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Maxwell Tiger Lucas Johnson


Guest Becki

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How do you encapsulate into words the life of your best buddy? He was a

death row inmate in a kill shelter in Ohio when we first caught sight of a

picture of him. His name was Rainbow, probably because everyone expected

he was going to the Rainbow Bridge, and soon. Our adoption was approved

at 11:10 am on 6/4/03. The euthanasia list the office received at noon

listed him as number five for the day. He was less than hour away when

our reprieve was granted.

 

He traveled for 16 hours, with three different drivers, across five

states. Not surprisingly, that was the last day he ever eagerly got into

the car. He was the answer to a prayer, even though he wasn’t anything as

advertised. They had estimated his age as 8-10, but our vet thought it

was more likely he was between 6 and 8. He was billed as cat safe, which

we quickly found out wasn’t exactly true. He spent his first few weeks in

a large travel kennel when someone couldn’t be standing on the other end

of the leash. I think he even began to believe his name was “NO KITTY,

Max!” He was listed as a greyhound-cross, but they didn't mention the

cross was kangaroo. That boy could jump a 7 foot fence from a standstill

and not touch it on his way over, as long as what was on the other side

was motivating enough. He brought balance and harmony to our two senior

terriers. He was the one who brought our pack back to three, which we

thought was our ideal number. He was also the one who showed us we could

handle more, when he fell for Tami's Angel and we decided four would

be a nice round number, with two small terrier's, Max and another one his

size. Some of you may even remember him because of the GUR he made. Nancy and Maria

were both instrumental in getting him home.

 

Through the years, he has taught us how to handle storm phobic dogs, to

embrace every opportunity in life, to face every challenge thrown at you

with grace and to never, ever give up. He chose Axel as his first

greyhound friend, and welcomed Indie, Snickers and Momma as each came to

take their spot in our home, and his life. He has become willing to share

his blanket and his space in ways we didn’t think possible in those

opening weeks he was home. He was there to be the rock when Murphy and

McTavish went before us.

 

For the past six months, he has battled liver failure. There was really

nothing we could do except keep him comfortable and to know when it was

time to let him go. It has been a difficult six months as we have watched

his body fail him. It was made all the more difficult because his mind,

along with his fight and his spirit, have remained intact. Last night, he

told us he was ready, and today, we gave him the final gift.

 

Run free, Max. You are so loved!

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Becki, I'm so very sorry. Max and my bridge angel Phoenix had something in common. They both fell for Angel. I hope they're together. :f_red

siggy_robinw_tbqslg.jpg
Xavi the galgo and Peter the cat. Missing Iker the galgo ?-Feb.9/19, Treasure (USS Treasure) April 12/01-May 6/13, Phoenix (Hallo Top Son) Dec.14/99-June 4/11 and Loca (Reko Swahili) Oct.9/95 - June 1/09, Allen the boss cat, died late November, 2021, age 19.

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I remember.

 

I'm so sorry for the loss of your very special fellow.

 

Godspeed, Max.

Star aka Starz Ovation (Ronco x Oneco Maggie*, litter #48538), Coco aka Low Key (Kiowa Mon Manny x Party Hardy, litter # 59881), and mom in Illinois
We miss Reko Batman (Trouper Zeke x Marque Louisiana), 11/15/95-6/29/06, Rocco the thistledown whippet, 04/29/93-10/14/08, Reko Zema (Mo Kick x Reko Princess), 8/16/98-4/18/10, the most beautiful girl in the whole USA, my good egg Joseph aka Won by a Nose (Oneco Cufflink x Buy Back), 09/22/2003-03/01/2013, and our gentle sweet Gidget (Digitizer, Dodgem by Design x Sobe Mulberry), 1/29/2006-11/22/2014, gone much too soon. Never forgetting CJC's Buckshot, 1/2/07-10/25/10.

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What a heartwarming story. He was very lucky, as were you, when you adopted him. It sounds like he had a wonderful life with you and knew you were his savior.

Mary, mom to kitty Rebel.
Always missing Sherri (SO DELICIOUS) (12/6/2005-8/29/2018) kitties Marley (4/2000-12/3/2015) and Beady (4/1998-2/24/2006) and Dalmatian Daisy (7/25/1984-5/13/1999).

The democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those who are willing to work

and give to those who would not - Thomas Jefferson

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I'm so sorry. He sounds like a very special boy.

Valerie w/ Cash (CashforClunkers) & Lucy (Racing School Dropout)
Missing our gorgeous Miss
Diamond (Shorty's Diamond), sweet boy Gabe (Zared) and Holly (ByGollyItsHolly), who never made it home.

