Max’s Memoirs: From Shoe-Chewing Pup to Snoring Old Man
I know some of you super dog lovers may frown when I say my dog is a “pain-in-the-ass,” but my Max truly earned that nickname over the years! Let me start from the beginning.
Max entered our lives as a tiny bundle of joy, so cute and tiny who could fit snugly into a coffee mug. Look at that cute little thing. This photo always put a smile on my face. His breed is a Beaglier, a mix of Beagle and King Charles Cavalier. We got him from a British breeder in Nashville. Originally named Taylor by the breeder, however I had to promptly change it to Max to avoid the confusion I was having with my son Tyler.
Max’s puppy days were a whirlwind of cuteness and mischief. We carried him everywhere, cuddling him at every opportunity. Yet, he managed to turn my brand new, sexy shoes into a chew toy. The brat, as I affectionately call him, treated the heel like a bone, leaving me sighing and truly pissed-off!
As Max grew older, our morning walks became comical struggles. He pulled me in every direction, eager to explore every scent and mark every tree and hydrant. It was as if Max dictated our morning routine – he walked me rather than the other way around and I was late for work most mornings. Sigh!
Training Max was also an uphill battle. The Obedience classes was a waste of money, as my efforts only produced temporary results. The turning point came when a friend, Sheree, cared for him during my family visit to England. Max returned fully trained and obedient, a testament to Sheree’s skills. But unfortunately, my attempts to maintain that discipline went through the window within a week. To this day Max still fears Sheree’s stern commands. It’s comical to watch Max try to maintain the alpha status he has with me when she is around – he never wins!
During a difficult time of need, Max became my loyal companion and savior, helping me battle through my struggles with depression. He gave me purpose, forcing me out of bed for his morning walks and hugs. I genuinely believe he played a more significant role in my recovery than the pills prescribed by my doctors.
Today Max is my 12-year-old snoring old man, disruptively loud during my Zoom calls and adding a touch of humor to my co-workers! He follows me everywhere, from room to room. And still gets jealous when I pay too much attention to other people. One time he shredded his bed to pieces when I was entertaining friends, just to piss me off for ignoring him. What a brat he is!
Max’s little quirks are quite funny. When he is happy and excited, his thick tail wags like a whip. If you get too close, you could easily get bruised. Sometimes, he cunningly acts like he is starving in hopes of tricking us into double-feeding him, which has happened many times. My Max dislikes the heavy rain, he would much rather watch it from indoors. He also doesn’t care for the deep snow and ice, which more than likely hurts his paws. There have been times where I’ve had to pick him up and literally carry him home to his nice warm bed – too funny!
Max may be a handful, but he’s my beloved Max, offering companionship, laughter, and a daily dose of tail wagging unconditional love, always!
Caring for a dog comes with its costs. I am sharing the various products I use to ensure Max’s well-being and maintain our home, ranging from an air purifier and pet hair vacuum cleaner to his favorite toy and treats. All products are available on Amazon.com.
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