Maximus, you were one in a million. Which is a good thing because who else could afford to keep up with your antics or vet bills? And really, of all the ways to leave me, you had to choose this over a pair of my tasty underwear or toddler socks? It figures, normal just wasn’t your style you silly goat.
I was blessed to be your mom. You were always the sunshine to my rainy clouds. I was never one for frat boys until I met you. Sweet, silly, goofy you. I have as many wrinkles on my face from worrying about you as I do laugh lines. Swimming next summer just won’t be the same without you jumping in and making waves and trying to dog to China.
You were such a challenge and I’m sure many a person wondered why we kept you or paid those vet bills, and that makes me sad. I would go to the ends of the earth for you and back a million times over. You were worth e.v.er.y.t.h.i.n.g. and more. After all, if I didn’t have you, how would I have ever known I had it in me to be a mom? You were the best training wheels ever. Thanks for letting me make so many mistakes and never holding a grudge against me. I’ll lock that special gift of yours and keep it in my heart forever.
Thank you for being such a good boy and being the BEST dog a little boy could ever have. Sure, you snapped at him a few times, but he totally deserved it… I’ve got your back. Becks is going to really miss you. You know, you were his favorite and rightfully so. The spot next to the chair during story time is going to be sacred ground. I pray his memories of you never fade. And if they do I have pictures and plenty of tales to tell.
I already miss your velvet ears, your cold snout, your wrinkly forehead, and that perfect little patch of brindle that told me just where to pat your booty. The house is going to be very quiet without your snoring, the sound of you chasing after your toys, and your demand barking which never annoyed me because it always reminded me to spend some one on one time with you and take a break from whatever not so important life task I was in the middle of.
And now I will do the kindest thing I can do and let you go even if it means shattering my own heart into a million pieces. I know I can do this for you because as usual, you will make me dig deep to find the strength I didn’t know I had.
We love you Maximus, always and forever, ad infinitum.
Maximus Lee
Loved without measure…
January 24, 2002 – October 6, 2010
I am so sorry for your loss, we have followed your blog for awhile now and he seemed like a wonderful dog. Our prayers are with you and your family. RIP Max. run free buddy.
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry for your loss. I have chills reading this. You can tell Maximus was L.O.V.E.D.! I wish you some peace through the happy memories, sounds like there were a ton. :(
ReplyDeleteCynthia
HUGE hugs for you all today. He was so loved by you and you did so much for him that many people would not have done. Thinking of you all day.
ReplyDeleteOh, I am SOOO sorry to be reading this. It has brought tears to my eyes, because I fear the day I write about my Corbin. Dogs leave such a void in our lives when they go. I pray you and your family will find strength every day in knowing what a wonderful life you gave him. No one understands why we love the crazy ones so much, but that makes us love them even more. We're new to your blog, but you and your family will be in our thoughts and prayers on this sad day for you, and the days, weeks and months to follow. He was a beautiful boy.
ReplyDelete-Corbin's mom, Jenn
I'm so incredibly sorry. I have no words. What you wrote was so sweet and special. He is loved beyond measure as you have already said. I've shared in your stories for years (pestie) and I've felt like I've known him. My heart breaks for you and your family.
ReplyDeleteI so sorry for your loss. This post brought tears to my eyes. I was hoping everything was just a fluke and he would be up on his feet in a few days and back to his crazy ways.
ReplyDeleteIt is so hard to say goodbye to our beloved dogs. I pray that you find strength and joy in your wonderful memories of Maximus. I am sure your little boy will always remember wonderful times with his Max.
Love and barks,
Lola and H(Lola's Mom)
So, so sorry to hear this... I was "fall-love" back in the day on the P&F board, with my pittie-girl, blue-with-a-bit-white-head, different-colored-eyes-like-Princess'... Molly. Haven't been around there in a LONG time, but I do follow P's blog occasionally and I remember you and your advice well. Lots of love to your family in this difficult time. Maximus was an incredibly handsome boy and I can only imagine the huge hole he leaves in your hearts.
ReplyDeleteSo sad. I just started following and I am so sorry about Maximus. May he run free with my old boy Hobbes, that left us 2 years ago - I hope they are up there chasing squirrels and running free - with all the other doggies that have left us too soon!
ReplyDeleteSo sorry for your loss.
ReplyDelete(((hugs)))
I am so very sorry for your loss. Your tribute made me cry. He will always be there in your heart.
ReplyDeleteKari
http://dogisgodinreverse.com/
Hello. We heard about dear Max for a couple of our furends and wanted to come by and tell you how very sorry we are. He looks like such a sweet, smart boy and I can tell he was well-loved. All dogs should be so blessed.
ReplyDeleteGentle wiggles & wags,
mayzie (and her mom)
oh Maximus...while I am only just meeting you, I can tell you are one of the lucky ones. Lucky to have such a wonderful family to have lived your life with, and even luckier now to have a family who is giving you the greatest gift by helping you transition to the Rainbow Bridge.
