Maximillian (Max)

Breed: Mini Schnauzer
Birth Date: January 1, 1992
crossed the Bridge: August 25, 2000
Maximillian (Max) owned Patti Reese

Max was a wonderful dog ... so dignified. Despite his sisters'(Olivia and Esmerelda) shenanigans he was always in control and observant, but joined in the fun when it seemed right. In 1998 he was diagnosed with diabetes and soon thereafter went blind from diabetic cataracts. You wouldn't have known it, however, as he handled his blindness much better than I would have ... he still chased cats when the opportunity arose, still explored his yard and went up and down steps at will. The only thing that changed was the car rides he loved to take. After his blindness, he still loved to go for rides, but he depended upon me to give him a boost into the car and to point out the things he loved to bark at (pedestrians at Wal-Mart, motorcycles, bicycles ...). His death has left a terrible hole in my heart, as Max had been with me through numerous traumas and changes in my life and never deserted me. And I'll always remember he and his sister, Elizabeth (who went to the br! idge in 1996) waking me up the morning of the Oklahoma City bombing, barking at the north wall of our house as if something horrible was happening. Something horrible was happening, but 100 miles away ... to the north. Sending him to the bridge was the hardest thing I've ever had to do and I hope I never have to do it again. But, again, Max came to the rescue by making the decision for me ... as I carried him into the vet's office to find out what was going on (he had been sick with an infection he just couldn't fight), he went to sleep in my arms and, basically, never woke again. All I could do was tell him it was okay if he wanted to go be with grandma (my mother) and sissy (Elizabeth), that I would miss him but I wanted him to be happy and healthy again ... I hope he is ...