Max

MAX

Another pet that touched our lives leaving a lasting impression. Max was a stray that just showed up at the back door one day while we lived in Finley Park. Grant and he bonded right away. It was about 1999 or 2000? If I'm remember correctly Grant was still sneaking into bed with us occasionally and he was 8 or 9. That stopped entirely when Max came along and Grant had a sleeping buddy! Max was of unknown breed but looked Pit Bull with some boxer maybe. I, like most folks, was very cautious and intimidated by Pit Bulls. But Max was so very, very smart, loving, and his personality was evident! We loved him so very much.

Max had issues with strangers. Typical of the breed, he was protective to the extreme. So unfortunate. He was such a good dog otherwise. But he bit a neighbor, not badly, but certainly bad enough. She was scared of him and ran from him--worse thing you can do, and he got her on her foot. I was devastated. I KNEW we could not keep a dog that I couldn't trust. In desperation, I searched and found a trainer up in West Jefferson to take him for an extended training session. She was sure she could "fix" him. She called me after three days. She related that she'd not even started training him yet, just had him out in the yard walking with him, getting to know him and unprovoked, without warning, he bit her on the hand. I was completely devastated now. KNEW what had to be done and it was by far THE hardest thing I have ever done. I cry absolutely every time I think about it. Don't think about it much. We put him down. We'll never forget him. Grant still searches for a "Max" replacement.

Can't get this second paragraph to accept any other formatting!!! Scheech!!