In Memorium, Max

I'm very sad to report that Max, my best canine buddy and a damn fun ski dog, died today at about 3PM with his head in Yanna's lap. While it was a relief to see the look of peace come across his face as the merciful injection took effect, it was painful to know that I'd no longer be tromping with him in the mountains. I'd given up bringing him skiing this year due to his lower back troubles (other than one slow lap at Ski Acres on quite firm snow once the lifts closed), but prior to that he'd been on all but the most ambitious ski tours I'd done in the Cascades. His giant rabbit-like tracks in the powder (he weighed about 105 lbs) were temporary evidence of the great joy he took in floating down the hill alongside us. I'm sure there were better-trained ski dogs (Max would sometimes step on ski tails when tired, and it always took a few trips early in the season for him to remember how not to get in the way of good turns, and when he got excited on a run he'd bark a lot), but I've never seen one who had more fun than Max, nor who was as able to steal hearts even of strangers we'd meet briefly.

Though Max was past his ski days, he was still getting out on hikes of 3K vertical (on graded trails) as recently as a few weeks ago, but unfortunately fate (apparently in the form of a neighbor's incautiously placed anti-freeze combined with a gate left open) snatched him before he seemed done exploring the mountains.

He will travel with his pack in spirit whenever we are in the wild. I wish you all could have met him.

I love dogs like that; they're such great friends. And such reliable and prominent examples of unconditional love. From that one trait alone we could all learn much.<br>Thank you for sharing Max with us, Jim. It's nice to get a glimpse of the great joy he brought to you.<br>Now I think you need to go out and get a little round orange puppy; today. <br>Certainly not to replace Max, but to experience the same kind of camaraderie with a completely different critter personality.

What a tough break for Max and you all. Well, you're remembering the good times. Wish I could have met Max.<br><br>I have some thoughts on your neighbor that I'll keep to myself.

Thanks, guys. It really helped me to write this down last night. Ron - the puppy will wait for a bit (we agreed that we need to wait a few months at least to let our feelings kind of settle down), but in the meantime we have Sasha who joined our adventures shortly after this photo was taken, and she'll get our undiluted attention for a little while. David - there's more to the story than I care to post (all negligence, at least rather than malevolence, but clearly serious negligence that is testing my acceptance skills and way beyond my current ability for forgiveness), I have some similar thoughts, and in fact had just declined a very reasonable out-of-the-blue offer on my house last week that I'm now seriously reconsidering in order to get a clean slate with neighbors. We were close to the edge of selling as it was, and this incident has pushed us over it (we live on a lake and Max loved swimming in it, and as silly as it sounds that was a big part of the joy we found in being there). <br><br>Thanks for the kind words, guys. It's definitely helping me to share him with a community of fellow travellers who understand the depth of the bond. I only wish it could have been in person.<br><br>Charles, if you're reading this, I never thought I'd have such a profound feeling of thanks for this community being here. You are giving in more ways that I think you could have imagined when you started TAY.

That's a real bummer.  Sounds like both you and Max embarked on some great adventures out in the Cascades.  I wish I could take my dog (120lbs long-haired shepard) but he tends to scare or chase any living thing (worked good on the slednecks at Crystal ).  That and the fact that he tries to take me out while I ride.  I shouldn't be too suprised though since he still chases tires on moving vehicles.  Anyways Max looked like a good wingman.  I feel for you.<br><br>Regarding your asshole neighbor...I believe what comes around goes around.  I will reserve the rest of my opinion.

Thanks snoslut, and I agree with your philosophy.<br><br>Maybe you could try the abandonded ski slopes when the lifts close at the end of season, depending on how you feel about allowing a litlte minor harrassment of ski area dwelling chipmunks? He might learn not to knowck you over...