WISHING ALL OUR FRIENDS A HAPPY WEEKEND...

GREETINGS FROM SOUTH AFRICA!!! 

Hello everyone!
This is a short note just to say that all is still well in our household.

We just wanted to wish you all a wonderful, peaceful and happy weekend.

With love

A TIME TO BE QUIET...

GREETINGS FROM SOUTH AFRICA!!!

MAXMOM here... 

There is a time for everything,

And a season for every activity under heaven:

A time to be born and a time to die,

A time to plant and a time to uproot,

A time to kill and a time to heal,

A time to tear down and a time to build,

A time to weep and a time to laugh,

A time to mourn and a time to dance,

A time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,

A time to embrace and a time to refrain,

A time to search and a time to give up,

A time to keep and a time to throw away,

A time to tear and a time to mend,

A time to be silent and a time to speak,

A time to love and a time to hate,

A time for war and a time for peace.

(Ecclesiastes 3:1-8)

---xXx---

“THE ADVENTURES OF MAXDOG”

...has always been about positivity:

 Sharing, Caring and Uplifting!

When dealing with a terminally ill dog, it is difficult to remain objective. Emotions are high and subjective and often reflect negativity no matter how hard one tries. I am aware that this blog has far and wide-reaching effects in cyberspace and really hope that when Max has finally left us, it will serve to remain true, in its entirety, to its constant vision of Sharing, Caring and Uplifting, even though it will then be stagnant.

This is to be Max's legacy.

I am feeling more and more, that it is coming to the time where I need to ‘be quiet’ in terms of this particular blog and its posts.... NOT to withdraw from the doggie-blogging community entirely, but simply to take time out to be close to my family and my dogs. I will however still be active on my personal blog.

I give you my commitment to advise you when Max eventually leaves us. I have no idea when that will be – we cannot predict these things. Either way, this is our time...

...to simply be quiet.

I hope you understand and will remember just how much I love and appreciate all my friends.

With love

The details of my personal blog:
"MAXMOM's BRIC-A-BRAC"

MAX-TERPIECE IS HOME!!!

GREETINGS FROM SOUTH AFRICA!!!MAXMOM here... 

It's home!!! It's home!!!

Hello there to all our friends across the world!
Yes you heard it!
THE MAX-TERPIECE IS HOME!!!

beautififully framed

...and it is

MAGNIFICENT!!!

Thank you again to all my blogging buddies across the world for making this painting (and its framing!) possible!
It is and will remain an incredible gift...always! A special thanks too to Maxdog's artist...

KATHLEEN COY

(Do go and visit her website to see her magnificent work)

I took 'Max-terpiece' to a trusted framer and artist in his own right.
He has a shop near where we live:
FINE ART AND FRAMES...

My thanks also goes to
FINE ART AND FRAMES
(Randridge Mall)
 for the their splendid and personalised care!

THE MAX-TERPIECE ...

has it's own special place on the wall in our main family room where we can look at it every time we pass by or when we sit and watch TV.
(Maxdog so enjoys being with us in this room!)

We will be constantly reminded of the incredible love that flows so naturally through the blogworld.

Thank you so very much again!!!

A NOTE:

We chose the colours of the frame to both highlight the painting and to blend in with our family room where it resides. You will notice a chorded golden insert. We have added this to highlight the beautiful portrait as well as to recognise that he is a GOLDEN retriever. There is also an olive green/gold section in the frame which is the perfect match to our lounge suite.  We truly hope we have done our blogging friends justice in the framing and that you like the end result.

What do you think?...

---xXx---

MAXDOG

is still with us on this his...

79th Day of Grace!

Yesterday he had a good day. As many of you know, his appetite is erratic. Foods that he's been happy with at one meal will be ignored at another. Sometimes he loves biscuits and other times he'll spit them out.

The 'cheese burger I prepared for him over the weekend, was wolfed up and relished...

Not one morsel left!!! ...

That is when I smile and know that we are "good" for a few more hours.

The regular afternoon walks tell all!

... and MAXDOG and TAMMY-GIRL still demand them!...

The weather here has recently turned chilly and our two Goldens love cuddling up at night...

Today Max is quite nauseous.

We take each day for what it offers.

If he follows his usual pattern, he should be back to his old self at

"Walkies Time" this afternoon.

Yes, it's not easy battling with a sick dog!

Our thoughts and prayers continue to be with our dear friend...

DIGBY

and his family in France as they also battle with his current health.

Please go and visit them and give them some of your fabulous moral support.

Once again, THANK YOU to all my friends for our beautiful

MAX-TERPIECE!

Also...

If you would like to test your resolve with delicious delectables, please visit

MAXMOM's BRIC-A-BRAC

 Wishing you all a wonderful day!With love...

YOUR LOVE AND SUPPORT FOR DIGBY IS NEEDED!

GREETINGS FROM SOUTH AFRICA!!!MAXMOM here... 

Dear Friends...

In this blogging world of ours, we make friends...and then we make

FRIENDS!!!

In our own turmoil in fighting Max's own illness,

we are acutely aware of the emotional angst which goes along with a seriously ill dog.

