GREETINGS FROM SOUTH AFRICA!!!
Dear Friends,
MAXDOG & MoM here...
Today we would like to take a moment to tell you something important. Let us start with a question....
"If there is a catastophe in your household - like a fire - what would be the most important items that you will grab to take with you?"
Besides the effort to save your loved ones, I can almost guarantee that PHOTO's will be on your list. The reason is that photographs provide a direct line to the memories which we hold dear. It is one of the reasons why I take endless pictures of our MAXDOG pack...because I have always known that there will come a time when I will have to say goodbye.
Through my tears yesterday, I happened to tell a friend about the irony about my photographs. You see, I must have thousands, if not millions, of photographs of MAX, but ironically I have very few good ones of
"MAX AND MOM' together.
This morning that same dear friend phoned me to tell me that she was bringing her daughter (a good photographer) around at 11am specifically to take photos of 'MAX AND MOM". I can't tell you how overwhelmed I am with their generosity. Somehow in the past 10 years I haven't MADE the moments to have such photographs taken. Today I was given that gift...
THANK YOU, LORRAINE & CARRIE!!!
Although I haven't seen the photos yet, the event has become the theme for today's blogpost....
I would like to encourage ALL my blogging friends...
TO TAKE THE MOMENT...NOW!
...to get those treasured photographs...
of you AND your dog/kitty TOGETHER.
Grab someone...anyone...just get them!
You never know when the opportunity for this will no longer be there.
Here are some photo's of Max in the past 24 hours...
He had a peaceful and restful night! Although he tires easily, there are still quite a few moments of his spirited self...
Nothing like coming to Mom for a pat...
...and MAX pats me too...
This morning, in the garden, getting ready for the photo-shoot...
We went down to the park too, for the photo-shoot, but MAX was tired, so we came back for a swim...
Yes...he will still play tug...but not too strenously!...
Mostly...it's time for him to rest...
Dear Friends
Thank you so much for all your overwhelming love, so openly displayed.
Hopefully you will understand that I love you all too!
So now...
GO OUT AND GET THAT "PET AND HUMAN TOGETHER" PHOTOGRAPH!
NOW!!!
With love
MAXDOG AND MOM IN SOUTH AFRICA
83 comments:
I cried ...... It's such a bad time .. and the worst part is that we can't do anything.. yes.. today I will tell my mom to click some fotos of me and my Lucky..
Im praying for a "miracle" ...
♥ Naqvee
Yes, of course you are right. Photographs are so precious - like you we have loads of the dogs but not a lot that we are included in.
We just know that your friend will have taken very special pics today.
This is such a bittersweet time for you all and our hearts go out to you.
In the words of the song 'one day at a time'.
All our love
Martha, Bailey & Family xxxx
what a wonderful friend you have!!! and what a great idea!! i will do it today!! like you,i have thousands of pics of the dogs....can't wait to see you and Max! photos to treasure forever....sending hugs your way...
xoxo
As ever, we come to your blog for inspiration, good ideas, and above all a sense of the warmth and special closeness that arises from the bond between much loved pets and their humans. Three cheers to you, Max! You are my hero.
Best wishes, H.
What a wonderful friend.. You have so many beautiful potos of Max and now you will have some beautiful ones of Max with you.. That is precious. I also take pictures all the time and treasure them for as you say we then have them imortalised.. I so feel for you and am still sending out love, purrs and prayers to you.. Love Carol and GJ xx
That is a good thought. We have almost no pictures of me with my people and even fewer of PeeWee with momma.
Good to see you enjoying activities, Max. Our thoughts are with you.
Slobbers,
Mango
What a dignified and tender thing to do with Max.
Woof! Woof! Thanks for your sharing your great thoughts ... YES my family and I do agree with you how precious photographs are ... Lots of Golden Woofs, Sugar
You are so right - and I keep waiting for that "perfect" time. Today is the perfect time regardless of how my hair looks or if I need to shed a few pounds. Thank you for the reminder.
