Remembering Maxwell | Snow!

 

All told Nemo only brought us about 3 inches of snow. Maybe it's because I'm originally from "sunny"  Southern California and didn't grow up with snow...but I absolutely love the stuff! I kind of wish I lived in a place where it fell by the foot, and not by the inch. Kind of. One of the downsides of living in an apartment, at least for me, is that I don't get to shovel snow. We rented a house for a number of years when we lived in Indiana and shoveling snow was actually something I looked forward to. I would often get carried away and end up shoveling the walks in front of my neighbor's houses as well. Of course my husband never argued when I insisted on doing all shoveling!

One of my favorite things to do after a good snowfall was to dig paths in the snow for Maxwell. He wasn't a big fan of the wet stuff, and whenever there was enough of it on the ground that it came up to his chest, he all but refused to go outside. This is when me and my trusty snow shovel would come to the rescue! I shoveled paths all over the backyard for him. I even included "potty zones," these were larger areas where he was able to comfortably do his business. Once I cleared these pathways Maxwell would obligingly "go on his rounds" - he would walk the paths, inspect my handy work, pee, poop, bark, and mind everyone else's business. I sure miss having a backyard!

Remembering Maxwell | A Year Ago Today

A year ago today my husband and I said goodbye to our sweet beagle boy, Maxwell. We spent that last day with him knowing that later that evening we were taking him to the vet to be put to sleep, putting an end to his suffering. We spent a lot of time on the floor with him, loving on him, napping together. My husband and I shared stories and favorite memories. We fed Maxwell slices of turkey meat, one of his favorite things to eat. We laughed. We cried. The month leading up to that day had been difficult. Maxwell had been ill for some time. He had wasted away, all but stopped eating, and his kidneys were failing him. The last two weeks of his life was basically spent in hospice. We did whatever we could to make him comfortable. I spent those last weeks sleeping on the floor with him every night, preparing myself for what I knew was to come.

After everything was said and done we knew we had made the right decision. Saying goodbye was one of the hardest things I've ever had to do but I also know it was the most humane thing we could have done for our boy. We had 7 really good years with Maxwell. He came to us as a puppy, he filled our lives with joy, and we got to return the favor by being at his side as he took his last breath. We each deal with loss in our own way. The silence in our apartment after Maxwell's passing was palpable and a constant reminder to me of what I had lost. Yes, he was a dog, but he was also a companion and confidant. Maxwell will forever be missed but we honor his memory by sharing all the love we had for him with our new pup, Andy. Today I celebrate the dogs, past and present, that have filled and continue to fill my life with happiness.

Remembering Maxwell | Baby It's Cold Outside

Maxwell was never a big fan of cold weather, which I think is kind of funny considering he was a Midwestern pup born and bred. He hated lingering in the rain and barely tolerated snow. I did what I could to minimize his discomfort in the winters: cranked up the heat, always had towels and comfy beds for him to warm up on, carved out out paths and poop zones in the snow so he could get around easier, and I always tried to be attuned to when he was ready to go inside. 

One year we found a green corduroy Woolrich dog coat on sale at Target and decided to pick it up for the pup. I had no illusions about it actually doing anything to keep him warm but thought it might help keep him dry in the rain and snow. The fact that it was adorable also meant I couldn't pass it up! This was Maxwell's first article of clothing and he took to it right away. It was funny, whenever he wore the coat it was like it gave him an extra confidence boost - he would perk up and there would be a little more swagger in his step, as if the coat allowed him to face whatever mother nature could throw his way. 

Maxwell wore that little green coat for about 5 years and it kept him dry through many a rain and snow storm. The coat is still in great shape and hopefully it'll see Andy through many winters to come. Hope he doesn't mind hand-me-downs!

Remembering Maxwell | Feeling Out of Sorts

I've been feeling out of sorts lately. Sadness, anger...moments of self-doubt. I've come to realize there are times I wallow in self-pity. Two things help keep me grounded: my husband and my pets. My husband reminds me that I'm one half of a partnership. When I feel down it affects my partner; and vice versa. I can turn to him for comfort and advice instead of bottling things up inside. My pets keep me connected to the day to day, a routine and practical needs (food, water, potty), as well as providing me with companionship and furry loving. 

It's times like these I really miss Maxwell. He was my buddy. Andy has a very different personality, granted, at 9 months old he's still a puppy and growing into himself. We're still very much in the "parent/child" phase and have yet to reach the "parent/child/friends" stage. I'm still constantly having to tell Andy to calm down, to stop biting, to submit to me. Patience is key. I love the pup and know we have a lot to work on. We'll get there. With time Andy and I will be buddies as well.

I'm still mourning Maxwell's passing. It's been 7 months but sometimes it feels like he was with us only yesterday. The last month of his life was rough. It was basically hospice - he was dying and we did what we could to make what time we had left with him comfortable. I'll write about it some day. I'm not ready yet. They say time heals all wounds. I wonder if it really does. Time. Time is what I need. I feel better all ready.