Although we have lots of news for you from our own household,

we would like to dedicate this day towards

encouraging you to lend your prayers and support for

DIGBY

WHO IS GRAVELY ILL AT THIS VERY MOMENT!

Please would you take the time you would have spent on this blog to go and visit them

HERE

and lend the kind of support that you have so faithfully lent us in the past couple of months!

Dear Angus, "The Font", Wilf and Digby

This is for you...

Please know that the blogging world is right there with you at this difficult time!

With love

FOOTBALL FRIDAY

GREETINGS FROM SOUTH AFRICA!!!

MAXDOG here...

 Hello there to all my furry-buddies across our wonderful planet!Today is my...76th Day of Grace...and it is alsoFOOTBALL FRIDAY!!! Yes, we have only 48 days to go!!!...before the kickoff the the FIFA SOCCER WORLD CUP 2010SOUTH AFRICA!!!!Soccer Fever is starting to build dramatically in our country !!! Flags are flying on cars on our roads, Vuvuzelas are sounding, news reports tell of the state of our own,
"BAFANA BAFANA" team,and there is a general festive air in the mood of the country's citizens.We are ready to welcome all our international visitors!!! (If you are worried about TAMMY GIRL's expression, please don't!  My dear girlfriend went into a dramatic trance when MAXMOM put the T-shirt on her.  It was really quite funny! She has never had a T-shirt on in her 9yrs of life.  She was literally stunned! The minute the T-shirt was removed however, she went darting off into the garden...presumably to chase the Hadedah Ibises. Rest assured: No Tammy-doggies were harmed in the taking of this picture!!!).Although my own humans were unable to get tickets to this amazing event, our household is also wrapped in the excitement.  How do you like our T-Shirts?Are we good ambassadors or what?!Even KING TOFFEE looks kinda festive!!!...

He'd better put a smile on his face!

(I'll have to talk to him)

Our Stadiums are ready...

aren't they just stunning?!

Anyway, since it's only 48 days left, I will have to catch up on my sleeping!...

Mom says she is holding thumbs that I am around for the kick-off!

What do you mean, mom? I am a fighter!

On the day of the kickoff it will be my...

124th day of Grace!

What a moment that will be!

Wishing you all a fantabulous weekend!

It is a long weekend in South Africa this weekend with

FREEDOM DAY

being celebrated on Tuesday.

"IF" my blogposts are scanty,

just know that I am celebrating!!!

Lotsalicks

MAXDOG IN SOUTH AFRICA

 

RECEIVING GIFTS...a THANKFUL THURSDAY!

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

Hello there everybody!

Yes, it's Thursday..a thankful Thursday and my...

75th Day of Grace!!!

It is a beautiful, sunny Autumn Day here in

Johannesburg, South Africa.

The colours on the trees are simply beautiful...

Pretty shaped leaves are falling everywhere...

There is so much to be thankful for..!.

the little things and the big things...!

There are also things to be sad about...

We would like to express our sadness for the families of the 3 people who died in the

 ROVOS RAIL TRAIN ACCIDENT

 yesterday and particularly to our 40 American visitors who were in that accident.

For those of you who don't know...

ROVOS RAIL is a well respected luxury train that embarks on various site-seeing luxury excursions in our country.

We send our warm wishes for a speedy recovery to the survivors of this horrific accident.

---xXx--- 

But the good news is that I got a wonderful, SURPRISE PACKAGE in the post...!!!

The "Boss" brought it home from work yesterday..

The address said that it was from

GINGER JASPER

This is my beautiful kitty friend and her Mommy who live in West Yorkshire.

What a lovely surprise!!!

THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!

Well MAXMOM and I sat down to open it...

She was taking so long with the flashy beast - and giving instructions to the "Boss" - that I fell asleep...sorry!

Anyway, when she'd finished organising the "Boss", she decided to sit on the floor with me and investigate this kitty parcel...

That is a VERY pretty little notepad indeed!
Excuse me not looking at the camera, but KING TOFFEE was trying to take over.

What else is in there Mom?...

MAXMOM took a moment to read me the lovely, hand-written letter from

GINGER JASPER's Mommy!

(Thank you so much for your kindness!)

Wow! Look! They sent Mom a beautiful Golden Retriever mug too!!!

Do you think you can put some yoghurt in there for ME, Mom?

Mom says "NO"...it's for her tea!

Okay Mom, can I investigate myself?...

Geesh Mom! Did you see?

That letter is written on a cool

GINGER JASPER

letterhead!

Getting such exciting gifts are sleepy work!

zzz

Okay...I'm revived!...I'm cool!...

Go away, TOFFEE!

AND...

check it out...there is a beautiful little Golden Retriever Bag as well.

I think I am a spoilt-rotten dog!

So I'm going to bark a big

THANK YOU to GINGER JASPER...

"WOOF!"

---xXx---

That was seriously tiring work!...

I'm just going to have to go and sleep with my

TAMMY GIRL...

Okay, maybe not!

Mom's bed is better...

zzz...zzzz...zzzzz...

zzzz....zzzz (Oh!)zz...zzLotsa..

zzz...Licks..

z...MAXDOG...zz...IN...zz

zzz...SOUTH AFRICA...zzz...

