To the Max

2018 just before Valentine’s Day, I lost a my constant companion.  Of course he was tall, dark and handsome-that was my type as far back as I can remember.  But he was also funny, engaging and attentive.  He was a terrific father, always great with the kids and a gentle soul. He was one of my best friends, always happy to spend a quiet evening at home or go out on a road trip.  He got along with everyone he met-I don’t remember a single soul saying a bad word about him.  And there wasn’t a better business partner out there.  He was such a workaholic!  He loved his job and was very good at it.  His loss was a tragedy I regret to this day and I wish with all my heart that I could take back every step I took that made it possible.

I was still in mourning over the death of my dear Doberman Sylvester when I heard from a member of a local animal group asking for a favor.  They had been contacted by a couple of teens looking to surrender a husky.  They named him Max.  They said they found him-rather he found them-when he was wandering around the streets.  They discovered he belonged to a gentleman who didn’t take lightly to Max’s walkabouts.  The man beat Max every time he returned home.  So what was a husky to do?  Max would simply run away again.  The teens called the authorities who got the man to give up the dog.  The teens handed the dog to the animal group.

But the animal group wasn’t licensed to house huskies so they reached out to another animal group in a neighboring town who agreed to put him on the next adoption convoy in Colorado.  That would take care of his long-term housing needs.  They just needed to find him a short term place to stay.  Since I had a spot on my bed open up, they asked me if I would take him.  I agreed.

It wasn’t love at first sight, but I won’t deny I was hooked.  I was at once struck by his beautiful blue eyes, his salt and pepper hair with silver highlights, and his infectious smile.  He was toned and in good shape-obviously running had been a large part of his life.  He was quiet and standoffish but you could tell he had a sense of humor.  I figured I would put him up and let him couch-surf over the weekend and tell him goodbye by Sunday.  Max spent the next 24 hours fasting and testing the stability of my fence.  He hardly acknowledged the other four-legged members of my house at all except to complain when they became unruly. And he slept with one eye open, popping to his feet if he saw movement.

When Sunday rolled around, the convoy wasn’t ready and I was asked to keep Max for another day. Another day wasn’t fatal so I said it was fine.  One day drug on to two and three and Max began lifting his leg and marking nearly every vertical surface he could reach.  While he was still stand offish and playing hard-to-get, he made it quite clear he did not like to be alone.  When I left for work or for an assignment, he would reward my desertion by chewing up my shoes, purses and books.  In fact, he would chew on just about anything that would fit in his mouth.  His refusal to quit chewing made him very unappealing but every time he would smile with those nasty bits between his teeth and gums, I would always forgive him.

In between spot cleanings, I contacted a friend of mine who had mentioned wanting to add a husky to their family.  Ignoring his obvious quirks and lack of social graces, I pitched his great personality and what a hard worker he was.  My friend shot down every attempt to hook up with him-saying that she was too busy with the kids to concentrate on a new relationship right now.

Not seeing any better options, Max reached out to me one night.  Actually, he spit several mouthfuls of kibble on my feet, then laid down to eat them in the living room.  That was the first move he ever made to cuddle with me.  He curled up next to me and watched a movie that night before falling asleep. He slept peacefully.  I think I even heard him snore.

One week turned to two before the out of town rescue group contacted me to let me know the convoy was ready.  By that time, I made up my mind.  Max was staying.  In two weeks, he had adjusted and grown more comfortable in the house.  I had gotten to know him better, stopped trying to change him and accepted him for the guy he was.  In turn, he rewarded me by not eating a couple pairs of shoes.  I took it as a win for both of us.

My ex didn’t like Max hanging around.  He felt I gave him too much attention and forgave too many of his transgressions.  He insisted Max was being rude and trying to pick a fight with him, by picking and choosing the items he wanted to destroy and ignoring him.  It wasn’t long before he insisted I kick Max to the curb and even demanded I choose between him and Max.  I still don’t regret my decision.

Max came with me when I moved into my little yellow house but he didn’t initially stay.  After we made our relationship permanent, Max seemed to have commitment issues.  He began running up to the local bar at all hours of the day and night, spent some evenings at the track without telling me.  He was even picking up girls!  I have found as many as eight selfies on Instagram and Snapchat of my blue-eyed guy smiling with a younger woman.  As humiliating as it is to have the town talk about my guy and his wandering ways, I could never bring myself to dump him.  I just love him too much.

Last summer my daughter and I arrived home just in time to see Max try to slip out the back, headed for his favorite bar.  Erin slipped on her running shoes, ready to chase him down.  I stopped her, knowing he had to grow up sometime.  I simply called him and told him it was time to come home.  

I think we had a moment!  He hasn’t run the streets since!

My name is Jennifer Beck and I’m Jenuinely Jennifer.

Writer, Researcher and Max’ed out!