My family lost our 12 yr old Boxer two years ago. We had him for 10yrs. He had just been diagnosed with cancer and heart problems and the vet told us we had probably 6 months left with him. A few days later my brother came home from work and found him dead in his crate. My mother came to my work and told me and I immediately broke down. It's hard losing a pet you've grown close to and spent a lot of time with.

The vet made a little clay pawprint for us and I have his ashes in my bedroom. The vet said he most likely died while asleep in his crate and didn't feel anything, so I'm grateful it was painless at least.
My mom said after he died she was done with dogs and didn't want anymore pets, but then 8 months later we ended up rescuing a 3 yr old black lab/german welsh pointer mix she fell in love with. Then a year later we rescued a 2 yr old boxer because she thought our lab needed a friend.

The lab has been a blessing since his personality is completely chill and loves other dogs, which is the exact opposite to what our 12 yr old boxer's was. Our new boxer on the other hand, is a little terror ... though he has mellowed out slightly since we first got him.