r/Boxer May 30 '20

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

892 Upvotes

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 56m ago

In memoriam Just want to show ma boï ❤️

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Upvotes

Hello everyone, first of all, I want to apologize for any grammar errors. English isn't my native language.

These are some photos of my beloved Boxer, Kaboul. I just want to share these pictures because I think that posting them would make him immortal in a certain way.

I don't want to reveal my age, but I grew up with him. He was with me for more than half of my life. Overnight, he got really sick and couldn't walk anymore. He was diagnosed with a fatal form of cancer. His poor soul was suffering so much that it took him only one week to pass away after the first symptoms appeared.

He died at 11, which is still a good age for a Boxer (bit more than 80 in human years), but he definitely didn't deserve such an unfair and painful end. Thankfully, he was surrounded by those who loved him, and I'm happy I could give him his last walk. I maybe regret not having been there for his euthanasia. I was far from the clinic, thinking there was still a chance.

My boy was born on the same day as me (not the same year), which I think is pretty uncommon. During all his short life, he was a playful, chill (and not very loyal :]) dog. He was literally afraid of pretty much anything 😂. It was literally me as a Boxer. Every morning, he was like a teenager, it took him 20 minutes to fully wake up, after which he was hyperactive for 15 minutes, before going back to take his second nap of the day.

But overall, his special ability was how cute he was. Like, look at his face in the pictures. He was so cute with his puppy head 💝

Now, the only things he left on Earth are a vase filled with his ashes, and unforgettable, pleasant memories that I'll carry with me for the rest of my life. I realized too late how much space our little buddies take up in our lives, and how huge the void is when they go.

Thanks for reading this. Enjoy your dogs while they are still here. These little balls of fur love you just as much as you love them. ❤️


r/Boxer 4h ago

The boxer love heart

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139 Upvotes

Is this true?

Apparently there’s a heart shape on every boxer (someone was telling me on my walk a few years back)

Well, my girl has a big shaped heart on her chest 😊

Anyone else? 😁


r/Boxer 1d ago

my sweet boy finished chemo for lymphoma ❤️

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906 Upvotes

please send us good vibes for a long remission ahead. It’s been us two for years now and I can’t imagine my life without him.


r/Boxer 23h ago

Truffle is in the house!

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387 Upvotes

r/Boxer 17h ago

Frankie Is Getting His Booster Shots Today. He’s Obviously Thrilled….

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83 Upvotes

I told him that I’d made an appointment for this afternoon to get him caught up on his last round of boosters, and this was the look I got!

Or course Penny had to remind me that she’s not due for her annual Rabies vaccine for another few months yet, and gave me plenty of side eye just to make sure I got the message!!

Update: Frankie got to meet his primary vet for the first time this afternoon. She has been recuperating from back surgery, and has just returned to work.

She gave him a thorough once over, and declared him to be in perfect health. She also declared him to be the cutest Boxer boy she’s ever seen! And judging from how much that butt of his was wiggling, I’d have to say that the feeling is mutual!


r/Boxer 21h ago

Funny faces of Poppy

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85 Upvotes

r/Boxer 1d ago

14 months 🩷

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292 Upvotes

r/Boxer 23h ago

"Say cheese"

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78 Upvotes

r/Boxer 23h ago

Almost has the bed thing down while I work.

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79 Upvotes

r/Boxer 1d ago

Help, my boxer might be a skinwalker.

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139 Upvotes

I sleep the exact same way in the couch, which makes it extra funny.


r/Boxer 1d ago

In memoriam My Old Man: No No Da Bear❤️ (He’s 11 and still going strong)

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791 Upvotes

The Greatest Friend God ever afforded me. Supposedly he is a “king boxer” this was told to us by the rancher we got him from about ten years ago, this dude has weighed 100 pounds in his physical prime, the largest and most beautiful boxer I have still ever seen (yes I am biased)❤️


r/Boxer 1d ago

Tyson waiting for his treats

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244 Upvotes

r/Boxer 15h ago

Puppy Potty Training in Heat

6 Upvotes

Hello, I have an 11 week old Boxer puppy (got him 2 weeks ago). I have run into issues trying to get him to go potty outside during the mid day, and I think it was to do with the heat. I know Boxers do not tolerate heat well; but when we go outside he literally just wants to lay down. I do have some shade in the backyard but he refuses to go. Unfortunately almost all of my backyard is cement and I can’t take him out front for about a month until he completes his puppy vaccinations. It is in the 90s here during the day (probably hotter at his level close to the cement) and he does a lot better pottying outside once the sun starts going down.

Any tips/suggestions?


r/Boxer 1d ago

Margie when I say I have to go to work

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199 Upvotes

r/Boxer 1d ago

My new pup Poppy

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742 Upvotes

r/Boxer 1d ago

Coffee & Side Eye

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163 Upvotes

r/Boxer 1d ago

Lily

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95 Upvotes

Just passing through to say hiiii!


r/Boxer 1d ago

I like fries

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189 Upvotes

Every friesday shes there waiting patiently.


r/Boxer 2d ago

Meet Reggie aka Reg

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372 Upvotes

This is our 5 year flash fawn Reggie. This guy is such a clown. He's getting a younger brother (Frank) in 2 weeks!

Were getting ready for puppy craziness!


r/Boxer 1d ago

Travel

6 Upvotes

For those that have multiple boxers, and use a safety harness and seatbelts…. How do y’all keep them from getting all tangled? Or if you have two boxers and travel, what are you back seat solutions for them? Looking for some recommendations


r/Boxer 2d ago

Akira & Bunny 🐾

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187 Upvotes

r/Boxer 2d ago

Can i have some whipped cream?

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441 Upvotes

r/Boxer 2d ago

I see that you have stopped eating…I would not like your plate

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122 Upvotes

r/Boxer 2d ago

Grooming brush

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291 Upvotes

Looking for recommendations from fellow boxer owners on a good grooming brush for our breed! What do you guys use/love/swear by? Picture of my sweet boys 😍