Suspected brain tumor, looking for input.

[xJazerx]

Yeah he started getting the bumps around 3-4 years of age. The last 2 popped up in the last 6-months or so? The one he had removed was quite strange. I will attach a picture. It had grown from a tiny skin tag to that in a few months time. It was not an infected tag, it was just a growth.

 

[Tuff Love]

That is an unusual one but I've seen similar on other dogs, though typically much older. The grade 2 MCT that Tuff had grew pretty sizable and was ulcerated with a concave center... it was a very nasty looking thing and it was on his lower leg near the joint so it was a rough heal. The vet always told us that MCT's can pretty much look like anything so we always kept a close eye on bumps and had them aspirated and removed if they grew fast or changed.

 

[xJazerx]

That is an unusual one but I've seen similar on other dogs, though typically much older. The grade 2 MCT that Tuff had grew pretty sizable and was ulcerated with a concave center... it was a very nasty looking thing and it was on his lower leg near the joint so it was a rough heal. The vet always told us that MCT's can pretty much look like anything so we always kept a close eye on bumps and had them aspirated and removed if they grew fast or changed.

Oh wow :( Poor guy. Yeah I heard that too. We always had his bumps checked too. Unfortunately there was apparently an invisible one though :(

 

[msnitsirk]

Thank you. :*( I feel like I'm going to have a huge gaping hole forever. He was just so special. I love my little dog, but the connection with Dante was just, different. I don't think I will be getting another Boxer when I am ready to get another dog (tho it will probably be a long time).. I just don't know if I can.

As a lifetime dog lover and talking to others, I tend to think we all have that once in a lifetime dog that steals our hearts "furever". Sammie was mine and Dante is yours. That's not to say we won't give up our hearts to new paw prints someday, it's just that once in a lifetime connection that lasts "furever." I also have a huge hole in my heart right now. Once that hole heals (and I've got a LONG way to go) I've thought about adopting a bonded pair. I know they are hard to find homes for and I have 3 acres to be able to accommodate. I've been watching the adoption sites for at least 3 years thinking I might find a buddy for Sammie. Once she started getting older, I backed off, not wanting to bring a new dog in our home during her old age. I love her and miss her soooo much but somewhere down the road I think my dog loving heart will be ready and when that time comes I think I might be the one to adopt that "bonded pair" that most shy away from.

 

[xJazerx]

As a lifetime dog lover and talking to others, I tend to think we all have that once in a lifetime dog that steals our hearts "furever". Sammie was mine and Dante is yours. That's not to say we won't give up our hearts to new paw prints someday, it's just that once in a lifetime connection that lasts "furever." I also have a huge hole in my heart right now. Once that hole heals (and I've got a LONG way to go) I've thought about adopting a bonded pair. I know they are hard to find homes for and I have 3 acres to be able to accommodate. I've been watching the adoption sites for at least 3 years thinking I might find a buddy for Sammie. Once she started getting older, I backed off, not wanting to bring a new dog in our home during her old age. I love her and miss her soooo much but somewhere down the road I think my dog loving heart will be ready and when that time comes I think I might be the one to adopt that "bonded pair" that most shy away from.

I totally understand that, and I think you're absolutely right.

That would be a wonderful thing to do, once you are ready. I definitely cant even think about another dog right now, but I have been spoiling my little dog more than normal lately. Dante loved him so I know that's what he would want me to do. We got Dante from a breeder in Germany, but I think our next will be a rescue like our Rat Terrier is. Another bully breed. When the time is right.. probably a long time from now.

These pics were what our evenings often consisted of <3

 

[bxrbgood]

My sympathies to you and yours. :( I know it's hard to to have one in the prime of life taken away. I've had a beautiful soul taken that way, when she was 6. That was 2010, may 9th. I still find it hard to talk about or think about the feelings of loss. I have three boxers now and am somewhat distracted.
There are some rescues that are in sore need of a loving home. I got one to fit in with my two female boxers. He's a bit of work, but so worth it.

