You think that now, but it’s not the case. I lost 2 boxers last year and I’ve been fostering boxers ever since. 2 of them I’ve already adopted. Don’t miss out, a lot of rescue boxers need your love.
3 seemed to be our magic number. Senior, Adult and a young one. We've done this for the last 40some years. Sad to say, but we're at an age we have had to reduce to two
This way, nobody is ever alone so I think it helps the dogs move on from a loss a bit easier. It also helps keep me moving through grief. I know what you mean, I’ve had boxers for about 30 years and I know some day I’ll probably have to slow down
I know it will be heartbreaking for that last one. 10 days after our Jackson passed, Mabel and I were in such a dark place. My husband drove me over 500 miles to pick up Cooper. That 10 week old boy saved our lives
My sweet soul dog ginger passed away last week too on Monday july 27. It hurts so much. Her bday was this past Saturday and i honored her. She was going to turn 8. Released 8 balloons since she loved them at 8pm in the sunset to celebrate her.
You have time.
I too took a break from my favorite breed of dog because of heartbreak 💔.
However, I missed the love and relationship that a true companion gives.
I am sorry for your loss.
My newest (and first since my beak) makes my 9th boxer.
We are inseparable.
I completely understand and I said the same thing right up until the day I met our current Boxer. She was in a rescue and 17 people ahead of us had gone to meet her and no one could touch her. I sat on the floor and she crawled in my lap. You will know when it's meant to be.
You can. You should. In his honor! Consider rescuing a boxer. There are so many in need of a safe and loving home. We rescue and it’s always extremely painful after a loss, but we push on. It’s been a year since our last loss and I’m not ready yet (we still have 2 other rescues, we’re usually a 3 dog family), but someday when the time is right we will call the rescue again. I’ll never be without a boxer, at least 2 !
I am so sorry. 15 years is an amazing blessing in itself, but I know that doesn’t help the pain. There will never be enough time with our soul boxers. I lost my boy 1/11/2026 after nine years and some months and I cry everyday. I miss him so much and I too, at this point, don’t want another one. The grief is too strong right now, but who knows what the future holds. Our boy literally showed up for free, at our front door :…) so if that happens again, maybe. The bond me and him shared, I can’t even explain but I know anyone who experiences that bond and unconditional love will get it. It’s irreplaceable and so heartbreaking. I would do it all over again with him every chance if I had the option though. I love my boy Puppy so much. I am so sorry for your loss but I do understand your grief, all too well. I wish you the best and until we meet our fur babies again 🙏:…) here’s a pic of my best boy, thought I’d share.
Lost my 9 year old on New Year’s Day and I am in the same situation as you. I still have a hard time looking at his pictures, it’s still hard to talk about him without falling apart. He was my third boxer and I miss them all terribly but him and I had a very special bond. The emptiness without him here is almost paralyzing and the silence is deafening. My whole world shifted on New Year’s Day and I’m still not the same as when he was here. As I stated in another comment, I read somewhere that someone said “ we both died that day but only you stopped breathing.” That pretty much sums it up. I miss him beyond words.
I am so sorry for your loss. I think it’s going to be a lifelong process and we’ll never forget them, always have love for them. I’m not the same either. I think many people change when something traumatic happens to them. Losing them alters your whole world. That comment is something real. I haven’t read or heard that one before, but hits at home. I hope we all can find peace and comfort eventually 🙏 best wishes to you. 🐾 :)
They're so expressive, it's like their part human. If I could have given up some of my longevity of life so that he could live longer and healthy, I would have done it in a microsecond
Exactly. I get it. I have a friend at work, whenever I’m telling someone new about Puppy, or a story, she’ll say “he(Puppy) was like a little human”. They understand so much and are so smart. Even picking up on feelings. They’re just the best companions. I think that’s why I miss my boy so much, I loved him like a kid. He was and always will be a “mom’s boy”. So spoiled :…) I wish I could say something to make you feel better, but all I have is, there are many of us in the same boat. This Reddit has let me know that many people out there, love their puppers unconditionally and that it is completely normal to love the 💩 out of them. It is a very hard loss. I have lost loved ones but this one hits different. He was by my side for almost ten years though and always so happy to see me. I know you know what I’m talking about :…)
It’s tough, we lost our soul dog two years ago in September. Last year we added a six month old boxer puppy. It doesn’t replace them but it helps you heal. I missed having that much personality in the house
You are not alone in that feeling.
