Ah...Maximus AKA Max...sweet puppy love
I was never what one would call a “dog person”. I was raised on 7 acres and my parents would get the occasional dog, but they were never allowed inside and their stays with us were brief. Their lives were claimed by the occasional passing by horse or the garbage truck on an icy winter day.
My parents got a cat or two, but at some point, we would go on a Sunday drive and they would “drop” the cat off at the curb of some farm saying that they would be much happier there.
I was a small child and so I took these things in stride. I trusted my parents and so I never really learned the value and the magic of owning a dog or cat.
That changed twelve years ago. When I got divorced, I had four children ranging in age from pre-adolescence to full blow teenagehood. I found a 100-year old farmhouse on 2 acres in Boulder and knew I had to get a dog for the sake of my children who were going through the difficult transitions that were necessary when their father and I were no longer married.
We got Duke, the Perfect Golden Retriever Dog as a young puppy. I was crazy busy at the time and my children hovered over him as if they had found precious water in the middle of the Sahara desert. Duke helped to heal their hurting hearts and he quickly became a treasured family member.
As the years wore on and my children left, it became a home for Duke, my husband and myself. Because of my childhood history, I had to be taught that dogs were interested in more than food and hikes. Over the years, Duke turned me into a "dog person" as he taught me unconditional love as he always seemed to know when I needed an extra bit of comfort and care.
At the age of twelve, Duke passed away this summer. It was sudden, unexpected and sadder than I can begin to express. I cannot write any more because in many ways, my heart continues to break.
Duke, the Perfect Golden Retriever Dog
Good friends, dog owner friends, insisted we get another dog as soon as possible. This seemed unimaginable and insensitive to me. But the loneliness of our property and the ache in our hears when we would arrive home void of the greeting and smile of Duke the Perfect Golden Retriever was almost unbearable.
Puppy Maximus AKA Max came into our lives the end of August. My two daughters, who had been grieving terribly for Duke, came with me to meet Max before we could bring him home.
Ah, I never truly appreciated the sweet smell of puppy love. Max jumped all over us, let us hold him like a baby, licked our faces with, I swear, a broad smile on his face. Our hearts felt hopeful and new.
Daughter Cassie feeling the love
A happy Puppy Max on daughter Kellie's lap
Me and Max...let the healing begin
We brought Max home a week later and he became my constant companion. He’s loving, sweet, playful and mischievous. My daughters, who live nearby, come to the house frequently to get their fix of puppy love and we can’t imagine our lives without him.
We took him to the Pearl Street Mall one early autumn evening last week. The mall was crowded with Boulderites enjoying being out and about before the onset of cold and winter that could come at any time.
You would have thought Max was Brad Pitt. Seriously. We were mobbed, we could barely move an inch without hearing someone say, “Oh my God! Look at that puppy! Oh please, please can I pet your puppy?” Newborn babies in strollers couldn’t compete for their attention. Max was an instant celebrity and he lapped up every second of it.
It didn’t matter the age, race, or gender. I was astounded to see the immediate softening of people’s faces as they saw us walking towards them with Max.
What is this power? This puppy love thing? Is it their innocence? Their curiosity? Their playfulness? Their joy at rolling around in the grass just because it feels good? Their openness and curiosity? Their loving nature? I’m still learning but puppies seem to bring out the best in us, melting our hearts and reminding us that the simple things in life are what matter most.
The morning after Duke died, my husband and I walked outside. There in the bushes in front of our home were two happy face balloons tied together that had blown in from parts unknown. Did Duke know his life was coming to a close? Was it an encouragement from him to “don’t worry, be happy”? Was it a message from him that there would soon be another who would slap silly grin smiles on our faces?
I wouldn’t be surprised. Getting Max didn’t make me stop missing Duke. But Duke was an excellent teacher and his unconditional love and loyalty will always stay with me and for that, I am humbly grateful.
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Jesse Kavadlo
Mary Wagner
keri h
Frosty Funk
Wren Dancer
Liane Carter
Salon.com
Comments
The best way to meet women in a public venue is to walk an attractive dog there. I do mean "best way." Nothing can trump it.
We can never replace individual ones, but once one has made its home in our hearts, nothing else can fill that space.
Dogs are amazing. They love us so unconditionally, they don't care about our hair, our moods, our weight, our many imperfections. They just love us.
Our Cassie (lab/golden mix) died last summer, and I lasted about three weeks before we got Leo, a rescue lab/mutt. He is wonderful. He is sleeping on my feet at this very moment.
Congratulations on the new puppy. He looks gorgeous!
Rated.
-R-
We both must go see that new, interestingly animated film, My Dog Tulip, based on the book by J.R. Ackerly.
http://movies.nytimes.com/2010/09/01/movies/01mydog.html
Puppies have some kind of special powers that let the healing begin.
