loss

We lost a family member today. Our dear sweet Max. I remember when John told me his parents got a dog- I was shocked! And the story of how they acquired her was even more shocking! My mother in law bid on the puppy at a charity auction!!! My father in law left the table and when he came back his wife had won them a dog! They named her Maxine- Max for short.

She was the sweetest thing ever! She came into the family almost a year old...at about that stage where they are dog sized but still act like a big puppy. The twins were just 2 and she was the best with them! Max loved to drag people around when she was on her leash but if the twins were leading her around- she was as gentle as could be. She never rough housed them or nipped at them. She would let them crawl on her and never snarled once.

She loved to be next to people. When ever I was sitting on the floor, she would wonder over and plop her butt in my lap. Wanting to be pet and loved.

She was spoiled rotten by John's parents. They got Max soon after John left the house- she soon became their surrogate daughter. She would go on errands and was very specific about her bones and when she wanted them. She had the craziest little growl/howl that she would do when she wanted you to pay attention to her. She loved to play ball in the field. She also loved baby bunnies...not in the good way though. But she was a bred hunting dog and that's what they did. Funny thing about this hunting dog...she hated loud noises. Thunder, fire works and her in her later years just the sense of an impending storm would send her hiding in the closet. Poor thing. While at Davey, she would come in our room and sleep in the bed with John and I.

A funny story about Max. My sister in law, Amy and I were out at Davey with the kids. We were getting ready to take all the kids to the lake. Jeff and Nancy just told us to make sure Max was in the house and she would be fine until they got back from their errands. After about 20 minutes of getting the kids sunscreened up, the car loaded and kids buckled in...we notice Max laying in the drive way. Crap...Max! So Amy gets out and tries to coax her in the house. No go. I get out and try bribing her with a treat. No go. I offer her a bone- she raises her head at the offer then lays back down. Its hot, the kids are waiting and we've already spent 10 minutes trying to get Max in the house. We spend another 10 minutes begging and pleading with this dog to please just get in the house. Finally, Amy and I walk over to her and pick her up. It took both of us. Silly silly dog.

She was a really sweet dog. We will miss her!