Well, it was her final visit to the vet.

She has had a tough last couple months. She had a tumor removed, that was, well bad. There is some medical name for it that I can’t remember, but the Doctor said that it was not good.

Maxine, a bulldog and Boston Terrier mutt was almost 15 years old. That is very old for any breed, especially a Bulldog. She was given to me my sophmore year of college in Duluth. She was one of fourteen dogs that was owned by a Duluth Police Officer. A friend of mine knew that the Policeman had to get rid of her and knew that I loved Bulldogs. It was a match made in heaven.

I really loved the old mutt. For those of you who aren’t pet people, you are so deprived. Maxine was like a best friend, girl(boy){husband/wife} friend, and your own child all rapped into one, but even better. Always there for you. Never mad at you. Always wanting to be near you. Yeah, only this one poops on the carpet from time to time.

I don’t want to get too sappy, those of you who knew Maxine, will miss her too.

She’d been pretty tired of late.

Very Tired!

She loved plush toys all her life.

Three or so years back, my ex-fiancee and I were watching a movie and there was a baby crying in it. Maxi was crying right along with the movie. Satanâ„¢ and I were convinced that Maxi wanted a playmate. No not a primate playmate, a puppy. The next morning we headed for Northtown Mall. They have an actual Pet Shop, with puppies in the window. We ran into this little guy and Maxi and Rufus became great friends.

I had never put a dog to sleep before today. My only other dog died peacefully in his sleep one evening. I was hoping that nature would take its course before Maxi’s suffering was too bad. But, that was not the case. She was starting to suffer noticeably. I planned one last hurrah at the cabin for her this week end. Steak, boat rides, and sleep. Her three favorite things in life. She got all 3 before it was over.

I took her to the vet this afternoon to have her put to sleep. I asked if I could see a vet real quick just in case I was over reacting. It took just a minute for the vet to agree me that it was time. Here’s a couple shots from the last car ride for Maxi.

I think she knew. We had a great last week end. Today was tough. I think she knew. And agreed it was time. Rufus’ buddy is now gone, and he is sad too.

Good bye Maxine, I’ll miss you.

Maxine 2001 – July 11, 2005

Sleep well old friend.