MY MAX

GREETINGS FROM SOUTH AFRICA!!!"MAX"(A Poem)

An overwhelming Love I feel,
For this manificent creature at my heel.

Golden coat, tail held free,
Dark, beautiful eyes, all focused on me.

The excitement of his walk, he can hardly contain:
Pawing every step, his lead under strain.

"Free", I say: In a flash he bounds
Gurgling with pleasure, as he makes his rounds.

A sniff here, a 'point' there
A dart to the stream, a backward stare.

His coat is alight with silvery streaks
His stance so expressive, it almost speaks.

In contrast, he hurtles to the darkest of ponds:
Sticky slush and rotting fronds.

And then, he sits in it and stares in glee,
Knowing full well, the fury in me.

A final dip in that filthy lake,
Onto the bank and begins his "shake".

I shudder to think of the bath that must follow
To rid him of the gunge his fur had to swallow.

He stares at me as if nothing was done,
Now it's bathtime, for the smell is not fun.

Apologetically, reluctantly he climbs in the bath
He's so unhappy, I just have to laugh.

I bribe him with treats as I shampoo up his fur
and he answers my pleas with a soapy slur.

Finally rinsed out, he's as good as new,
Running trenches in my passage - the bath was the cue.

As hunger strikes, he's at my side,
Innocence again; nothing to hide.

I fill his bowl as he patiently watches,
The drool from his jowls, just falling in blotches.

The meal is his best, it seems to be
His very existence as he trusts in me.

As the night falls, so does he - at my feet

Our two spirits tied - always to meet.

He'd die for me, and I for him,
His short life; a concept too grim.

My companion, my friend, nothing he lacks!
My beautiful dog................

THAT'S MY MAX!!
(Caryl Moll: 2001) 

I would like to extend my heartfelt appreciation and thanks to all my friends, across the globe, for your unfailing support and love over this past incredible journey of 18 months of blogging.
In the past 6 months of Maxdog's illness, your love and compassion has strengthened me beyond measure! Your comments, emails, advice, prayers, tributes and messages of support for Maxdog, me, my family and my other furry companions have been an enormous blessing and have helped fortify me as I have travelled this path. It is a chapter now closed, but also new beginning. Our memories will last forever, those moments we will cherish. But It's now time to shape new ones.

This blog is a tribute to both Maxdog and his beautiful cyber-friends.
 If you stay a while and explore you will find their stories in the blogposts over the past 18 months. These tell a tale of phenomenal love and strength and might serve to uplift you in your own journey with your companions. The story of Max's full life, including those 8 years prior to blogging is currently being shaped by me, his sad but strengthened 'Maxmom', in a book which I am working on. I am so much richer for having known him and for having come to know my blogging friends and their powerful support group.

Thank you for your love and for simply being YOU!
I will be moving my activities to my new blog:
"LIVING LIFE TO THE MAX"

Please come and join us there...we remain
MAXDOG'S FAMILY