Tollhaus Roberto Benigni
AKA Max; Maxi Pierre; King Dog
February 2, 1999-May 19, 2008
You bring home a puppy and the love sears so deep and the road seems
so stretched out in front of you. Our years together passed like a
heartbeat.
Julie will tell you she had her doubts about our suitability as pet
owners. She thought she might have Max back within a few days. She
was wrong. Brad and I fell madly, deeply, irrevocably in love. As the
old saying goes…I stuck my toe in the pond and was in up to my
neck. Within three years I had two more dogs. In 2004 came the fourth.
What can I say about Max that can bring him to life for you? He was
the King of the pack. A benevolent leader whose authority was never
challenged. I called him my David Niven dog—he was so elegant and
dignified and displayed impeccable manners. Whenever I left home his
charge was to “watch the house.” I would come back and he would leap
up from his favorite chair, give me the once over (where have you
been? what did you do? who did you meet?) and then lean into me and
rub against me like a gigantic kitty.
Honestly, he was an absolutely brilliant dog. Never have I known a
dog to try so hard to communicate. Brad and I swear he always knew
what we were saying—I know everyone says that—but with him it was
true! And he was protective. In a very subtle and effective way. If
he sensed discomfort on my part, he would place himself between me
and that discomfort. No display of brute force, just a quiet and
alert presence that could and would take care of business if necessary.
His absence is so loud it makes my head spin. The grief comes in
breath taking and body knocking waves. I try not to think what of him
I’ve lost…only everything I’ve gained. I will put one foot in front
of the other and walk through this pain, into numbness, and back to
feeling again.
A friend wrote that dogs live in the moment, unaware of their
mortality. That we gave Max a lifetime of beautiful moments. It is a
comforting thought and I pray that it is true. I know what he gave me
is beyond words—precious and forever.
God speed my gentle King. We’ll meet again on the other side.
Terri,
What a beautiful, heartfelt tribute to your beloved friend – tears in my eyes as I write this. I am so sorry for your loss.
Margot
Terri,
I am so sorry to see Max go.
Tayja and I will light a candle tonight to speed him on his way.
robin
Terri, I am shocked to read about Max. I am co-owner (w/Karen Wells) of Katy. Max’s sister. Can you share the circumstances which caused his death? His passing peaks my concern for Katy as last night and today she is struggling with her allergies (I hope). We started her on allergy shots, but regret not doing so this past winter. Your tribute to Max was quite emotional for me as it could have been written for Katy. It sounds like they are “two” of a kind and their behaviors very in sinc with one another.
Paula, it was discovered that Max had an inoperable tumor in his esophagus. In March I had him to the vet because he was waking up at night gagging. They diagnosed “attempt to regurgitate” and had us feeding multiple meals throughout the day and night. He did well until Monday when he couldn’t hold anything down and was clearly just not himself.
We are grateful that this was discovered before he experienced any extreme discomfort.
My Dearest Terri,
To let Max go was a true and self-less act of love. You say someone told you dogs live in the moment only. I think this is partly true. I believe they are better at living in the moment then we are but also they are better at understanding life. I believe they know they are here for only a short time, they know when their time is ending; they have a need to know that there will be another left behind to take care of us and tend to us. They really do believe we need them as much as they need us.
From the day you and Brad first drove down my driveway who would have guessed how things would have changed? Not me.
You and Brad were the ultimate yuppie couple, in your fancy BMW and expensive clothes. I remember peering into the back seat of that spotless car with leather seats, and thinking “oh dear.”
Could you have predicted all the trips to Germany we have made to attend the BSZS (Sieger show)? I would have never guessed that you would be the one friend who would be crazy enough to travel half-way around the world to watch 3,000 German Shepherd Dogs. Most amazing of all, who would have imagined you, my well-coiffed friend, wearing farmer bibs, not in your backyard, but in Europe?! I still laugh when I picture the snarls the Italian women made at you for your choice of attire.
Max is gone but I will never forget him for the gift he gave to me….he gave to me two very dear friends. Thank you Max for bringing Brad and Terri into my life.
Godspeed.
