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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

Saturday, April 17, 2010

A MAXDOG EXCUSE...?

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

Hello there to all my furry-friends (and their bi-peds)across the globe!!!
We have glorious sunshine and blue-skies on this my...
70th Day of Grace!

"Oops! What happened here?..."

"Okay!...it's only TAMMY GIRL trying to camoflage herself!"...



So I'll just lie down next to her in the cool shade and contemplate my next move.
You see, I'm in the DOG BOX!!!
More about this later...let me just soak in the ambience for the moment...

Mom calls this my
"Fall Lawn" photo...
Perhaps I should tell her that it's my special
"SORRY" photo...

Have any of you noticed that
my 'traditional' pose has changed over the past few months?

Ever since the surgery (in November) to remove my Mast Cell Tumour on my shoulder blade, my skin is a bit short, so I prefer to tuck my right paw in, further behind than my left, when I lie in this position.
Seems like they took a lot of my skin at the time...

It doesn't really bother me though!
 I just thought I'd show you all.

Who can complain about a loss of skin when you have the opportunity to relax next to your girlfriend on the sweet grass
 ...and forget about your mishap?!


Oh!..that snooze was good...
...very good!...

....I almost got to forget about that DOG BOX thingy.
Oh well!...

First the pictures and then I'll let Mom tell the story...



"Oops...so sorry Mom!!!"
"Sorry I dug up your sweetpea patch!"

"Very sorry!"

---xXx---

MAXMOM here...

The question is:...

Why would MAXDOG, who is a dog that NEVER digs,
choose to take up the hobby for the first time in his life?

Yesterday afternoon I decided to treat him by specially making him a
TOASTED CHEESE SANDWICH!!!

In our battle with his appetite, it has become a firm favourite.
Well, he did accept my gift, only to disappear into his 'jungle'...

...AND BURY IT!!

So the question remains?

WHY DID MAXDOG BURY HISTOASTED CHEESE SANDWICH?

This is ONE answer that I got in an email from a friend...
"Max went outside to eat his sandwich. A bird came along and tried to take it from him. Max got into a scuffle trying to keep his sandwich safe and was pushed into the sand by the marauding bird who then flew off with his ill gotten booty :-) "


So today, I invite you all to have a little fun...

Put on your creative cap and come up with the best

MAXDOG EXCUSE
?????

I'm REALLY looking forward to what my wonderful readers come up with!
(I probably won't be blogging tomorrow...I have some gardening to do! :))
Lotsalicks and lotsaluv


51 comments:

D.K. Wall said...

Max, if you have never experienced the pure pleasure of just digging in the dirt before, we say go for it. There is nothing quite so rewarding as a good dig in the garden. The MaxMom said it herself - she will not be blogging tomorrow because she has gardening to do!

Kate said...

Brilliant moist dark dirt between claws is one of the nicer feelings of dogdom..

I'm sure the excuse will involve some sort of invasion and coverup attempt for the safety of dear Tammy and MaxMom!

That look will make MaxMom forget any misgivings for a long time Maxdog!


Koda

Golden Woofs! SUGAR said...

Woof! Woof! MAX. What a clever excuse you had. Such a Smarty Maxy Dog. I also just started digging (yesterday). Mom was very surprised but lots of going on my yard n I was just curious. Happy Gardening Weekend Lots of Golden Woofs, Sugar

Tama-Chan, Benny, Vidock, Violette, Ollie, Heloise, Momo, Ryu said...

Well of course, the traditional excuse would be that it was the dog's fault. OH NO! That's not right! It MUST be aliens!

Woofs,
Tommy

~Kim at Golden Pines~ said...

When we were kids we used to dig holes and say that we were "digging to China." I think that Maxdog is doing the same thing--He's digging a hole to China and the sandwich is to feed all the hungry dogs there.

Unknown said...

Happy day 70, Max!

I think Maxdog is digging a hole for his sandwich so that one day when he isn't on earth anymore, at least he'll still be able to find it from heaven :D

Scout and Freyja said...

Max, Scout here, if you are like me you dig for the sheer joy of it; you dig because the good earth feels wonderful between your toes; you dig because you want momma to stay outside with you and the only way you could think of was to dig a hole. That way she will be in the garden with you filling holes and you can lay in the shade admiring her skill with gardening tools☺

Enjoy this day of Grace, darling Max. We say that you should hold out for a toasted cheese sandwich with a slice of ham inside, too, YUM!

Heather and Kelly said...

