Smiles

Dear Max,

Thank you for sending down your smiles to me. Today as I was driving into work I was thinking about you and missing you. Trying to remember everything about you. You were starting to fade from my memory and just become the snapshots that I have. But then I could see, very clearly, your smiling face with your tongue hanging out. I could feel your breathe on my arm as you sat next to me, leaning on me as you always did. Your way of "claiming me". Thank you for sending down those Angel memories. I miss you so very very much!!

Love, Mom

Sadness

Dear Max,

Just when I think I can talk about your passing without crying I get "tested". Yesterday I ran into some neighbors at the grocery store and asked if they had heard about Max. They are big dog people too and we talk all the time when they are walking their Golden, Robin. Do remember her? You used to greet her through the fence on our walks. They said they had heard about you. Another neighbor had told them. They were also outside when it happened and heard me scream. Max, I don't remember screaming but I guess I did. Talking about it brought back the memories of that terrible day. I didn't cry but the rest of the day I was somber and sad. I miss you so much and I feel as though I am forgetting you. I just want to feel you again. Here your little high pitched bark. Time will heal I guess. I am glad you are having so much fun with your new Bridge friends. And, I know that when I need you you will be there to hover over me and keep me company.

I love you Maxie, my little man, my little pumpkin pie.

Love,
Mom

One More Time

For Max on his 2 month annifursary at the Bridge. I miss you!

One More Time

To feel the softness of your fur, One More Time
To put my face next to yours, One More Time
To laugh at you smell your own farts, One More Time
To roll down the car window so you can feel the wind on your face, One More Time
To feel your cold nose on my neck as I fall asleep, One More Time
To see you watch the neighborhood perched on the back of the couch, One More Time
To laugh at you stealing your fursisters toys, One More Time
To rub your tummy, One More Time
To cuddle with you on the couch, One More Time
To take you for a drive around the block so you’ll get out of the car, One More Time
To see your wagging tail and smiling face as I come home from work, One More Time
To feel your tongue on my face, One More Time
To tell you my secrets, One More Time
To play tug of war, One More Time
To see you cuddle with your fursisters, One More Time
To rub your ears, One More Time
To see my friend, One More Time

Fart Surprise

Mom was laughing at me the other day. She was remembering a moment I had. I had not been with my new family very long and we were still getting to know each other.

I was sitting down and as I stood up a weird noise came from my butt!! I turned and looked quickly as I was startled. What in the world was that? And where did that smell come from? Then it happened again!!! Again my head shot around to check out my butt!! I just couldn't figure it out! But I guess it entertained Mom and Dad because they couldn't stop laughing at me.

I just don't get the joke.

How the Grinch Stole Christmas

Today my Mom was watching the movie How the Grinch Stole Christmas and she started crying. She had remembered that one of the reasons I was named Max was because I looked like Max on the movie. In recent forums she had mentioned how I got my name but had forgotten this reason. It's funny how little things creep up and make you sad.

She misses me very very much and hopes I am having fun with my new friends at the Bridge.

One Month at the Bridge

Dear Max,

One month ago this morning you left us for Rainbow Bridge. It was so sudden and tragic. I miss you so very very much. Last night you visited me in my dreams as I remembered so many fun times we had. I could feel your tongue on my check as you kissed me good night. I could feel your body next to mine as you put your head down on my neck. But it's just not the same without you. I miss your warmth, your smile, and your silliness. I even miss not being able to find my shoes :)

This morning I took your sisters, Gretchen and Heidi, for a walk in the state park that is closed now. You would have loved running through the fields and jumping through the snow with them. How you loved to jump and prance next to your sisters. They miss you too.

I remember our first and only winter, last year. I couldn't find you in the backyard anywhere. I had feared that you had tired of us and ran off. As I called and called I heard some rustling in the shed at the back of the garage. Then out you popped! Seems that you didn't like the cold. I bought you your coat after that and you would play and play in the snow. No more hiding out! I buried you in your coat. I hope you are using it at the bridge for snowball fights and building snowmen with your furry friends.

I love you Maxi and miss you sooo much! Have fun at the Bridge and we will be together again, someday. Wait for me and watch over us. My guardian angel, my friend, Maximus.

