Farewell Max

[RayC]

Max passed over the bridge last Wednesday, the 7th December 2011. He was a Border Collie cross and because he was a rescue dog we were not too sure of his age. He had gone blind and eventually lost the use of his back legs; whatever his age it had finally caught up with him. He was not my dog but belonged to a friend and neighbour. I honour him on here because he was such a gentle soul, kind and friendly to my little Charlie. They greeted one another on their daily walks and there was never anything but gentleness between them despite the big difference in their sizes.

The night of his passing, my friend walked up to the top of the hill behind his house (we call it a mountain, but it's really just a large lump of rock!) and in the clear starry sky saw a shooting star. He thought, "there goes Max, running free again and free from pain".

We'll all miss you Max

[nuggetsmom]

Maybe he'll meet up with Virgil, Moose, Taffy, and my little Nugget. They can all play together until we get there to join them. I love that your neighbor saw the shooting star. Maybe that helped him some. And my thoughts and prayers go out to your neighbor for his loss.

[RayC]

Robin, thank you so much for your comment. Although Max wasn't mine, I feel incredibly moved by his passing. I'm sure they're all up there waiting for us like they always did and playing like puppies should. That has got to be some noisy playtime!

[nuggetsmom]

We don't have to be the animal's owner to be affected by their loss. An animal lover loves animals no matter who owns them, and quite often, in spite of who owns them. I know I've grieved over the loss of many animals, even though they weren't mine. A loss is a loss, and it can still hurt. -Robin

[Oliver & Henry's Mum]

Ray, I am so sorry to hear of Max's passing. Clearly he was part of your life, and sweet Charlie's. You are so kind to honour him on here. I know how much Max's family must miss him already, but how beautiful that your friend saw a shooting star that night, of all nights.

Robin put it perfectly about how the loss of a dog, whether they belong to us or not, can still affect us as deeply as if they were our very own. I'm sure Charlie will miss her friend.

Max sounded like a consummate gentleman. Long May You Run, Max! ♥

Ray, once again, I am so sorry. Consider yourself hugged. xo

[virgilsmama]

Dear RayC and Nuggetsmom and all who read about Max's passing and had tears form in their eyes,

We have all been blessed with this wonderful love and understanding of God's almost human creatures. They are human in their canine way, make sense??? Love them all and revel in love they give us, how lucky are we. Robin, thanks for remembering my Virgil and you really did lose a baby. You fed and nurtured that tiny creature. Thanks for all of your understanding and sympathy, could not be any other way, as you are a Daily Puppy friend and we are all like that! RayC, I wanted a dog since I was a little kid but had to wait what would seem like a lifetime to achieve that goal. I fell in love with a lot of dogs in that interim and felt so sad when someone's dog passed. And then I got one of my own, and my world changed. It changed with the passing of my little chocolate poodle, Yoko. I cried every day for a year, my heart was broken. I appreciate you remembering Max, that is really nice, especially for his family. Deb did the same for my Virgil, starting the condolence/remembrance thread. As I have said, we are all blessed and lucky to have each other! Happy New Year to all!

Liz, Scott, Daisy and our little Buddy

[Margie-Rex's Mom]

Ray, I'm sorry I missed this when you first posted...

I, too, have tears in my eyes at the image of your friend on your Welsh mountain seeing the shooting star. How wonderful that Max was able to let his person know he was just fine and will patiently wait for him at Rainbow Bridge.

Thank you for sharing Max's story. My condolences to your friend - and to you and Charlie. I'm sure she misses her sweet friend.

[RayC]

Thank you all for the kind and understanding comments you have placed in this thread. I shall pass them on to my friend AND I shall look even harder at the night skies to catch a glimpse of any more shooting stars sent as messages from our departed fur friends. How blessed we are to have known them however briefly.

A very Healthy and Happy New Year to all my DP friends. It's 11:00 pm here so we'll get there before most of you