ReplyDeletebe free of your sickies & pain...you'll see your family again at the bridge someday. Just look up Sophie KitTON when you get there...she gives a really good cuddle.
wags, wiggles & slobbers
Murphydog
What an amazing tribute to your sweet guy. I'm sitting here BAWLING. Not because Max is no longer in pain, but because I know your heart is shattered right now & nothing can fix it but time. Max will always be your first son, and while the pain of losing him will never go away, it will ease in time. Maximus was a lucky guy to have you as his mom. Thank you for always showing others that these animals need us - even when we probably need them more. I'm here for you if you need me. - K
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful post. He sounds like a wonderful friend. He will leave a hole in your heart that can never be filled, but it was all worth it to be able to spend time with him, right? How we miss our beloved friends.
ReplyDeleteMango Momma
What a touching and amazing tribute. We are so sorry to hear this, but anyone can tell how truly loved he was.
ReplyDeleteNot enough words to say how sorry I am
ReplyDeleteYour words of love, sorrow, and release for your special boy strike deep in my heart. Allow yourself all the time and the tears you need. He was your friend and your family. Know that he will always be with you because true love never leaves us. It stays in our hearts until the day we meet again a little further up the road.
ReplyDeleteSleep well sweet Maximus.
~Maureen
We are coming over from Hound Girls blog to let you know how sorry we are 'bouts Maximus. You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers.
ReplyDeleteWoofs and Licks,
Maggie Mae and her mom
I am coming over from Hound Girl's blog to send my condolences to you and even though I never knew Maximus I know what it feels like to lose a dear furry friend.
ReplyDeleteSo sorry for your loss. we came from Hound Girl's blog. Maximus is a great dog, always will be. take care.
ReplyDeleteI am so very sorry to hear about your loss. Maximus looked like was an amazing dog and had so much love. He was very lucky to have you as much as you were lucky to have him.
ReplyDeleteYour words brought tears to my eyes and memories of dogs past. I have never forgotten a pet from my childhood and your son won't either.
My thoughts are with you.
DoggiesandStuff.com is deeply saddened by your loss. We just found out about you and are sad to know that we won't have the chance to get to know you. Please say hello to my girl Tandy. She's been there a while but my heart still aches for her. She can probably show you around and introduce you to all the other great dogs up there.
ReplyDeleteDoreen, Kiko, Millie, and Riley
I am so sad for your loss, I lost my border collie of 15 years last month and I miss him everyday. Your Max will be waiting for you on the other side!
ReplyDeleteThank you for writing such a beautiful post about and to your dog. Reading it made me cry buckets. We just lost our beloved Emerald this week so we understand your pain. We're so sorry for your loss.
ReplyDeleteWe're grieving and our hearts are aching alongside yours.
I am so sorry to hear about your loss.
ReplyDeleteWe will keep you and Maximus in our thought and prayers.
My heart breaks reading your post....... so very, very sorry. What a beautiful boy he is.
ReplyDeleteWe are so sorry for the loss of Maximus. Your tribute to him was beautiful. We are sorry that we are just know finding your blog from Hound Girl. The sky will shine a little brighter tonight in honor of Maximus. RIP....The Hounddogs
ReplyDeleteSorry sorry to read about Maximus...he looked like a loving giant!! He's your angel now. I saw you on Hound girls site.
ReplyDeleteThis always comforts me. i hope it makes the pain in your heart just even a tiny bit less.
ReplyDeleteI Did Not Die
Do not stand at my grave and forever weep.
I am not there; I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow.
I am the diamond glints on snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain.
I am the gentle autumn’s rain.
When you awaken in the morning’s hush
I am the swift uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and forever cry.
I am not there. I did not die.
Author: Melinda Sue Pacho
Oh my God I am so sorry. My heart is breaking for you and I am so very, very sorry.
ReplyDeleteI have recently followed your blog and even though I am new to it, this breaks my heart! I am sitting at my table in tears! I am so sorry that you are going through this. I feel your pain as we went through this with both of our boxers before they were even 7 years old.
ReplyDeleteMax was lucky to have a family such as yours! It sounds like you made just as much of an impact on him as he did for you.
Know that he is pain free and that you did the right thing by releasing him even though it's probably one of the hardest things you have ever had to do.
*hugs*
~The Mama Monster
We are so sorry about your loss. It always hurts when you loose a member of your family. You have certainly spent so much time together. But he will always keppa place in your heart.
ReplyDeleteSad woooh
Sally and the Can-Openers
How - what a note you wrote.. so well written. And what a dog! What a dog!! A very special dog, is what. This broke my heart..I am new here, and I am already sobbing. My Golden Retriever isn't even 2 yet and has several health problems and is taking monthly steriod shots, antibiotics, all kinds of things that aren't good on the long term.. I have tried just about everything... the reality has been setting in that the steriods may shorten his life, and may make the end harder..but it is quality, over quantity. I guess this hit home for me -- and I don't even know you guys. This dog had a wonderful quality of life. I want to be able to go back, and think of my Simba, as a dog who had a wonderful quality of life, despite the health issues.. Thank you for being a good owner to this wonderful dog, and he will be missed. I am so sorry for your loss and will keep you in my thoughts.
ReplyDeletePaige and Simba
J - I am so unbelievably sorry. My skin is crawling. I lost my breath. I know what a special boy he was to you. My thoughts are with your family.
ReplyDelete