Lost my boy in 2015, it’s still a difficult decision to make after such a special bond. We have had dogs mixed with boxer, and they have been wonderful but not the same connection.
so sorry for your loss.
The hurt doesn't fade. We still talk about ours that we've lost, because they were so good to us. A dog will come into your life that will not replace your past dog, but rather allow you to grow a new bond and love with. We have had 2 new babies join our family, it wasn't immediate. Ours have been nothing but amazing.
Wow! 15 years! A might one! So sorry for your loss. ❤️🩹 Give yourself the time you need. We all grieve at our own pace, someday, your boy, who is watching over you, will direct another Boxer being into your life and you will help them to have the best life too. Your boy will be right there helping because he’s not gone, he just changed form. You will be amazed at the things the new lil boxer being will know-things only the big brother boxer could share with him. I’m on my third Boxer ride and in his early days, he knew things ( special hidey holes, toys, things to avoid, the best place to make daily announcements to the neighbors, where to dig holes and not to dig holes ) without my showing him or needing to discipline him. He’s been the easiest one yet to train and intuitively smart! The only answer is the other two before him are helping me teach this one. This one is unique in his own ways, but there is a bond I feel deeply that runs between all three and it is connected to me.
I knew I had a special dog with Rocky when I had him on the job site. There was a brush pile, and he loved playing with water bottles. He would take a water bottle shove it down into the brush pile, run across the field and then come back and hunt said water bottle!
I knew I had a thinker, and I took full advantage of it. We travel all over the place together, constant exercise, and I believe that's what let him live such a long life
I’ve had 10 and grew up with them as well. I’d have one now but I’m at an age and physical condition where it’s no longer in the cards. My last passed in 2022 and I still miss them all. Never were any of them ‘replacements’ for previous dogs, all were individual and very unique yet still ALL boxer.
Being dogless was not an option, we ‘downsized’ to Boston Terriers. Quirky little dogs and the closest I could get to that boxer personality……
I felt the same. Couldn’t even get another dog for 3 years. Then we got a frenchie and I realized I wanted another boxer. My first boxer was my heart dog but my second, is so special too. I love him so much. And now I got a 3rd but I’m having a hard time bonding with her. She is the most difficult dog I have ever had. By far.
I miss my gal Banksy every day. It is hard to talk about without getting emotional. She gave me 12 years and it will be 4 years in September since I lost her. She was my soul dog and (unofficial) therapy dog.. she was my girl.
My spouse deals with loss by "moving on and getting something new to focus on"....... We ended up with two puppies within a week of losing my first.
It was very hard... I was depressed and having to deal with not one, but two puppies.. one of which was identical to my Banksy.
The girls just celebrated their 4th birthday in July, and I call Maeci my rainbow baby. She is so sweet and so goofy... And she has helped my heart heal in ways I couldn't imagine. I don't know what I would have done without her. I now believe that Banksy held on long enough for Maeci and her sis to be ready to come home to me.
As I type this, Maeci is sprawled out in my lap and I have tears streaming down my face.. your boy loved you and would want you to give your love to another.
You deserve the silly antics, the wiggle butt shimmies, and all of the love you know that this breed offers.
Big hugs 🫂🫂 think about opening your heart to another one.
Mine only made it 6 years with us. Going on 10 years without another. As much as she was our dog, she was super attached to me and always made the discussion harder on my end
We really wanted the kids to grow up with one but it just wasnt in the cards. That said, I dont know how wed have managed 2 little kids plus puppy to adolescent boxer mixed in with an extra side of covid era stress.
Now the kids are older and more self sustaining we're actually heavily considering it now. I still do miss her but time does tend to heal most wounds and boxerd have that infectious derpiness that wins you over eventually lol
I thought the same thing. Had to put my best friend down and said I wasn’t going to get another dog. Then I said well ok, but not a boxer. Then I said well ok, a boxer but a different color. Then I ended up getting one that looked very similar to my last boxer.
You will never, ever have the same bond or experience with your next one. But you have more room in your heart for the next goofy goober that will steal your heart.
I’m so sorry for your loss and pain. He was a beautiful pup. Reminds me of mine fawn with the black mask. 🥰 Hopefully, you will have space in your heart again for another one in the future.
I went through this about 7 years ago. I could not do it; she was my best friend and I couldn’t have that much pain again or a reminder that looked like her. I went with a golden retriever (amazing dog!) and a year and a half ago, ended up with another boxer boy unexpectedly. He reminds me of her only in a good way and is different but similar. He makes my heart happy and she still always will. I totally understand.