Ok, creative reason here :)

Maxdog has a long time friend underneath the ground--maybe a mouse or vole.
A short while ago, the vole gave him some very good advice--to talk his Maxmom into giving him a toasted cheese sandwich. Now, Max is very grateful to the vole for telling him this, he has had many delicious sandwiches because of the suggestion.
So he repays the vole by bringing it to him and burying it so the vole can have it all!

Happy 70th day of grace, Max! Enjoy your sandwiches.

KB said...

Maxdog was doing an experiment. He wanted to see if sweet peas fertilized with a cheese sandwich would taste like cheese!!!!

Enjoy your day, out in the garden with Maxmom, while she works on your excavation!

Here's to days of grace, lying in the sun, with your loved people and dogs nearby.

Sheila and Bob said...

Well the answer to this one is easy.
The week of April 26th is National "Toasted Cheese Sandwich Day"
Since he has been kind of a picky eater lately he never knows what Mom will cook up for him, but he wanted to be sure to have a "Toasted Cheese Sandwich" during the special week.
So he was just putting it there for safe keeping.


Hamish & Sophie

JC said...

My Golden loves to dig in the dirt ..

Josie said...

Hi MaxMom and MaxDog,
Thanks for the lovely pictures of MaxDog and Tammy taking naps. He is still one of the most handsomest Goldens ever even if he does hold his paws differently...and as long as it doesn't bother him or hurt..we love it. It's a new look! ;-)

Now for the Toasted Cheese Sandwich, I believe he loved it so much he wanted to go bury somewhere where you would least look for it (i.e. pea patch) so he could save it for him and his girl Tammy for a romantic snack sometime later. Now how much later, I'm not sure. Dogs can be quite funny that way. But let's just say, he must really like the sandwich and really like Tammy!!

Thanks for joining my cheering section. You are ALWAYS in my thoughts too.

Much Love,
Josie and Mr. Blues, Jr.

Stella said...

Happy 70th, Max! Perhaps when your Mom made the sandwich, she used the wrong type of cheese, and rather than hurt her feelings, you chose to dispose and have a little fun digging too.

Kisses,
Stella

houndstooth said...

No doubt Max has heard about the restorative powers of a good mud bath and how soothing it is for the skin. You did say his skin is a bit tight now! He's obviously preparing a nice place for his mud bath.

As for the cheese sandwich, we all know that cheese gets better as it ages. Of course Max is letting it age a little so he can enjoy it when he takes that mud bath!

Bunny and her mom

Jans Funny Farm said...

Oops. Bad choice of first digging episode.

We dogs, however, love to dig. We just eat our food instead of burying it.

brooke said...

day 70! Max you're one amazing dog!

oohhh and I cant believe you dug up your mom's garden! hehehe. Hey and they say you can't teach an old dog new tricks! :) You were just keeping your mom on her toes!

Asta said...

Max What a glowious way to spend a lovely aftewnoon ..in bootiful floof next to youw sweet giwlfwiend. umm, as fow the excoose...isn't it obvious, toasted cheese samich found aftew being buwwied fow a while is like getting up and having cold pizza fow bweakfast..a soopew special tweat. Maxdog is cewtainly not too old to leawn new ways of enjoying life, plus he is a clevew doggie as evidenced by figoowing out that new way of lying down to be pawfectly comfowtable

go fow all the joy Max
smoochie kisses
ASTA

Jacqueline said...

I think Max buried it in your garden so he could share a surprise romantic picnic with Tammy at some point, but maybe she was coming outside and he panicked and hid it in the nearest spot he could find...I'm sure he didn't realize he was digging up something other than dirt and he's very sorry...Now, about that romantic picnic with Tammy....... :)

Anonymous said...

Hey Max,
Both of us, that is Ginger n Buddy and Our humans Mummy and daddy will pray for ur continued Good Health. U look Pawsome,no sign of the surgery at all.Forget d fur loss, we anyway lose a lot of fur taking care of our humans!!

Anonymous said...

About the Digging thing..were you by any chance just trying to get a feel of the wet earth, smell the soil and be one with nature?
or maybe, you were just trying to help mummy with her gardening?
we Dawgs hav a really strong Sixth sense and can be intuitive about our humans.
like ur mummy said..she's gonna be working in her garden today.

anyway, keep wagging and be safe,

ginger and Buddy

Molly the Airedale said...

We know, we know! Max was planting his toasted cheese sandwich to grow a whole tree full of them because he loves them so much and wants to share!
We're sorry about the sweet peas, Max. Mom says they are beautiful flowers!

Love ya lots,
Maggie and Mitch

Deborah said...

