Lessons from Mr. Max

If you’ve been a reader of MMC for any length of time you know I’m crazy about my dogs.  They are my office mates, friends, confidantes, walking buddies and so much more.  Three weeks ago, we faced that decision every dog-owner inevitably faces and dreads.  We said farewell to our beautiful Golden Retriever Max.  While the river of tears has finally slowed to a trickle and the heart-shaped crater he left behind has begun to heal I hope never to forget the life lessons this wonderful dog taught me, my husband, our son and the many friends who came to know him over the years.  Today, I pay tribute to Mr. Max and the lessons he taught us all. 

Lesson #1—Always bring a gift.  Max was a retriever, and by nature he loved to carry stuff.  From an early age he learned to trot to the end of our driveway, pick up the paper and bring it back to us.  It was his pride and great joy.  But he didn’t just stop with the newspaper.  Anytime we came home from being away for even five minutes, Max was ready and waiting with something in his mouth.  When guests called, he greeted them with a gift as well.  The gift might be a tennis ball, a T-shirt he found on our son’s bedroom floor, maybe a sock or perhaps something more intimate. (One of his favorites was to retrieve our son’s athletic cup!)  If he couldn’t find anything, it wasn’t beneath him to grab a tissue from someone’s purse.  The point was never to greet you empty-handed, or in his case, empty-mouthed. 

Lesson #2—Stay well rested.  Okay dogs have a really simple job description:  eat, sleep, play, eliminate.  Max was particularly good at sleeping.  He knew that good rest was the key to staying happy, and he insisted on his regular 14-16 hours a day of rest.  I could tell when he was really loving the sleep thing because he would roll onto his back and go into one of several favorite dog yoga poses that said he was 100% relaxed!  We should all sleep so well.

Lesson #3—Relish the simple things.  Food, water, a good nap, a leisurely swim, a nice stroll around the block, or just sitting by your loved one’s side.  Does it get any better?  Simple, yes.  But he helped us all to remember to focus on the little things that bring the greatest joy in life. 

Lesson #4—Be persistent.  Early on in our relationship Max let us know that he would “prefer” to stay inside when we were away.  He really insisted upon it and he proved himself more than trustworthy.  Okay there were a few slip-ups but he was still young, and that remote control was “winkin” at him.  He was nothing if not persistent in a quiet and determined way.  It paid off because he usually got his way. 

Lesson #5—Forgive quickly.  Trust me, Max was no angel in life.  He had a penchant for eating rocks and other non-digestible objects--like the time the vet produced a straw, a plastic sandwich bag and a ketchup packet he had eaten and thankfully eliminated.   The vet’s advice: “You need to try and keep him from eating things like this.”  Yeah, right.  He was in trouble on a fairly regular basis.  BUT after being reprimanded, as quickly as he could, he was “wagging” his way back into our good graces and was the epitome of forgiveness.  He frankly forgave us far more often than we deserved and he gave his forgiveness unconditionally. 

Lesson #6—Practice the “golden” rule.  You know, “do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”  I learned more about practicing the “golden rule” from Max than perhaps any other source in my life.  There was no one he didn’t welcome enthusiastically.   There was never a moment when he gave any less than 110%.  He gave love before asking to receive it.  He never held a grudge (see #5).  His unconditional love reminded me often of that line:  “Someday I hope to be the person my dog thinks I am.”  I’m still trying. 

I could go on, recounting some of his most endearing qualities.  But for me, these are the ones that stand out.  They are the ones I want to remember and practice every day.  They are part of the indelible paw print Max left on our hearts.  And I for one believe the world is a better place for the example Max set.  My job, our job is to live the lessons. 

Thank you Max.  We’ll meet you someday at the Rainbow Bridge.

Quote of the Week

"He took my heart and ran with it, and I hope he's running still, fast and strong, a piece of my heart bound up with his forever"

~~Patricia McConnell, For The Love of A Dog

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