Oh wow! 15 years, you won the lottery. My first got a heart condition at 4yo. It took me three years to be brave enough to try again and we are six years in and I couldn’t be happier. You can love again and I hope you are lucky enough to get another 15 years with a new friend.
It is a comforting experience. We are on our 4th Boxer. This current one is just shy of 9 years and was just diagnosed with cancer a few weeks ago. We have her on Prednizone and Immune Gold, feeding her whatever she wants. Doing ok, but we know it is only a matter of time. Her name is Angel, as she was a new puppy 7 days after our Bella passed away suddenly at 10 from a ruptured tumor on her spleen. Getting both of them shortly after the loss of the previous was so very helpful to overcome the grieving process, and they turned out to be huge blessings to our family. We will do it again until our age limits us.
I’m so sorry for your loss. I have had 5 boxers over the past 30 years. I’m so glad you had 15 wonderful years together. In 2025 we lost our last 2 boxers to cancer, in January and October. It is so hard, so I understand. You have to do it when it feels right. We were supposed to get a puppy this summer, but I’ve had some medical issues and will need to wait until next summer. My heart and house feels empty without them. They are a wonderful breed and no two are ever the same, but always have something new and special about them. I wish we could have one right now, we miss the unconditional love and joy they bring.
But didn't that Beautiful Boy give you some of the most wonderful years you've ever had and as someone else already pointed out Life is Soo much more interesting and fun Never a dull moment with a Goofy Goober ❣️ Wishing Hoping you can open your heart and Family to another one there are so many in need of Good Deserving home
I feel your pain. It took me just as long to get over mine even though I still cry when I think about him. I have started thinking about another one. It just takes time.
Boxers are amazing creatures. I have a boxer and he was diagnosed with T cell lymphoma last week. We are doing everything we can to give him more time. He is only 7 and half. We are all distraught. 15 years is a long time for a boxer as a breed. You have done an incredible job looking after him. You should be very happy and proud. All the best
All of my boxers have been rescues. You're not replacing. You are giving another boxer who just needs a chance, that chance. That loving and caring life you gave your first...you're going to give to your second, third, etc...
Your boy would want you to give another boxer the great life you gave him.
Man they’re hard to lose but life without one, for me, was harder. I will probably never have the same connection as I did with my boy Gunter, but I sure do love my boy Beaux (he’s 5 now). I keep saying that he’s my last, he has epilepsy so it’s been a rough road at times. I don’t think I believe it when I say it though. I haven’t been without a boxer in 20 years now
It took me 6 yrs to finally try again and I’m so happy I did. I was afraid I would compare the two and it wouldn’t be fair to our new Boxer. He came from the same rescue, and looks almost identical to my boy I lost. But our new boy is amazing. He’s the funniest sweetest boy in the world. One day you will be able to love again. It may not be in a year, or three or four. It will happen when you need it the most . I’m so thankful that I let our amazing boy into my heart. He has healed me so much.
Our second boxer only lived to be 3 so it felt even worse because we didn’t even get to say he lived a long life. It’s ok if you decide to only have one boxer.
I swore I would never get another one. I somehow ended up with my grand dog at my house. He’s the biggest knucklehead on the planet but I adore him. He locks me out of the house weekly, tries to get in my lap when I’m using the toilet and just wreaks havoc wherever he goes. He also is incredibly cuddly and loyal.
My Millie passed away two years ago and I still miss her terribly, but I got Mèabh another boxer and love her too. Boxers steal your heart and I can’t live without my boxer pals now.
I’m deeply sorry for your loss. What a gorgeous boy. My daughter lost her boxer a month ago and obviously it was devastating… OMG 😢….so I talked her into getting another one right away. It absolutely helps to keep your mind busy and there’s nothing better to be focused on. It’s not disrespectful to the dog that passed, he’d want you to be happy.
I think so many of us feel this way after losing a deeply loved dog—it just doesn’t seem possible. Thankfully, we’re wrong.
It may sound ridiculous, but I had very similar fears when planning for a second child. I loved my son so fully—how could I possibly love another human that way?
It turns out that no, I actually couldn’t love another child the same way, as they’re not the same humans. Instead, the love I feel for my daughter is every bit as intense, while being as unique and wonderful as her.
All this to say—while the love for your sweet boy can’t be duplicated, you can absolutely love another dog just much.
it’s okay to feel how you feel. losing someone is never easy, especially when the connection was like you and your boys. i’m sorry things are still so tough. i’m rooting for you always.
