Max is in Doggy Heaven.

Max

Age 8, September 15, 2002 - March 28, 2011

Max, the most beautiful boy anyone could wish for, always in our hearts, see you soon my fella x x x

Max at the track with his favourite ball

Nickname: Maxi-pants

A message from Max to his Mam on 29th March 2011

Hi Mam, just wanted to let you know I am happy, healthy and having fun running around with my new mates. I am in a place called Rainbow Bridge.

Here is all you need to know

Just this side of Heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge
When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge.
There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together, there is plenty of food, water and sunshine and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigour, those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we rememeber them in our dreams of days and times gone by
The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing, they each miss someone very special to them who had to be left behind

The all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent, His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face, your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together

So there you go Mam, I will be waiting for you and Dad, I love you both so much, see you soon and look after Milly for me

All my love now until we are together again

Your Maxi-Pants xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

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To my Max

I just wanted to let you know that I love you and miss you so much. I talk about you all of the time to anyone who will listen. You left such a big space in our lives (both physically and emotionally fat boy!) and Millie has really felt lost without you.

There have been so many good times (and some not so good times)... you were the biggest softest pudding going... you cried when you got salt in between your toes and decided to walk on your elbows... you had to have half your tail removed (sorry about that), you had half an ear thanks to Millie Moo Moo getting too excited and accidentally biting it off.... and when you tried to catch and kill a rat it bit you and you ended up having emergency surgery to fuze a vein in your nose that poured allll over the lounge, the hall, the kitchen, my new car and me. Lets not forget your killer instinct when we went on holiday (for all of 18 hours fella!) when you caught 2 field mice and ended up knocking your two front teeth out! You werent the luckiest, but you sure were the lovliest.

Before we got you, you raced and I met you a few times and nicknamed you "sweaty head". You were a handsome fella and really fast to boot. You were so good you open raced... but was only good if you were in trap 1.... a sure fire railer! I walked you on a sunday and I remember the time when you drank water from a horses mouth. You also gave another horse a run for its money. You had no fear my boy.

You used to love to snuggle into me on the bed if we went up before dad came and you used to love being massaged and brushed. You used to love your food and really liked your Sunday treats of a full english brekkie or a Sunday Roast.

You used to love chewing teddy bears and sometimes you got them stuck in your teeth. I was the only one you would let help you get them free from your wonky teeth! You also let me do pretty much anything to you when I needed to (give tablets, change dressings, check your paws for spinters) because you trusted me.

You used to love chasing the ball and trying to get past us with it in your mouth so you could hide in the long grass and chew it to bits (see picture).

I remember when you pulled a muscle in your leg and I put some muscle rub on it. You didnt like me too much for that and you buried yourself underneath the duvet cover with you back to me for hours.

You loved my slippers cos they were fluffy. You used to grab them and take them upstairs with you and cuddle them (see picture).

You sulked when we went out... acted like a stroppy teenager and you were at your happiest when we were all together.

One thing you didnt like was anything remotely out of the ordinary.... including snow, different walking routes, rain and strange places.... hence the reason we came home after 18 hours from holiday.

We took you to Cork in Ireland once and you enjoyed the beach (sort of - not as much as Millie did with Mysti). Granted, you went in the sea but you just wanted to get back into the safety of your bed with a treat.

We took you to the beach at home... you hated it and emptied your bowels right in front of a fish and chip van.... and it was not good! i couldnt put it in a bag!!! Enough said. We were in the car longer than we were at the beach. We also took you for a walk in some woods and fields. You hated that too! There were sheep and horses that scared you... so we brought you home.

It sounds like life with you was a nightmare, but it wasnt. We all adapted to each other and we all loved our routine which was very simple and just as you liked it. We did two local walks... one by the cemetary and one in the park. Then every Saturday morning you would get so excited as you knew that this was the day you went for a run off the lead. Somehow you knew it was Saturday!

Towards the end of your life, you were sick a lot. When we found out you had Cancer, we did everything we could to help you, but you told us enough was enough. You gave me a look that told me you were ready and you sadly fell asleep in my arms on 28th March 2011. It was the hardest thing I have ever had to do but I know you went quickly and pain free. I held your head in my lap and kissed you goodbye.

Anyway, as I said you have left a big space in all of our lives and we have all been suffering with your loss, especially Millie Moo Moo. I wanted to let you know that Millie needed a new pal, so we went to the Retired Greyhound Trust yesterday and met Tom. He is a sweet boy and is making Millie happy. He deserves a good home just as you did and I think he will be staying with us. I dont want you to think that he is replacing you, because that would never happen. It was Millie that forced our hand and she is really happy to have a new pal to play with. Tom is also helping us to come to terms with losing you.

I hope you are enjoying Rainbow Bridge fella and that you have found something nice to eat, somewhere nice to play and some nice pals to hang out with.

I love you with all my heart.
Love from your Mam xxxxxxxxx

PS the memories are not in order, I know that.... but there were so many I just typed as I remembered them xxx

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