He’s gone…
He went gently, mostly. The vet didn’t secure the IV well, and unfortunately it was pulled loose. I hate to think he suffered any pain. I know he was scared…he soiled the blanket I wrapped around him so he would be warm and comforted, as Dave carried him in. They cleaned him up beautifully and brought him back into me and we four, me, Dave, the vet and her assistant, helped him pass quietly from this conciousness. His paws…his poor scraped, bloody paws. He couldn’t control his hind legs anymore at all…it’s what helped me make the decision, most of all. Max loved to run, run run run, and jump, oh my how he loved that. In fact, his last night in his body, he had a dream that he was running, and in his sleep, his body worked perfectly. I could tell, cause all four legs were working perfectly, just the way they were meant to. I’m glad he had that dream, and I’m glad I got to witness it.
One of my most favorite pictures of Max…he looks so happy, on a hot September day, posing beautifully on one of the rocks he loved to climb at Great Brook Park in Carlisle, MA
Born in April 1997…no one knew the exact date, so I gave him Grandma’s birthday. She wouldn’t have minded…she LOVED animals. Max had a bit of a rough start in life…it seems he was abused in some way by young boys…that’s all the shelter knew about him. That and the fact he was very snappy. Perfect! I love a challenge. Let me take in the ones that no one else would want. I adopted him, for my parents I thought, and then, just like that, I had a dog in my life again, for the first time since the early 1990s. I took Max to a behaviorist and between that and the love my friend Julie’s two step sons gave him, we soon got him over his fear of young boys. Julie’s dog, Kahlua, same age as Max, became his best doggie friend, and they did a lot together. Max didn’t really like most dogs, he preferred humans, but oh, he loved Kahlua! Kahlua passed last year, so I’m sure they had a nice reunion.
Dad had a special bond with Max, often they’d nap together, Max comfy on Dad’s lap…until Max heard something, then off he’d jump! Dad always shared bits of his food with Max (and Wolf, too)
I wasn’t going to announce this until my cousin came back from her cruise, but someone I told mentioned it on my wall on FB, and it took off from there. I like to think the power of Max’s love was so strong as to be sung from the rooftops. In, fact, let me share some of the things people said about him.
“Max was also a good buddy to me ,I enjoyed his bounding antics,his faithfull compamionship and yes even his bad breath and pintoes that would spike me at night. love ya max will miss you dearly sniff sniff” – My sweet Dave, who cried over Max like he was his own…which, in a way, he had become.
”He LOVED to jump! I used to call him my circus dog, he could easily walk on his hind legs, begging for a treat
“Sweet Max… loved those cute ears of his.” – Heather, who loved his soft ears and the way they flopped, first one, then the other, as he walked.
“I feel like I knew Max, having read about him for so many years. I will miss his pictures and posts about him, I’m so sorry Janet, my thoughts are with you *hugs*” – from Dyane, a blog friend. I love that she got to know him virtually, through my words and pictures.
“Oh ((Janet)) ♥ MAX ♥ I am so sorry.” – from Krista, who knew him in real life
“Max was one of my favorite internet-dog pals.” – Stacy, who knew him from my blog and I just loved how she phrased this
“oh max,, he touched my heart.” – Jen, who I met through Krista, and who became a friend, to me and my dogs. She also is the person I trusted to stay here and take care of them when I went off on an adventure. She had a lovely connection with Max, that’s for sure. Wolf, too, but she especially liked Max.
One of Max’s favorite spots in the old house…his own personal window seat, where he could look out into the world…and sometimes hear the coyotes howl out in the back woods.
“Sweet Max. Sorry for your loss, Janet.” – Tara, another one of Max’s special friends in real life. He loved him some Tara!!!
“There was something about Max that was so uplifting, every single time you posted a picture of him on your blog. This genuinely saddens me, but know sincerely, Janet, that his gentle and charismatic smile will remain in the hearts of many for a long, long time. Thinking of you tonight…” – Rus, another I met through my blog, who definitely has a way with words!
“You two have been quite the team for as long as I can remember. In the end, you gave him the most loving, selfless gift of all, peace without pain. The awesome memories he left for you will fill that void left by his passing. Hugs!!” – Carolyn, who I met via shiba rescue, and her words did give me comfort.
“I’m so very sorry Janet. Max touched all of us even if it was through your beautiful pictures. hugsxoxo” – Sherry, and this is what I love about blogging! People you end up feeling close to, just like in real life where sometimes you connect with someone and *shrugs* sometimes you don’t. Sherry was, is, a definite connection.
One of Max’s favorite places to run was the beach! He didn’t care much for the water, but he sure loved the sand!
