"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

Tuesday, May 18, 2010

A WALK IN THE PARK

GREETINGS FROM SOUTH AFRICA!!! 


Sometimes I think the Vets have made a mistake with Max’s diagnosis.
After 100 days I think it is obvious that the tumour hasn’t been as aggressive as they have suggested? Maybe Max is merely adjusting to living with it? All these questions continue to play in my mind.
(But what do I know???)

Yesterday was another beautiful and brilliant day!
The test of Max’s condition, I think, is always with his walk.
Good walk = he’s okay!

The “Boss” arrived home early yesterday afternoon and we decided to take our two Goldens to our local park. I tend not to go to this park on my own because there have been numerous criminal incidents here...
 Being on my own would make me more vulnerable to assault, having my cell phone or my house keys taken or even worse (I dread the thought).
Crime in our area is rampant at the moment and having two dogs in tow won’t make any difference at all.

Anyway, the “Boss” and I threw caution to the wind and decided that it’s time to take the dogs to ‘their’ park again!
Life needs to be lived!!!

Max and Tammy absolutely relished the opportunity of simply being somewhere else besides their familiar walking environment.

Max looked totally alive again.
His ears were perked up, his eyes were so alive and his body language suggested that all is well in his world.



We would so have loved to let the two of them romp “Free”, but the little stream is suspect and one doesn’t know what they will find amongst the reeds.

We know them well...they would storm into the reeds, flush out any birds, water rats or other small animals, romp and bark and return a paler shade of black. So they were kept on lead despite their excited attempts to pull away.

Here are some of the photos taken from our Park excursion. I’m sure you’ll agree....A good walk was had by all...









Whatever illness prevails, we will live life to the full!!!
Perhaps this is the answer...
Exercise and Love...?
Who knows...?

Sending lotsaluv to you all...



 

48 comments:

WFT Nobby said...

Oh I am so pleased to learn that MAxDog is still enjoying his walk in the park. I am just beginning to learn the delights of the daily visit to our local park, and I hope I shall be able to go there for many years to come.
Gail tells me that vets can do a great job helping sick doggies, but we know that we dog are very very complicated and even the cleverest human can't predict exactly what will happen inside our bodies, surely?
Toodle pip!
Bertie.

~Kim at Golden Pines~ said...

Just thought I'd stop by again and marvel at your beautiful walk that you had on your 101st day!!
When our first Golden was diagnosed with cancer the vet told us he only had weeks...He was with us for nearly 6 months--With another I was told when he came to us via Rescue that he only had weeks to live and we had him 2 years!! It really is a good feeling to know that your sweet companion has defied the odds, isn't it??

Clare Mansell said...

Glad to hear Max is still enjoying his walks!

kks said...

looks like a beautiful walk! river rats?! ewe! (i used to work at O'Hare airport in Chicago and they had rats the size of cats!)
i'm so glad Maxdog is defying the diagnosis....you really never know! i had a golden that i adopted as a 10 week old puppy, he had a known heart condition that the cardiologists told me his life would be short, maybe 2 years at best...he lived 6.5yrs...died peacefully in his sleep one afternoon, without any warning...
go Max go...
xoxo

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

Max looks FABULOUS in these photos! And in one of them, there is most definitely a naughty gleam in his eye!

We're so glad you did go to the park!

Rocky Creek Scotties and Rocky Creek Ramblings said...

What a great evening you had and what a great gift you gave us by sharing it.

XOXO
Lilly, Piper, Carrleigh, Ruairi and Becky

MySpecialDoggies said...

Hi Max - glad to see you & Tammy Girl walking in sunshine! May you enjoy many many more walks.

Hugs/Licks,
Nadine, Apples & Neeli

3 doxies said...

Yippee...101 days! Max you are such a true testament of da word Faith and Prayer and Love. I could seriously go on and on but I wouldn't want your butt to get sore from my comment.
Anyway, what a wonderful day you had being a "puppy" again with da ones you love. What could be any better than that...ok, maybe being offleash but that doesn't count.
Beautiful fotos of Max and Tammy.
Puddles

My Mind's Eye said...

Max Mom...you know the human doctor's judge a lot by looking in the human's eyes...the picture of Max's eye certainly does look clear, vibrant and full of life. I believe one's attitude is 95% of one's health and Max does have a fantastic attitude as do his humans.
Madi and Mom

the magic sleigh said...

Wooos Max and Tammy! After reading the above comments, I must say that I am not alone in defying the odds. Mum was told to think about putting me down over 2 years ago, and here I am! Live each day to the fullest and enjoy!
~husky kisses~
-Kira The BeaWootiful

Mrs. JP said...

In these pictures Max is smiling - definitely smiling!!! Oh how I love that and I KNOW you do too. I don't know how he does it but in every photo he is striking a pose and you can tell it's natural. He's just so special. But tell Tammy and Toffee that they are special too. We love you all.

Jake of Florida said...

We can never decide if we prefer to revisit known smells and make sure all is as we left it -- or if we prefer to explore new smells.