Love,
Julie
Terri,
At first Julie might have had doubts—but something inside her said to let you have that puppy. Somewhere hidden inside you was the fact that you are a true German Shepherd person. We can all thank Max for bringing that out in you!
You & Brad could swear that Max knew what you were saying, because he did. You had a very special dog that was tuned in to you and your spirit. You have the gift to understand that communication. What better blessing could we all hope for—if only for a short time?
Carole
Terri & Brad,
Oh my! Your tribute to Max touched my heart in a big way. First I cried, then I called Paula. We both feel your heartache. I am so sorry for your loss. And of course it gives me quite a bit of unrest for Katy’s mortality. By your stories and discription of Max, Katy and he are truly brother and sister. They would have also been very good buds. I’m sure they both would have tried to out do the other in terms of caring for their sheep.
The loss of a loyal companion is the hardest lump to swallow. I don’t think it ever goes away. good thing one’s memories stay right there with you too.
I must say you have inspired us to grow our family. We’ve admired your pack from the moment we saw your photo of four on this website a few years back, not knowing one of them was Max.
I have recent photos of the kids to share, but now I need Julie’s help to post them. Help Julie!!!!!
My heart goes out to you and your pack at this time. Katy grieved terribly when we lost our Golden 2 years ago. I can only imagine what you and your family are experiencing. My love to all of you.
Karen
Katy & Hector too!
Julie,
We don’t tell you enough….thanks for breeding such cool pups. Though they are all unique in some way, they share a common thread, woven with loyality, love, and intelligence. The gifts you are giving each of us are priceless!!!! Though their lives are comparatively short, they touch us for a lifetime in a very special way.
Karen
Terri & Brad, Thank you for sharing the details of Max’s death. Karen and I took time this evening to discuss your loss and the void you are experiencing. We feel a connection to you as Max and Katy were the only two pups born in that particular litter. We are grateful that Julie allowed us to have Katy. Here’s to the living in the moment….all our love.
Terri, Thank you for sharing your loss with us and for the moving tribute to your Max.
Reading your words, I could feel your pain.
Jill
I’m so sorry to hear that Max went to the bridge! Julie knew deep inside somewhere, that you were the home, the perfect home for Max. I’m sure she likely felt the same way about me with Cajun. A newbie to GSD’s. But she entrusted Cajun with me, and boy what a great match!! I can totally relate to the gentle alert watchfullness of Julie’s dogs!
Again, I’m so sorry to hear about Max’s passing. You are in my prayers!
Wendy Wesley
Thank you all for your kind words and thoughts. Being fellow GSD lovers, you know or can appreciate the magnitude of losing one. I am stunned by how large the house feels with him gone…he was such an enormous presence!
Yesterday, a siren sounded and all of the dogs looked at one another “What do we do?!” HOWL you silly dogs! I had to get them started.
Julie, your post made me cry…and laugh! Good lord, I had forgotten about the overalls! I learned from those Italian sneers to dress with a bit more decorum when in Germany.
My pack has taught me to relax my standards…I caught myself last week heading to a meeting in a suit that was covered in dog hair. I hastily brushed myself off as best I could and thought, aw…so what. Life is too short to fuss about a little dog hair!
Again everyone, thank you for the comfort of your words. Even though we may not have met, I feel a strong bond to you all through our mutual journey down life’s path with our beloved GSDs.
Terri, Oh my, I am stunned … it’s way too soon for Max … my deepest condolences for your lose. I am glad to have known him, he had such a presence, certainly regal, David Niven does describe him. I thought of you repeatedly last night laying on the floor with my boy an arms reach away. I’m choked up just thinking about it, I don’t know what I’d do … Hal
My dearest Terri lost a treasured friend the other day
The beautiful Max who used to lay
His gentle head upon my knee
And share his silent thoughts with me.
He’ll come no longer to our call,
Retrieve no more his favorite ball
A voice far greater than our own
Has called him to His golden throne.
And though our eyes are filled with tears,
We thank Him for the happy years
He let him spend down here with us,
And for all his love and loyalty.
Max you will be missed!
My deepest empathy to Terri and Brad,
Tiffany