-Mom

Christmas Shopping

Today my Mom went to Petco to pick up some food for my sisters, Heidi and Gretchen. As she was looking at the Christmas toys she found herself picking out toys that I would like. I always liked the soft toys that I could carry around easy. You see, whenever I got excited (which was all the time) I would pick up a toy and keep it in my mouth for a while. Well, Mom started to get tears in her eyes as she caught herself shopping for me. It's a hard time of the year and she misses me so very very much.

Tomorrow is my one month anniversary at Rainbow Bridge.

Memories

I got my wings today! Daisy made them for me and they are beautiful. It made Mom a bit sad though because it reminded her how much she misses me.

I tried to send her some fun memories though. Like how much I HATED to be left out. One day, Mom wanted to give my sister, Gretchen some one-on-one time so she left me in the house and went in the backyard to play with the frisbee. Well that was NOT cool with me! So I jumped up on the table, then the kitchen counter and sat in the sink and watched them play through the kitchen window. When Mom finally saw me there she couldn't stop laughing. I guess I looked pretty goofy sitting in the sink. Kind of funny since I HATE baths.

From then on she made sure that I got to play too. I got my own ball and frisbee so I wouldn't steal Gretchen's.

My Story

I don't remember much about when I was a pup. The family that I was with was not very nice to me. I was ignored a lot and left out in my kennel. I decided one day that it was time for me to find a new place to live so I hopped the fence and left.

One day I was hanging out at this house in the shade. It was really hot and the cement by the garage was cool. A young boy walked up and started petting me. I loved it!! He sat down next to me and I leaned into him as he gave me attention. Then the rest of his family walked up and started petting me. Well, I wasn't going to give this up! As they started for their car I followed them. Before they could stop me I hopped into the car and refused to get out!

They took me over to the lake and we played all day. I wondered a little ways but always came back. It felt so good to lay in the sun being petted and having my tummy rubbed. The Mom took the time to relive me of all my ticks and boy did I appreciate that!!! They had good food and great kids. I made sure I was in the car again when it was time to leave.

They named me Maximus, Max for short. Because I seemed so insecure they felt I needed a name that would boost my ego.

As we arrived home I met their two German Shepherds, Heidi and Gretchen. I had my eye on Gretchen though as she captured my heart. We would sit side by side and look out the door watching the bunnies and squirrels play in our yard. Sometimes I would like her face and ears for her. We loved to play frisbee and ball. I was quite a stinker though as I would run and get the ball first and the girls would chase me. Heidi especially would try to get the ball back and sometimes I would let her catch me to play tug of war. My favorite game though was picking up shoes and trotting around the house with them. I would always laugh as one of the members of the family would look long and hard for a shoe I had hidden.

Nightime was my favorite time with my new family. I followed Mom around everywhere. I loved to lay at her feet as she did the dishes or made dinner. But my favorite place was in someones lap or beside them cuddled up. They gave good pets and scratches. Mom called me her pumpkin pie because I was a yellowish color and said I had a dollop of whipped cream on top due to my white spot on my head.

I loved to revert to my old ways and show off to the girls by jumping the fence. Mom had planned on building a privacy fence but hadn't done it yet. I saw Baron, a neighbor dog walking with his owner and I knew I just had to say Hi. I was not known to be nonsocial. I welcomed everyone! As I ran toward Baron I felt myself flying through the air and feeling the wind beneath my new wings. I was approaching a bridge and there were many dogs there waiting for me. I was confused and wanted my Mom. They explained to me that I had arrived to Rainbow Bridge and that I had to wait for my Mom to come get me but that it could be a long time. I looked down at my Mom as she knelt next to my body in the street and felt a longing for her. She was so sad and I wanted to comfort her. I wanted to share my affection and make her stop crying. But I knew I couldn't. I turned to my knew friends and felt the love from them as they took me in.

Although I didn't live very long I had a good life. My newest family gave me everything I needed. They saved me from a lonely life on the road My sisters were loving and made me feel at home. I will be looking in on my family from time to time and hope that they can stop feeling sad and remember our good times. I miss them very much and will be here when it is there time to come.