Max first appeared on The Daily Corgi’s facebook page a few weeks back, when he started having seizures and was reacting badly to the meds the vet gave him. His Dad Todd G. turned to others in the on-line community for support, and as always, Corgi Nation came through.
If all the love in the world were enough to save a precious dog from leaving this world too soon, Max would still be here with us.
I followed Max’s journey over the next few weeks, as Todd and his wife had their hopes repeatedly raised and dashed. Max had the soul of a fighter. And a lover. Being a part of his last days was an honor for me, but what do you say when good people face such senseless pain? As one eloquent reader wrote, “there is only pain and love”.
If Max’s story teaches us anything, it’s that love is bigger than pain. When the pain passes, and it always does, what remains is love. Pure, soul quenching love; the only kind a dog knows how to give and call forth from those lucky enough to love him back.
“You know how they say once in a while a dog enters your life and changes everything? For me there was such a Dog” writes Todd. “Maximillean came into my life as a little fuzzy puppy, just months old. He chewed on my flip flops, slept in my shoes, all those Corgi things. We grew together and sadly, had to part last Saturday.”
“During our journey together, Max taught me a great many things. Things that only a Dog can teach you. Patience, Unconditional Love, Pure and Simple Joy, Happiness of a companion/pup, and Gentle Tenderness. I believe our souls were meant to be together. He was put in my life to teach me these things. Max taught me and he changed me.”
“When he began having seizures, his health declined very rapidly, despite the medicines. Amid the agony of the decisions, of watching my best friend suffer, of wondering what I was doing wrong, I had to ask Max to tell me what he wanted.”
“Mind you, Max could ALWAYS could tell me what he wanted. We communicated better than a lot of humans I know. The slightly cocked to one side look, the lifting of one paw, the wiggly nubbins, that waggy tongue and heart melting smile. But this was different. I had to have him tell me what I needed to do, because I simply didn’t know.”
“On Friday morning, I asked him. He licked my nose and whined a word (yes a word) … “go”. I knew exactly what he was telling me. Bawling, I set up the appointment. On Friday I had to work, so my wife stayed with Max to comfort him, and when I got home, I lay with him on the floor all night. I talked, hugged and kissed him. He was only hanging on for me and our family.”
“On Saturday, April 6th 2013, at 11:15 am Los Angeles time, Max crossed peacefully with us by his side. As I held him, I sang the little song I used to sing him while taking him for truck rides. I was kissing him and as he left this world, he breathed his last breath directly into my face. In the Hawaiian culture of which I am a part, the breath — the”ha”– is the Spirit. Not only did Max wait for me to say goodbye, he gave back to me his Spirit.”
“I miss him deeply, the click-click of his nails, his sitting on my foot. Max lived up to his name and went beyond to teach this dumb ol’ human how to love his precious Corgi so very much. Maximillean, you are to me the very best. Daddy loves you Maxi, my sweet precious boy.“
“My thanks and gratitude go out to all the nice people in Corgi Nation who have been so supportive.”
We are so sorry for your loss & understand the feelings fully, on the 9th we had to say goodbye to our girl sophie marie (an English springer spaniel)
Ed & milo (corgi) are lost
Milo was sophies shadow, she moved he moved she slept he slept….
I quietly sit heart broken as to not make it worse for them….
again so sorry for your loss
deb
I am so sorry that you lost your Max, Todd. I can see from the photos what a wonderful dog he was, and how much he meant to you. What you have written here is absolutely beautiful and a great tribute to Max. All I can tell you from experience now is that it hurts like hell for a long time, but along with the waves of grief there is such a feeling of gratitude that you had this kind of love. That is what makes it all worth it, even through the pain. If you've ever had a deep, loving bond with an animal you understand the joy they bring you. Max is now running with my sweet Cody and all the other dogs over the Bridge, chasing balls and frapping like a puppy. I wish you and your family peace and wonderful memories of Max.
To Max's forever Mom and Dad,
As I read this heartfelt and very sad letter I had to smile a few times. I too am blessed with the smiles of the Corgi. The cock of the head that speaks volumes. We are so lucky that we were lead to love this breed. They are not for everyone… but for us… they are EveryThing. Rest assured you gave Max a wonderfil life and in time (Don't wait to long) you will love again. MAX would want that for you and some lucky little bunny butt is waiting just for the two of you.
Bless you both.
Conni Peters
Sioux City, Ia.
To Todd and your family, You and Max are in my heart today. His Sprit will live in you and you'll never be alone. What you did for him was so unselfish and there's a new angel smiling down to thank you from the Rainbow Bridge. Much needed Peace to Max and to you as well. <3
Linda B.
What a beautiful way of saying good bye. How special you both are. You will see him again, or there is no justice.
To Todd and your family, I know this hurts so much; you loved Max that much and the grief you feel is something only another dog lover could understand. I lost my Sam, a sable corgi who looked very much like Max, on May 3rd of last year, and no one seemed to understand the grief, which made the loss all the more painful because I had no one to talk to. He died from DM, a slow miserable way to leave this world.
Finding the Daily Corgi is what probably saved my sanity. At that point I was forbidden to bring another pet (corgi) home, so looking at other people's stories helped quench my thirst for anything corgi. Last November I gave "the ultimatum" and in December I adopted another rescue, this one a red-headed tri female. She will never be Sam, but she has brought joy back into my life. No creature can replace your beloved Max, but if you allow yourself the time to grieve and can open your heart to another corgi when the time is right, I believe you will find joy once again in time. My heart is with you and your family.
I wish our beloved canine companions could live as long as we do.
What a beautiful tribute. I'm so sorry.
Todd, I'm so very sorry for your loss. Max sounded like such a sweet, sweet boy. Thank you for the wonderful tribute to your boy.
The anonymous message was from me, Aimy Chess-Chavez…<3
Your beautiful, sad story made me cry.
To Conni Peters in Sioux City, IA:
You are ever so right – Corgis aren't for everyone, but for people like us, they are EveryThing. There is just nothing, nothing, nothing like a Corgi. Words cannot do them justice. The love that emanates from our hearts to our Corgis and back to us from them? Enough said.
Oh, that brought tears to my eyes. I wish I had some magical words to make you feel better, Todd. But I think that Max had all the magic. What a wonderful spirit he had. He is free at the bridge now, healthy and whole. Godspeed Max.
Mary Kaminski
Philly, PA
To Max's Dad and Mom,
I am so sorry to read about Max. Your tribute to Max gives us a shimmer of a glimpse into the love that your family gave to him and what he gave you back twofold. Corgis are a very unique breed and it takes special people to let that kind of love into your heart and let it grow.
Max is smiling from the bridge I am sure, Todd.
Cath
Im so sorry for your loss & now how you feel.. sending wet kisses the way corgi's do……
xoxo