"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

Sunday, April 4, 2010

AN EASTER WEDDING...

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


Hello there everybody!
We would like to wish you all a very...
HAPPY EASTER!!!
on this my
57th day of Grace

---xXx---

This was a really special and unusual Easter Weekend for the peeps!

They were invited to share a very special day in celebration of a very special couple!

Although I, the MAXDOG didn't get to go along, MAXMOM said that I could share the pictures with you all...

There is a beautiful place,about an hours drive from Johannesburg and set in the tranquil midst of the Magaliesberg mountains.

It is an exquisite wedding venue called Green Leaves Country Lodge.


This beautiful venue overlooks the Hartebeespoort Dam...and the view is incredible...

The pretty patio setting of the Lodge's main reception area...

The Tuscan type gardens...

The accommodation...

The gorgeous Tuscan venue for the Wedding reception...


The organisers were busy setting up for the reception while Maxmom was taking these photos.
Isn't the reception area beautiful!?

The view from the reception area of the Magaliesberg mountain range and the little wedding chapel...


(mmmm...Who can believe this is indeed South Africa!?!)
A closer look at the little wedding chapel...

It was an afternoon wedding and a flautist (outside the chapel) welcomed all the guests..
(What sweet music...drifting across the valley...!)

The arrival of the beautiful bride..."Roxy"...



The happy couple...

"JOSEPH and ROXY"...

Her bouquet...simple white roses...

Her exquisite dress was made by a special family friend.
Here is a look at the beadwork at the back of her dress...

A lovely touch...
A 'heart' of roses on the dance floor...

Another glimpse of the beautiful bride...

The happy couple...

"JO and ROXY"

We wish you both a wonderful, happy life together!
Thank you for allowing us to share this special day with you!
With love!


...as for me, THE MAXDOG...
I'm happy to have my peeps home!
Sending all my love to all my furry-friends across the globe!
Enjoy your Easter weekend and your families!
Lotsalicks
MAXDOG IN SOUTH AFRICA

Friday, April 2, 2010

I'VE ALWAYS WANTED TO BE A CHOCOLATE BOX DOG!...

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


Hello there to all my furry friends from around the globe!!!

 
It is WORLD AUTISM AWARENESS DAY here in South Africa today!...
 
This post is especially dedicated to the
NOT-SO-LITTLE-MAN (NSLM), MURRAY in Ireland!!!
We would like to take the opportunity of wishing all our blogging friends a truly
 
H A P P Y   E A S T E R  !!!
 
We will not be blogging until Tuesday due to family committments over the weekend, so  we  thought we'd make it up by showing you something special for you today...
 
So here goes...
 
Last week Kim (from Golden Pines) allerted us to the fact she'd seen, in the news (in the USA),that the World's Largest Chocolate easter bunny was on display at one of our
 SOUTH AFRICAN shopping centres..the famous...
 
SANDTON CITY
 


(I know this picture looks pretty gloomy with all the rain we've had,
but SANDTON CITY is "the" shopping centre in
JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA
 It is surrounded by a number of upper-class hotels such as the Michaelangelo Hotel...)


 
Anyway... today the "Boss" and "MAXMOM' went in search
...of the World's Largest Easter Bunny...
 
Their search began in overcast and rainy weather...
 

 
???
 
They had heard that a new world record had been set, in our city, for the world's
 
LARGEST CHOCOLATE EASTER BUNNY!
 
Apparently this particular bunny, sponsored by "Duracell"
weighed in at 2721 kilograms and was 3.82 meters tall.
 
Where was it???
 
The Peeps searched and searched ..???
 
and when they got to Sandton City, they discovered that
oops....they had missed it!...(Sob!)??
 
Oh Dear!...
 
It had been removed from the shopping centre a couple of days ago..
The good news is that you can view it ...
 
HERE!
 
 
Please don't go yet!!!.... my story is only just beginning...!!!
 
You see, sometimes when you search for something specific, you are pleasantly surprised by something unexpected...
 

 
Whilst searching for this elusive Giant Bunny, MAXMOM , found a wonderful display of delectable, delicious and decadently desirable Easter Goodies...
 
This display, in one of the forecourts of SANDTON CITY, was presented by
 
GELDOF CHOCOLATES (SOUTH AFRICA)
 
 


MAXMOM was enthralled at all the wonderful chocolate goodies on offer...
as well as all the folk in green T-shirts representing
NATIONAL AUTISM DAY!!!

