Obituaries

Our precious Max was a chihuahua/beagle mix aka "cheagle" and the best dog ever. He was the first dog for hubby and I. He was 15 years old, and we are grateful he was able to be with us from when he was 5 years old. We got him from a FREE DOG ad in the paper, when I really was answering a different ad just above his posting to buy a chocolate lab puppy. When I realized I did not like how the puppies were jumping all around, I went home and decided to call about the FREE DOG. I realized the lady was looking to find him a new home, because with school and work she had no time to take care of him properly. Basically she left him outside from about 7:30 AM till 10:30 PM. She had another family looking to get him too, and we decided we would like to meet him to see if she would consider us. We were blessed to be picked, and unfortunately, she took poor care of him and he came to us with fleas. We basically rescued him and gave him a great new home. Our friends helped us get him cleaned up and settle him in, and we took him to the vet the next day. We never had a pet before, and though we struggled for the first year to learn what Max wanted, once we got it, our relationship grew deeper as the years passed.

We were destined to be together, and we spoiled him just like we did our two other kids. He went on more beach vacations than most humans, 7 to be exact. He was the best traveler and houseguest, and not once did he ruin any house we rented or hotel room we stayed at. He was my best friend, and though my kids were getting older, and leaving home, he was with me day in and day out. I was blessed beyond belief.

He went from being a stray in Virginia, living with his first family for about 4 years, then living in the cold Poconos area in PA for 7+ years with us, to moving down to beautiful NC for the past 2 1/2 years. We bought a beautiful home in March 2019 where we finally could buy him the backyard we always wanted for him. He loved it, and we loved watching him sunbathe back there and do his business as needed back there whenever he wanted to.

He had multiple beds and toys and he lived like a little prince. He started getting sick back in April 2020 and then again in Oct 2020, and took a turn for the worse by Dec 2020. Each and every time I nursed him back to health, hubby said he had nine lives. There were plenty of times we thought he was just not going to make it. But we were blessed with 8 months more with him. He made it to one more beach vacation, more celebrations, more birthdays, and lasted right through the holidays. It was a miracle, to say the least.

After the new year, his poor body could take no more, and we did not want him to suffer. He had kidney disease, end-stage liver disease, cardiomegaly, shortness of breath, and heart failure. But he made sure I learned to exercise consistently for 40 minutes daily since October, till his last day on 1-4-2021. He taught us unconditional love and an amazing companionship like no other. He was loyal, we had his routines, and he was our little buddy. I have never been alone because of him for the past 10 plus years.

We were beyond blessed to have a dog that didn't bark much, traveled great in the car, never bit anyone (just nipped if you were too abrupt with him), and was great at staying with you on the couch or his bed, through the many hours of binge-watching TV. The house is not the same without him, but he will always be in our hearts. He was my little shadow, and I know one day we will be in heaven together. I was blessed to have an amazing hubby who helped me take care of him for all his life.

God's got him now, and we know he is no longer suffering, and that gives us comfort and peace. As we treasure having his ashes home now, I will always miss the pitter-patter of his feet, and the way he would tell me to get off the couch because we had to go for our daily walk. I will miss everything about him. The house is just not the same without him.

We love you Max, my little pooh bear. Mommy and daddy will see you again in heaven. Hugs and kisses my sweet boy. Play nice with the others up there. You will be forever in our hearts. Thank you for being the best dog ever.