Coming Back and Saying Goodbye

Its has been a while since my last post. To fill you in, I am working full time, have learned that I know nothing, and look forward to adding to that knowledge.

In the first few months at this position I have faced everything from counseling-type interactions, which I am used to from my past positions, all the way to breaking up physical altercations (verbally attempting to at least) and hearing judicial cases where I have to punish someone. I really don't like punishing people, but hey, sometimes it is in the job description.

I am still called "mom," only now, I have 375+ children, a "husband" (my co RHD) and a number of crazy relatives who all have their different points of view. Hearing them all out makes me know that I am not as nuts as I once though to get into a position of such, well, variety. It is nice to know that I am not the only one.

That, is as far as I will be going with that. I am sure that from this point on I will write occasionally about my job, but as I see it, and quoting "Julie & Julia" . . .


the whole idea of writing a blog is to get away from what I do all day.


What I will write about I can not say exactly, probably something about the outdoors, or maybe my furry friends. And with that, the true reason behind why I chose today, or all days, to come back.


His name is Max. At 11:30 this morning I pet his head and whispered into his ear that I loved him.
At 9:50 pm tonight, my parents called me to tell me that he had passed away.

Max and Gracie sharing a bed

I went home this weekend to visit, catch up and enjoy the long weekend after being sick most of last week. The seizures began on Sunday morning and lasted thru the night. Up until a few weeks ago he as a prancing 8-year old, puppy-like giant who loved more than anything to try keeping up with his sister pup. Gracie stood by his side thru every seizure, as she has ever since Max came to live with us 5 years ago.

Last photo I took of my boy Max

A Mastiff mix, we nearly passed him by as we walked thru the aisles of the local dog pound. My dad first noticed him as the shy boy in the corner stall. He was large, and to the one who wished to harm his family, would certainly be one to scare. But to those of us who loved him every day since we first brought him home, he was nothing but caring, soft spoken and sweet.

The neighborhood protector, and local goof, Max looked after the family while repeatedly gathering a laugh with his only trick; 'Paw.' While Gracie could fetch the morning paper, carry messages throughout the house to family members in her collar, and play dead with a hand motion, Max with content with his routine of sleep, eat and be merry.

And he certainly was. Right down to the last time I saw him, his eyes showed how much he cared for us, and he knew how we loved him too. For anyone who ever tells you that animals do not feel, look into a dogs eyes. Unconditional love and devotion that can not be matched. I love you Max.