 

[rena]

I know how extremely difficult this can be, we lost our Mick so young and suddenly. We didn't have another dog and were miserable with the silence and hole of inactivity left by losing Mick. Enter Cooper......our current rescue and goofy clown. He has been an absolute joy to have in our family and his fun loving personality arrived at the perfect time for us. I thought Roxy was my lifetime connection dog, then Mick arrived - so different (he was our protector) but just as exceptional. I wondered how we could be blessed with that special relationship twice. Now with Cooper - I can't even imagine not starting the morning with his silly antics, a big slobbery kiss and a game of "tug" or "steal the sock". I guess what I'm trying to say is I think I have come to the realization that there doesn't have to be a once in a lifetime relationship- they each are unique and special, but likely will never be a repeat of the previous one. When you are ready - I hope you have the same experience and find your next lifetime connection. Sending healing hugs and wiggles.

 

[Jan]

I understand how you feel! When I lost Moto at 5 years old, to a suspected heart attack, I was devastated. I said that I didn't want another boxer and was going to get another breed. I searched and searched and really couldn't find any breed that I wanted. They just weren't boxers. In the end I rescued my Dante. He has been such a wonderful dog. At one point, I thought that I wasn't going to get Dante, so I put a deposit on a puppy, Allie. Having 2 boxers if the most wonderful thing. They have so much fun playing and chasing each other around. I think I will always try and have 2 boxers.

 

[xJazerx]

Thank you three for your kind words. I appreciate all the support I have been receiving from the members here, in this thread. I love hearing about your babies and the pawsitive vibes ya'll are sending my way. Truly thankful for that <3

Rena that is a wonderful way to look at it. At this moment in time I can't imagine another dog filling Dante's "paws", but I think you are right.. they each make their own special place in your heart.. Maybe it's just a Boxer thing. Boxers are the breed of a lifetime :P

When I think of getting another Boxer, I don't know if my instinct is to shy away, because I picture Dante as my 1 & only Boxer and it's just nice? to remember him as such. The Boxer of a lifetime.. or that in combination with knowing that the health issues he struggled with (lumps and bumps) are prone to the breed especially.. and I just don't want to go through this again.

I've only ever had 2 dogs before, a Pitbull and a Boxer. I just have a thing for bully breeds with big square heads <3 hehe. My Pitbull was a long time ago when I was young and lived on my own in an apartment. I ended up not being able to find anywhere to live, that would allow him (I tried so hard, but BSL was rampant in the area and my landlord had changed his mind after approval and gave me 3 weeks to GTFO).. Fortunately I had a friend who was looking for an APBT to add to her family, so it worked out. He lived a good few more years before he died a heroic death. Her friend was in a brutal car accident with him. When he was injured rather than running off scared, he curled up on top of her friend and comforted him in his last moments, and they passed together. He was a very brave dog.

 

[msnitsirk]

I totally understand that, and I think you're absolutely right.

That would be a wonderful thing to do, once you are ready. I definitely cant even think about another dog right now, but I have been spoiling my little dog more than normal lately. Dante loved him so I know that's what he would want me to do. We got Dante from a breeder in Germany, but I think our next will be a rescue like our Rat Terrier is. Another bully breed. When the time is right.. probably a long time from now.

These pics were what our evenings often consisted of <3

Love the pics! So precious, thanks for sharing! Not that it matters, but Sammie was not purebred nor a rescue, she was a boxer pitty mutt mix that turned out mostly boxer. She came to us from an old landlord at a house we rented a few years back. Sammie used to belong to her adult son that didn't have time for her. When our landlord tried to adopt a different dog to another renter friend of ours, said renter told her, "Chris and Kristin would probably love that Boxer." and so the tale begins.....

I had hoped the pitty mix might extend her life expectancy as a boxer, but not in this case. Sammie had a close call with death at 5 with botched knee surgery that almost killed her. Every day since then has been borrowed time. I'm just so happy she got to move here with us and have 3+ acres to run on and do boxer burns. Each time she did it, I cringed worrying about the knee but I also smiled because she had sooooo much fun. I have pics of her running and rolling in the grass, those are my favorite memories. She got 5 years after that surgery so I'm glad we did it.