By Francis Quamina Farrier
We are in mourning for our dear late doggie, Max, who passed away late March. We are devastated at his passing after 15 beautiful years together and are only slowly trying to overcome our loss. Max, whose full name is “Maxwell,” came into the family when he was just about three weeks old. He was so cute and full of life. He was loved instantly, and he also seemed to have loved everyone in the family from day one and over fifteen years until his recent passing.

Max was a great little doggie. Of the Yorkshire Terrier breed, he was pretty small in size, but there have been many occasions when he would attack other dogs about 10 times his size. Max was a fearless little dog. In his earlier years, he would sometimes do his ‘business’ on the floor for which I would show it to him and give him a flick on each ear.  Max soon learnt that there was an approved place to do his business and just not any and every place he chose. “Potty trained” is what that discipline is referred to in doggie society.

Max was, to a great degree, a “house dog” and was never allowed to run all over the place. Outdoor activities were supervised, and he was then on a leash. He was sometimes taken to the park and would have a great time in the open spaces. As mentioned previously, Max would want to interact with other dogs; especially much larger ones. He would bark at them and try to play with the other dogs; even dogs many times his size. On the latter occasions he would have to be constrained in order to save him from any accidental harm.

Max was also a disciplined and hospitable member of the family. Every visitor was greeted with barks of welcome. Each visitor, whether regular or irregular, received an appropriate welcome. We are certain that Max knew who were “blood relatives” who were visiting. There was that extra physical contact which he gave them; even licking them. There was a certain Sunday routine by family members, and Max would, without being called, dash to the car and jump inside as soon as the door was opened for him. He knew when it was Sunday, and that he was privileged to come along for the ride. There were the occasions when he was taken long distances away from home and he had to overnight in a strange environment. He always seemed relaxed as long as we were around.

Over the years we would take Max on long journeys by car. Yes, we would have ‘pit’ stops so that we can stretch our two legs and Max could stretch his four. Such trips were all very obvious most pleasurable for us as it was for him. While Max was generally a ‘house dog’ he displayed much excitement while being outdoors, and especially on trips far away from home. He loved adventures. No doubt his adventure to doggie heaven is also giving him much pleasure.