Max and Tammy look so pleased with their walk in the park -- how wonderful to see them looking so joyful and alert. A blessing. A lesson.

Sorry about the crime fears. We've been reading what we can find in the papers and always have you in our thoughts.

Wirey love,

Jake and Just Harry

Heather and Kelly said...

Wow, that must be really hard to have to worry about so much crime in your area :(

But I agree, walks are a perfect measuring tool to show how the Maxdog is doing! And it looks like he is doing fantastically.
Perhaps the vets weren't wrong at all--but he is just too strong for the tumor to affect him as it does other dogs.

Whatever happens, we're still here for you all the way across the world.

Love,
Heather and Ellie

Sheila and Bob said...

Exercise and Love...?


We think the key word is love, it feeds itself and is all consuming.
Such beautiful photos of two beautiful Goldens.God , most definitely is smiling down from above

Hamish & Sophie

Ms. ~K said...

I think Max lives by these words:
"With the past, I have nothing to do; nor with the future. I live now." ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

Excellent advice for us all!
Thank you for sharing these special photos of beautiful Max and Tammy.
Hugs to you all,
Kit

Nika + PARKER said...

MaxDog + MaxMom are such an inspiration. He looks absolutely great + is enjoying every minute of his life to the fullest. Up and down days which everyone has, but we should learn from his experience.

Thanks for sharing the wonderful photos again!

Nika + PARKER

Angus said...

If Max is taking you a walk to the park then things must be good for him. Mark you both dog and family might have to think twice about going there after sundown ! Less than a month to the WC. If it's getting bubbly here it must be franetic back in RSA.

mayziegal said...

What a Most Beautiful walkie! And gosh, you could tell how very much happy Maxdog and Tammy-Girl luved it! But I can't believes you wouldn't let them off the leash to go chase out water rats. I think peoples are great but they're awfully weird about things like that sometimes.

Wiggles & Wags,
mayzie

Andrea said...

Maxx,
I am so glad to see you still strolling in the park and enjoying life...it does this doggie mommie heart good.
Lots of love, hugs, and prayers,
andrea (Sitka's mom)

♥♥ The OP Pack ♥♥ said...

We are so sorry to have missed so many posts - we have had some incredibly busy days here. Congrats to Max on reading 101 days now. It is wonderful to see and hear how well Max is handling life. He has his own time schedule and he is enjoying life to the MAX:)

Woos - Phantom, Thunder, and Ciara

Golden Samantha said...

Extraordinary how much dogs really love new places (or ones they haven't visited in a while!) - Max looks superbly amazing and happy and alert and I could go on and on! And Tammy looks so excited and happy too - wonderful pix of two beautiful goldens in a lovely park. How awful that there has been so much criminal activity - you are so right to exercise caution. You go, Max! Happy 101st - have a great Tuesday!
Huggers xoxoxo
Sammie

Ina in Alaska said...

Bruce Wagner wrote a book called I'll Let You Go which I enjoyed very much. One of the quirky characters in the story was a magical Great Dane who just lived on and on and on even as the characters grew old... I think Max is just like that Dane....

Lovely walk! so sorry about the dangers surrounding you..what a shame. xoxo

Sunny,Scooter, (sometimes Jamie) said...

Max is enjoying his walk for sure! His 101st day has him looking happy to be there enjoying the smells, his family and his walk! One can never predict the future!
Good for you for Carpe Diem!!
Sorry about the dangers. Too bad people can't be more like dogs!
{{{{{{{{BIG HAPPY HUGS}}}}}}}}}
Sunny&Scooter&Jamie too

Piappies World said...

Hello Max!

What a wonderful date at the park with Tammy on your 101th day of grace!

Perhaps, nobody was certain that you would make it this far but certainly we are happy to be with you every day of it and we pray for more.

Stay comfty, dear Max!

-Fudgie, Princess, Frappie, Mocha, Sugar, Wai-Pai, Wai-Max & the Piappies

Two French Bulldogs said...

Max we are so happy to hear you went to the park. It must have ft so good for you and your family to see you romping around. A day at a time Maxy.
Benny & Lily

Nubbin' Tails said...

Looks like you had a great walk! Max you keep telling that nasty old tumor who's boss! My mom met a pitty mix a couple weeks ago that has a big mast cell tumor and they were told she would 3-6 weeks. 4 YEARS later she is still doing great! So you just keep defying the odds!

Wags!

Mr. Nubbin'

Angel Junior, Orion and Sammy said...

Maxdog! You look lik eyou had such a great time! We are glad you all stayed safe!

Jacqueline said...

What a glorious day for Max, Tammy and you guys; they both look so happy and refreshed with the new scenery to investigate!...Wishing you all happiness, love and joy in the sweet moments of togetherness you share.

Mack and Mia said...

OOOOO WEEEE, a good walk was had by all INDEED!

Keep smiling Max!

Wags and woofs,
Mack and Mia

Pip said...

How wonderful for you and your fambily. 101 days and a wonderful walk.
You sure are looking good there Max. (Tammy too!)
TK

Unknown said...

