Well, the Kingfish lost one of his dogs yesterday. Yours truly got Max a year ago. He was 10 years old. An elderly couple had to give him up due to health problems.
Max's heart was bigger than his body. Max was a broken dog. He was deaf, had ulcers in both eyes, low thyroid, and limped on his front leg due to severe arthritis but he did not have the dreaded heart problems that usually plague Cavaliers. He took right to his new digs. The patio door had no doggie door. No problem. Max created his own in the screen door. Just pushed his way through the corner and voila, doggie door. It turns out Max was smarter than me (that's not saying much) as I didn't fix the screen because it turned out to be pretty convenient. The mutt would simply go outside as needed and then come right back inside. Good boy.
He never whined and if he hadn't barked once at a cat, I would have thought the mutt was mute. Max might have been deaf and later half-blind but we communicated just fine. He only had one goal in life, to be around his owner as much as caninely possible. He hobbled around the house looking for me if he didn't know where I was. He discovered he loved riding in cars. He learned where all the tasty drive-thru windows are in the Jackson metro area: banks, coffee shops, pharmacies, and Backyard Burgers. The chow hound eventually started recognizing them and went bonkers when I would pull up to their window. He actually enjoyed going to the vet (which was too often) and liked a good bath.
Sadly, he developed a GI virus last weekend. The symptoms didn't fully manifest themselves until Sunday evening. I took him in first thing Monday morning. He had an infection, the blood sugar shot up to 700 (he wasn't diabetic), and the increased blood sugar hit the kidneys hard. The blood sugar and infection got under control within two days but it was too late. The kidneys shut down and his body finally gave out Thursday night.
Bye-bye, Max. You are dearly missed. You were the best.
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| Max's last photo |
31 comments:
Dogs are truly man’s best friend. Never easy...
Sorry to hear that you lost a friend. Having a dog is like being the Highlander. We almost always outlive them, time and time again. Pour a drink and enjoy this Queen classic and remember the good times.
Queen - Who Wants To Live Forever?
Man, I'm sorry to hear that. Good work making his last year a great one.
What a beautiful boy....I am so sorry for your loss. But you gave him the
Best time of his life and he died knowing he was wanted and loved!
You gave him the best year of his life. So sorry. You will see him again one day.
Condolences Kingfish.
I can tell by Max's expressions, he knew that he was in the best possible home during his last days.
Anyone that shows love for an older animal with health issues is a Saint.
They steal your heart!
Sorry to hear about Max, always a tough time.
I’m so very sorry for your loss...
Loosing that unconditional love makes our heart hurt so deeply..
Grieve my friend, we are all pulling for you .
I know you gave him a great life for the short time you had him. Sorry to see him go way too soon..
So sorry for your loss, KF.
You were and always will be his loving human.
So sorry.
All dogs go to Heaven...
So sorry for your loss, KF. You were his best friend and he loved you dearly. That is worth all the tea in China.
Max was making the best of a bad situation, Kingfish, and I thank you for helping him.
Cavaliers are special!, Thank you for taking care of Max.
So many of us have shed that tear. Feeling your pain KF.
I have an abandoned mutt that was badly abused and after 4 years she thinks she's my sister or something. She doesn't seem to know how to bark but announces herself rattling her collar and sneezing. Out of the house she won't get out of my sight and looks back to often to check on me. When she needs anything she comes to me and sits looking at me patiently until I get up to follow. She's the first dog I ever called my own but when the oncologist read out my best and probable outcomes I somehow felt guilty that I thought first of what to do with Josephine before my kids. Sorry for your loss King Fish. Good friends are hard to find.
Thinking of you. I lost my “best friend” last year and it’s been tough every day since. #mansbestfriend
“He loveth best that loveth all creatures great and small. “ - Cecil Francis Alexander
I have no true friends except my dogs. Losing my dogs is very hard. Loosing people, with the exception of my wife and kids, not so bad. Just something from years ago.
I am so sorry. We don’t deserve dogs. Thank you for giving him a security in his last years.
Been there, know that feels. One was thirteen when his former Dad died, one was seven when a customer was going into assisted living and thrust him upon us, both were blessings. Especially Fritz!, but Homer was a cool little old dude.
That sounds like a damn fine dog and you can tell from the pics he knew he was living the good life!
“If there are no dogs in Heaven, then when I die I want to go were they went”....Will Rogers.
Good dog, Max. Good dog.
Well, KF, you sure make it hard to talk bad about you. Had rescues or giveaways all my life, but I don't think I could take a senior dog in. Too much hurt. But, you're a good fella to do that! But, I have to say he was the ugliest cat I ever saw.
Sorry for your loss.
I wish everyone greeted me like my dog does.
Forever may he Cavalier (as running is so undignified usually). He has a good time spending it with you. May you both have peace
It's true...All dogs go straight to Heaven, and they show us part of what Heaven's like while we live with them. We don't adopt them - They adopt us. I love all dogs more than most humans and always have. Always will. I'm thankful you allowed him to adopt you and I appreciate your care and love for Max.
Sad face. Great dog. Too young. RIP
You are a good man to take on a 10 year old pet knowing his best years were behind him. I’m so very sad for you. He was a beautiful baby! That is the ONLY downside to owning a dog..........they don’t live as long as we do. Wishing you peace and better days to come.
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