Photo of Dog's Last Meal Brings Reddit Community to Tears

Lennox the Boxer may have lost the battle with cancer, but he got the dish of his dreams before heading to the Rainbow Bridge.

When you have to euthanize your beloved dog, you want all the snuggles and playtime you can get. But you have to think, what does the dog want? One man who had a cancer-ridden Boxer named Lennox knew exactly what his dog wanted: a turkey leg covered in bacon, laid on a pillow of rice next to two fat sausages and (from the looks of it) a solid hunk of bread. 

An epic last meal, in other words. 

Reddit user Nikolaoss posted a photo of the feast to the site yesterday, and it tore up the rankings (along with a few Redditors -- many comments about crying in the comments). Later he posted further explanation. Lennox was his roommate's dog, who had reached the end of his battle with cancer. 

"He has severe cancer and arthritis," he wrote. "After many surgeries, which include a tumor on his left ear which you can see had surgery on. Now there is a huge growth on his left shoulder that you can see in the pic, he can barely walk on that side, and barely gets up anymore." 

Nickolaoss also included a video. Lennox enjoyed his last meal very much, it seems. Watch for yourself: 

Many Redditors expressed sympathy for the dog and shared their own stories. One user, soapage, had this to say:  

"Well Nikolaoss tell your roomate for me this: I know a lot of people here don't believe in heaven, but I think we all believe there is somewhere to go. He shall be put to sleep and his suffering will pass. In an instant his energy will burst out of his body with all the love that has been poured on him for years and it will be free. Most likely he will chase some squirrels and visit the cosmos, but I am pretty sure most of the time he will stick around with his human ... waiting the exact moment to greet him with a nice face lick on the other side."

In another post, Nikolaoss thanked the community for its compassion. "Thanks for all the comments, my roommate appreciates it a lot. This post isn't meant to be sad in any way. He lived like an absolute boss all his life! And the meal reflects that!"

Lennox was put to sleep on Wednesday. Nickolaoss said he passed away peacefully. 

Via the Huffington Post

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Our Instagram Photo Contest Enters Its Final Round: Help Us Pick a Winner!

Which dog is cute enough to win? You decide!

Hey Dogsters! It's the Final Round of our Dogster Dog Show Instagram contest!

To help celebrate our Instagram account, we're holding a Dogster Dog Show. We asked our Instagram followers to submit photos of their dogs with #DogsterDogShow2013, and because we love mutts as much as we love pure breeds, we decided we're going to pick two winners -- a "purebreed" and a "muttbreed." And! Since no one knows and loves dogs better than you do, we decided that we're going to let you vote on the final winners!

Our winners will receive a limited edition summer Dogster tote bag filled with goodies -- hurray!

Voting starts today, and we'll announce our winners on Wednesday, June 5.

Here's how to vote:

There are two categories: Purebreed and Muttbreed. Scroll through the photos below and vote for your favorite dog by clicking the Vote button on the upper righthand corner of the picture.

And remember: This is all in good fun. We think all dogs are worthy of recognition, whether they're puppies, seniors, purebreds, or mutts.

If you have an Instagram account, follow us @Dogster, where we plan to hold more fun hashtag projects and campaigns.

Thanks for having fun with us, Dogsters -- now get to the voting below! 

Vote For Your #PureBreed Winner:

Vote For Your #MuttBreed Winner:

Voting is now closed and the contest is over! Congrats to our winners @alfienumeric and @noodlepudding!

Hero photo: Dog in a retro setting by Shutterstock

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Photo We Love: The Beautiful Dog Days of Winter

Maddie chills fashionably in the snow (Photo by Amy Milton)

A couple of weeks ago I got an e-mail from a very smart, polite, 10-year-old boy named Wyatt Milton. He had heard about my forthcoming book on military dogs, and was eager to learn more about them for a school report he was putting together. He asked me several interesting questions. I was happy to help Wyatt, because this topic is clearly a big passion of his. His dad, Stephen, is in the Army (airborne infantry), and the family got to know about these dogs a bit during their last two years at the Yuma Proving Ground, in Arizona.

When we were done with the interview, Wyatt and his mom, Amy, sent me a photo of the family dog, Maddie. The family now lives in Nebraska, where Stephen is liaison officer for the Army Missile Defense Agency to STRATTCOM. It gets mighty cold in the winter — kind of the opposite of Yuma’s stifling heat in summer. Maybe to help Maddie acclimate to the rigors of winter, or maybe just to make a beautiful Lab mix that much more stylish, Amy dressed her in this supercolorful, fun scarf and took this photo at the end of a snowstorm last week. And a stunning portrait was born.