“:-( poor evil max” – Andy, Julie’s stepson. This really made me smile, Andy helped Max get over his fear of little boys and I tell you, it really helped Max!
“I’m sorry for the sad goodbye and glad you had so many years of making each other happy. He’ll be waiting for you on the other side, I am sure of it.” – Karen C., I hope so! I surely do.
Go in peace, my sweet boy. You will be missed…you ARE missed, but I know Dad, Mom, Kahlua and Molly (to name but a few of the humans and animals that loved him) were oh so very happy to see you again!
Posted in Max | 24 Comments
March 6th, 2012 at 5:55 am
Oh Janet, I am so, so sorry. I’m glad you got to love him as long as you did. xxoxo
March 6th, 2012 at 7:26 am
I’m so sorry. Much love to you. (((hug)))
March 6th, 2012 at 8:45 am
He was a good one. I’m so glad that you found him and had each other for so long. *hugs*
March 6th, 2012 at 11:16 am
Rest in Peace, Max.
March 6th, 2012 at 11:21 am
I’m sorry. Losing a good dog is heartbreaking.
March 6th, 2012 at 11:54 am
Such a beautiful boy. xo
March 6th, 2012 at 3:19 pm
I’m crushed. I know we talked about it and it was coming but I’m still never ready. His tipped front ears and his burly shoulders are so much like my Ed. I’m so sorry for your loss. I’m glad it was mostly peaceful and you had good people with you. xox
March 6th, 2012 at 5:08 pm
Our beloved pets bring us so much joy, how could they not be in heaven? Jesus described heaven as a feasting celebration and we know how much dogs enjoy those bits of food from the table! I can imagine your dad giving Max treats right now.
March 6th, 2012 at 6:41 pm
And here I am crying all over again – Goodbye Max, have a wonderful romp!
March 6th, 2012 at 7:07 pm
Rest in peace sweet Max. You are well loved and will be greatly missed.
March 6th, 2012 at 8:25 pm
so very sorry, it aches and it aches. beautiful tribute, beautiful max, the memory of that last dream is a gorgeous one, may it stay sweet in your memory. hugs.
March 6th, 2012 at 8:39 pm
I’m so sorry that Max is gone. You gave him such a wonderful life.
March 7th, 2012 at 1:42 pm
A beautiful post Janet. Like any family member, he will be sorely missed.
March 7th, 2012 at 10:58 pm
I’m sorry, J.
March 8th, 2012 at 11:37 pm
It is so hard to lose a treasured member of your family; what a wonderful memorial this post is.
March 9th, 2012 at 12:59 pm
Poor Max. I’m sorry to read that he’s passed on now Janet. I very much enjoyed seeing the wonderful pictures you took of him and his many sides. He was a wonder to watch on the screen because everything that came through was authentic and easy to visualize.
*hugs*
March 9th, 2012 at 9:57 pm
What a lovely, lovely post, Janet. You have been on my mind this week, after hearing on FB that Max passed. So glad he’s at peace now, and that you were able to be with him in the end. What a precious guy he was to you; cherish those memories! xo
March 9th, 2012 at 10:00 pm
Oh my dearest! I am so sorry. Even though we knew it was close, it still hurts, I know. I’m glad Dave was there with you, and sorry I wasn’t.
At least, we know he is with your Dad again! May they both rest in eternal peace!
Love you!!!
March 10th, 2012 at 2:14 pm
This is a beautiful tribute to a much loved companion. My sympathies for your loss.
March 10th, 2012 at 9:42 pm
I haven’t commented here yet because I start to cry and get a heavy heart. I know it’s not about me but I have always had a soft spot for max – i love the old dogs – the wise ones – the ones that weave our spirits together. My heart and shoulder are here for you to cry on, lean on, vent to – whatever you need.
How is Wolf holding up?
March 11th, 2012 at 8:29 pm
Thinking of you today. How is Wolf and how are you?
March 12th, 2012 at 8:03 pm
I’m so very sorry. I feel like I have “known” him these last 8 years. I’m still thrown by the loss of the pooper sometimes. It will tak e along while to heal, but the memories are lovely. Hugs to you and Wolf.
March 13th, 2012 at 4:20 pm
Janet – I am so sorry. I have been there more times than I wish I had and will be there again more times than I want to.
March 17th, 2012 at 3:20 am
Max looks like a really wonderful and dear dear doggie….I am so sorry for your loss, my dear….I know the pain. I had to put my dear sweet cat “Sweetie” to sleep, January 2nd…..I’m still a mess. I miss him so much. So, I know what you are going through. My heart goes out to you, Janet!