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It's so hard to say "see you later" to such a good friend. I'm so very sorry, I know how much you are going to miss Max. :grouphug

Old Dogs are the Best Dogs. :heartThank you, campers. Current enrollees:  Punkin. AnnIE Oooh M

Angels: Pal :heart. Segugio. Sorella (TPGIT). LadyBug. Zeke-aroni. MiMi Sizzle Pants. Gracie. Seamie :heart:brokenheart. (Foster)Sweet. Andy. PaddyALVIN!Mayhem. Bosco. Bruno. Dottie B. Trevor Double-Heart. Bea. Cletus, KLTO. Aiden 1-4.

:paw Upon reflection, our lives are often referenced in parts defined by the all-too-short lives of our dogs.

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That was beautiful. I am so very sorry for your loss. What a special boy.

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Cindy with Miss Fancypants, Paris Bueller, Zeke, and Angus 
Dante (Dg's Boyd), Zoe (In a While), Brady (Devilish Effect), Goose (BG Shotgun), Maverick (BG ShoMe), Maggie (All Trades Jax), Sherman (LNB Herman Bad) and Indy (BYB whippet) forever in my heart
The flame that burns the brightest, burns the fastest and leaves the biggest shadow

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I'm so sorry. :grouphug

Cynthia, & Cristiano, galgo
Always in my heart: Frostman
Newdawn Frost, Keno Jet Action & Chloe (NGA racing name unknown), Irys (galgo), Hannah (weim), Cruz (galgo), & Carly CW Your Charming

Princess http://www.greyhound-data.com/d?i=1018857

"It came to me that every time I lose a dog they take a piece of my heart with them. And every new dog who comes into my life, gifts me with a piece of their heart. If I live long enough, all the components of my heart will be dog, and I will become as generous and loving as they are." -- Unknown

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I am so sorry for your loss of such a special boy. Thank you for sharing his story.

Irene Ullmann w/Flying Odin and Mama Mia in Lower Delaware
Angels Brandy, John E, American Idol, Paul, Fuzzy and Shine
Handcrafted Greyhound and Custom Clocks http://www.houndtime.com
Zoom Doggies-Racing Coats for Racing Greyhounds

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I'm so sorry. :cry1

 

Godspeed Max.

Standard Poodle Daisy (12/13)
Missing Cora (RL Nevada 5/99-10/09), Piper (Cee Bar Easy 2/99-1/10), Tally (Thunder La La 9/99-3/10), Edie (Daring Reva 9/99-10/12), Dixie (Kiowa Secret Sue 11/01-1/13), Jessie (P's Real Time 11/98-3/13), token boy Graham (Zydeco Dancer 9/00-5/13), Cal (Back Already 12/99-11/13), Betsy (Back Kick Beth 11/98-12/13), Standard Poodles Minnie (1/99-1/14) + Perry (9/98-2/14), Annie (Do Marcia 9/03-10/14), Pink (Miss Pinky Baker 1/02-6/15), Poppy (Cmon Err Not 8/05-1/16), Kat (Jax Candy 5/05-5/17), Ivy (Jax Isis 10/07-7/21), Hildy (Braska Hildy 7/10-12/22), Opal (Jax Opal 7/08-4/23). Toodles (BL Toodles 7/09-4/24)

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Becki, I am very sorry for your loss of Max. Your tribute shows just how special he was and the impact he had on your life. You were lucky to have found each other.

 

Run free Max, run free sweetie...:gh_run

Kyle with Stewie ('Super C Ledoux, Super C Sampson x Sing It Blondie) and forever missing my three angels, Jack ('Roy Jack', Greys Flambeau x Miss Cobblepot) and Charlie ('CTR Midas Touch', Leo's Midas x Hallo Argentina) and Shelby ('Shari's Hooty', Flying Viper x Shari Carusi) running free across the bridge.

Gus an coinnich sinn a'rithist my boys and little girl.

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I'm so sorry for your loss of Max...he sounds like a wonderful well-loved special pup.

Jan with precious pups Emmy (Stormin J Flag) and Simon (Nitro Si) and Abbey Field.  Missing my angels: Bailey Buffetbobleclair 11/11/98-17/12/09; Ben Task Rapid Wave 5/5/02-2/11/15; Brooke Glo's Destroyer 7/09/06-21/06/16 and Katie Crazykatiebug 12/11/06 -21/08/21. My blog about grief The reality is that you will grieve forever. You will not get over the loss of a loved one; you will learn to live with it. You will rebuild yourself around the loss you have suffered. You will be whole again but you will never be the same. Nor should you be the same, nor would you want to. Elisabeth Kübler-Ross

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