Re: Max Passed Away

May 17, 2004

Dear Courage-

I sighed the biggest sigh when I read this news. I wish I had some comforting

words of wisdom to offer you right now. I do know, having gone through a very

similar situation with our dog just last August, I can say that your heart will

heal. His memory will live on in your heart and at times that memory will bring

tears - yet you will heal.

Just yesteray I saw a white German Shephard running, frolicking and playing the

way Rocky would. It brought both happiness and saddness as I miss Rocky so

much, yet also know he is no longer suffering. I know this isn't much help

right now.

In response to your letter and prayer before Max's surgery I would suggest that

your prayers and ours were answered. I remember writing to you that it be His

will, on earth as it is in Heaven. Sure, we don't always get the answers 'we'

want, yet I do believe prayers are answered for the best of the person/animal's

life. Possibly, given the extent of the illness Max would have faced, the

answered prayer was that he would go to sleep, and not have to be faced with

such struggles beyond his ability to handle. Again, I figure this isn't helping

much, as I sit here, tears rolling down with you in your pain - but hopefully

someday this all makes sense. Rejoice in the memories you have of Max and

celebrate the time you had with him. Not everyone has the chance to feel the

unconditional love of an animal - of man's (woman's) best friend.

Thank you Gourete, for letting us into your heart, and into the life of Max.

Also, thank you for allowing us the priveledge of praying for this furry friend

that was so close to your heart. My heart goes out to you. For quite some time

now, and continuing on, I shall hold you close in my heart. My tears are your

tears. Please feel a little comfort knowing that your Max is with my Rocky,

running and playing with my parents to look over them. They will be fine, and

in time, so will you. Please let me know if there is anything I can help you

with.

Sending you hugs from my heart to yours-

Sandie

May 17, 2004

Courage:

I am so sorry about Max. He is with our Jr. and Miss Ann and many more

loved four legged family members. He is not in pain which I am sure he was.

Isn't it funny that their peace causes us so much grief and heart ache. We

miss our family members everyday even after all these years.

Prayers and tight hugs to you

in Texas

Max Passed Away

> Max went into surgery at 6:00 this morning but could not be saved. During

the operation the Vet called me to say that Max had a huge tumor that

invaded his pancreas, his stomach and the major veins around these organs so

it would not have been able to be removed. The Vet sewed him back up and

then put him to sleep. I wrote a letter to the Vet for him to read before

the surgery telling thim that I appreciated all that he is doing and to

please help my dog to survive. I also included a pray that God bless both

him and Max and guide his hands to help heal my beautiful boy....but it

wasn't to be.

>

> As for me, I have been weeping for hours now. My heart is broken. How I

miss him so and worry about where my beautiful boy is right now. As many of

you know, I spend almost every day alone after caring for my mom and dad and

Max was my constant companion. He was always so happy to see me come home

in the evening and we would split my dinner and laze around the house

together. The house is so quiet without him and everywhere I turn I see his

beautiful face looking at me. Crying again....

>

> I want to thank you all so much for the prayers and the wonderful support

you gave me. I would have lost my mind if I didn't have you all to share my

fears with.

> I pray that Max is in peace now and free from pain. Max took a big part

of my heart with him and I will always love him so.

> Courage

>

> Please follow this link to learn more about Lewy Body Dementia

> http://www.lewybodydementia.org

>

May 17, 2004

Courage,

I sat here and cried as I read your email. I lost my young 3 year old

Jasmine while I was taking care of my Mom. She replaced my Sheba, both

labs, who had been with me since my kids were young.

You email just took me back to how hard that is to do, and you are doing

it while you have lots of stresses already in your life.

Maybe Max went to prepare a place for your Mom. My condolences.

Donna R

May 18, 2004

Oh Courage,

I feel terrible for you as I know this was not the ending you had wished

for. I have had to put down 3 animals and the first was my dog of 14 years.

She couldn't stand up anymore and when she tried she would " poop " and not

know it. She was part german shepherd and part doberman and she was great

with our children. I was there when the vet (a friend of mine) helped her

out of her pain and I patted her and cried as did my friend. Afterward the

vet said that I did the most humane thing for our pet. She said sometimes

people aren't able to do the thing that is the " best " because it is painful

to make that decision as we love them so much. I know in my heart that it

was the most humane and best thing for our dog Tanzi and although I miss her

like crazy I know that we gave her a great life and a great " death " too.

You did everything you could for Max, he loved you to the end and you loved

him back. It was sad but it was the best for him and now he is free of pain

and suffering. Take care of yourself. You need some time to recover from

your loss. Try to do something nice for yourself. I didn't want another

dog, as we go away and it is hard to find someone to take care of the dog or

we'd have to tie her up etc. but after our cat passed away, I did get

another and it helped the transition a great deal. You don't ever forget

the other pet but if you are going to get another animal, it does help to do

it soon in my experience.

I am sorry you have had to go through this at such a hard time. I hope you

have good days ahead with Olivia and look forward to hearing about them.

Hugs to you,

Kath