Hey Max, I was sitting here reading my blogs and a commercial came on the TV for the So. Africa World Cup (I think it said World Cup) in June? That was cool!
Anyways, I'm sure your saving the delicous sandwich for later. You probably heard it that left overs always taste better!
Happy Planting. It is cold and rainy and some wet snow flakes in New England!!!
xxoo
Deborah

Moose said...

The doggies I know who dig and bury things mostly do it with extremely high value items so plain and simple I think you must make a mean toasted cheese sandwich (that means really good here in the states) but perhaps he was not up to finishing it so wanted to make sure no one else in the pack would get it! Even though he has never done it, I understand it is doggie instinct so guess he is hardwired to do it. That is not very interesting though... I like Maggie & Mitch's answer best!

Pip said...

You see MaxMom- Max saw how good your sweet peas were growing and he remembered what you did to grow them. He loves cheese sandwiches more than anything, so he thought if he planted them, they would grow. That's it! Sweetpea vines resplent with golden cheesy sandwiches!
TK

My Mind's Eye said...

Max Happy 70th day of Grace...
digging oh my stars those delicious grilled cheese sandwiches must be giving you lots of energy. As for why you dig...I'm a kitty...I know why I dig in my kitty box...is that what you wanted to do too? :-)
Madi and Mom

the booker man said...

i just think mr. max wanted to save some of his grilled cheesey for later...he was diggin' a spot to keep his sammy fresh 'n cool for snackies in a few hours!
happy day 70, mr. max!
*woof*
the booker man

Droopy, Smiley, and Kayah said...

Happy 70th day MaxDog!!

From a cheese hound point of view, we think that Max was letting the cheese in his grilled cheesey sandwich age more and get stinky!!!!! We LOVE aged stinky cheese- it is the absolutely THE best!!!!

That's our theory!

Lots of slobber,
Droopy and Callie

Cheyenne -Millie said...

Ha! Ha! Monty dog loves to dig if he can! Especially if there is a mole in the ground!!

The Life of Riley said...

Why did Max bury his sandwich? Well only recently has Max discovered the most priceless thing to him – “golden” cheese. The golden substance is so special that Max savours each and every morsel while his mom watches his every bite. Tammy and the others also watch on (ready to take any he has left over), so Max knows he has discovered something priceless and that any extra gold should be treasured.

In devising a plan to protect his gold, Max remembers his tour guide duties and thinks of a way to let others know about the discovery of gold in South Africa and how those people must of felt when that gold was first discovered. He realises that there is a history to finding gold in SA that he wants to share this with us in his own unique way.

Max also loves his mom so much that he wants to give her a special surprise, so while he sleeps a plan is formulated, but unfortunately, in his eagerness to bury his spare gold, Max messes up mom’s sweet pea patch (because creating this surprise meant that Max had to learn to dig!)

Will mom notice his digging efforts? Max takes another nap and dreams again of the discovery of gold in South Africa. He waits patiently and thinks about what his mom’s reaction will be when she discovers gold in her very own garden!

Of course the real golden moment will come later, when the sweet peas flowers bloom (in that area) and his mom smiles at the memory of Max’s wonderful plan to share his most precious gold with her because he wants to make her happy.

Happy 70th day of Grace Max,
Love Riley

sprinkles said...

Max loves his grilled cheese so much that he wants to savor it so he's saving it for later.

Lorenza said...

I have no idea but what I know is that digging gives you peace of mind! Haa!
Kisses and hugs
Lorenza

NAK and The Residents of The Khottage Now With KhattleDog! said...

This one is khlear as day to me!

He's been watching my YouTube Videos and following my Milkbone burial spots on The Blog -

Way to go MaxDog!

I'm furry flattered!

Hugz&Khysses,
Khyra

♥♥ The OP Pack ♥♥ said...

Hey, MaxDog Mom, we have your answer. MaxDog is such a kind soul. He felt badly that poor Ciara was having such bad luck with her gardening work. First she pulled all the soil out of pot that had nothing but dirt in it. Then she tried the seed trays and found "devil" seeds. He was just trying to bury his tasty toasted cheese sandwich so that when she comes to visit him (you did know she was coming, didn't you?) she would have some good reward for her gardening efforts.

How's that???

Woos - Phantom, Thunder, and Ciara

Chester said...

Max is proving that an old dog can learn a new trick.

The trick is to lure a big juicy mouse in with that cheese and then he can have a mouse and cheese sandwich for a nice change of pace.

Seems perfectly clear to me.