 

MAXDAD's MESSAGE TO HIS PUPS...

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

  Hello there to all my blogging friends around the world!

On this my

74th Day of Grace!!! I am really happy today because I got a big surprise in my 'inbox'.  Yes, you won't believe it......I got a note from one of my very own puppies! I sired a litter with "Polly" many years ago and now I know that at least one of them is still alive and well!!!  This is the note I received: "Hi dear Max. Guess what? This is your daughter, Jody, from Brakpan. You and my Mom, Polly, are my heroes. I have to tell you that my human Mom, Daphne, has told me all about you. She thinks you are the very best Golden Retriever ever! Be strong, Dad, and hang in there as long as possible. You are so special, and by being so brave you are giving hope and lots of tailwags to all the other dogs out there who are also ill, with this horrible disease called cancer.

With lots of licks from your 'little' girl, Jody (and my two children who live with me, Shilo and Loftus)"

Well, MAXMOM got all leaky with this note, so I decided to do a special post for us all today.
It is a LONG POST, but I think an important one... I hope you don't mind?!
You see, I really think that we should all...
TEACH OUR CHILDREN WELL!

So this is for my pups, grandpups and all my fur-friends...

---xXx---

MAXDOG's ADVICE:
(To JODY, my grandpups and ALL other pups!)

Dear JODY..
Thank you for making contact with me!
It is important to keep contact with your family and you have inspired me today. I want to give you a gift...some small tips to give your own pups so that they can make their way through this difficult world of ours...
So here goes...

Firstly...It's good to meditate and discover the things that are important to you...

Like looking to the heavens for your inspiration...

It's important too, to look after your home and all those who live in it...

...but also find other places to really romp...

Please remember to reach out to those who struggle,
 no matter how bad your own troubles are!
(Remember you ALWAYS have some space to give to others...!)

Always see the good in your human friends and lick away their tears when they need it...

Remember...
there is ALWAYS something new and interesting around the next corner. 
Don't get stuck in a rut!

Play hard! Meet lots of friends and find out where you belong...

("Tigger")

Tolerate the quirks of your owners.   Pose for the photos, pose for the judges, pose for your friends...anything to make their day...

Seek out new and interesting things and share them with your pack! Afterall, what use is there discovering something and simply keeping it to yourself?

Remember pups, a smile is universal, acceptable and inexpensive!
Your tail will be your substitute for a smile in this life...keep it wagging!

Be on guard so that bad things can't enter your domain...only allow the good in!...

Be honest: Look people in the eye and tell the truth!
(Okay, some cultures don't look people in the eye - it is bad manners.  Some dogs also feel the same...  Nevertheless, tell the truth!)

Remember, it's not nice to beg...you look pathetic!...

Be of service to others - wait for their request...

...and don't worry if they don't need your help!
You CAN'T help or please everyone!!!

Sticking your tongue out is NOT always becoming!

Don't sulk if your walk request is refused!

Barking might be cute, but its not always becoming!...choose your words carefully!...

Its good to realise when your conversation is boring!

Understand that there is always someone in the wings who wants what you have got....so appreciate what you have.

If you become the leader, take up your role with honour, dignity and humility!
...and know when it's time to lead from behind!...

Enjoy your treats...with relish...

Let others take the limelight too!...

("Tigger" at Family Pets, Randridge Mall)

Remember your manners...especially to say "Good morning!"...

Don't be envious of others enjoying their own pleasures...

Live life to the full!
Enjoy every moment!
 Sniff the air daily, soak up the weather and dig lots of holes...exhuberantly...

Choose your partners well...

Explore your world and everything in it...

Finally: Live in the moment and enjoy everything that life has to offer you!
Know that others might emulate you, so present a good example!...

I also wrote a poem sometime ago for my pups.
It is called...

"YOU’LL BE A DOG, MY PUP!"

If you can find a household that is a happy home
And adopt its styles and ways,
And honour all its human hands
So that you will be there for many days,

If you can find the Master of that home
And sniff out exactly what He needs,
And learn His cues and all His tasks
To purposefully carry out His deeds,

If you can “Fetch!” on His command,
And “Down!”...and “Stay!”...and “Wait!”
Or jump through hoops on His demand
Or bark at strangers at the gate,

If you can tune your ears to sounds
Which maybe have no place,
And puckle your nose to stay alert,
Or wag your tail to start the race,

If you can sniff the air for a change of scene
Or read the news on a trunk of a tree,
And guard your bones, but share your treats
And celebrate when you are free,

If you can growl or huff and call His bluff
And ask to soon be fed,
Or lie at His feet when the day is done
And know that it’s time for bed,

If you can bare a bath – to clean your fur –
To make you spruce and bright,
To accompany Him with a heart assured
To show off His delight,

If you can do all this without a slouch
And know your Master’s thumb is up,
Yours is the Earth and everything in it
And – what’s more – YOU’LL BE A DOG, MY PUP!

(Caryl Moll - July 2009)

With lots and lots of licks to Jody and all the grandpups

(Lotsalicks to all my friends too!)

From your Dad...

MAXDOGDAD  IN SOUTH AFRICA