A Devastating Loss

It was tonight at 6:15 PM that our Dog, Maximus Jaxon's Sour Buddy, "Max", passed away suddenly and peacefully in my arms, and in the arms of my Father-in-law Mark. He had been sick for several days, and due to complications within his abdominal cavity, his heart suddenly stopped.

Max was the greatest dog that we have ever had. Jaxon, who at the time was only one year old, used to roll all over him, and pull on his face and ears, and Max wouldn't move a muscle. He loved that little boy, and was as much a part of our family as anyone could become.

While Angela was at home and I at work, Max was her protector; he was where I could not be. He followed Angela into every room, and was never very far behind. He loved his "Mom," and loved it when Angela would take him for rides around the neighborhood. He used to love to come in the car with Angela when she would come get me from work. She felt safer with Max close by; and I felt safer knowing that Max was home with my family.

He was my friend. We used to roughhouse and wrestle, and he would get so excited he would run in circles around the livingroom and house in crazy bursts of energy. He would stick his tongue out to the side and breathe his loud, throaty breath, and antagonize me for more. Then we would lay down on the carpet and he would come up and lay down at my armpit were I would rub his stomach...until I jumped up and said, "Let's go outside," this I had to do everytime I got him excited our he would feel obligated to "relieve himself" on my couches.

In August of this year, we moved a little further up north in Utah County where we unfortunately could not take Max along. My Father-in-law, Mark, excitedly accepted to watch over Max and keep him until we could get a new place that allowed pets. Mark loved Max, every bit as much as we (Kitch, Angela, and Jaxon) did. In fact, in Max's final moments, he waited until Mark walked into the house to pass into the next existence. Surrounded by his favorite people, all of whom loved him a great deal, his creator called him home from his suffering.

We love Maximus, and we miss him a great deal. He has left a void in our hearts and lives that will take a long time to mend. I know to others, Maximus was just a dog. To us, Max was a part of our family. We know he is in a better place, and take comfort in knowing that Max doesn't hurt anymore. And now, more than ever, we know that he will be home waiting for us with his tongue sticking out of the side of his mouth, shaking with excitement as his family approach him. We love you Max. We miss you.