My little "ever ready bunny" Max, the love of my life. We were blessed with a healthy dog for 18 years. Max did not suffer much until the very end when he developed a serious eye problem as well as neurological problems. When he was no longer eating or drinking we new in our hearts that the ever ready bunny was telling us that it was time for him to go. Up until that point our little boy Max was very healthy. He had a few little problems here and there but nothing that ever got in his way. Max was a "snack monster." He knew where we kept his snacks and he knew everytime he went out for his walk he knew what was waiting inside the house for him. He had so many nicknames. Eighteen to be exact. We counted them oneday and could not believe all the names we gave him over the years. Jo Jo, Curious, Monkey, Joseph, just to name a few. Max loved to sleep. He had two beds. One was in his crate, which was more like a his own little house. Very fancy, rattan on the outside with lots of plush,comfy blankets inside. His other bed was smaller and we kept that in our atrium. He loved sleeping in there especially when the sun was bright and on his face. His favorite place to sleep was of course in our bed. He loved sleeping with us, and truthfully we loved it too. Max hated taking baths and especially having his face washed or water near his face. One day his daddy decided to take him in the shower with him and that was it! His daddy used the hand held shower handle to wash him and he literally sat in the shower with Max and it was amazing how Max was so much more relaxed. We laughed everynight because Max would walk a marathon around our kitchen and through our dining room for about one hour. We think it was his exercise everynight and thats why he lived to 18. Sometimes we would have to put him in his crate or else he would keep going and going. He loved sitting at night in his daddys arms while his daddy rubbed his ears. He waited everymorning for his mommy to take him out before she went to work, talk to him and of course give him his snacks. As soon as Max heard the word "biscuit" he went crazy! Max passed away on 6/8/2010 and mommy still wakes up every morning and talks to Max. There are pictures of him all over the house and not a day goes by that he's not thought of or talked about. We made a memorial in our garden and everyday when we open the shade we are reminded of our little baby boy. Life is not the same without him and our house is not the same. Mommy's heart aches everyday. It was like losing a brother for our son Michael who is also 18. Max brought so much love, joy and happiness to us over the years and I know we did the same for him. We have so many wonderful memories and the things he did that made us laugh or smile, especially when he would sit on his back legs when we would eat dinner, staring at the table waiting for one of us to give him food off of our plate. He sat there sometimes for five minutes with his front two paws up like he was begging. After awhile he would fall over and we would by hysterical. How could you not give him anything after he sat like that for so long!!!
If we went downstairs into our living room, he would walk around and look for us and when he realized where we were he would sit by the stairs and wait for someone to bring him down so he could lay on the couch with us. If we didn't get him, he would make noises so that we would hear him. We laughed and would say, "stop looking for attention Max." He was so smart, he knew exactly what he was doing and what he wanted. He was very nosy and curious. He always wanted to know what we were doing. Words can not describe Max and how special he was. I used to ask Max's daddy if we could get him cloned all the time because if I was guaranteed another dog who was exactly like Max I would take him in a heartbeat because thats how perfect and wonderful he truly was. I am lost without Max and no matter what anyone say's about "it takes time," or "you'll get over him," NO, no I won't - never. I know that anyone reading this knows exactly how I feel and can understand what I am saying. I know life goes on but unfortunately without Max. So if talking to him every morning as if he is still alive or crying makes me feel better then thats what I will continue to do. The wonderful memories of Max is all we have until we meet again. So, Max if you ever read this, we love you and miss you more then you can every imagine. Thoughts of you are forever with us. Mommy misses seeing your little face and button nose every morning and feeding you all those snacks and Daddy misses holding you in the atrium and rubbing your ears and those little feet of your too. Michael misses his brother and laughs when he talks about all the cute things you used to do. We know Max thinks about all of us because there are signs around us that let us know. One last thing, Max if you read this, Mommy and Daddy are finally getting married on 11/11/2010. We know you will be with us that day, just as you are everyday. With Love Forever, Daddy, Mommy and Michael.