Murray...there were chocolate doggies too...!

Millions of chocolate bunnies...

Chocolate Easter Eggs...


Yes...you are correct! That egg on the left is HUGE!!!
It weighs up to 14kg!
Here is another BIG egg...

(The little yellow duckies are actually money boxes)

Yet another giant egg...


Not only do Geldof make delicious chocolate,
BUT they also sponsor a charity called..
(an organisation which assists with head/brain injured patients)

Soccer World Cup fever is all about,
so they aptly offer little chocolate soccer boots and soccer balls too...

Everything is beautifully presented and so appealing to children and adults alike...

Whilst MAXMOM was looking at the display, she met a lovely lady, "Alex" who told her all about


 It is a South African Company, but they import the chocolate from overseas and manufacture the bunnies, eggs and individual chocolate here.
Geldof have a number of displays and shops in the various shopping centres around our city.
Here is one at CRESTA SHOPPING CENTRE...



Back at SANDTON CITY however, MAXMOM was marvelling at the big eggs whilst talking to "Alex"...

MAXMOM told Alex about all my blogging friends around the world so she gave Mom the opportunity to go inside the mini-chocolate factory to take some pictures for you all...

This is the white chocolate mixing machine...
Once the chocolate is mixed it gets put into moulds...

...and then the moulds get put into a fridge to cool down...

After that they are removed from the moulds, the chocolates are filled and then individually wrapped...

Doesn't this basket look absolutely delightful!?!...
(I always think of the NSLM when I see those yellow chickens!)


Well it really was a pawsome display of Geldof Easter Goodies!!!

The surrounding shops in Sandton City have many SOUTH AFRICAN things for sale at the moment.
Obviously the Soccer World Cup is on everyone's minds.
Look at our Soccer World cup mascot...Zakumi...

...and all the funny hats which are for sale...


But the Geldof display was really the best...!

Thank you to Alex for showing my bloggie-buddies around!


I have always wanted to be a Chocolate Box Dog!

...and THANK YOU for the chocolates too!...

 
 Unfortunately I personally can't report on them,
(Sadly chocolate isn't good for dogs...sob!)
 
BUT
 
MAXMOM says they are...
 
Delightfully, delectably, drooly DELICIOUS!
 
H A P P Y   E A S T E R   E V E R Y O N E ! ! !
 
This is my...
55th day of Grace!!!
 
Lotsalicks
MAXDOG IN SOUTH AFRICA
 

Thursday, April 1, 2010

THE BEAUTY OF EARLY MORNING BONDING...

GREETINGS FROM SOUTH AFRICA!!!
 
After two days of rain our dog's desperation for a walk got the better of us and we succumbed to a night-time walk...
 



For "Wet" reasons, THE KING was left behind...


It was made up to him afterwards.... (he insisted!)

(He will always be a LAP-KING!)

A good floor cuddle was handed out to everyone else...



---xXx---

Sometimes I just stare, in wonder and awe,
at this beauiful creature which has landed in my life...
 and I think:...

"How did it happen that he was handed to me?"
"What did I do to possibly deserve him?"

He is quieter nowadays...more serene, but more beautiful than ever!
Somehow, as he's slowly drifting away from life and succumbing to his illness, I am also closer to him than ever before!

In the early morning as I awaken, I call his name and wonder if he's made it through the night.  It's the gentle acknowledging 'thump' of his tail that brings on my own sigh of relief. 
I am so grateful that it virtually brings me to tears.

As I wonder how well he actually is on this brand new day, I pat the bed and call him...

"Max!?"..."Maxi!?"...

Eventually I can hear him slowly standing up at the foot of my bed and then I feel the disturbance of the covers as he quietly crawls up onto the bed. 
Soon he's sneaked up and firmly tucked his body against my side. 

His fur is soft and warm as I lie and stroke him.
I have always marvelled at his golden eyelashes but I can see his eyelids are heavy with the fog of slumber as he settles into a regular breathing pattern.
He soon drifts off to sleep.
I cover him over with the edge of the duvet and quietly whisper:...

"Good morning Max! This is your 54th Day of Grace! "


Wishing all my furry friends a thoughtful, thankful and wonderful Thursday!

Don't forget to hug your companion!