Beyond Babedom

We're (way) over 40. Deal with it.

The Love Dog

There are some dogs who take getting used to. They bark too much, they jump on you, they’re fearful. Not Max. From day one Max was the Love Dog.

No, he wasn’t perfect, but who is? One of his knees had dislocated, long before he joined our pack, and the way he compensated forced undue pressure on his other rear leg. So, when we adopted him, he was already waddling with severely bowed back legs. Didn’t matter. He stole everyone’s heart.

And Gary’s armchair.

Yes; Gary gave up his favorite TV-watching chair because Max claimed it as his own. After keeping all our animals off the furniture, Max convinced us that his disability made him deserving of the best seat in the house. And he kept it as his own. Heaven help the unsuspecting guest who sat there. Max would tell them, in no uncertain terms, that they were squatting on his property.

So, why did we let him rule the way he did? Because he was the Love Dog. Never was there a dog who bestowed – and accepted – love the way Max did. Rub his belly and get a sigh and wriggling of delight that would make you crack up. Scratch his ears and get leg-shaking pleasure that was unmistakable. Kiss his noble snooty snout and he’d return kisses for as long as you wanted. Sleep on our guest futon, and you were likely to have a bed mate – and a permanent love.

Yes, Max could be annoying when he wanted to go out. He’d bark (louder than any dog we’d ever heard) and wait for you to open the door before he’d even rise. The same was true when he wanted to come in. Oh, and if he didn’t want to? He’d run away as soon as you called him. The only unfailing way to get Max to do what you wanted was with food. Any food – even a piece of celery. Until Thursday night.

When Max wailed in pain, trying to walk into the kitchen, we sensed his time was near. But when he refused a dog treat, that was the moment we knew.

And now he’s gone, without even his collar here to look at (Gary was so distraught, burying him, that he forgot to remove it). Goodbye, old Love Dog. We’re glad we were able to serve you. The old pack will never be the same.

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This entry was posted on Sunday, May 22nd, 2011 at 12:14 PM and is filed under Relationships. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

  1. DJC says:

    What a beautiful tribute…I am so sorry for your loss.

  2. Patrice says:

    Oh Lu…my heart is breaking for you…He certainly was the Love Dog.
    Beautiful tribute (as DJC noted) – brought tears to my eyes.

    Love you!

  3. Jennie says:

    Such a beautifully written ode to a lost love… I fell for Max, too – He was my favorite. I’m sure his absence is felt by everyone in the house…

  4. Pat says:

    It’s never easy to say goodbye, and almost impossible to do so to such a dearly loved and precious member of the family. It has to be the hardest thing there is to put a pet down, and hold him to the last as they lay dying in your arms (as I had to do months ago for my cat). You find you can’t truly say goodbye, and why should you have to. They will always be a permanent part of your heart and as long as he is remembered (as in this posting) he will always be with you.

  5. Terri says:

    What always amazes me as that we will still keep torturing ourselves and add new members to our families even though we know we will outlive them. No matter how many times it breaks your heart! I vowed I was done with pets my my pug Shelby dropped dead suddenly. But it only took a few months and I was ready again, because the house was just too quiet without a dog. Now, at times, it’s too noisy like when he sees a squirrel or deer outside. He just goes insane. I am so sorry to hear about Max and send lots of love your way.

  6. Jade Greene says:

    So sorry to hear about Max, Lucille. I feel your pain. My Love Dog was Socks, who refused to leave my side for weeks after I broke my ankle. I still miss her 8 years after her passing.

  7. sharon says:

    Awww so sad about Max…..

  8. kevin lehman says:

    Lucille, I am so saddened to hear about Max. Your telling of his story is such a tribute of love and no wonder why, he was your Love Dog. Rest in peace Max.

  9. Gloria says:

    What a lovely tribute. I am so, so, sorry for your loss. My thoughts are with you and Gary. RIP Max.

  10. John Z says:

    Zeus was mine, I still miss him

  11. Laura says:

    Still miss Midnight and Pepper…loved those dogs!

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