From her gorgeous eyes to the way the snow has settled on her head to her sweet expression and white chinny-chin-chin, Maddie is a portrait of the prototypical loyal dog — happy to don whatever fashion options come her way, content to move wherever her people go, roasting, or freezing, to be part of her family.

Since segments of the country are socked in by snow, this seemed like a most appropriate photo for today. Thanks for the photo, Amy, and Wyatt: Knock ‘em dead with your report! It’s going to be A++ material from what I can tell.

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Photo: The Paw of a Gentle Giant, the Boot of the Handler Who Loved Him

(Photo courtesy of Army Sgt. Amanda Ingraham, via SoldierDogs.com)

A dog’s paw, a sergeant’s boot. “He had huge feet, a huge heart,” Army Sgt. Amanda Ingraham told me of her former military working dog, Rex.

I’m posting this photo because Anna Zeman, Dogster’s social media guru, is looking for anything big-dog-oriented for Big Dogs Week on Dogster. And this paw belonged to one big dog — Ingraham’s noble, gentle giant of a German Shepherd.

(Photo courtesy of Army Sgt. Amanda Ingraham. You can learn Rex’s story in my upcoming book, Soldier Dogs.)

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Refreshing Photo: Keeping Cool in Dog Days of Summer

Received this photo from a couple of readers today, and had to post it for all of the Dogsters sweating it out in these horrendously hot dog days of summer. Here’s what Laura Hickman, the photographer of this icy masterpiece, wrote on the Facebook page where she posted the photo: “This is Elliot, an English Bulldog, and this is an un-posed picture (trust me, you couldn’t actually make Elliot do anything) of said pooch trying to beat the Ohio heat after his owners emptied their cooler in the driveway in Cuhahoga Falls, Ohio.”

Here’s to keeping cool this weekend, Dogsters! (I’m about to go from San Francisco’s high of 68 degrees to yet another 110-degree locale for research for my book, Soldier Dogs. I think I’ll bring along my very own bucket of ice…)

(Photo credit: Laura Hickman)

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Photo Caption Contest: All Eyes

Alrighty, Dogsters, hope you can have some fun with this one. It seemed very appropriate and summery to me. For anyone who hasn’t played before, it’s easy. First, come up with a funny caption. Second, submit it by commenting on this post before next Thursday, June 30th. Third, check out the winning post later that day and if it’s yours you get the 50-Zealie prize. Have fun!

Photo ©Mark Rogers Photography 2011, All Rights Reserved

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Photo Caption Contest: Riddle of the Sphinx Redux

You have to love a Cocker Spaniel with a both a sense of taste and humor. Witness this cute little lass who picked a lovely spot to pose for me last week near one of San Francisco’s more interesting buildings, The De Young Museum. Let’s see what you have her say.

For newcomers, playing is easy. Just enter your idea for a caption by commenting on this post below by next Thursday, June 16th. The winner will be announced that day and gets a fabulous 50-Zealie prize. Good luck!

Photo ©Mark Rogers Photography 2011, All Rights Reserved

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Photo Caption Contest Winner for 6/08/2011

Another excellent set of entries this week, Dogsters. Please join me in congratulating Christine on her winning quote.

Get ready for another photo coming your way tomorrow.

Photo ©Mark Rogers Photography 2011, All Rights Reserved

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Photo Caption Winner for June 2, 2011

Thanks for your patience with this last contest, folks. As Maria explained there were some scheduling issues so this ended up running a week later than planned. It looks like it was worth the wait, though. Many, many excellent quotes were submitted. Please give a hearty four-pawed round of applause for Sue R’s winning quote. It’s inspired.

Another new photo and contest is coming your way tomorrow.

Photo ©Mark Rogers Photography 2011, All Rights Reserved

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Special Photo Essay: Dogs of War

Credit: U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Elizabeth Rissmiller, via Foreign Policy

People have always had a soft spot for military dogs. They’re incomparable troops — brave, loyal, and superbly well suited for their tasks. But there’s something else that draws us: These dogs have the ability to humanize war. We identify with them. They’re not simply heroes overseas, they’re our pals. We share our homes and lives with their distant cousins, whose fierce loyalty and unconditional love defines them, and sometimes helps define us.

