"MAXDOG" is now available on Amazon.com!!
Click HERE for the 'Print-on-Demand' version
Click HERE for the Kindle (USA) version
Click HERE for the Kindle (UK) version
Caryl Moll's author page on Amazon, click HERE

Dear Readers and faithful friends,

After a number of years of wonderful blogging, this blog has effectively become dormant - except for occasional updates regarding my book, MAXDOG. I have left this blog as a legacy to my dog and a place of sanctuary where we can reflect upon his life. Take your time, peruse the pages spanning Max's 18 months in cyberspace. Feel refreshed and uplifted because his story is an amazing one of..."LIVING LIFE TO THE MAX!"
My activities have now moved on to my new blog entitled "LIVING LIFE TO THE MAX". Please join me there where you can read about my family and canine companions. I also invite you to visit MAXDOG's FANPAGE on FACEBOOK. You can follow the specific links by clicking below:

* 'LIVING LIFE TO THE MAX: click HERE
*MAXDOG'S FACEBOOK FAN PAGE: click HERE
* MAXDOG, the book: click HERE

If you would like to follow me on a deeper, spiritual level, then I invite you to visit my more personal blog:

May God bless you and thank you for following me!
MAXMOM IN SOUTH AFRICA

MAXDOG's CHRISTMAS TRIBUTE

Sunday, February 28, 2010

HELP "SKELETOR"...

GREETINGS FROM SOUTH AFRICA!!!
MAXDOG here...

Dear friends

I had said that I'm "not blogging" today but I have recently come across the story of "Skeletor": an emaciated dog who happened to arrive on the doorstep of a doggie-angel, just a few days ago.

Let me say upfront that I have never been a great fan of pitbulls (I am personally really scared of them), but I am strongly against any abuse of any sorts!

This story is an evolving and incredible story of compassion and love. Since we are based in South Africa, there is nothing much we can do from this end to assist these folk - except to showcase their story. Please go and take a look. It is quite an incredible read at the very least:


http://helpskeletor.blogspot.com/

Enjoy your day and lotsalicks

MAXDOG IN SOUTH AFRICA

---xXx---

UPDATE:

All's well this end. Max remains comfortable and content on this 22nd day of grace. We are having a relaxing day.

Saturday, February 27, 2010

LIFE ACCORDING TO MAX...

GREETINGS FROM SOUTH AFRICA!!!
MAXDOG here...

The picture above depicts that

LIFE IS ABOUT...

WISDOM!

---xXx---


Dear Friends

I am contemplative today, so I would like to share with you what we,

THE MAXDOG PACK,

think life is all about.

(These are old pictures, but I'm sure you'll get the idea)

But our lives have also been about (In no particular order):

WORKING...


OUR LIVES HAVE BEEN ABOUT...

SHELTER AND PROTECTION...

...SAYING: "THANK YOU!"...

...RESTRAINT...

...AND MORE RESTRAINT...

IT'S ABOUT MAKING PUPPIES...
(2004?)
LIFE HAS DEFINITELY BEEN ABOUT PLAYING...

...AND MORE PLAYING...

...AND EVEN MORE PLAYING...

IT'S ABOUT MAKING FRIENDS...


IT'S ABOUT LEARNING...


...AND HEALTH...


IT'S ABOUT GENTLENESS...


...AND HAVING FUN!...

IT'S ABOUT RECEIVING LOVE AND GIVING LOVE...

IT'S ABOUT BEING OBEDIENT...

OF COURSE IT'S ABOUT FOOD!...


IT'S ABOUT FAITH, PHILOSOPHY AND THINKING...


IT'S ABOUT EXPLORING NEW THINGS...

IT'S ABOUT EXERCISING...

IT'S ABOUT WELCOMING FRIENDS ...

HOWEVER AT THIS MOMENT IN MY OWN LIFE IT IS MOSTLY ABOUT...
SLEEPING AND RESTING...



MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR LIFE AN SEIZE THE DAY!

"CARPE DIEM!"

Lots of licks
MAXDOG IN SOUTH AFRICA

---xXx---

DEAR READERS: PLEASE NOTE:
I will be taking a rest from blogging tomorrow and will be back with you all on Monday.
Enjoy your weekend! Love from all of us here in South Africa.



Friday, February 26, 2010

THE ENERGISER PACK...

GREETINGS FROM SOUTH AFRICA!!!

Hello there to all my friends across the world!

THIS IS DAY 20 OF MAX'S GRACE!

Thank you all for your messages of encouragement and upliftment. I feel rather numb and short of words this morning, so I thought I'd share another photo-sequence of interaction between the pooches.

