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| Handsome Max |
In early February our sweet dog Max was diagnosed with Insulinoma, a rare form of pancreatic cancer. The symptoms are similar to diabetes, very low blood sugar, shaking and being unable to stand or walk. Treatments are invasive, expensive and either way the prognosis is poor, especially for a almost 15 year old dog. So we brought him home, loved on him and made him comfortable.
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| His first day with us. |
A month ago yesterday we took Max back to the vet one final time. The decision had became clear, but even with that clarity it was devastating. Our hearts were breaking, we wished there was another solution. We were putting it off for our benefit, but we knew what needed to be done for him.
Max joined our family in the spring of 2004 after Kellan found him on a
Second Chance Pet Adoptions website. I can't remember if we were really in the market for another dog or if we were talked into the idea. He was given the name "Slugger" by the family that was fostering him and Kellan took that as a sign that it was meant to be. We agreed to go take a look at the cute Corgi Lab mix, but made no promises. However, as soon as we saw him we knew he'd be coming with us.
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| On the play set-he climbed up himself! |
While "Slugger" was a fine name, especially for a family who loves baseball as much as we do, we felt it was a bit long. We decided on a new name, we would call him Max. It was short, sweet and easy for both boys to say. At the time Kellan was in 2nd grade and Owen was only 4 years old.
From day one, Max was an awesome dog. He was calm and got along well with our older lab mix Jake. He was easily house trained, slept all night and never chewed up anything. He was gentle and patient with our two active boys who loved to chase him around the back yard. He loved people and was affectionate towards them, but never licked anyone, especially not in the face. We never taught him that, he just never did.
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| Owen giving Max a kiss on the head |
I have often wondered if maybe Max missed his calling. He honestly would have been fantastic as a special needs service dog with his easy temperament, ability to tenderly take things out of our hands and his tame personality. He would have been well suited as an agility dog as well, running through obstacle courses, jumping, climbing and racing in circles. He loved to do that with our boys around the play set in the back yard. He was good at it all, until he tore his ACL when he was about two years old. We loved this dog so much that we took him to K-State to have it repaired.
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| Kellan and Max just hanging out. |
Max quickly won over everyone he met. He loved to be right in the middle of our family gatherings. He would lay under the kitchen table or in the middle of the floor forcing guests to step over him or move him out of their way. The little ones would sit or lay on him and he never moved. He became special not just to us, but to our entire extended family.
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| Playing sled dog with Owen |
Each of us had our own unique relationship with Max. Owen was the one who played with him most. Enjoying games of tug of war, fetch and running all those mile ran in the yard. Kellan, obviously bonded with him from the get go. He was his hang out pal, his buddy. When Kellan was at home you could find Max sitting close by. He was Tim's lunch partner. He enjoyed coming home for lunch and having Max there to keep him company. As for me, he was my shadow. He followed me everywhere. From room to room, one level of the house to the other, Max was always there.
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| Max listening to Kellan play guitar |
While Max brought different things to our lives individually, he also brought the same things to us collectively as a family. He brought us peace with his calming presence, joy with his playful nature, and companionship with his desire to be near us. But above all else he brought us love. His constant, dependable, trustworthy, quiet, unconditional love.
In the month since he's been gone there have days where we miss him terribly. Moments when the grief gets the best of us. But I think we would all agree that the almost 15 years we had with him was worth the short lived sadness we are experiencing right now. He was the best dog a family could ask for in every single way and we will hold tight to all of the memories he gave us.
