You were gated in the kitchen that first night - and your water bowl was in front of the closed door on the other end of the kitchen; you were determined to get the bowl to the gated end so you could feel more secure and look at mom’s caretaker while she was sleeping … so you dragged the bowl to the other end. What a smart move!

You loved to see your image in the glass doors of mom’s bookcase. You would look at yourself and bark and scratch the doors. We all would get a big laugh out of that.

When Ruth came to work for us, you and Ruth immediately bonded. One day when Ruth took mom to the Senior Citizens Center you decided to have a look at Ruth’s Bible. You really got excited, and when Ruth and mom got home, you had succeeded in ‘eating the word.’ You were a funny puppy.

At the beginning, daddy and I had you to ourselves on weekends, and shortly thereafter, you slept at our place every night. One day I came home from work and daddy told me there was a surprise for me in the bedroom. I turned on the light and saw potpourri all over our navy blue comforter. You had taken sachet pouches, one-by-one, that were in a bowl on the blanket chest at the foot of the bed and tore open and emptied each one on the blanket. We thought that was really funny my little Maxx.

I remember when we would order in food from different restaurants. For some reason, you wanted to get at the delivery men and would run to the door to try to tear through their pants and bite their legs. We thought that was funny too.

When you came to live with us for good, and particularly after mom passed away, you were a great comfort to us. You were such a good little dog and continued to bring us such joy.

You never liked dog food and knew if you didn’t eat, your mommy would start cooking chicken for you … and of course she did. When mom got tired of the cooking chore, dad took over and he would get you fresh turkey every day. We loved you so much and wanted you to enjoy your meals.

You never bothered us when we were eating … you never begged for food … you knew you would get some of our main course … and we were always baffled when you would appear in the dining room just as we were finishing off that main course. Maxx, how did you know your favorite part of the meal was being served??

In the last few years, you would saunter into the dining room like an ‘old man’ … we would burst out laughing. You were a funny doggie Maxx!

When we would take our very rare vacations, you were so happy to stay with Julia and Melissa. You had such a good time when “you” vacationed in Brooklyn … that back yard was Eden to you. You and Julia had a special relationship and you just loved when Julia would sing to you.

We got such a kick out of you when a male dog was in smelling distance of you. You always knew when a ‘man’ wasn’t neutered and you would bark and growl … and we thought that was so funny too. We loved you Maxx!

You always knew when you were on your way to the Vet or to see Lolly, the groomer. If you were with daddy, you would shake all over; if you were with mommy, you would start walking backwards as we got to Dr. Berman’s block or to Lolly’s block. You made us laugh Maxx!

Your friend Sherlock will miss you. You didn’t play with many dogs, and neither did Sherlock; but you and Sherlock really liked each other. I’m only sorry I never got a picture of the two of you ‘lip-to-lip.’

We loved when you greeted us at the door, especially with your monkey. We never even minded when you pressed the monkey button in the middle of the night and made sure we heard those loud monkey sounds … you made us laugh Maxx!

When you got sick last March, we thought we would lose you. Thank goodness we were able to have another year with you. Every day was very special.

Those last few weeks were very tough … daddy gave you lots of love. He helped you feel better and made sure you were not in any pain. Daddy loved you Maxx!

Tuesday night was so difficult for all of us … we knew Maxx you began to really suffer … and we did not want you to be in distress. So we held you, we kissed you, we said our good-byes to you. You went to sleep and you immediately went to doggie heaven.

Our apartment is so empty now, without you Maxx. We call out your name and we look for your little head looking up through the open door in the den when we come home. I will be so sad this weekend when I spend my many hours relaxing and you won’t be there to relax with me.

We will never forget you; we will send kisses to you every day.

We love you forever Maxx.