Enjoy that handsome fella before he gets too big to hold!
If only they could stay that small!!!
Tim4change: My heart got broken open so wide when Duke died. It oddly created more space for me to fully love a dog. This was Duke's ultimate gift. Thank you.
Brian: Thank you Brian. I already have and it's good.
Susan: My husband feels the exact same way that you do and it's a blessing. I'm sad for your BFF loss :( but so happy for fortunate Juan. You're right, so easy to love. Thank you.
heidibeth: Thank you!
Antoinette: When you said, "Duke is smiling" it made me smile too. And happy times to you with Lola (love the name).
froggy: I see that you do completely understand. And you are so right about the unconditional love. It's really quite stunning. My sorrows for your Cassie and joys for your Leo, who was sleeping at your feet. Max was sleeping at my feet while I wrote this post this morning. Thank you.
Catherine: You're right. If it was a toss up between Ma and Brad Pitt, tennis balls or not, Max wins! Thank you.
Ablonde: Thank you much.
femme forte: Oh yes, that soft puppy fur...it's so beautiful and soft. Thank you.
sophie h: Yes, sweet and sad...so much like life. Thank you so much for reading.
Fusun A: Max has done wonders for my daughters. My oldest son was in town the day he arrived and it was a joy to see the two of them together. Other son Nate is anxiously waiting for Christmas to meet him. Thank you for your good wishes. They touched my heart.
Man Talk Now: Well, what a wonderful thing to say. Thank you.
irishwolfhound: Well, at this point, there are a few shoes and socks nicely chewed as well :) We're working on it. But you are right in many ways. There are some who will take advantage of love and generosity, but not dogs. It's really quite stunning. Thank you.
gwool: Thanks for reading.
Libmomrn: Thank you for reading and relating. I appreciate it.
Poppi: It warms my heart that you love Max, it really does. Thank you!
Syclaa the rock: Thank you so much for reading and rating.
LadyMiko: Yes they do. And yes, he is double triple ADORABLE. Thank you. Your second comment made me tear up. You have no idea how powerful your words were to me. Thank you.
jenshrader: Yes, in honor of Hobie (love that name). And I'm happy for Millie and for you. Thank you.
Capt. America: He is the cewtest doggy....hard to resist a golden retriever puppy. Duke was beautiful, all that gray covering his wise and sweet face. I'm sad too. Thank you for your comforting words. I so appreciate them.
Connie: I'd love to go to that movie with you! I'm not familiar with the book but it looks wonderful. I love this quote contained in the article you linked to, "“She offered me what I had never found in my life with humans: constant, single-hearted, incorruptible, uncritical devotion, which it is in the nature of dogs to offer.” And you're so right about the baby fur and the puppy breath. Thank you!
ladyfarmerjed: He is supposed to double his weight just in this month alone and should end up being 75-80 pounds. I'm trying to break him of not sitting on my lap in the car cuz it just won't work pretty soon. I agree, they do seem to have special powers. I really saw that the day we took him to Pearl Street Mall. It was magical to behold. Thank you.
I think it's the smell of puppy breath. Nothing else like it.
Congrats on the new arrival! I'm very very happy for you.
And Maximus is so adorable I want to reach through the computer screen and scratch behind his little ears for him. =o) I'm sure Duke would approve!
rated with a tail wag.
I grieve over the friends I have lost.
xoxo
D
Everyone including yourself has already expressed the grief, love and joy better than I could.
My parents lost their dog Sooty recently from cancer, and I've been telling them to get a puppy! You're right, it does help to heal the wound in the heart from the loss of a pet. Rated!
This is as precious a post as you’ve ever offered for many reasons. Perhaps the chief of which is that is touches on an emotional area of life that so many can identify with.
I’m not sure you fully grasp how helpful and admirable it is that you continually take your own challenges, heartaches, insights and resulting growth, and share them with your readers. It may not exactly be vicarious understanding and growth that you gift others with—but it comes pretty darn close.
People are better prepared for living and affirmed in their own desire to become healthy souls as a result of your writing. And that’s no small feat.
I’m certain Duke is smiling broadly at how you honored him here, recounting the loving years you were blessed to spend together and how he enriched your life. Plus, Max made the cover of OS.
With great respect as always. Rated and appreciated.
I consider myself a dog person, but I live in an apartment and really, there is not enough room for the kind of dogs I like. (I like big dogs like Labradors, Retrievers, Greyhounds etc.) With no one home for most of the day during the week and no doggie door, the poor dear would be bored witless. Then there is the matter of potty time. I have 2 cats. (I gave birth to a cat person lol.) While I love the little knuckleheads like family, if I ever got into a home with a yard one of my first trips will be to the animal shelter for a puppy.