This morning, after breakfast I went back to our bedroom to attend to a few things. As usual, the dogs all followed me. If you haven't guessed by now...I ALWAYS have a tail of furry friends !!!

In the bedroom they found their places to settle down. As is usual nowadays MAXDOG immediately chose his bed. Indeed wherever I go nowadays, he flops to the floor and drifts off to sleep at my feet.



I can see that the other dogs know that something is up and it's so interesting to simply watch their behaviour.

TOFFEE was in a playful mood this morning - taking full advantage of MAXDOG's lethargy to get my attention. I grabbed one of MAX's toys and started playing with the KING...

As you know, toys in the house are totally usurped by MAX. He doesn't appreciate others playing with his stuff. He looked on with disdain and then decided that enough was enough...He was having his toy back!...


BUT... Perhaps it was really an ingenious strategy, initiated by KING TOFFEE to get MAXDOG energised again?
Who know? TAMMY seemed part of the strategy too...

She loves getting him to drop his toys and play with her instead...


He gives in for a short while and then reaches for another of his many toys - whilst TAMMY watches attentively...


Okay, playing with toys is tiring work!
MAXDOG chooses to rest instead. His toy is firmly tucked under his neck...


TAMMY tries to convince him otherwise and he picks it up instead...



"Yes MAXDOG..we do understand! They are all YOUR toys!"...




"Your faithful pack remains at your side...for as long as you wish!
We promise to leave your toys alone!"

So, another beautiful day is ahead of us.
MAXDOG is here and he's okay for the moment.
No matter what, we will embrace today!
Enjoy your day too!

We love and appreciate you all!
"C"


Thursday, February 25, 2010

THE WAVE OF PEAKS AND TROUGHS AND AN INEVITABLE SHORELINE...

GREETINGS FROM SOUTH AFRICA!!!
Dear Friends

You might have noticed that Max's blog has undergone a 'small' facelift. I would like to say a big "THANK YOU" to "Scout & Freyja's" Momma at "Loving for a living" for helping me out so graciously with the little things on this blog with which I struggle. She is an amazing lady who dispenses kindness by the bucket! It never fails to amaze me how our cyber-friends become such a real and practical help to us all in our daily lives. Thank you so much, dear friend!

---xXx---

Here is a question for us to consider today:...

'HOW LONG CAN A HUMAN BEING STAND BEFORE THEY GO TO SLEEP?"

Well, I could ask the same question about my MAXI-DOGGIE!
How long can a DOG stand before he goes to sleep?
MAXDOG seems determined to make the most of his life whilst living with an almost non-existent liver!

This journey is such an incredible one! Max is on his 19th day of grace today!
Yes, it is TRULY grace!
His outward appearance seems normal except for the tell-tale abdominal extension and his persistent sleepiness (although I think that is largely medically induced). He is eating normally, his stools are normal, his temperature is normal, his heart rate is normal, his lungs are normal but he is anything but healthy. He is a very sick poochie!

I took him to our GP vet yesterday because he has an ear infection and I wanted to get him some medication to assist with this. I also wanted to find out his status-quo.

It was a very strange experience to see the Veterinary staff's surprised faces when we arrived. Coupled with this was their knowing expressions. I knew they were thinking that I was there to euthanase my dog. BUT it isn't time yet and I quickly told them that Max is doing well!!!

Obviously they are really happy to see Max. Our Vet examined Max thoroughly. All his vitals are okay except that his abdomen is more significantly distended. Our vet suspects that the liver mass has grown significantly and now extends well into the abdominal cavity. Despite this expected news, I have an uncanny sense of euphoria - Max is defying expectations! The general Veterinary opinion is that he should have already left us. He is on borrowed time!

So I celebrate these gifted days but at the same time I am trying to help pave his way for an easy journey. He is so beautiful in the way he is handling this illness. He is still totally a dog - sniffing, assessing, enjoying, playing and living by the moment. He is none the wiser about the journey ahead except that I am sure he is aware that he isn't well. I know that he will be leaving us soon. I have accepted it. I will be sad, but I will move on...eventually.

Yesterday afternoon, we all went out again in the cool afternoon to simply sit on the lawn and be together. Here are some photos, which I believe display Max's dignity in both life and his eventual death...

If you look at the sequence of photographs carefully, I am positive that the "Behaviourist" in you will appreciate what I am conveying...














All I can say is that TAMMY too is quite incredible in the way she is dealing with this situation of MAX's deterioration! I am not the only one he has to say goodbye to..

---xXx---

PLEASE forgive me if I haven't been around to your blogs lately as much as I would like to. Things are a bit hectic here at the moment. I would also like to welcome both old and new readers! You are all important to me and it is becoming impossible for me to visit everyone at the moment.
Please bare with me.
With love
"C"