Max

March 17, 2000 - May 22, 2010




We got Max when I was ten-years-old. He was only four months old at the time and a very new addition to the family. The previous year we lost our dog, Sam. He had cancer, so we were forced to put him down. Max and I instantly took. I was at a point in my life that I was literally looking for someone, something, anything, really, to love me. Max was my companion. He immediately claimed me as his kid, as Newfoundland dogs often do. It became his duty to protect me. (I guess that's why it's so hard for me to be in North Carolina right now.) Throughout the years Max has been more than a companion, more than a dog, he's been my guardian, my protector, and warrior. Any time he ever thought I needed aid or if I was in trouble of any sort, he would be right there in front of me, physically putting himself in between me and the danger. This was the kind of love and protection I needed. Max used to take me on walks, when I thought I was taking him on walks. He would never leave my side, even though he knew that he could. He was always my babysitter all the time, when I had sleepovers, he'd just find a sleeping bag and make himself comfortable, when I was watching TV, he'd just relax by the chair and let me put my feet on him. Max then adopted a new kid when Jo moved in, he would check on us in the middle of the night, even when it became difficult for him to walk, he would always come up the stairs and make sure that both of us were sleeping soundly. He would barge in on us when we were with our boyfriends, which was annoying, but he was doing his job. He would sit by us when we were reading, and lay his head on our lap. He was never too busy for a good head scratch or ba-donka-donk scratch. When our boyfriends were gone in the marines, Max's coat soaked up more tears than any tissue or handkerchief did. I can never forget the subtle, yet important impact he made in my life. How much one, caring, loyal dog could mean to a teenage girl.


This is your tribute, Bear-Bear. You were the most amazing dog anyone could ever ask for and I'm glad we were blessed to call you ours. You lived a wonderful and eventful life. Not once did we ever wish we could have gotten a different dog. You were perfect for us. You did a good job. Good boy. Good dog.