Woofs and cheesey slobbers,
Chester ;0=)

Anonymous said...

Excuse number 1: you skimped on the cheese in the toast and he got offended. 2. Dirt cheese toasts taste better. 3. fertilizing your garden as he saw fit... Final excuse: It wasn't Max! BOL
Twinkie

Two French Bulldogs said...

Oh Max
Tammy could make a nice wig for herself
Benny & Lily

Ms. ~K said...

Not sure why Max started digging, I'm just so happy he feels like digging. While I was in hospital, I asked Hubby to check on Max everyday and give me a report so I could rest easier!
Hugs and belly rubs to all,
Kit

RILEY AND STAR MY MALTESEKIDS said...

Hi Max,

It is so nice seeing you out and enjoying the sun. You are still in our prayers!

Luv,
Riley and Star.

Tweedles -- that's me said...

Happy 70th day of Grace Max,

I think Max was not planning on digging. He was only trying to soften the ground a little for a nice dirt bath. Then he discovered how it felt so good to get some of that dirt between his toes and his paws.
And the dirt started sailing through the air. Higher in the air the dirt sailed. Well there happened to be some birdies in the trees chanting- faster, dig faster, and Max got entralled in the wonder of it all, and he got a little carried away.
Well, Tammy was witness to all this digging and so Max told Tammy if she did not tell who did the digging- he would share his prized grilled cheese sandwich with her.
So he hid it- thinking his mom would not know and maybe if he looked at her with hungry eyes then maybe he would get another sandwich and they could eat it together - under the stars.
Sooooo, who told?
love
tweedles

Angus said...

Because I can .

Milo and Alfie Marshall said...

We think Maxdog decided to bury it for later ~ so he could come back for another in the meantime whilst still looking hungry.

Paxton said...

MAXDOG: "Well, you see it is like this .... I have a friend who lives in Hobart, Australia .... we decided to visit one another ..... dig from his back garden ...... dig from my back garden .... hole will connect our back gardens..."

PAXTON: "Felt obliged .... friend in need .... moral support ..... visit Tammy .... play fetch ..."

MAXDOG: ".... our story .... yes, sticking to it ..."

PAXTON: "Ditto"

Heather said...

very simple. A grilled cheese ALWAYS tastes better when there is a little dirt sticking to it according to Bogart, our lab mutt.

He buries cookies, bones, anything edible and then will dig it up days later only to settle down and devour his new found snack.

WFT Nobby said...

Surely it is only natural that even a golden retriever might experience the occasional yearning to be a terrier....I think Max was expressing solidarity with his old friend Hamish, who often used to dig up the garden to bury particularly prized treats.
Cheers, Gail

Emma said...

Max, super photos of you and Tammy girl! And lovely hole you took care of, bet it was so much fun digging it!

Lots of love
Emma & family :)

Mrs. JP said...

I didn't read many of the other excuses but I know what happened. He just prefers aged cheese, that's all. MAXMOM, he was just letting the cheese age a bit and since it was food he didn't want to disturb your flower garden and put it next to the other edibles!!!

the magic sleigh said...

Wooos! we spent so much time reading all of the excuses, my sibe-brain hurts.... Woo were saving it fur later and that is all.
~Husky kisses~
-Kira The BeaWootiful

Lacy said...

woofs, welll like seeds, they produce more..guess max thought it would grow more grilled cheeses...one for tomorrow and the next and etc..

b safe,
~rocky~

Anonymous said...

Hey Max Dog and Max Mom,
A creative reason, hmmmmmm? Let's see. Max really likes grilled cheese sandwiches and he knows that the other dogs do too. However, grilled cheese is not good for them and Max only gets them because of his special circumstance. So Max gets his favorite grilled cheese sandwich but he isn't really hungry at that moment so rather than have it fall into another dogs possession and possible make them sick, he smartly buried it to retriever and eat later in the day when his appetite was better. Dah dah.
Max, happy 70th day of Grace. You are enjoying what is called a miracle. We have had our daily prayers answered in the positive for 70 days now. We continue to pray for your welfare and comfort. We hold you close in our thoughts and in our hearts. And don't worry, we don't think that you're in the dog box now or that you ever will be again. You are too precious and beloved to have that happen during your days of Grace, no matter how long they continue. We love youse guyes.
- TBH&K

Donna said...

Hello, Max. I am so happy to see u with ur friend. U look good together! :)

Scottie the 'Cutie' said...

Those are super cute photos of you and Tammy in the garden! I don't really dig too, but I guess there's always a first for everything right? Heh!

Scottie