MAX WAS BORN INTO A LITTER OF 12 BLACK LAB-AUSTRALIAN SHEPHERD MIX IN SEPTEMBER, 2000.  THEY WERE DROPPED OFF AT THE ANIMAL SHELTER IMMEDIATELY AFTER THEIR BIRTH.  THE SHELTER CALLED CARING HANDS VET WHO TOOK THEM IN, AND THOUGH THEY DID THEIR BEST, ONLY 6 SURVIVED.  I WAS OFFERED A PUP AND CHOSE SOPHIE, BUT WHEN I WAS READY TO TAKE HER HOME AT 5 ½ WEEKS, THE VET SAID SHE WOULD NEED A COMPANION TO HELP HER “ADJUST.”  I TOOK HOME MAX JUST “TEMPORARILY.”  A WEEK LATER, I CALLED THE VET AND SAID THEY COULDN’T HAVE HIM BACK.

MAX WAS A QUIET, EASY-GOING DOG WHO WAS HAPPY TO LET HIS SISTER BE “ALPHA.”  HE LIVED TO EAT – JUST ABOUT ANYTHING.  HE WOULD SIT IN A CHAIR AT THE DINNER TABLE AS IF TO SAY, “WHERE’S MY PLATE?” HE LOVED TOMATOES AND THOUGH THE FENCING SET-UP WOULD CHANGE ANNUALLY IN AN ATTEMPT TO OUTWIT HIM, HE WOULD ALWAYS FIGURE A WAY INTO THE PATCH.  HE DEVELOPED ALLERGIES AS A YOUNG DOG.  TESTING REVEALED HE WAS ALLERGIC TO MANY FOODS, POLLENS, GRASSES, AND EVEN DOG DANDER!  SO THE SHOTS AND SPECIAL DIET BEGAN.  HE WAS ALWAYS VERY PATIENT AND LOVING. MAX LOVED THE SNOW AND WOULD RUN AND ROLL AND FEEL SO GOOD. THE COOL SNOW MUST HAVE BEEN VERY SOOTHING WITH THE ALLERGY PROBLEMS THAT PLAGUED HIM.

ON OCTOBER 11, 2006 MAX CROSSED THE RAINBOW BRIDGE AFTER IT WAS DETERMINED HE HAD CHRONIC KIDNEY FAILURE.  THE ONSET OF THE DISEASE WAS VERY QUICK AND OVERTOOK MAX IN A MATTER OF MONTH. MAX'S PAIN AND SUFFERING IS OVER AND WE KNOW HE WILL PATIENTLY WAIT FOR TAMARA, DOMINGO AND SOPHIE, HIS PAL SINCE BIRTH. MAX IS STILL SORELY MISSED AND WILL BE IN OUR HEARTS AND SOULS FOREVER !

IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR A DOG CONSIDER ADOPTING A RESCUE DOG. CHECK YOUR BREED CHARACTERICS TO MAKE SURE THEIR TRAITS MATCH YOUR LIFE STYLE AND EXPECTATIONS OF THE DOG YOU WANT AS PART OF YOUR FAMILY.  WITH PATIENCE AND LOTS OF LOVING YOU WILL HAVE A COMPANION FOR LIFE!

THOUGHTS TO CONSIDER: 

1.  25% of all animals at your local shelter are purebreds-Visit your local animal shelter-you just might find your new friend.

2.  Consider adopting an older pet-they are more likely to be calm and housetrained. Older pets still bring the same benefits to their owners as younger animals do. Don't let age stop you from considering the older pet-with the proper care they can have many wonderful years to share with you.