Scritches to Max - you are walking a rocky road right now and my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Lynn
What a great lesson (so many from Max). Our website was started because of the loss of Nikita. I wanted to capture her spirit and share some of her stories, but I also wanted to make sure that I captured Natasha growing up. As The Herd expanded to include its current members, the stories were first told on Sibernet-L (a listserve dedicated to Siberian Huskies), but then I also captured them on the website. And, finally, I added a blog to the website. Just wanting to share photographs and stories about dogs that I found special. What I did not expect was to find so many other dogs out there in the world - dogs like Max - that I also found incredibly special.
dear dear Max and mumster......TQ for reminding us as we have made arrangements to have OUR pics taken by our dear friend WeeLiem who is a very talented ballroom dancer who has taken many pics of de Coco BUT not many of the both of us
so, because of you, we will have many precious pics too, thank Q
it is sooooo good seeing you Max and it breaks our hearts to know that you are gravely ill despite looking so well.
mumster: dear C, how is the gang.....although we talk to Max, our thoughts have also been with Tommy/Toffee and Tammy,the gorgeous girl friend! we don't know how to take away your pain but we promise to be here whenever you need us.....
take it slow Max and enjoy your family and hug your mumster whenever you can
chikisses for as long as you want me to
coco
The picture of Max in the garden is lovely. So nice that you will have some of the two of you together. So sorry for the bad news. You are both in our prayers. ~AFSS
Your advice is excellent, and started me thinking. I will try to conquer my fear of the "flashie beast" and get some "good" pictures of me and my "good dog" Gus together. Thank you for a wonderful revelation, and for sharing your thoughts with us through this.
Gussie's Muzzer
You know, you're right—we only have a handful of photos of me with Mom, mostly because she doesn't like to see herself in photos. There is one that's a favorite from when we were at the blessing of the animals a few years ago. And since Mica is so old, there are lots of photos of him and Mom when they were BOTH a lot younger!
You will treasure those new photos for a lifetime!
Your pal,
Petey
Thanks for wonderful advice. I have very few of me and my dogs, and I'll make a point of getting them.
I must say that Max is looking very handsome!
Your attitude is inspirational.
We just read about Max on Khyra's blog and wanted to come by and say hi and tell you that we are purring and praying for Max.
When Mom's eskie, Katie, was very sick she realized she had no pictures of the two of them. She did get a couple, but she wishes she had more. Your friend is giving you a very special gift.
Sniffie and the Florida Furkids
I am heartbroken for Max's family. I know you will treasure the photos. Fill your senses with the smell of Max, the feel of his warm breath, the touch of his lovely silky fur, his cold nose, his rough pawpads and the sparkle in his lovely eyes.
Been there, done that.
Fenway's mom
I completely agree! I went through the same thing when we lost Treat, my heart dog. There was one picture my husband had taken of us that I'd always loved. He took it and had it printed in black and white, then framed it and gave it to me for my birthday. I'll always love that photo! I hope yours turn out really beautifully!
I agree too! We should get in the picture! That is my goal for today. I have no excuse because I have a remote for my camera.
I am glad Max is comfortable. Please tell him we love him too.
The Duchess and Emma Rose
You are so right and I am glad you realized it now and shared it with us. I hate photos of myself and do my best to make sure I am not in them even though I know I will regret it. I will try to get one with my Moose though because I know you are right.
Thanks too for sharing some of your precious time with him. I can never get enough of photos of Max. Moose and I still have our paws crossed for the best possible outcome.
Dana
What a splendid idea, Caryl! I have no pictures of Stella and me, and will get some soon.
When I was a kid, everybody who visited our house took out their Kodak and took pics of all. Our little Boston Terrier, Stubby, always placed himself in the middle of each picture, so there are virtually none of the family without this dog! He was a funny little guy.
Hugs and kisses for Max, from me and Stella. Our prayers continue for the best outcome for our boy.
Cheers,
Jo and Stella
Along the side of my blog in my favorite blogs is Alaska Petography and we are old clients.. David Jensen is a pet/family portrait specialist. This is the first year we did not do a group picture. But we have little photo books of our animal and human pack from most years. Now that we have added Halle to our group it is time for an update for sure. I just have to coordinate when everyone is clean.. :) Treasure each and every day, I wholeheartedly agree... xoxo
Yet ANOTHER reason why Max and his mom are so special!
Hugz&Khysses,
Khyra
PeeEssWoo: Max: Thank woo fur the khomment woo left on my post fur today - yet ANOTHER reason you touch us as woo do!
What a beautiful and precious idea. I think we will do arrange to do this today. So glad to see you play a bit and swim! You are an amazing dog that you can make me smile despite the obstacles. And you have a furry strong mom who I admire so much. We love you both...
