r/Boxer May 30 '20

In memoriam Leela, inspiration for /r/boxer, has passed

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I didn't want a dog.

I'd not grown up with dogs and I'd been bitten by a few when I was younger. So I didn't really trust them. Then I got married. She had dogs growing up and she wanted a dog in our family. I said no, she said yes, and as you know, marriage is about compromise, so we got a dog.

I read every book that I could find about dog behavior and training. If we were going to bring a dog into our family it was going to be done so that it was trained and well behaved. I didn't want a dog that jumped, barked incessantly, peed in the house, or all the other annoyances that I saw elsewhere. After several months of research on training, we found that our neighbor's dog was going to have puppies. I was familiar with the mother and understood her temperament for the most part. I liked the idea of knowing from where our dog came.

We were fortunate to be there in July of 2006 to see the puppies soon after they were born. As the weeks went by we saw them grow and we were able to spend time with each of them. When the pups were about five weeks old we had settled on which one we wanted.

Her litter name was Boondock. She was named so by the breeder, because her mother, Bambi, presumably having finished giving birth, went outside to pee and out popped another puppy. She was born away from the whelping box – in the boondocks.

In September we took ownership of our new boxer puppy. Then off we went to puppy kindergarten to socialize her. We went to obedience training in order to teach her (and us) the intricacies of training. We tested for and received a canine good citizenship certification. We tested and achieved certification from Therapy Dogs International. We worked with our friends and their dogs to help train her. She learned quickly and had a temperament that was goofy but eager to please. She knew how to behave appropriately in differing situations. Exactly what I wanted when I agreed to getting a dog.

She quickly loved our friends, who trusted her so much with their newborn baby boy. She loved when we would visit my office because a colleague would play wrestle with her. She would run to his office if she could manage to break free from mine. Another old friend had her unconditional admiration and love. If we went without her to their home we would get interrogated by her nose upon return. She knew we were with him. The look of confusion and displaced excitement was always hilarious to witness.

She learned to push a button to let us know when she needed to go outside. She learned to walk on a treadmill so that she could have a comfortable walk in the cold winters. She learned to balance on walls and curbs when we went on walks. She jumped over bike racks at the library. We walked through hardware stores and she greeted everyone that we met.

Our old crotchety cat was prone to clawing her face while she slept. She never fought back; she only kept a safe distance to ensure that she wasn't bothering him. She desperately wanted to play with him, but that was never to be. She was so patient.

We tested to become volunteers at Children's Hospital for their pet friends program. She was now a working dog. When I would put on my volunteer smock she would become incredibly excited to go visit the children. Her realization that we were going was always a very specific kind of excitement. Her body language would change immediately upon entering the hospital though. She would march diligently on the hard tiled floor of the hospital from room to room.

I watched her bring smiles to the children waiting in the epilepsy ward with wires attached to their heads. I watched her gently crawl up on the bed and lie down next to a little girl that had her first chemotherapy treatment. The girl's tiny body summoned the strength to put her hand on a new friend's head. I watched a girl that I had seen in the ICU for months, whom I thought was braindead, spring to life and laugh happily when her parents placed her hand on the visiting dog's head. I had to leave the room to compose myself. I remember thinking that anyone who doubts the power of animals for mental health and comfort should see this scene.

She was our comfort and therapy when we lost a loved one unexpectedly.

She again comforted us during the hard path that we took in our attempts to create a larger family.

Most importantly, she watched over us while we had our first child. Her role surely diminished in the family hierarchy, but her companionship never wavered. She loved the new addition to our family and enjoyed the time that we spent at home in those early days. So many new smells come with a baby! She stood by us as we learned to change diapers, eat at the table, play on the floor, and crawl in the backyard. She found her voice during this time. She never really barked before, but now when someone would come to the door she was quick to alert us.

Then years passed and another child came. But by now she had grown older and her body tired more quickly. With our youngest desperately wanting to play with her, she didn't have the energy to do so most of the time. I remarked many times how sad it will be that our youngest won't remember her.

This dog never judged me. Her exuberance with all people and animals was never surpassed by any human that I've ever known. She never stopped loving. She is the type of friend that I hope everyone can have in their life.

I hope that in those last moments that she had memories of running in green fields and splashing in streams with her sister and mother. Memories of the time that she gave us and the intense love that we have for her. I hope she forgot the self-inflicted injuries, the countless cancer surgeries, dental surgeries, and irritable bowel syndrome. I know that she felt it, but she never showed us her pain.

Except in the end.

Because of that, it is with joy for her life but sadness with her death, that I can say that she runs free now.

Friday, May 29, 2020 at 6:24PM, she leapt into the great unknown. She was sent along with all the love we could possibly pour out for her. She is no longer encumbered by the pain that she has hidden and endured in her life. She left us having given all the love that she could possibly have given, leaving it with all of us to remember her.

Leela ❤ Aged 13 years, 10 months, and 20 days. 2006-2020.

TL;DR - Leela, the dog in the sidebar, has died. This post is a tribute to her.


r/Boxer 9h ago

Happy holiday!

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Howard enjoyed the extra attention a holiday brings!


r/Boxer 8h ago

Hi everyone! I just wanted to share a few Boxer drawings i made, inspired by some posts here! 🐾

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Do you guys recognize them? 🤗🐾


r/Boxer 10h ago

Last day before snip snip…

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Run free buddy, tomorrow your life will change dramatically 🤣


r/Boxer 14h ago

Mommas boy

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Porch door open, sissys outback runnin’ a muck but he’s where he wants to be.


r/Boxer 9h ago

His happy place....

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This is basically every night. At 10, we just feel lucky and thankful for everyday we still have him.


r/Boxer 15h ago

When this happens, do I contact the manufacturer, or is there a secret reset switch I haven't found yet? Error code just says dog.exe has failed.

