07/26/03

" One who possessed beauty without vanity,
strength without insolence,
courage without ferocity,
and all the virtues of man,
without his vices,
this praise would be unmeaning flattery,
if inscribed over human ashes,
is but a just tribute,
to the memory of my dog".

Lord Byron.

In Loving memory of MacGee, my unwaivering friend, companion, confidant and the only pure soul I have ever known.

max was 12 1/2 yrs old when he was called back to heaven on March 28, 2003. 
he was diagonosed with myositis when he was only 10 months old. after several 
different treatments, the doctors at the animal medical center in nyc, found 
prednisone would help him but no gaurantees he would ever run again. we had a 
great run max and I . it lasted twelve years and will forever be in my heart. 
i had to put max down and it was the worst decision i ever had to make. But 
he was suffering; he could not walk or eat or drink. so unlike my max. max 
knew that the dr had only his best interest in heart and was really at peace 
when he left us. i will never forget you max. i added the tribute attached 
which i wrote the first horrible night when i did not hear max breathing and 
snoring during the night. I will meet you again my best boy.
love
carmela 

October 30,1991 - March 28, 2003

FOR A VERY LONG TIME I THOUGHT I WAS ‘IN CHARGE’ OF MAX AND MYSELF. HOWEVER, I REALIZED TONIGHT. THE FIRST NIGHT HE IS NOT WITH ME IN OVER TWELVE YEARS, THAT HE, NOT I,  WAS ‘IN CHARGE’.

ALWAYS LOVING, KISSING, LISTENING AND LOYAL HE WAS MY BEST FRIEND. AS I WRITE WAS I FEEL IT IS AN INJUSTICE TO ALL THOSE YEARS OF LOYAL SERVICE. HE IS STILL WITH ME AND WILL ALWAYS BE HERE WITH ME. MAX WAS THE KIND OF DOG THAT LOVED YOU ALL THE TIME. MY WISH WAS HIS COMMAND. HE PAID PARTICULAR ATTENTION TO THE KITCHEN ACTIVITIES, HE WAS HELPING OUT IN CASE YOU FORGOT HOW TO PREPARE HIS FAVORITE FOOD OR ANY FOOD FOR THAT MATTER.

 He was a funny guy; he made his presence known. He wiggled faster that any battery operated toy I have ever seen. His little tail could move faster than a windmill in a storm. 

He loved people visiting and loved telling them to leave when he got tired. The car was one of his favorite places.  My backseat will never be the same. I do have a sense that I will continue to have conversations with him such as, “hold on max, be careful in the seat, buddy, wide turn coming up hold on baby.etc… Take out cartons could bring hours of joy. Pizza crust will never taste the same.  McDonalds will not hold the same intrigue. 

It seems to me we have pets for a long time with us everyday; enjoying good times or sharing the bad with us sometimes we need to remember how much we love them and how much love they give us  - I hope he knew  - I think he knew how much he was loved. Actually, on second thought, he did know. His eyes as Dr hanusch quietly assured max everything was ok understood and felt peace. He slept peacefully tonight after a long fight. 

He was diagnosed with myositis eleven years ago at the AMC, in New York City. The vet was a young woman who was interning and just about ready to go off to a practice and take care of some pets. She knew I loved him and he loved me when I promised him I would be back for him and that he would get help and feel better there at the amc.  I came back for him and he was better.  That was when I met Dr hanusch. I needed to get a vet who would monitor max for a few months to make sure his medicine and blood all worked out.  My first call to aquebogue family vet hospital was assuring, the Dr got on the phone and said, ”sure I can take care of him, I have other dogs with myositis, send the fax to my office and bring him in next week”.  It was love at first sight. Max licked Dr hanusch’s face and Dr hanusch loved him for it. He was a gentlemen dog.  In his life and his death he had dignity and grace. In the face of adverse pain he loved and wanted to make me happy.  Kathy, Donna, Dina, Nicole, and so many others who s names I do not know but worked at aquebogue vet in the last twelve years, I thank you, I appreciated the care and attention my pet got.  He loved going to dr hanusch ‘s office.

I will miss the visits. I will miss max more than I could ever have thought. I knew this day would come and I have dreaded it for six years.  

Yes, six years. The young vet explained to me that; prednisone could help but he probably at best could expect a life of six years. Did I still want to undergo the exams (which were quite pricey) I had a husband then, that could, thank god and did, afford the best care for him, my nine month old beautiful puppy. I did the six she forecasted, and then I got another six!  I have had my lotto!  I thought I had it all figured out until max came into my life and showed what it is all about. Time is precious, life is short, moments of happiness, forgiveness, and laughter, combined with good food, wine and song. This is life.  Enjoy each and every moment.

My tough times are ahead as I face a spring and summer without my beach walks with max. As he got older it became more like beach rides, we would go down to the causeway and sit in the car and look out at the water. Sometimes I would see the image of him as a puppy running along the beach and I could just hug him. He knew, and I knew the day would come when those memories would be held so close to my heart.  I sit here at 4 am typing on my lap I feel him watching me, him with the expression of pure love on his face, me with tears streaming down my face. I loved him     

Thank you my beloved Wrinkles for being a part of each one of are lives in our family.

You were a angel sent from heaven to to comfort, protect and guide us in our everyday routine.

 You are in our hearts forever.