When we hear about a four-legged warrior, we want to know more, to disappear into a world that may not have seemed so accessible to us without the dog in it. The takedown of Osama bin Laden earlier this month was and is a huge story. But when we learned that the elite team of Navy Seals that put an end to the most hunted man in the world was made up of 79 commandos and one very special dog, we wanted to find out everything: Who was this heroic dog, what did he do, and while we’re at it, what kind of tactics did the Seals use, who are the Seals anyway, how did this all unfold, and just where is Abbottabad, or at least Pakistan?

The dog, now reported to be a Belgian Malinois named Cairo, effectively broke down barriers between “them” and “us.” We still hunger to learn more. Because of him, military dogs are the subject of stories all over the globe. You’d be hard-pressed to find a news entity that hasn’t embarked on a story about dogs in the military in the last couple of weeks. Among the most riveting were a couple of slide shows that appeared on ForeignPolicy.com. We bring you a few of the photos here. Be sure to visit the site to see more and learn the stories behind them.

In the photo above, military dog Rico wears special “doggles” as he trains with Staff Sgt. Philip Mendoza aboard a helicopter at Joint Base Balad, Iraq.

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Credit: Tech. Sgt. Manuel J. Martinez, U.S. Air Force/DoD, via Foreign Policy

A dog and his soldier leap off the ramp of a CH-47 Chinook helicopter during water training over the Gulf of Mexico on March 1.

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Credit: Courtesy K9 Storm Inc., via Foreign Policy

We ran this photo earlier this month when word broke that a Navy Seal dog was involved with the Bin Laden operation. Now we know a little more about it. The photo shows U.S. Navy Seal Mike Forsythe, and his dog, Cara, as they recently broke the world record for “highest man/dog parachute deployment.” They jumped from 30,100 feet. The equipment used for military dogs in these operations is very sophisticated. A Canadian company called K9 Storm supplies military and police dogs with an impressive array of high-tech gear.

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(Photo: Courtesy K9 Storm, via Foreign Policy)

When these athletic, super-focused dogs wear full gear, they’re even more formidable. The dog in the photo above appears to be wearing the K9 Storm Intruder, a lightweight, waterproof integrated camera vest. The camera has built-in night vision, and besides being ideal for amphibious operations, is also designed for tunnel, cave, and SWAT operations.

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Credit: Coast Guard photo/PA3 Henry G. Dunphy, via Foreign Policy

Not every military dog is a Malinois or German shepherd. Canine troops include many different breeds. Labrador retrievers are favorites at home and on the field (and in the air, and on the sea…).

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Credit: U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Allen Stokes, via Foreign Policy

At the end of the day, it’s all about bonding and trust. Military dogs and their handlers develop deep bonds that sometimes even transcend death. Earlier this year we wrote about British Lance Corporal Liam Tasker, who died in a firefight with the Taliban in Afghanistan. Shortly after, his devoted 22-month-old bomb-sniffing dog, Theo, who was with him when he died, suffered a seizure and also died. The two had formed an incredibly strong bond during their time together, starting during their 15 weeks of training, and continuing in Afghanistan, where in five months, they recovered 14 home-made bombs and huge numbers of other weapons — possibly a record for a dog and his handler in the conflict. Many speculate that when Tasker died, his dog died of a broken heart.

In the photo above, Staff Sgt. Erick Martinez holds his dog, Argo II, in an over-the-shoulder carry at Hill Air Force Base, Utah, in early March. The exercise helps build loyalty and trust — something dogs of every stripe and spot, military or not, have at their very core.

Dogster readers, what would you want to know about military dogs if you had a chance to ask a trainer, a soldier, a breeder, or anyone whose lives have intersected with these very special dogs?

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Photo Caption Contest: Yoga-ta Be Kidding?

File this one under “you have to see it to believe it”, Dogsters. Believe it. This German Shorthaired Pointer actually taught himself to do this with his tennis ball. Let’s see what you can have him say about it

To enter the contest just submit your caption suggestions by commenting on this post by next Thursday, May 19th. The winner will be announced that day and will receive a 50-Zealie prize

Good luck!

Photo ©Mark Rogers Photography 2011, All Rights Reserved

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Photo Caption Contest Winner for 5/12/2011

Well, Dogsters, there’s a first time for everything and today we have our very first double win for the contest. We had a pair of entries that were so close that it was impossible to award a prize to one without acknowledging the other. And, when you combined them they made the whole thing even funnier. I introduce our dual champs: Sparky and Kathy. Nicely done! You each get 50 Zealies.

Another photo coming your way tomorrow.