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r/Boxer 13h ago

After play time

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The young boxer pup is ready for a break while her much older sister mal/gsd is still
On high alert


r/Boxer 1d ago

Hoo Hoodiyo

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The smiles this guy puts on my face daily! Proud boxer dad… 💜


r/Boxer 1d ago

Neighborhood watch

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This dude is fired! Cooper fell asleep during his neighborhood watch shift, his sister Cali (pup in the back) was not much help either 😴🤣


r/Boxer 1d ago

Tongue flicking

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Has anyone ever seen this behavior before?

Dunkin is our third boxer. He is a little over one year old. This often happens when he is anticipating receiving a treat or there is food around and he picks up on a scent.

My Google searches and placing the video in AI suggests this is normal behavior and is a psychological response to high anticipation of receiving food. In this video he got excited because I made him a yogurt bowl to put in the freezer, which he picked up on the scent and I made him sit before eating a strawberry.

But I'm curious if anyone else has ever seen this behavior in their boxer?

Thanks!


r/Boxer 1d ago

In memoriam It’s all his fault!!

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Morgan started my Boxer addiction. My first male and I almost 30 years ago. He was the goodest boy!

He once saved me from a drunk redneck who was pulling a knife on me during a dispute. Morgan came flying in from behind me and clamped down on said rednecks other hand. Proceed to thrash back and forth like a shark tearing off a hunk of meat. Bet his hand still ain’t right! 😈

Got one of his sons from a litter he sired (Connor). My oldest son grew up with him as a companion. They were inseparable.

Then came my sassy female Ta’rna and her partner in crime Tsavo.

Followed by our first rescue Toby the Boxodor. Lord he was a handful at first.

Our current rescue Gunny is all of 2% boxer according to the DNA test. Think he needs a little sister to keep him in line.


r/Boxer 1d ago

Two peas in a Volvo

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Charlie and Scarlett week 3


r/Boxer 1d ago

The very best boy

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r/Boxer 1d ago

Your trusted pet insurance company for non-routine screening.

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Hello. I lost my beloved Boxer Rodan at 8.5 years-old in June due to a chemodectoma on his heart. It was found last year and the vet was not aggressive enough in treatment.

I have a new boy named Gojira and I would like to incorporate preventative screening into his yearly health checks. I just sent off the ARVC combo genetic testing to NC State, the genetic health testing to AKC, and the genetic health testing to Embark. I know I am going to be aggressive about possible Boxer issues to catch them early (maybe even too aggressive). I've lost a total of four thus far.

I want to incorporate preventative screening like regular Holter and heart screening.

Because Boxer's are predisposed, has anyone had success with insurance companies covering that type of preventive testing?

Puppy tax. He tried to eat a spicy sky raisin.


r/Boxer 1d ago

A catastrophy. In two images.

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r/Boxer 2d ago

weight question ?

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hello!

ive fallen into a hole on Reddit, specifically seeing overweight dogs… I have a female boxer, roughly 2-3 yrs old. Last I had her into the vet (March), she was 69 lbs (31.3 kg). Vet said to keep her right about there in terms of weight, but maybe lay off the high calorie/super dense treats. I feel like she’s so tiny in stature and I don’t understand how she weighs so much? I guess I grew up with bigger dogs (german shepherds, redbones, etc), but how much does everyone else’s female weigh? I’ve been overthinking her weight very badly recently because she’s my best friend even with all of her issues and I want to do every possible thing in my power to prolong her life. Thank you so much!!

see pics - 1) waiting for me to throw a toy 2) squaring up to a squirrel in the tree and 3) side view for her general shape - sadly no banana for scale.


r/Boxer 2d ago

I guess I can't sit at my desk anymore

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r/Boxer 2d ago

My recsue boxer has become the best dog I've ever had. My veterinarian keeps telling me she needs to lose weight! I think she's perfect! 😍

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r/Boxer 2d ago

Our sweet bonnie

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It's been 7 months since she's joined our family and I can't picture life without her. So sweet and gentle. Thank you all for welcoming us to your sub.


r/Boxer 2d ago

Apollo being inserted behind enemy lines on his next secret mission …

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r/Boxer 2d ago

The most unserious, serious boxer...

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r/Boxer 2d ago

🐻❤️

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r/Boxer 2d ago

I love boxers but I don’t think I could do this again. Asking for advice. No pic because I just can’t.

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It’s been 5 weeks today since I had to put my 4 year old boxer to rest. I feel like I will never recover. I am still devastated and very broken. She was the best dog for me and my family. Not a single thing I would have changed about her. Best dog I ever had.
I know a lot of people get only boxers but I honestly don’t think I could ever get another one after this loss. They aren’t the healthiest breed and I knew this going in but I can’t risk losing a dog so young again. I also know there are no health guarantees with any breed, purebred or mix, but boxers seem to have some devastating health considerations. I’ve been researching other “healthier” breeds who are similar to boxers in temperament and exercise needs but there always seems to be something I don’t want or like. I guess Boston terriers are the closest in personality maybe but they have their own health issues (although maybe not always fatal at such young ages).
I had hoped my boxer would live to at the very least 8 or 9. Is there anyone here who has lost a boxer at a very young age who can chime in on what they did if they ever got a dog later? If mine had lived out her full life I suspect I would be thinking differently.

Edit: I never would have thought this many people would comment on my post (especially with no pic). I am trying to respond to every single post because I really appreciate the sharing of losses of these precious dogs. I definitely feel less alone and isolated, as painful as this is. I’m sorry if I missed anyone.


r/Boxer 2d ago

🚨 SAN BERNARDINO, CA — MAPLE A595263 Needs OUT! 🚨 4-year-old, 48-lb girl on the 9/5

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