Saying goodbye to an old friend..

I first met Max in the Spring of 2002.

I noticed his laughing eyes, gorgeous blonde hair, charming personality, and his bad breath.  I also noticed the pretty lady walking with him.

Max is my dog.  Well, he belongs to my wife, but he's my dog now.

I met Max and my future wife after I took an early day off from work, and loaded my black Labrador, Hoover, into the car.  We headed over to a spot I had never been to before, but had been recommended to visit. It's a private school in the heart of Denver, that has a large open space on its grounds.  There is a big lake, tall grasses, lots of trees, and many things to sniff.  We pulled into the empty parking lot, and had the place to ourselves.  Hoover immediately ran off to explore, and discovered Max.  I discovered my future wife.  The dogs romped and played, I chatted up the pretty lady, we went out to dinner that night, and the rest is history.

Thanks, Max. 

Max is closing in on twelve.  The Fetching Mrs. P plucked him from a Lab Rescue place on the East Coast, and he has traveled back and forth across the U.S. a few times.  He's an accomplished co-pilot, experienced in the ways of room service, isn't shy about getting up on a couch or bed, and lets you know when he's hungry by letting out a low, guttural moan.  He also doesn't like having his toes touched, but does like it when you tease him about trying to touch them.  If you scratch him under his chin for a few minutes, he'll soon let lose with several window-rattling sneezes.  Make sure not too get too close to that mouth, however.  That breath is deadly!  He's also a great alarm clock, never failing to remind me each morning at about 4:45 that it's time for his breakfast.  By the way, Max doesn't have a "snooze" button.

His back legs are getting bad.  He tries to get up and walk, but his body isn't listening to what his brain is asking it to do.  On the rare occasions that he can get up, he'll wobble for a bit, but then go back down.  The condition has come on quickly-we first noticed a "hitch in his get-a-long" about a month ago, but he got around fine.  In the last two weeks, he has gotten worse, and it's hard to watch.  Everything else about him is the same, he just can't walk around.

Our dogs do everything with us.  They've been hiking, camping, snowshoeing, biking, in our wedding, in our Christmas pictures.  You name it, we probably have a picture of the dogs there with us.  One of my favorite pictures is of Max just after he pulled his head out of a snowbank in Steamboat Springs.  The Fetching Mrs. P sent it into the Lab Rescue place where she got him, and they put him in their calendar.  Add "International Supermodel" to his list of accomplishments.

I've been trying to think of the last good walk Max had.  Mr. and Mrs. Geno moved at the beginning of May, and I recall us all taking a long walk over at their old place.  They used to live where Stapleton Airport used to be.  It's a fantastic development, and has lots of trails, trees, water, and big open space.  The dogs ran, swam, sniffed and played.  If I had known that would be the last "good" walk for Max, we would have stayed longer.

I bet Hoover would have let him win at tug-o-war, too.

We had a good day today.  Max lounged in the front yard, got lots of loving, and a few treats he normally wouldn't have had.  Deep down the Fetching Mrs. P and I know what the best decision is, but we just can't bring it up.  She's kept a stiff upper lip, but it's been a hard weekend for her.  She and Max have been there for each other for a long time, and it's hard to let go.  The appointment at the Vet tomorrow morning will be difficult.  Please send your thoughts and prayers not just to my wife, but to Hoover as well.  He knows there is something wrong with his brother, and can't quite figure out why he has been walking solo the last few nights.

It's incredible how pets impact our lives.  They share our wins and losses, make our lives better, and love us without condition.  My life has truly been made better by Max having been it it.

Comments

[Paulie]

I'm sure that there is something worse than losing a good, long-time pet.

I just can't think of it right now.

I lost my good dog, Dukesie, after 10 years together, and I still tear up when I think of her.

And that was 17 years ago, for cryin out loud.

I know how you're all feeling. It's tough.

All my best to the family.

[Paulie]

Oh, and Mrs. P certainly IS fetching!

[wamk]

Thanks, Paulie..

They really are part of the family, no? We gripe about the little things: being underfoot, begging at the table, being pests.. But you really appreciate them for all they bring to our lives.

Hopefully, I'll have good news to report later today.

[JDJ661]

It took me a few tries to get through this posting...you know the details. We’re all thinking of you and the whole family while you push through this (Sidney too!).

Hang in there and keep me posted.

We too, have gone through this agonizing ordeal, but deep down, we all know that this decision is "for the best" for all of us ..

[Daniel k]

Courage.

[Madeline's Dad]

Thanks again for all of your wonderful thoughts and messages.

Mrs. P, Madeline, Hoover, Max, and I appreciate them..

[Shannon]

Goodbye Max, we will miss your friendliness to the little kids at playdates.

Thanks for sharing the lovely post and photos.

The Kleibers (Shannon, Ben, Eve & Julia)

[Gammy]

My heart goes out to you and Mrs.P, and especially to Hoover as there is no way to explain this to him. The silence will be deafening for a while as you all learn to deal with the sudden gaping hole that will appear in your lives. Just comfort each other and cry often and well. All the best to all of you, you'll be in my thoughts and prayers.

[Madeline's Dad]

Thanks to Gammy and the Kleibrs.

It has definitely been rough the last few days, morseo for Mrs. P and Hoover, as I have been out of town on business.

Thanks again for all your good thoughts and kind words..

[Renee]

My heart goes out to you all. I knew Max was not doing well, but didn't know about his recent decline. As Liam would say, "Max got an ouey in his leg." He certainly did. I am so glad the furry one brought you together and gave you the wonderful times that he did! God bless you all!
Renee

[The Interface]

Oh, man...you're not supposed to get my keyboard all wet while I'm at work! It almost seems as though our furry friends give us much more than they get in return. Unfortunately, death is a part of life. Even this can be a teaching moment. My prayers for you and yours as you go through this. No matter what others say, they are not "just pets" or "just animals." They are "family."