Max with his beloved tennis ball half-buried in the snow in front of him - December 10, 2009
Oh how Jon and I loved our sweet golden retriever Max. He was a good boy who loved people and wanted to befriend everyone who crossed his path. How excited he’d get whenever a visitor would come by the home. He didn’t drink out of the toilet, stood still during baths, didn’t eat our shoes (although he did have a hankering for dirty socks), didn’t get on the furniture (I tried to get him to once since I’d never seen him do it but, alas, he refused). He didn’t get on the bed and instead preferred a towel on the floor. He didn’t lick faces and he wasn’t prone to barking. In fact, we’d cheer him on whenever he did bark because it was so unusual.
Max was born in Colorado and became Jon’s faithful companion when Max was 2. He was Jon’s buddy for 7 years before passing away at almost 10 years of age from lymphoma. So young for a beautiful animal to die. Jon’s faithful sidekick. They hiked together, wrestled together, played together and ate together.
He loved playing in the snow, chewing on & chasing after tennis balls and sticks, rolling on his back in the grass or snow and nudging his snout on you for more lovin’. We miss his sweet, loyal ways. He was such a chill, even-tempered dog with a positive spirit who just wanted to love and be loved. If only we as humans could be as open and welcoming and happy as Max was.
We love you sweet pup and miss you so.
Max & Jon - Watermelon
He loved watermelon, oranges and popcorn. Whenever he’d hear us peeling an orange or popping popcorn he’d come trotting over to the kitchen and wait expectantly with perky ears and endearing eyes, oftentimes sitting as if to say, “See how well-trained I am? I sit down patiently for treats!”
Max hiking at Silver Star Mountain and taking a breather once reaching the top - WA
It was never long before he'd start rolling in the grass.
Playing on a beach in Oregon
Me and Max. On the right, one of my favorites: He loved eating ice. Here he is with an ice cube in his mouth, dribbling on the carpet. Such an endearing face.
Jon, Max & Kevin at Silver Star Mountain in WA with a view of Mt. Hood.
Jon & Max in Walla Walla, WA. Max enjoying the car window on a ride in Sonora, CA.
Silly pup. Are you enjoying your stick? So cute.
Left: Max 2 days before he passed away. Right: Max napping the afternoon on the day he passed away.
His death caught us by surprise. We knew he’d pass away soon but we thought he’d have one of his down spells where he’d stop eating and get weaker. But that’s not how it happened. He was perky and wagging his tail in the morning, saying hi to some visitors in the house. But toward nightfall he got increasingly lethargic and passed within 15 minutes of us realizing that something was deathly wrong with him. He became non-responsive except for one last gift he left for his master, Jon. As Jon felt the end was getting close, he bent close to Max’s ear, stroked his face, and whispered, “Goodbye, buddy” to which Max immediately let out a calm, deep sigh. It was the only response we got from him. The moment is indescribable unless you were there, but we know he heard Jon. He heard the voice of his master. He knew that Jon was right there next to him and just a few breaths later he was done.
The photo on the right (above) was taken on the afternoon of Max’s last day with us. I saw him sleeping on the back porch on the dog bed that Jon got for him (that he rarely slept on) and spent just a few moments marveling at how sweet he looked. I even took video footage. If I had known that was his last day with us I would’ve cuddled right up next to him and not left his side, making the most of my time with our beloved dog. So easy to take life for granted.
Max sleeping. December 2, 2009
Sleep well sweet pup. We miss you.