Remembering Maxwell | The White in His Brow

I'm not sure how old Maxwell was when his brow started going white. It seems like I just woke up one day and there it was. Every once in while I would gaze at his snowy white face and would be reminded that our time together was ephemeral, transient, far too short. His white brow was a sign of age. A sign of decline. A sign that he was heading towards his inevitable passing. But it was also a badge of experience, maturity, of summers and winters past. It was a reminder to me to cherish what time I had with him. Our furry friends leave us far too soon. When that brow starts to turn white hold your friend close, hold your friend dear, and stay by his side to the very end.

Remembering Maxwell | My Therapy Pup

I like to think of myself as an easygoing, go with the flow kind of gal but every now and then I get a little frazzled. Now is one of those times. Work, a sick spouse, preparing to go out of town on Friday, and the impending start of another academic year are all looming large in my mind.
 

I miss Maxwell at times like these. He was my little therapy pup. He was so attune to my feelings and always seemed to know when I needed a quiet moment and a furry shoulder to lean on. A perfect evening was me, Maxwell, and a good book on the couch after a long day. Andy and I have yet to develop a relationship like this. We're still in the "getting to know you" phase, and besides, he still has so much puppy exuberance it's hard to get him to sit still for more than two minutes. I'm not complaining though because I know our relationship will season with time. Throughout my life I've been blessed to have canine companions see me through my highs and lows. They have kept me grounded and been a source of comfort and joy. Everyone should have a therapy pup!

Remembering Maxwell | Bees and Benadryl

Years ago, when we were still living in the Midwest, I let Maxwell out to do his business just before we were going to turn in. I watched him from the back porch as he walked the perimeter of the backyard. He was walking nose to ground, as hounds are apt to do, when suddenly he jerked his head up and shook it vigorously from side to side. I had a feeling he had been stung by an insect of some sort but thought little of it since he seemed unfazed by the attack and continued on his merry way. 

About 5 minutes later Maxwell came back inside the house and that's when I noticed a large welt on the side of his muzzle, where he had been stung. As I examined the welt the rest of his muzzle began to swell before my eyes. I started to panic when his muzzle nearly doubled in size. Since it was already past 11:00 p.m. I knew our vet wouldn't be around so I called our local animal emergency clinic. I explained the situation to the person on the other end of the line and she said it sounded like Maxwell was having an allergic reaction to a bee sting and that Benadryl should be enough to stop the reaction.

Remembering Maxwell | Brothers

I have very few photos of Maxwell with both of his feline brothers. This particular photo is one of the rare occasions I was able to get them to all pose for me. Notice in the foreground the object of their desire - a blade of sweet grass. The only time the 3 of them ever showed a unified front was in their pursuit of delectable treats such as grass or sandwich meat. For the most part Maxwell ignored Pablo and Diego. He was however very territorial when he was sitting on the couch or lying on the bed with us and would would chase the cats off if they tried to approach. He loved being the center of our attention.

Remembering Maxwell | Cryptorchidism

When we picked Maxwell up from his neuter we were told we were being charged extra because as it turned out one of his testicles had not descended. Huh. I never even realized he was one nut short of a pair. Cryptorchidism is the technical term for the failure of the testes (or testicle) to descend into the scrotum. Surgery for cryptorchidism is a bit more involved as the vet has to make an extra incision - the incision for the undescended testicle is more akin to a spay; thus the higher price tag. Ah well. Descended or not those testicles had to come out and I loved Maxwell all the more for his quirky imperfections.

Remembering Maxwell | In the Garden

We rented the same house in the Midwest for 5 years and every year I would grow veggies in my container garden. It's amazing how much you can grow in a small space! I planted tomatoes, cucumbers, squash, bell peppers, peas, and herbs. 

I miss having a little piece of land where I can plant, nurture, and harvest. Most mornings and evenings I would spend time in the garden with Maxwell. He would do his business: walking the perimeter, chasing squirrels, and barking at passersby. I would weed, prune, debug.

Maxwell would periodically come over and watch me as I worked. Get his nose in a pot or a mound of soil. He would follow me as I walked back to the shed for tools. He would inspect my veggies. Share a slice of cucumber or a pea fresh from the pod. Seasons come and go; as do the pups we love. I miss having a garden. I miss Maxwell.

Remembering Maxwell

This is Maxwell (5/1/2004-1/26/2012). The last year of his life was filled with many ups and downs as we struggled to get his inflammatory bowel disease under control. After a really rough 3 months we made the decision to humanely end his suffering. This was by far one of the hardest decisions I have ever had to make. As we start this new phase of our lives with Andy it only seems fitting to pay tribute to Maxwell - a hound that filled our lives beyond measure.