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Max
I found Max in February of '04 while searching
Petfinder.com for a collie. We'd been comfortably settled in our own
home for a little over a year, and it was finally time to pursue the
childhood romance I'd had growing up with Lassie on TV. Weeding out
the dogs who weren't good with kids or cats, I clicked open Max's profile
and immediately fell in love with his face! He was the biggest ball
of dog fluff I'd ever seen, with eyes that just begged you to take him
home and love him. It didn't matter to me that he was a large dog and
already 10 years old; to the contrary, I thought, "This guy needs
a warm, safe retirement home!"
My query with Libby's Haven as to his availability was answered very
quickly, and with the application filled out and returned, the process
of adopting him flew with amazing speed. In less than 3 weeks, we brought
Max home with us on a very memorable day, Feb. 29th - Leap Day!
Max moved in as if he'd lived here all his life. He promptly spread
his 90 lb. frame out across the breadth of my kitchen, forcing me to
step over and around him as I prepared dinner or cleaned up. He never
outgrew that habit, and it's as if it was his way of making sure we
knew he was there, and there to stay. I have to say that if ever there
was a "perfect" dog, Max was it. He ignored my cats, loved
my kids, hardly ever barked, and was content to sleep all day or go
for a brisk walk, whatever the day brought. Whoever had raised him did
an excellent job - his manners were impeccable! One of his most favorite
things to do was go for a ride in the car, and his funniest habit was
rolling on his back in the grass, while sneezing and paddling his front
paws in the air! We always loved to see him do this, and the kids thought
it was just so funny. As winter gave way to spring and warmer weather,
Max would spend his outdoor time lying on the last shrinking patches
of snow, trying to keep cool through all that fur. He loved the snow!
When summer heat arrived, Max would spend the hottest days sleeping
right at his water dish, where he could drink without having to get
up!
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We were blessed to have Max in our lives for 6 brief months. One rainy morning in August - Friday the 13th, of all days - we awoke to find him in pretty tough shape. A quick trip to the vet determined a tumor, and the kindest thing to do was end his suffering. He gently crossed the Rainbow Bridge, and now rests peacefully under a big shade tree in our woods, where he loved to explore.
Certainly no one in our family ever expected to lose Max so soon, but not for one moment do I regret taking him in. He brought us many laughs and tons of unconditional love. He was wonderful to have as a part of our family, whether he was sleeping across my kitchen floor, or trying to participate in "family game night," or even when he panicked over a thunder storm. I feel blessed and privileged to have been his family for the twilight of his life.
A few weeks after losing Max, we had the opportunity to foster another Libby's Haven dog. Yet another fluffy dog (I'm partial to them!), Daphne was a beautiful little Samoyed who was also
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The last thing I would have to say about adopting any dog, is to never, ever be afraid to open your heart and home to a senior canine!!