Big hugs xo
Sammie and mom
An excellent point!! I am nearly always the one behind the camera! Out of the thousands of photos I have of Brutus, there might be ten with me in them! I think a new kind of photoshoot is in order now! Looks like it was a great way to spend the day with your special boy!
Michelle (Brutus' mom)
Thank you for thinking of your friends, even in your time of incredible sadness. You and Max have touched -- and continue to touch -- so many. We will continue to pray and purr for you and your family.
Purrs,
Kevin at Animal Shelter Volunteer Life
That is so wonderful of your friend to come and take pictures of you and Max. You are right Mom has no pictures of us and her just millions of pictures of us.. She will make it a point to get more pictures of us and her..
You hang in there. Enjoy Max every waking moment. Life is truly to short for our best furry friends...
Big hugs to you Mom..
Big Sloppy Kisses
Gus, Louie and Callie
Caryl, that is such good advice! I have 1000's of photos of Cloud, but not many of us together, although I treasure those dearly.
I've always been so touched by the love that emanates from your blog. It's a great honor to be a part of this community of pet lovers with you.
Love to you and Max always,
Kat and Cloud
We came to catch up with any news of Max and are very sad to read about the bad diagnosis. Many, many, many purrs your way.
And Mom says thank you for the good advice on taking pictures of us together with her. It's true that those are very rare.
Siena & Chilli
C, as I looked through your blog for pictures of Max for my collage, I thought to myself, "There are no pictures of C and Max together."
I suppose we are all guilty of this.
I can't wait to see the pictures of you two together! Cherished moments for sure...
I love today's pictures of Max...his love for you is so obvious!
Hugs to you both,
Kit
Max and family,
Our hearts are just aching for you. We are going to hold tight to your words and remember to take lots of pictures. Please give Max a kiss and hug for us.
Stella, Gunther and Betty and their mom Shannon
I'm crying because I know exactly what you and Max are going through. I went down a similar road almost 6 years ago. The road ended when I made the decision it wasn't a good quality of life at a certain point and I could give Rufus peace. I found myself laying snuggled with him on the floor when he was resting. I would love to see the photo shoot.
You are soooo right. I took some of the big dogs yesterday in the snow and I have been taking a lot of my elderly cocker lately. We found out a couple of weeks ago that the cancer is back and her heart murmor is worse...so at age 16 we must enjoy the time we have with her and indeed we are...she is laying right beside my laptop, now. I suppose you could say she is supervising. Give Maxx a furry pat from an ole furry gal named Macy.
From one doggie parent to another: I am praying for you!!
Hugs, andrea
How wonderfulwonderfulwonderful you still have time to get those pictures! Max has such sad eyes in the tug photo--it made my mom cry for him and for his family. She has no pictures of her and me either so we need to get going on that. We are thinking of you and sending good vibes.
love & wags,
River & mom
Hello Max and Max Mom,
It's heart warming to know that you spent a fun day together and a special one at that for there are photos you the two of you together.
It's true that we tend to capture each special moment of our dear pets as they grow up but we sometimes forget to have photos we them.
We have you in our prayers and we think of you constantly
-Fudgie, Princess & the Piappies
We think of you non-stop! What a wonderful gift to have pictures of Max and his mom together forever!
Love ya lots,
Maggie and Mitch
What a wondewful and genewous gift and such an impawtant wemindew fow all of us.
I'm so glad you awe doing this, and that Max still has his wondewful smile and some good times wif you. I know he tiwes easily, but it seems that he is enjoying his good moments and giving you all the love he has. I know you awe giving him all of youws. This is akk we can ask fow
smoochie kisses
ASTA and Mommi
What a wonderful gift, and what wonderful photos of Max!!! We are so happy that you were given that gift!
Elizabeth & Luna
In the midst of your sadness, thank you for taking the time to remind us and inspire us.
Yes today will be a day for photos.
Our hearts are with you - every moment.
love
tweedles
Lots of pictures and lots of memories of your baby and our tour guide Max. Are paws are crossed for you and your family.
Benny & Lily
In the midst of your pain you've managed to find joy in the moment and thoughfulness. You are an example to us all....
You are sooooo right! I do not have a lot of pictures with my Mommy - we must take care of that today !!!!
Kisses _ licks
OMG He looks exactly like my Joey with his cute eyes and one paw wanting to hold hands! OMG I have so many tears for you I can barely write this! My heart goes out to you I just pray for him!!! But youre right I need to get some pictures with me and my babes too!
