Goodbye, Old Friend

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It is with a heavy heart that I inform you of Max’s passing following a (thankfully) short illness.

If there is a Doggy Heaven, surely his Cloud 9 will be made of toilet paper.

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This post will be published as my plane departs O’Hare, and I will be unable to comment for some time. Your understanding is appreciated.

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48 thoughts on “Goodbye, Old Friend”

  5. Dearest John, I am shattered to read your very sad news. Sending you love filled healing hugs to comfort you during your time of mourning. I will light a candle for your dearest Max.
    Love and hugs from SA to you.
    Mandy xoxoxo

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  8. I am so very sorry; I know the pain at the loss of a dearly beloved four-legged family member. He was a Very Good Boy, and I hope you know he is waiting for you and all his other buddies to join him so you can all spend Eternity together, never to be parted again. Travel well, Max, may you get to rip up celestial toilet paper wherever you go – I’m sure God will provide plenty for you. John, sincere condolences and sympathy.

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  9. John, I am so, so sorry for your loss of Max, loyal and beloved fur baby, companion and taste tester. I know you are traveling with a heavy heart, but am glad at least you could be with him rather than away when it was his time to go. I know he lived a life in doggy heaven here on earth with you and he’ll continue to watch over you now. Thinking of you. xo Betsy

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  10. I am absolutely shocked and sorry for your loss… never easy to say goodbye to a faithful, four-legged friend, and one as special as Max…

    you are in my thoughts…

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  12. Dear Max! What a heavy loss. These wonderful companions certainly do take over our hearts.Thanks for letting us know, and you’ve provided quite a smile with a look at all that toilet paper fun! We’ll look forward to hearing all about your travels when you return home. Safe travels.

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  22. John – you had a wonderful decade of caring- and sharing boy-times together: what a plethora of memories never to be forgotten . . . . remember . . . . Oh, bye-the-bye, I had this ‘channelled’ message from doggie heaven – uhuh: up to all his tricks already, not just the birthday toilet paper . . . but sleeping on a pillow not his own and allowing himself anything on the kitchen table . . .oh, and they have a heavenly postman also who is having a bit of a time delivering . . . .

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  31. This is from Cynthia Rylant’s children’ picture book. In honor of your Angel Dog. Toni

    When Dogs go to heaven, They don’t need wings because God knows that dogs love running best…

    He Gives them fields. Fields and fields and fields.

    When a dog first arrives in Heaven, he just runs.

    Dog Heaven has clear, wide lakes, filled with geese who honk and flap and tease. The dogs love this. They run beside the water and bark and bark and God watches them from behind a tree and smiles..

    There are children of course. Angel Children.

    God knows that dogs love children more than anything else in the world, so He fills Dog Heaven with plenty of them. T here are children on Bikes and children on Sleds. There are children throwing red rubber balls and children pulling kites through the clouds. The dogs are there, and the children love them dearly.

    And. oh, the dog biscuits. Biscuits and biscuits as far as the eye can see.

    God has a sense of humor, so he makes His biscuits in funny shapes for His dogs. There are kitty-cat biscuits and squirrel biscuits. Ice Cream biscuits and ham-sandwich bisquits.

    Every angel who passes by has a biscuit for a dog. And of course, all God’s dogs sit when angels say “Sit”. Every dog becomes a good dog in Heaven.

    God turns clouds inside out to make fluffy beds for the dogs in Dog Heaven, and when they are tired from running and barking and eating ham-sandwich biscuits, the dogs each find a cloud for sleeping. They turn around and around in the cloud… until it feels just right, and then they curl up.. and they sleep. God watches over each one of them and there are no bad dreams.

    Dogs in Dog Heaven have almost alwsy belonged to somebody on Earth and. of course the dogs remember this. Heaven is full of memories. So sometimes an angel will walk a dog back to Earth for a little visit and quietly, invisibly, the dog will sniff about his old backyard, will investigate the cat next door, will follow the child to school, will sit on the front portch and wait for the mail. When he is satisfied that all is well, the dog will return to Heaven with the angel. It is where dogs belong, near God who made them.

    The dogs in Dog Heaven who had no real homes on Earth are given one in Heaven. The homes have yards and porches and there are couches to lie on and table to sit under while angels eat their dinners. Ther are special bowls with the dog’s names on them. And esch dog is petted and reminded how good he is, all day long.

    Dogs in Dog Heaven may stay as long as they like and this can mean forever. They will be there when old friends show up. They will be there at the door..

    Angel Dogs..

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  32. Omg John, I am terribly sorry about the sad departure of Max. I thought about him the other day and kept on wondering how he was. My heartfelt condolences.

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  33. My condolences, John. I know how hard it is to have dog leave us. I’m glad he wasn’t sick long. I’ve been truly blessed with all my dogs and hope I never have to be without a dog in my life. I hope you will consider another after you have returned from your trip.
    Run free, Max. Doggie Heaven is a wonderful place.

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  36. Hi John, I’m so sorry. My pups have all been my best friends and part of my family. I know Max was yours and brought you much joy. When I lose a furry best friend, it hurts like hell and there are always so many reminders everywhere you look. BUT, if possible, try to muster the strength to adopt another future good buddy. They never take the place of the other loved ones, but they have their own special place as they wiggle into your heart. It’s hard to imagine when you first lose someone you love so much, but my best advice is to adopt another pup that needs you. There are so many who need good homes and your home and heart would be the perfect landing. Much love and positive thoughts your way—Geni

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  45. Oh, I’m sorry to hear this John. It’s hard to lose a pet … they’re such good friends. I’ve enjoyed reading about your adventures (and misadventures) with Max over the years. I hope he’s up there gnawing on a really prime chiannini bone.

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