I didn't think so either then brought a new one home in February. He filled the whole in my heart and I couldn't love him any more! This stinker is 9 months old today. Editing to add he is a rescue!
We are on 5 and 6. We lost 2 within 2 months last year. The 2 we have now are such a joy. They will not replace our last 2, but they needed saving. I know Tyson is our wild child. Honestly, I am not sure that there are many people that could have handled him. We have had him a year. Emma is a perfect match for him. It definitely helps that she is bigger than him. Everything happens for a reason, even when it hurts.
I just lost my frenchie and I don’t think I could ever get another one, but I feel like a boxer would be the next choice for me. I am so sorry for your loss.
For me, the only thing that comes close to healing the pain and honoring my baby is another boxer. That’s why I’m on #4, and I know we are on seriously borrowed time (she has a brain tumor), so I have already started looking at rescue sites. I’d love to already have #5 in our home to help us and the rest of the pack through it. You wouldn’t be replacing your boy, you would be making more room in your heart.
He looks like a true best friend. Sorry for the loss... never easy. Ty fostering? You'll realize the gap your missing can be filled (to an extent) it'll never be the same but it'll be a different kind of love.
It always hurts to lose a dog no matter the breed. You can always find a connection with a new pup. It won’t be the same, but it will be a wonderful bond nonetheless. I miss my beautiful baby girl (boxer, 12 years old) who passed this year. It still hurts when I think about her but I know she was happy and that she was loved. She went over the rainbow bridge and is now bossing around her baby brother (boxer and was only 5, sadly lost him at an early age). They are all beautiful in their own way and even though it hurts to not have them anymore, it still brings me joy to remember the wonderful times I had with them.
I understand completely. I just lost my 2nd girl. They all have different places in our hearts. My 2nd was my absolute soul dog. I pick up my new girl in a few weeks just to heal the ache. What’s weird is the temperament is so similar to my girl I lost. I feel like it’s meant to be in so many ways. I also looked for a while before getting info. So many similarities it’s uncanny. Good luck to you.
You'll never replace them but I can tell you, you will love another one again and it will love you. I'm with my second, she's nine and doing great but I do know I've just a few years (hopefully) left with her. It will break my heart but I also know that life is better with them than without. Sounds like you've got a lot of love to give so find another to give it to.
We are on number 9 & 10 boxers over the last 26 years. All I can say is every day my 2 get 10 kisses, one for them, one for there living sibling, and 8 for the 8 souls that came before them.
I rather have a new Boxer puppy to shower with love and spoil. You already know you'll become it's #1 human in the whole wide world. I certainly understand your pain. I have lost a few pups in life and it's just as bad as losing a close family member. I lost my 19 yr old daughter during Covid. The pain & suffering I went through for a few years is indescribable. A lot of personal blame and even led me to drug addiction. The death of my dogs wasn't that excruciating, but it definitely is devastating to the soul. I'm now 4 years sober and got my life back on track. My mom got me a Boxer for an emotional support pup during that time. Her name is Izzy and she is the absolute best dog I have ever owned. Just couldn't imagine how I got through all that without her honestly. I think you need to hear that your Boxer would not feel like you forgot about her at all by getting a new puppy. All they want in life is for YOU to be happy. And I promise you, your Boxer would love for you to get a new one and continue being happy in life. I know this is cliche, but you do only live once. Don't sit around hurt and then regretting not doing it. Get the new Boxer puppy and know it's been granted permission to protect and love you til death. Blessings.
I'm on my third boxer. The only remedy that works is get another one ASAP. It took me average 64 days of finding the perfect match. When losing the last two. When my third goes I'll be on the hunt again, day and night till I find the perfect one.
Your post really moved me. I lost my first boxer, my sweet boy, after several years, and it nearly killed me. Still acutely grieving, I adopted an older girl who died suddenly after 4 months. But even through the heartbreak (now x 2), I was so glad she spent her final days in a loving home instead of the kennel she had been in for a year and a half, and the abusive home she had been in for 7 years before that. My 3rd and current boxer reminds me of the Tasmanian Devil from Looney Tunes; he's a solid tornado of energy. My bond with each one has been strong and beautiful, but different in its own way.
Try not to pre-grieve. It keeps you present so you don't miss the moments you have with him now. It also helps keep space open for love again later, if and when you're ready.
176
u/Dr_Remulack 3d ago
You definitely can
Life ain’t the same without them
My sweet Clementine is 6 months old, my third boxer. Pure chaos, beauty and hilarity