Wow - Max looks great! Tammy is such a feminine Golden but then, I have hounds :). Here is my theory, currently in play w/a very senior Lab mix (needs a home) Agnes - find 3 things she enjoys, when she no longer enjoys theses thing and the eye spark is gone (which is dazzling in Max's eye!), then send to heaven in my arms if she doesn't go on her own. Right now, what Agnes most enjoys is going w/me in the car - anywhere. She will sleep all night while I work my 12+ hr shifts, then get out and do her business. Her main challenge is her arthritis and, I think, decreasing sight and hearing. She no longer tolerates being in the pack well :(. I don't walk her anymore but I do see her still gambol in the field - eating is fair, better than Max but less than 3 months ago; she will lead me on her journey but I don't think I will ask her to go through another winter. She came to me from a kill shelter in AR - she and a senior Beagle were driven to my doorstep by a volunteer (8 hrs one way!) as they had no chance. The Beagle, Mimi, went to a rescue in Chicago and found a home; Agnes has never had an adoption inquiry which is fine. For some reason in this hound rescue, I like to have a lab....I have probably written about her before - she is always on my mind and in my heart...As a nurse, I find that attitude and outlook can make an extreme difference in the progress of disease - if not delaying the inevitable, then making the "last" days and months joyful. Would we all live to the Max every day!

KT and Easton said...

Such a happy post with happy dogs on a happy day. Max has such wise and knowing eyes (obviously an old soul). Such a pity about the crime in your area. Glad you were able to enjoy the park anyway.

Milo and Alfie Marshall said...

We are so glad yoo had a wonderful walk in the park. It is impawtant to enjoy the moment and live life to the full.

It worries us that there is crime in yoor area though ~ take care. Best not to take too many risks.

It must be hard to except Maxdog's prognosis when he seems so well on a day to day basis. But animals are tougher than most think they are ~ and love can overcome much. We will keep purring and praying for a miracle ~ because if anyone deserves one, Maxdog does.

The Life of Riley said...

I'm glad you enjoyed your walk Max - you look so happy to be there with Tammy, your Mom and the boss.

sprinkles said...

I'm sorry to hear about the crime in your area but glad you were able to get out and enjoy a walk.

I look at pictures of Max and it's hard to believe he's sick. Even so, he looks like such a happy dog! I'm so happy he can still enjoy life!

Sending lots of love to you and your family!

Angel Ginger Jasper said...

Looking at these glorious pictures is a real tonic.. Keep it up Max.. Enjoy life to the full..

Have a look at my painting on my blog today.. HUgs GJ xx

the booker man said...

oh, wow, that is such a pretty park!! i'm glad that ya'll could enjoy some time together and that mr. max and miss tammy could go have some fun!! it's a shame that people do bad thingies there so you don't get to go very much. :(
*woof*
the booker man

Clive said...

Max

We are so happy you got to enjoy such a lovely walk in the park!

lots of love
Clive and Murray

Cloud the Wonder Dog said...

OMD Max, you look amazing! You're glowing!!! No matter the reason, or how long it lasts, you are still a powerful example of enjoying each day to the fullest! Thank you for all the reminders, Max. We love you so much!

Cloud and his mom

houndstooth said...

Max sure looks like he's living life to the fullest to us! We really admire his spirit and determination. Max is an inspiration!

Bunny and her mom

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

The eyes show so much!

Hugz&Khysses,
Khyra

ocmist said...

We walk (bounce)along with you in JOY and Happiness as you continue your Life's Adventure, DEAR Maxdog and Maxdog Mom!

Lorenza said...

Max!
You are an example!
Glad you enjoyed a very nice walkie!
Take care
Kisses and hugs
Lorenza

Asta said...

Max
My heawt is singing seeing the lively, happy expwession on youw faces. I can just feel the booty of the day and youw joy in being in that gowgeous pawk. I'm glad youw Maxmom is caweful even though she's taking you to these oaces..so sad to think that evil exists in the midst of such booty.
I love you and delight in all youw good days
smoochie kisses
Asta

The Strawberry Mallard said...

You know, a long time ago before we had G-dog and the mom and da scottie dugz, we had our other dog..a westie named Alistair...and our vet found a tumor on hi bladder, and gave him a couple of months.
WELL...it turned out to be a couple of years!!!
Never underestimate your furbaby!
Hugz, N & G-dog ( and Bekarrrrrrrrrro 2)

Tweedles -- that's me said...

Taking one day at a time - sometimes adds up.
What a happy day for all of you. Sometimes going back and sniffing old familiar places that you have longed for- gives you peace and makes your tail wag faster.
love
tweedles

Scottie the 'Cutie' said...

That is such a great walk! Max sure looked like he enjoyed himself loads! And it's SOOO good to hear that he's doing well and staying strong...maybe there will be another few more hundred days! *grins*

Scottie

Scout and Freyja said...

The park is GORGEOUS! What a lovely brace of dogs Max and Tammy present.