RIP Sweet Max

This is so hard to post. The past couple of days have been hard around here. If you've followed my blog or Instagram for any length of time, you probably have seen me post about our sweet Golden Retriever, Max. He's been a part of our family for 12 years, since he was just a puppy.

We got Max when my daughter was just 12 years old. He was her puppy. He used to sleep on her bed and be by her side constantly. He grew up with her through her teenage years. She used to dress him up on Halloween. She used to take him on car rides with her when she became old enough to drive. He was with us when she got married and left home. He stayed with us. My husband had grown so attached to Max through the years.

I remember the first day we went to go see Max. He was all over my husband from day one! He loved him. It was funny because my husband was the one who didn't want a dog. That changed. Max became his baby after Ashley married and moved out. Even our grandson, Ashley's boy, loved Max. He is only 15 months old but everytime he would come over, he would see Max and shriek with excitement as he wobbled over to him and plopped on him. He would climb all over Max and Max would just lay there with his tail wagging. He loved the kids and loved being around people.

This photo was taken of Audio with Max the day he passed

He has been our companion. When my husband would leave the house, Max would always come and find me. If I was working at the desk, he'd come lay by my feet. If I was in the kitchen, he'd come and sit in there with me, hoping for a morsel to drop on the floor. No matter where we were, he always wanted to be by us.

He was truly the best dog. He was easily trained. Never ever destructive, always just wanting to please us. He did.

Our hearts were broken yesterday. Max had an episode that left him unable to walk, barely able to even stand. Even though he was 12 and we saw him getting older and declining, this seemed sudden. In a matter of less than an hour, we were calling the vet, getting advice and told to bring him in. There was nothing to do. He had lived his life fully and well loved. We were told it was best to just let him go peacefully and without any further pain. It was the hardest day we've had in a very long time.

Our whole family was there, myself, my husband, my daughter, son-in-law and yes, even little Audio (he had no clue of course what was going on). They said we could just leave Max and they would make sure he went peacefully but I couldn't bear the thoughts of him in that cold room all alone. I knew he would be scared in a place he didn't know.

We all stayed with him, petting him, loving on him and talking to him telling him what a good boy he was. Thankfully they sedated him first so he just became very relaxed. We were with him the whole time. As hard as it was, we were just glad he wasn't going to be in pain or suffer anymore. We were all in tears and hadn't experienced such a connection and love for a pet before. He was the first real pet that we had been with for so long and had just become part of the family.

His bowls still sit where they were. I can't stand the thought of moving them...not yet.

So, just to give you a taste of our sweet Max, I'm going to share a few Instagram shots from the past couple of years. 

I didn't know it would be so hard.
Sweet sleep big boy. You sure are missed.