I love them to pieces...
Maria: Thank you and you're right. Shortly after Duke died, we had a dinner party and a couple came we had never met before. We were showing them around the property and they said, "We don't mean to be rude, but this property needs a dog. Why don't you have one?" We had just walked into the house and I brought them over to a collage one of my daughters had just made of Duke. I told them he had died only the week before. They felt terrible but they didn't need to. How could they know? It helped me to tell them that we were going to be welcoming a new dog into our life at the end of the month. So, you're right...life with a dog is nice. Thank you for reading.
Joan: Thanks Joan! Yes, the balloon thing put goosebumps on my arm.
Nelle: Ah, puppy breath. It is so sweet. Thank you.
Lea: Welcome home!!!! And thank you so much.
irritated: Love you too and your wonderful support to me this summer. I will never forget it.
Boomer Bob: Guess what? We are going to get one of Max's siblings next summer when he turns one. We're already excited!
Patrick: Thank you for your comment and for reading.
Shiral: Yes, Duke was a healer for my children, no doubt about it. And he taught me so much. And I know what you mean about wanting to reach through the computer screen to scratch him...he's just so squeezable! Thank you so much.
Faith: It took me awhile to get it, but I do believe you when you say that this is what Duke would have wanted. Thank you.
Gary: Yes, Duke was and that's the beauty...our hearts have so much more capacity than we realize and Max will be too. Thank you.
Sheila: Thank you Sheila, I appreciate your good heart and wishes.
Barb: Love the name "Rascal" and your story is very touching. We would be hard pressed to find a human willing to do something like that wouldn't we. So sweet! Thank you.
Denese: It is heartbreaking and hopeful all at the same time. And you're right...grief is a presence that visits us from time to time, especially when we're conscious. Thank you.
Blackpaw: Thank you so much. I think you expressed yourself beautifully.
Julie: I think you have a new puppy don't you? Love them! I'm very glad too that Max and I found each other. Thank you!
Cymraeg: I do feel bad for people like you who love dogs but for practical reasons can't have them. That sucks. I do hope your parents get a puppy...you sound like a wonderful dog person. Thank you for your good words.
trudieblu: I love your story...how the farm dog found your husband, despite his loud protestations. It's a beautiful story and now you have another who is giving you joy. I'm loving the healing power of pets. Interestingly enough, I was walking Max on our property today and saw the most beautiful long haired white cat. He let me pet him (he didn't have a collar) and then ran away. I hope he comes back. Thank you for your good comment.
tg within: You are right...I've called Max "Duke" several times and I've felt a little bad about it, but your words have helped me with that. I believe you. Thank you.
From the Midwest: Another story of a pet finding a person. So intriguing! I'm very happy for you.
Karin: Thanks for empathizing with my aching heart. And Max has so helped with that. He's such a little character, he just makes me laugh. And like you, I'd be lost without him. Can't even bear the thought.
Dennis: I don't feel worth of your words to be honest, but I will accept them and hope there is truth to what you say. My sharing comes from my belief that we are all much more interconnected to one another than not, and I'm not unique in the things I experience so surely others must be able to relate. I'm not quite sure why we hesitate to share with one another. So thank you very very much for your comment. It's very touching. And yes Max made the cover. My oldest son was able to capture the OS cover page in an image so I'll have it for many years to come. Thank you thank you.
Quincy: I love the "Cuteness Proximity" theory and I am more than grateful that there is no cure for it. I feel for you and your living situation and am happy that you have cats. And I wish for you in your future a home where you can go to the animal shelter for a puppy. An admirable desire. Thank you.
geezerchick: I loved your comment. Thank you.
sueinaz: Your story is familiar. I had many come to me after Duke's death with similar stories. They weren't ready, but their good spouses knew them better and simply brought home pets for them to ensure no ability to refuse. Love spunky kittens! Thank you.
I had a dog growing up, a mixed breed terrier named Brownie. On account of his brown fur. (Sis and I weren't very creative at that age.) Sweetest, most loving, if not hard headed dog in the world. Not too bright, but more than made up for it with his love. He comforted me when I had my first heartbreak in high school. I was sitting in my room, bawling my eyes out when the silly goggie walked up to me, sat in front of me and put one paw on my shoulder. He tilted his head and look like he was worried about me. Then he started licking my face and plopped down and insisted that I rubbed his belly. Best anti-depressant ever!
Coooool. You'll love having more than one dog. You think they're fun by themselves, wait until they play together. You rarely have a day without laughs and giggles.
No better healing. No better therapy. No better reassurance. xoxo