Today we took Max to the off leash park called the Serpentine. It’s a smallish park, but there are tons of dogs there all out having a good time. All sorts of dog, all sorts of sizes, and he had no issues at all! He just pranced and ran and chased and was chased and had a great time.
Here is a movie of Max, taken by Pam October 28, of him playing at the park.
The “That’s Gross” comment from Pam was about a “little” slobber Max had over his nose! haha About 3 or 4 feet long! haha
Max seems to be settling into our routine. When he first came to us, he wasn’t thrilled with my early rising (around 530 or 6 am) and certainly didn’t want to eat when I normally fed Buck, around 6:50 or so. But the last couple of mornings he had his breakfast early, and was ready for the car ride to go pick up Pam from the train. He’s getting a handle on when we go for “a walk” and when we go to get his “business done.”
He still “speaks” to strangers, even when we are on walks. Not good at 7 am! I’m not sure how to go about getting him to NOT bark – might be a hopeless task – but I need some kind of command to stop it. It’s not like he’s yapping constantly, just barks once or twice to announce his presence. I’ve tried to make him sit (he does) then put my hand on his chest and give him a “quiet” or “no barking” command. Buck understood the “no barking” command, but it’s been years since he ever really spoke. I don’t think we was trained on a choke chain, because the normal tug on the leash doesn’t seem to faze him. (He’s not on a choke chain, but I might try using it for a couple weeks to see if I can do something about the barking.)
I think Pam is feeling a tad slighted because Max has really taken to me. He’s been a constant companion to me, and I’ve really needed it. When I’m emotional, he’s there for me. When I give him a hug, he returns it, snuggling into my arms, raising his paw to me, banging his head into my chest. It’s very heartwarming. He’s just a great guy.
I have had such a tough time dealing with Buck’s loss. I feel so guilty – and the guilt keeps changing. I hate myself for being the one that made the decision to end his life, even though his last few days were so obviously painful for him. What right do I have to be playing god with my best friend? And I’ve been doing so much reading lately, I realize that maybe Buck was in pain longer than I want to admit, and maybe I was being cruel by not doing something earlier. It’s easy to say I should just let it go, and believe me, I wish I could just “let it go” but I can’t – it torments me…
Anyway – Max is doing great! He’s a real playful guy and Pam and I had a game of catch with him today. He’s fun and energetic. Tomorrow we’re off to the big off leash park, to see how he does. He’s recovered from his surgery, so I think a nice walk in the park with some other dogs will be good for him. We’ll keep an eye on him to make sure he doesn’t over do it!
Talk to you soon,
Maurice
So I get a nice dinner and things are looking good. It’s the weekend, they’re plenty of cats to chase in this neighbourhood – what could be better?
Hey a Car Ride! Sounds good to me. Sounds good to me. Let me turn around in a couple circles here and make sure …. yep! Sounds good to me!
Off we go – man that was one SHORT Car Ride! Right to this 24 hr place called a Vet…. now what’s that all about?
And suddenly I know! The dude came at me with scissors! What was I do eh? Sheesh, course I’m barking at him – what so special about him, besides the scissors??
They grab my legs and next thing i know I’m muzzled and pinned! Luckily it didn’t take long – and I only put up a token struggle so they know i’m not happy!
A dog biscuit or two makes things seems a bit better…. Another short car ride and here i am typing – good thing i have such tiny paws – makes hitting the right keys easier!
Bark at you soon!
Max
Hey everyone,
It was two weeks ago today that our dear little Buck went to play with the angels. We have had an obit published in this week’s Georgia Straight.
I still find myself breaking down at most inopportune times, but the good memories are allowing me to contain my grief a little better. I also find myself talking to Max like he was Buck, but he doesn’t seem to mind!
Max is a great dog, and I’m sure glad he’s come into our lives! He’s just a sweetheart – and very easy to love. He wants to do the right thing all the time. His eye contact is superb, looking for the next command.
Here is a link to the memorial on the Straight’s site: http://www.straight.com/classifieds/Announcements/In+Memoriam
Thanks again to you all for your support.
Maurice
Today Max is going to go see the Vet for his check up. When we got Max from the SPCA, he came with a certificate that gives us a free Vet check up, and so he will be going today as we have to get him seen within 3 business days of picking him up. Because he is such a good walker, we are going to walk over to the vets together he and I and we will meet Dr Peter together. According to the previous owners he is good at the vets, so we shall see!
Max is up to date on his : distemper / hepatitis / adenovirus / parvovirus / para influenza / rabies / bordetella
He has to go back to the Vet on Oct 24th Friday to have his sutures out, where his dewclaws were in the back. Those were removed when he had his neutering done. The neutering has dis-solvable stitches but the dew claw sutures are not. Dad is going to have to take him to have that done, because Mammy has to work. 🙂
Max is generally sedate, likes to watch things. He is quiet but will sometimes bark when he wants to play and gets excited. He moves from one bed to another… we have two beds downstairs for him in the family room where we spend most of our time. One is behind my recliner and the other is over by the french doors. One is a sheepskin, and one is cloth that has a sponge in it. He is liking both!
We put another bed upstairs in our bedroom – it’s the one that came with him from the SPCA.
He really is a friendly dog once he knows you are not a “stranger”…
He loves to give kisses and I love that! 🙂
Max seems to think he was put on the planet to be Maurice’s shadow. Everywhere Maurice goes, his new little buddy seems to be there. He’s a quiet guy, he pads like a wolf and is happy to lay down where ever we are. I’m going to put a pic or two up of Max and is dad.
They were getting ready to go for a walk on the pics I took. 🙂 I just have to figure out how to get them off the camera and onto the site. 🙂
This afternoon I took Max for a walk to the park and it was raining. It really started to pour on us on the way home so we got quite drenched. When we got home I got a towel and toweled Max off and man alive did he ever want to play! What a hairball!! He started screwing his face into the carpet and pushing himself along it for 3-4 feet, and then he made like he wanted to play with his front down and arse up in the air… well it didn’t take much from me and off he went, bombing around the living room, dining room and kitchen like a bat out of hell…. he was so funny.. 🙂 Who knew he was part greyhound? HEE HEE …
