Maximus (AKA "Matimoose")

I knew it would be hard… but it continues to be hard five months later…it’s funny how she keeps me thinking about her.  Now that it’s spring a whole other wave of emotion comes over me because I miss taking her out for walks in the warm sun..

To all the wonderful tripawd moms and dads out there.. love on your sweet furry friends all you can.

I know she is happy and at peace waiting at the ‘rainbow bridge.’

On October 22nd at about 8:45 PM our sweet girl earned her well deserved wings.  She was so strong these last 7 months in her battle with cancer.  The cancer had spread to her remaining back leg and into her lungs.  I obviously neglected to keep updated posts.  She remained happy and kind hearted up until the very end.

Even this last week was filled with good times.  She had the opportunity to sunbathe, to get treats, to see some good friends and to snuggle with us as she always has at night (as if she were a 10 pound lap dog).

Her last day started like any other. She ate her breakfast, took some longer and deeper naps, sat in the sun, did her business on a short walk, and wagged her tail several times.  However, I noticed she seemed to just collapse down to rest once we got in from outside.  She had a harder time getting up and slipped on the floor.  Her back leg must have been so weak that she fell again mid afternoon and hurt herself so much so that she was unable to get up on her own.  She could not put any weight on that back leg.  She was in pain and we knew it was time.

Our angel neighbor (and one of Max’ best friends) arranged for a very nice vet and tech assistant to come to our house and Max left us peacefully in her own bed.

I truly do feel she earned her wings.  I realized this week when my husband showed me a picture of her as a puppy, that we never chose her.  God chose her for us to help us experience joy and to learn and grow.

I have seen the greatest attributes in her actions.  She showed me what living in the moment really looks like.  She showed me what forgiveness and complete acceptance look like.

In honor of Max, I just wanted to share some of the many things we loved about her:

She looked like she was smiling everyday.

She would wink her eye when you called her name to get a treat.

She would bark at us when we didn’t get her treats or walk started quickly enough.

She would make us chase her around the house when we tried to put her harness and leash on for walks she loved to take.

She snuggled and curled up by us as if she were 10 pounds versus 100 pounds.

She would paw at and cup her face when she was tired.

She would sigh and snore like an old man.

She would put her paw on Homer (her favorite cat)  like he was her own litter mate.

She would walk with an extra bounce in her step on cool night walks in the Fall.

 She would peek her head around the corner in the hall to see where we were.

She would jump up and put her paws on the front desk to get treats at the vet.

She was nice to everyone who greeted her.

Here are some videos of Max and Homer.

 Homer trapped

Homer missing Max (this video was taken this week after we brought her ashes home)

So many sweet cards and notes have been sent to us with such inspiring words.  Although we miss her so much, we know she is running on all fours in the bright sun feeling better than she has in a long time.  A time will come when we’ll see her again and she will greet us with her sweet ‘smiling’ self.

Like much of the country, we are trapped in the ‘heat dome.’  I think today was 21 days in a row of 100+ temps.  Max goes in the back yard and finds the sunniest spot to lay down in.. she loves it but quickly hops up when it gets too hot.

 We then come inside and bark for treats since we did our business before sunbathing (and that deserves a treat or 2)..

We also play with Homer…

Her day to day life is pretty same ‘ole same ‘ole but to Max, every day is a great day.

     “Happy Fowef of Juwy.. just don’t shoot fireworks.. dey sound wike thunder..”

Six years ago today we brought Max home.. Our lives would never be the same.  She has taken us on roller coaster ride full of hilarious, fun, happy and sometimes stress-filled days.. all of them worth it.

   This was her first day with us. She was so little she could sleep on my lap.

  She was crate-trained but eventually graduated from her crate days.  She quickly discovered the good life and began sleeping on the human bed and couches.

This blog is about Maximus.. otherwise known as “Mati, Moose, Matimoose, Max, Maxi, and sweet girl.”  She is a six year old Rhodesian Ridgeback and we have had the pleasure of taking care of her since she was a puppy. 

 Max is a quirky girl who loves to eat peanut butter, bratwurst, grass, dog treats, glasses, and remote controls.  She loves to greet neighbors and other dogs but rarely barks at anyone.  She loves taking walks, chasing cats and squirrels, lying in the sun (and forcing her human companion to wait with her in the sun as long as it takes), eating, sleeping on her bed, and playing with her cat friend “Homer.”

She is afraid of thunderstorms and tiny spaces.. she doesn’t like it when patterns on flooring change.. but one thing is for sure.. she is always kind-hearted.  She has been through a rough three months and she has remained the same gentle and loving spirit she has always been.

We are three months post amputation of her left rear leg following a diagnosis of Chondrosarcoma.  We were hoping and waiting for a full recovery after about a month but she continued to have difficulty.  We took her back to the oncologist for a consult and got the bad news.. the cancer did in fact spread into her other rear leg and into her lungs.  We are just finishing a three week radiation treatment program which has already helped her back leg to feel better. Our goal now is to make her as happy and as comfortable as we can.

A dog that has brought us so much joy deserves the best care we can give.  We hope to share some happy moments with you as we cherish the time left with our sweet girl.

This is Max returning from her last radiation treatment! The clinic gave her a bandana and signed it.  All the vets and staff we have dealt with have been wonderful.

She is having to adjust to sleeping and resting on the floor rather than on her comfy bed..

but since radiation, she is getting around much easier.. and looking for things to eat wherever she can