Oh Tug! He was my best friend. I have always had a soft spot for boxer dogs. I had loved and lost a few before him. When I decided I was ready for another, I went specifically looking for a reputable breeder who did recommended genetic testing, as I had lost previous loves to DM, cancer, and cardiomyopathy. I found a breeder and brought him home at 8 weeks old. That was January of 2019. He was silly, obstinate, fearless, and a scaredy cat all at once. Initially, he and I lived with my mom on her farm in Beavercreek. He grew up running on almost 6 acres with other dog friends. My mom unexpectedly passed in July of that year. He was there to get me through it. He was my horse show travel companion, my best buddy at home and we eventually added his half sister Lucy to the mix. They were besties. He was always there to greet me when I got home, always carrying a stuffy to show me. He climbed up to give me flea bite kisses whenever he could. He loved going to the dog park. The one we most often visited was in Nampa, ID where we went for our annual regional horse show. It is 3 acres and has lots of grass, trees and water features. Big fun! He also loved the beach. His first interaction with a clam shell was pure comedy. We took walks at most of the local state parks which he also loved. I miss him so. Sadly, on April 3 of 2026 he was diagnosed with canine lymphoma. As an emergency nurse, I have seen in humans how awful things like chemo can be so I opted for palliative care. He lasted until June 10, 2026. That day my cherished veterinarian, Dr. Beth Nguyen, helped him pass comfortably over the rainbow bridge. I don't think I will ever not miss him. He could be so obnoxious sometimes and so loving.