I think TB went through it a few months back, losing a beloved pet.   The vet just all but diagnosed my dog with lymphoma.   His lymph nodes around his neck are swollen pretty good.   I opted out of the biopsy to confirm  because he is 10 (old for a boxer)  and I just do not want to put him through anything more.   It would not change our course of treatment anyway.   Chemotherapy is 4 to 6k and then it could not take or only prolong by months.   We opted for high dose antibiotics  just in case it is that 1% chance it is an infection and a course of steroids.   Vet said this could possibly buy him a few months, but it is uncertain.   Right now he is acting fine other than the swelling so here is to a miracle  or at least a few more good months.   We will make the choice when the time comes and his quality of life gets worse............. 

Sorry to hear clint. It sounds like you've made the most logical choice though. As you said, as long as hes not in pain a few good months are a definite bonus. Hope the best for him

Clint, I know I am a 'stranger' to you NY folks, though I do lurk and enjoy all of the SR pics and such... but please know your pain is understood so well...  our pets aren't just animals to many of us, they are parts of our families and have permanent places in our hearts.  When they are happy, we smile at their antics, when they are hurt, we feel for them... when their time comes our biggest gift to them is comfort and peace, in whatever way it needs to be provided.  You will know when that is, but I am sorry you are going through it...
 I do hope the antibiotics work and you get more time... though I can honestly say there is never enough time.
Good wishes and prayers for you and your buddy...

Awful news, I'll never forget two years ago my pitbull was limping.  I thought ah he must of pulled something he'll get better after about 2 weeks he was still favoring his leg.  We took him to the vet and he got an xray.  He ended up having a nonhealable fracture secondary to osteosarcoma.  Like you my pitty was older and we did not feel comfortable starting chemo (low likelihood of curing cancer) or amputation due to other musculoskeletal issues.  Vet asked me whether I wanted to leave him!  We took him home gave him pain meds for about a week and made the most difficult decision I've had to make in my 30 some years...  What really was tough about this type of decision is the fact that mentally they are well-intact but physically he was breaking down.  Hopefully he's in that 1 % otherwise I wish you the very best.  We still miss that dog...

Fisherlady said it so  well.
You are right I just went thru it and the pain and grieving are horrible but you will do what is right for you friend and that is all you can do.
fI wouldn't trade places with you for anything in the world.
Stay strong.

I recently had a cat die. He was apparently eating poisoned rats. Not even a year old he was quite the cat. His name was bocephus. Luckily his side kick wasn't as hungry for rats so he's still with us. Just had a duck and rooster die recently too. Definitely not the same companionship as a dog... but the loss of the cat was a big bummer

Always hard to know your about to loose a loved pet.
Think you were wise not to fall into the overly expensive treatments that they  can provide. Did that once and all it did was provide the dog with a very doubtful existence afterward and really didnt prolong the inevitable much at all..

We lost our lab to the same disease.  Best wishes.
 

Clint, my heart goes out to you. Been there and I haven't been able to bring myself to  get another dog for 10 years now....  We've got 2 kitties that get treated like royalty. I didn't take enough pictures, either. Hope you do and did. Don't be afraid to show some here, you know how we all feel.

Clint I really can relate to what you are going to face as I too have a Boxer and she is ten yrs old.Right now she appears to be in good health but is on meds for a irregular heart beat and a pill to eliminate protein in the kidneys.I hope the antibiotecs provide a healing for your good buddy.
The last pet that we lost was Buster the cat,he ws 21 yrs old when we finally put him to rest,his sister was 18 when she died in her sleep.
The major problem with having a pet is that we outlive them and have to go through the pain of the loss.