right now to
liberate me from my cell. Show me the blue sky, let me feel soft
moist earth under my feet again, let me savor the scents of life
during an early morning walk. Then, watch this lady blossom.
Applications accepted right now. It is easy to
qualify. You need only
-Proof of a nice car to ride in,
-Proof of a soft couch,
-Proof that you are willing to give a
distinguished lady the treatment she
deserves.
In turn, I promise to love you, shower you with
kisses and do my best to please you at all times. I will protect you
and those we love to my last breath.
Here on earth my love and boundless gratitude
will be with you forever. Beyond the Rainbow Bridge I shall stand as
your best witness when the Book of Judgment is opened. Behold the
power of a grateful animal soul...
So, what are you waiting for? Please, please,
come over here and get your Lady in Waiting.
Lovingly,
Beth
UPDATE
August 1, 2004
Hello There!
Beth here with great news: I am writing to you from MY OWN NEW
HOME.
While I was waiting for the weekly visit from my Boxer friend,
some very nice people came. They looked at me, talked to me, took me
for a walk. Then they invited me to go home with them. And what
a home I now have: A nice house, a nice car, a big garden, my own
room, my very own big bed and the privilege to sleep on the bed of my
new family. Plenty of food, long walks and lots and lots and lots of
love
I love it and I love my new family.
This is Paradise!
From Cloud Nine of Paradise, I Beth, Beauty Queen and
Senior Tenant at the rescue establishment, thank all who contributed
to this great success...
Thank you, friends. Thank you so much. I will never forget
you!
***
Beth's friend Windsor, who coached her to successfully change her
attitude, now is grieving the loss of a good friend.
Read his lament:
Lament of a Sad Boxer
Sung a capella to a dear Boxer friend on the Roof;
human and harp optional!
O Beth, my friend, my
dear friend, my sole friend Beth!
Would God I had taken thee into my house, O Beth, my friend, my
sole friend Beth!
WepteeeeewoooooooHoooooooohhoooooooooooo
Summer just began,
lazy days in the shade
of big trees, in cool, soft grass, with you at my side, a short sniff
away 'round the next corner.
Gone.
Woooooooooohhhhhhhhhhhoooooooooooooooooooo...
My heart is
emptyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy.
My heart is
saaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhaaaaaaaaaaaad...
Please go to the bottom of this page to find out how you can
read Windsor's complete Lament.
Second
Update
November 28, 2004
Come, follow me to
my new home. I'd like to share a few moments and some pictures with
you. It's easy, just sign up below!
See
what happened during my friend's visit at my new home.
Speaking
about friends: You should also visit
Windsor's page. You can meet some of his friends and
read about his travails.
***
Third
Update
May 19, 2005
Lucy here.
My new family moved to a new home. I like it very much and I am very
happy there.
Today, I want to tell you about a cute letter I just
received from my friend Windsor. Thought you might like it as much as
I did. Here it is:
Windsor
King
MacArthur
Castle Maymyo
Los Angeles
05/17/05
Dearest Beth,
Dear Lucy,
My
beloved Queen,
I
hope this letter finds you well and in full command not only of your
faculties but also of your new home. Four
long moons have passed since you and your new family started the
transition to your new, final home. Four long, lonely months have
gone by without your company or even a brief visit with you, my dear.
I
miss you now as much as I did on the day you left. Yes, yes, I admit
it I actually miss you even more. No
one has taken your place in my life and in my heart ﾖ
because
there simply is no replacement for my Lucy...
Remember,
when I was weakened by knee surgery, you boldly stepped out in front
of me to defend me against the local bully that tried to take
advantage of my impairment!
Remember
how you took the lead in beating back the roaming 'wild' Chow Mix
that wanted to test his mettle 'cause he saw my bad leg and thought I
was weak and easy prey?
The poor wild man was not ready for a meat
grinder in the guise of a distinguished Boxer lady. What a memorable
surprise for him that afternoon...
No
greater joy has a King ever experienced than to be welcomed and loved
by a true friend...
And
speaking about true friends: A true friend not only climbs rooftops
as a welcome but also stays up all night to knit a warm sweater to
warm the old arthritic bones of her friend.
Oh,
by the way, dear, did you also knit the label?
...Oh,
Lucy, I miss you so much...
Are
we ever to meet again?
... I know it
in my heart: We shall meet again.
Until then, Lucy, I
carry your sweater on my back and my fondest memories of you close to
my heart.
Love
Windsor
King
***
Copyright United Seabears
Corporation/Peter Jaeckle 2006.
