Max’s Journey

Hello and welcome back to the wonderful world of the Dogpound where we continue the storyline that we started last week. As a reminder, in case you missed the last issue, I had to put my best buddy, Max, to sleep after 14 plus years. It was the best thing for him.

Just after Christmas, Max was fully weaned and I was able to bring him back to his new home.

Max immediately demonstrated that he was a very smart dog. Since I was working during the day, I decided to get a baby play pen (I know, a little weird) and lined it with cardboard so he would be free to walk around and stretch his legs. That worked until one day, when I came home and found him waiting for me at the front door with his tail wagging ninety miles an hour; he was definitely pleased with himself . I was not completely sure how he got out since there were no holes in the netting and I really did not believe he was cat-like enough to master climbing the netting around the crib.

Well, sure enough, one evening I caught him about halfway up the side, sticking his little paws in the holes like they were a ladder. Once at the top, he managed to pull himself up and over the railing. Even though I put taller cardboard on the sides, Max knew there was freedom just on the other side, and there was no stopping him from finding a way out his confinement. That was a pretty good fall for a little puppy but he was determined to find his new master. Potty training was a breeze; it only took a few times for him to catch on…and as for the yard boundaries, once the warm weather arrived, I just walked him around the border of the yard a couple of times, explaining to him that he was to stay in this area. Except for a few rare occasions, I could just let him out to do his business and when finished, he would wait patiently on the back porch to be let back in.

He learned all the basic tricks: bark, beg, shake hands (right or left), lay down, roll over – by far one of his most difficult tricks, (he was so long it was hard to get that body to roll over) – stay, and of course the ever-favorite “put the treat on his nose.” Max would freeze like a statue waiting for my signal. I could even turn my back, and he would not budge until I gave him the signal. Now, one thing he could not do, was flip the treat in the air and catch it, nor was he good at catching things that were tossed to him. If the toss was just off center he more than not missed the treat, his jaws snapping shut like a steel trap, but only grabbing thin air.

I always thought his big snout got in the way or he needed glasses. LOL

Another thing Max did not do well, and that was to heal and walk by my side. He was never really content being beside me – he had to lead. Being a big dog, he could really lead. He was not running all over the place; he just wanted to go forward. He would put his head down, and off we would go.

After a walk, you knew you had gone for a walk – my arm and shoulder would be good and sore the next day.

That is end of this particular chapter. I hope you are enjoying this journey down memory lane.

As always, be good, do good, play safe, and remember, time is short, so hug your loved ones.

JR