I really havent had the desire to write anything on my blog with you and Lucie in Texas. Do you know them? Anyway my heart is so heavy,I had also taken Joey to the groomer last week and they razor burned his tummy and he has been on pain for 3 days! Its so heartbreking to see your loved ones like that I cant take it! But there is a cute video I posted today but I still dont feel like writing anything. Please know I am thinking of you everyday! And Im checking your blog everyday to see how Max is doing. Hang in there and we love you! Hugs, Valerie, Joey and Kealani
Dear Max
You are so right about the photos!! My HM has trillions of me and my sister, but she's not in any of them.
I hope today finds you happy and content, Please know we are thinking of you
Grandma Golden
Thank you, Caryl. You've just prompted a phone call to my sister, to encourage her to help get some photos of my mother and her Chloe. And Andy. But especiall Chloe. Now.
You are always in our thoughts and prayers,
MomaSally and the pack
Hang in there Max. Our hearts are heavy, but our prayers are loud and long. Thanks for the reminder. You are so right, not enough family pix with our beau-beaus. Old pictures I scan; then send new and old pix off-site to SmugMug so they will hopefully last furever.
You are so right, Caryl. My momma says that about her human children too. I can't believe you are thinking of us. Thank you so much. Today's photos were precious. Your friends Loraine and Carrie are the best! I love them because they can do something to make things better whereas I can't.
We all love you!!! And now we must do as you asked.
Twink
How kind of your friend to do a photo shoot for you! I know this will be something you'll cherish forever!
I don't have many pictures of my dogs but I'm hoping to get some more this summer if my mom will let me use her digital camera.
I don't do pictures so I'm ok with not being in them with my babies. I do have one with one of my dogs. He looks adorable and I look hideous - this is why I don't do pictures! LOL
What a incredible act of loving kindness! Your friend is an angel. We cry because of the need to gather memories even as we know that the time will come for each of us will cross from this realm. We reach out to ease your pain and offer our comforting arms and paws.
Good advice -- something to look back on and remember the time you spent with your best friend.
Thank you for sharing all those wonderful photographs. You are absolutely right. You will treasure each and every one of them. They will make you smile, even through your sadness. Click away!
Lots of Love from
The Poupounette Gang
So lovely shots from MAX :-)
He is so cute on his shots !!!
Its a FANTASTIC idea for taking so many shots!!
Max & mom
you are always in our thoughts
and prayers.
Kareltje =^.^=
Anya
Hugs for u and Max. And lots of Wuv.
Woos Max! Woo are so right in getting those photos made now! We are blessed to know woo and your family and are keeping woo all in our thoughts and prayers, I will go hug my Mum now~
-Kira The BeaWootiful
This is such a beautiful post. Thank you, thank you, thank you for taking the time to give out this reminder to your friends. We have been thinking of you.
That is so nice of them to help you with that. We don't have a single photo of any of us with Jan. There isn't anyone to take any. And we just recently lost Crystal, so that opportunity is gone.
Keep taking those photos! You never said a truer word. Often we don't stop to pause and look around and take the very photos we should.
The photos today of Max are beautiful.
lots of love
Clive and the NSLM
If pictures with my mom's feet count... then I have plenty of them!
But no... there is not a single picture of she and me together!
And thanks to you... I think we will have some soon!
We are thinking of you.
Take care
Kisses and hugs
Lorenza
What a wonderful forever gift!
What a great idea for all of us, Thank you so much!
Max's pics look so good, keep them comming for us please?
Hugs, Tessa
We are thinking about your and sending you our warmest, most heartfelt wishes.
I too, am like you...I take thousands of pictures of my pack, but only rarely do I get in the pictures. I will have to change that.
Lots of love to you!
Sue & the gang
We think that's an eccellente idea, Max and Mom, so we'll be digging out our camera today. In the meantime, we continue to keep you in our thoughts and our prayers, and in our hearts.
xoxo
Lucia and her girl
Great idea! Mom and dad have tons of pictures of me, but rarely any pics with them in it.
I love all the pics of Max! :)
Mochi
So true, we have thousands and thousands of photos but so few of us together. Thank you for reminding us to create those memories.
Sounds like you had a wonderful day together, enjoy every moment.
We are just so sad. We wish we could work a miracle for Max.
Mom is very glad that she got lots of photos of Dakota during her last year but so wishes she had more from when she was younger. Your post is a good reminder to all of us and not just for photos of our pets.
