@elbrant Will do, for sure. And yes, he's still carrying a couple of extra stubborn pounds right now, so that's definitely also a factor. We've been working with the vet on weight management too--he's been working hard and is about 2/3 of the way to where he needs to be. I'll update here with whatever we learn.

@eeeefarm 1) yes, and I do get a pain response (growl/snap/twitch/twist away). no yelping, though. 2) soft. I used to have a subcutaneous cyst on my sternum and from what I can feel through his fur, it feels like that. 3) hard to tell with the fur. but yeah, agreed. I lost the GSD I had growing up far too young to aggressive sarcoma and don't like to mess around with weird bumps anymore. 😅