Photo ©Mark Rogers Photography 2011, All Rights Reserved

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Photo Caption Contest Winner for 5/4/2011

Excellent, excellent work this week, Dogsters. Everyone give Brenda a good old 21-Paw salute for her winning entry!

Great job! The zealies are yours. Another contest is on its way tomorrow just in time for Mother’s Day.

Photo ©Mark Rogers Photography 2011, All Rights Reserved

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Photo Caption Contest: Double Your Pleasure

File this one under the no-need-for-an-introduction category, Dogsters. Something tells me you’ll have fun with this particular image. Any newcomers to the contest? Playing is easy. Enter your best caption(s) to win  a 50-Zealie prize by commenting on this post by next Thursday, April 21. The winner will be announced late that day. Good luck!

Photo ©Mark Rogers Photography 2011, All Rights Reserved

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Springtime for Dogsters: A Photo Set

Happy Friday, Dogsters! Our awesome Dog Blog author, Maria, is on a much-deserved holiday in Greece with only bursts of Internet access, and she’s recruited me to give you something cute and fuzzy to look at as the week winds down.

I don’t know about you, but April is my favorite month – there’s just something about seeing the sun again after so many gray days that puts a smile on my face. My Italian Greyhound, Mr. Mox, is loving having his hour-long romps through the dog park back, as opposed to brisk walks in the rain (he has a lovely green raincoat, but was thrilled to see it put in storage).

I did a quick look around the site this morning and found some great photos of fellow Dogsters celebrating the Spring season. Here are some of my favorite photos from our Spring gallery:

Here is Dogster Phoebe Buffay, surrounded by greenery!Pretty pup Suzie-Q is one with the roses.Lucy gets a whiff of Spring.Golden girl Bambi can’t hide that grin.Dogster Chloe Mae makes a pretty picture, no?

If you have a Dogster profile for your pup, don’t forget to tag your spring photos with the word “spring” to be included in the gallery linked to above. Have a fabulous weekend, all!

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Photo Caption Contest Winner for 4/6/2011

Alright, folks. A big round of hoots and hollers for this week’s winner, Reba, for her fine contribution below. Reba, the Zealies are yours. And everyone gets a week off to reload their funny bone. I’ll be taking a brief, hiatus through next week but will be back then with a new photo contest. See you next Friday!

Photo ©Mark Rogers Photography 2011, All Rights Reserved

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Photo Caption Contest: Driven to Distraction

It’s been a while since we’ve had a double caption for this contest so I thought this shot might get everyone’s creative juices flowing (no drool, please). You know the deal. Submit your captions by commenting on this post by next Thursday, March 17th. The winner will be announced later that day and will receive a 50 Zealie prize.

Good Luck!

Photo ©Mark Rogers Photography 2011, All Rights Reserved

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Touching Photo: Unconscious Dog Revived After Rescue From Fire

Belle getting the gift of life -- oxygen -- from a volunteer firefighter (Photo: Patrick Reddy/AP)

A fire in a northern Kentucky home nearly killed two dogs yesterday, but the volunteer firefighters who carried them out of the blaze brought them back from the brink with oxygen and water. When they found Belle inside the burning home, she was unconscious. Another dog, Dash, was semi-conscious. Firefighters got them out and gave them oxygen, water, and tender loving care. I love this photo, which shows Belle’s revival at the tender hands of one of the good firefighters. (As luck would have it, one of the firefighters who helped save them is a veterinarian.) Well done, Central Campbell County firefighters!

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Photo Caption Contest Winner for 3-10-11

It’s not often we get to be political in these caption contests but several folks made use of this particular image to do just that and one of them just also happened to be the best of the week. Congrats to Katie L for her victory and 50-Zealie prize. Stay tuned for a new contest tomorrow

Photo ©Mark Rogers Photography 2011, All Rights Reserved

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Photo Caption Contest: A Case of the Mondays

I was looking through images to use for this week’s contest and kept coming back to this one. Every time I look at it I keep thinking, “This girl could really use a weekend!”

Truth be told, she’s really not upset at all — she  loves playing stick and just has a reflexive reaction sometimes when she’s coming back to you with it after a good toss.

For those of you who are new to the contest, playing is easy. Just submit your quote suggestion by commenting on the post. The winner will be selected next Thursday, March 10th and gets a 50 Zealie prize plus the admiration of Dogster fans everywhere.

Good luck, everyone!

Photo ©Mark Rogers Photography 2011, All Rights Reserved

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