Goodbye: A Bittersweet Time

When Wil was joined with Leader Dog Max in July of 2004 we had the privilege of meeting puppy raisers, Dave and Lori from Nebraska. From the beginning they told Wil that if Max needed a retirement home, they would love to have him back. Over the years, we never dreamed that the day would come for Max to return to Nebraska. Max has never known a time without another dog companion in his life. Dave and Lori have always had multiple dogs in their home with one usually a future Leader Dog pup. Max was number six. Wil brought Max home to join me and Titan for more than nine years. Titan and Max were half-brothers from Leader Dog breeding stock Mama Whistler. The boys had a bond that only Titan’s death severed on August 30, 2013.

We officially retired Titan and Max from Leader Dog duties on July 24, 2013. As Titan’s old age began its claim, Max licked his face and nurtured him on a daily basis. Where ever Titan    was, Max could also be found. When Titan went to the Rainbow Bridge fifteen days before his thirteenth birthday, Max was there to kiss him goodbye. Max never got over losing his brother and constant companion. When left home alone, he stuck his head out the dog door and barked until our return. He seemed very lonely and depressed. Between July and December, Dave and Lori offered to provide Max with a good retirement if it was our desire. It was a difficult decision; but we decided that it would be in Max’s best interest to retire to Nebraska. On December 21^st, our good friend, Barbara, drove us to the Delta Cargo Building at the Atlanta airport to ship Max in a kennel to Omaha to Dave and Lori. The week before his travel, Amanda, Wil, and I wore t-shirts so that Max could travel with our scents along with his favorite blanket. Max surprised me by acting like a pro with his kennel at the airport. He walked right in as if he had spent his life in there. I had airport staff observe his feeding because he scarfed it down as quickly as I put it in the bowl. After he was rolled away from us for boarding, Wil and I exited the building and cried like little babies.

Barbara took us to Chili’s for some good comfort food and plenty of beer. Before we were half way back to Augusta, we received word that his plane had landed safely in Omaha. There followed a very happy reunion for Max with Dave and Lori. Even though Max left fifty degree weather for subfreezing Nebraska temperatures, he was no worse for wear.

Dave and Lori have been very patient with our transition to Max’s retirement. Many messages and pictures have been sent our way as Max adjusted to his second puppyhood. There is no doubt in our minds that he is being treated like a king. Lori calls him a hero for helping Wil for almost ten years. He celebrated Christmas and his eleventh birthday with his new dog companions. One of these is a black lab that is future Leader Dog pup number seventeen, Mack. As time goes by, we are reassured that we made the right decision for Max. He has returned to his first home with the people who loved him and set his foundation for becoming an outstanding Leader Dog. He will truly have wonderful golden years.

I will always love you Max!

Until next time…