All the best to you.
Woos, Phantom and Thunder
sending hugs, pats and kisses. i'm getting my camera ready on selftimer mode soon.
thank you for reminding us all.
Hi Maxdog and Mom,
You are oh so right...I have lots of pictures of Ms. Kasha but not of us together so I'm going to get one and post it on my blog in honor of Max. I wish there was something that could be done for you Maxdog.
You have a lovely friend to take pictures of the 2 of you.
Denise & Kasha the Dainty Great Dane
What a great idea. I am thinking of Max and you often and I am praying for all of you. Your right about pictures because the Christmas before my father died, I didn't get any pictures and I was so upset about that. So thank you for your post. Max is still as handsome as ever.
xxoo
Deborah
Such good advice. Thank you.
- Anne & Charlie
ya, i have a few candids of my late dingo and me, i think we need more of Mr. Wild Dingo and our current pups.
thanks for the idea.
hugs to max!
wags-n-wiggles,
wild dingo
You can bet we'll be doing lots of those from now on! Always make time for a photo session with luv ones!
Cheers,
Maxx & Mommy
I love the photos, Max, boy! You are my hero! Love, your biggest Irish fan, McGillicutty
The pictures are lovely. Please give Maxdog a hug from us!
Sam and family
Dearest Caryl, Max, and family...tonight my heart is heavy with the news about Max's tumor...it feels so wrong and unfair. I look at his handsome face, so full of wisdom and kindness and love, and get tears in my eyes because I know how precious every moment you have together is and that you all realize it. I am sending love and hope that you will have many more precious moments together and that every minute is full of joy and love for Max and all of his family. Thank you for the reminder to capture those moments between us and our loved ones. Sending you a million hugs from Colorado,
xoxoxo
sue
I also discovered that I have very few pictures of myself with my furkids when my dear Sherman was nearing his end. My hubby & I took several picyures with him, but he was so very sick that I a cry every time I look at them. we now take "family" pictures regularly.
We pray that you & Max will still have many wonderful photo sessions together.
jack a-roo & moo too's Mom, Pat
Thanks for sharing this... I have to share my experience with you about 'photos' too. For the 6months while I was pregnant, my hubby and I did not bother to take many photos of us/my growing belly because we thought that there's always 'tomorrow'. I miscarried my baby at 24 weeks and till today, I beat myself up at how I took things for granted. I have very few (less than 3) treasure photos of me/ my tummy and I deeply regret it.
So you are absolutely right, now I tell myself to take as many photos as I can of my loved ones, especially of Huskee and Hershey. Maybe because we are always the 'photographers', we always end up not having a pic taken together!
Again, thanks for this post/ reminder. (((HUGS)))
Thank you for sharing with us all these photos. We know that Max is getting all the love he needs at this tough time.
Thank you for this reminder.
YD & the girls
Max!! We just want to send you the endless HUG!!! You're lovely photos show us your sweet and most gentle spirit!
Looking forward to the mom and Max photos!
Hugs and snaggle-tooth kisses,
Sierra Rose
What a great idea and a great friend to do that for you. We will be off to get our picture captured!!
motivated by you and max I made sure we got a family picture on Darwin's birthday yesterday.
Most times Im taking the pictures, so it's nice to actually be in the photo this time! We need to remember to do it more often!
http://evolutionofdarwin.blogspot.com/2010/01/09jan2010-recipe.html
I haven't checked in for awhile, and now I'm reading about MAX's condition for the first time. I will read the rest of your posts.
I just read on another blog this comment; "Pets are like our Lord, they love us unconditionally." I will pray for your family and beautiful MAX dog.
We are so sorry about the prognosis on Max. Unfortunately, we are very familiar with the situation. Our mom and dad have had paw print impression done of us as we age and near our trip to The Bridge. The clay impression are cast into small greenish glass plates taht sit on small plate holders in the living room. Mom and dad also save a lock of fur from those that have made their journey to The Bridge and collars and tags are kept as a remembrance. You can never keep too many mementos of your time together. The together photo session is a GReat idea. We know that this will be a difficult period but we will be praying for you and holding you in our thoughts and hearts.
- TBH&K
Since I'm doing catchup reading, I've already seen the pics your friend took and I know they came out beautifully! That was a wonderful thought that she had. What a blessing to have friends that think of these special little ways of saying "I love you!" Linda from Corgi Country
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