Spend any time with me and you know that I have a 4 legged heart. Poor Mark never knows when I may show up with a stray animal. It just breaks my heart to see a puppy or a kitten, hungry and abandoned. They are too small to handle this big old world on their own.
Growing up, my brother and I would help any 4 legged find a home… ours. My brother was notorious for bringing home the “ball-park kittens.” Truth be told, though, our mother was behind most of the animals being brought home. And our dad had the same kind of heart because well.. we always kept them. All four of us were big softies.
As time went by, my brother and I grew up, married, but our love for animals remained. I believe at the time my brother was working in construction and on a fateful day he found a 4 legged love. He found a pup along side a busy road. He couldn’t stand the thought of this young pup sitting there alone, scared, and hungry. He picked up this puppy and brought him home with every intention to keep it.
That evening my brother and his wife came over to our apartment carrying this little bundle. Oh, he was adorable. His ears were too big for his body. They just criss-crossed whenever they were perked. He was a German Shepherd. His name was Max. He was a bundle of energy and fun. And his cuddle factor was higher than most!!
As Max grew, so did the love of our entire family. My brother bought a house in Little Rock and Max had a yard big enough for him. He pranced around like he was saying, “Oh Boy! Oh Boy! The great outdoors!” When my daughter was born, I believe Max was the happiest “cousin.” There was free milk in those bottles and on her face! He would sit for as long as our daughter would stand it and give her kisses..milk breath attracts doggie kisses!! I firmly believe that Max was her first doggie love.
I swear Max is smiling!!
My brother and my sister-in-law moved to Florida just before our daughter’s first birthday. Max loved Florida. He had his own swimming pool and enjoyed afternoon dips. Their time in Florida had drawn to a close and Max (and family) returned to Arkansas. Max traded his pool for my backyard (formerly his yard because we bought their house when they moved). He move in with us for 6 months while my brother and sister-in-law lived in an apartment. He was the perfect houseguest..he entertained our Yorkie.
Oh, how they would romp around the house playing. Max was much bigger, of course, but that didn’t stop our Yorkie. They loved playing with each other. Mark built Max a two room dog house. It was a beauty.. shingles and all. Mark made that house out of love. See, Max and Mark bonded and were thick as thieves. Mark would spend hours rubbing Max’s tummy. They would curl up on the floor together and nap. When the 6 months were up, I don’t know who was more heartbroken, Max or Mark. At least they didn’t live far from us, so Mark got to visit Max quite often.
My brother’s career path had many moves but soon he landed in North Carolina. Max had a new adventure! He had a nice big back yard with neighbors he would visit apparently on a daily basis. He got to go fishing a time or two and had a nice big house to call home. He became known as the sweetest neighbor and made it a point to say, “Hello.” whenever he had the opportunity. He had a way about him.. he could make any cloudy day full of sunshine.
Funny, whenever we traveled to North Carolina, Max lit up when he saw Mark. Mark and Max would settle down with each other and had “tummy rubbing” time just like the good old days. We swear the dog never forgot Mark which by the way, warmed Mark’s heart tremendously.
Last summer, we visited North Carolina and got the privilege to see Max again. Max much older, 15 years older, had the same twinkle in his eye. He did in fact light up the moment Mark walked in.. The hair around Max’s face had grayed and he had such a tired look about him. He tried to get all prancy and dancy but it just caused a tired old ache. His body was older but his spirit was still that floppy eared puppy and it shined through those big brown eyes.
Sadly, Max’s body grew more and more feeble over the course of this year. And yesterday, he was laid to rest sending a heart-felt wave of grief among everyone Max knew. His mind and spirit was just as they had always been but his body gave away. As for those big brown eyes…I’m sure they were filled with just as much love and admiration as the first day my brother rescued him.. it was Max’s way of saying, “Thanks. Without you I wouldn’t have had such a wonderful life.”
Max, you were a dear friend and the perfect companion to Jeff and Vicki… You were the sweetest blessing that brought such joy to everyone you knew..You will be greatly missed..Rest in peace, my friend, Rest in Peace….
Remember to prevent a litter, fix your critter…And visit your local humane society or animal shelter for adopting a 4 legged friend…
Well
