Max was my Shar Pei. He was a gift from my ex-husband, inarguably the best gift the asshole ever gave me. Shar Peis tend to be one person dogs, and I was his person.
He didn't do much, no tricks, he wasn't too keen on the leash, but he was my constant companion. One time, at my former in-laws in Lockport, New York, the ex was supposed to be watching Max outside, as Max tended to get confused and wander off in new settings. (He wasn't the smartest dog.) Max meandered away to some woods behind their house. I was sure he was gone forever and stayed up all night. The next morning, I went into the woods to see if I could find him and called him. He ran toward me so fast and so hard, he knocked me over. Very unusual for him, as he didn't move fast ever.
Now that's love.
He was a very passive dog, unassuming. If he wanted attention, he would sit next to you. When my mom died, and we stayed with my dad for a few days, Max never left my side and would sit with his head in my lap.
Max's health started deteriorating last winter. He had trouble holding his bladder, so we got him doggie diapers. He started losing his hair. The vet we were taking him to wasn't making much progress so we switched vets. The second vet had a good idea of what was wrong with him and took some blood for testing to confirm her suspicions. That was on a Wednesday. Friday evening, my husband and I had gone out for dinner and when we returned home, we found Max.
He had died in his sleep, laying in his favorite spot between the kitchen and the great room.
I was a mess. Saturday morning, we called the vet, and they had us bring him in to be cremated. He is sitting on my bookshelf now, still with me in spirit if not in body. I still get very teary thinking of him. I am right now, as a matter of fact.
He was a sweet and gentle soul and he gave me such love and simple joy.
Sorry to hear about your loss. I had a Newfie, well actually my family did (we adopted him), that just stopped eating. We tried feeding him everything (german sausages etc etc) and he wouldn't eat it. Turns out he had stomach cancer and he had to be put down. I can't wait to get another dog, but for right now I'm pleased to have 2 holy terror cats (their not that bad really!)
Posted by: Chris D. | August 14, 2004 at 10:40 PM