Hello and welcome back to the wonderful world of the Dogpound where we are continuing our journey down memory lane of our time with Max.
Before we get started, I wanted to take time to thank Elizabeth French for the nice card and kind words that were much appreciated. Now, as I have said, Max was a lover not a fighter, but there were a few times when he was not so loving.
Max, like most dogs, wanted to protect his territory, and for the most part Max was satisfied with just barking and sometime growling as an offending dog or cat went by. On occasions though he would run to the end of the yard just to make a point, but there was never any real malice in his effort to protect the perimeter from potential intruders.
For instance, at one place I lived, my neighbors had some Beagles, and they would let them out to run free in the woods between our two houses. The Beagles at times would wander into our yard, and Max, looking through the kitchen sliding-glass door, would always let me know that we had intruders. I would let Max out the door and he would chase the Beagles back into the brush where he would stop, satisfied that he had completed his appointed duty. This happened maybe once a week with the same routine; Beagles come into the yard; I would let Max out and he runs the Beagles out of the yard, and all was good. That was true except for one time. Max was running toward the Beagles, and for some reason one of them decided to stop in mid-stride, maybe he had to tie his shoelaces, I don’t know, but anyway Max, who was just a few feet behind him, just ran right over the Beagle, sending the poor pup tumbling head-over-heels (he was less than half of Max’s weight). Both dogs were completely surprised by this turn of events, and If Max had any real ill intent, he could have easily caught the Beagle. However, Max was satisfied to let the Beagle right himself and scurry back into the wood line.
Another funny thing about Max was his tail. He had a big bushy tail that kind of curled upward at the end. When he ran, his tail would spin like a whirlwind; no kidding, it would spin clockwise when he ran, like a propeller on his butt. It was so funny to watch.
Then there was another incident: my new neighbor had a pet Chihuahua that was plain and simple, an energized yipping machine, that barked at everything including his own shadow. I kid you not! So one day this little dog came over into our yard and started yipping away right in Max’s face. Now picture this: Max, 90 pounds at his prime, and this little dog at best 10 pounds, dripping wet facing off in the backyard. The dog would not leave Max alone, and I could see in Max’s eyes, that he was reaching the end of his patience. After a few minutes Max did reach his breaking point.
He lowered his head and let out a big-rough bark full force in the Chihuahua’s face. That poor little dog took off like greased lightning. I do not think Max would have touched him, but Max got his point across and that little dog never got into Max’s face again.
That is a wrap for today. I hope you are enjoying this walk down memory lane – I know I am. As always be good, do good, play safe and remember there is time when it is good to be silent.
– JR
