Let Me Tell You About My Best Friend

Animals give humans the most loyal friendships in the world, and they love us unconditionally, to be honest, one day when my furry friend dies it will break me and while I shed tears writing this, I can't help but to remember all the good memories we've shared together. Six years ago I was anxious to pick out my very own puppy and my husband driving the car to Stockton, CA asked me if I had any name ideas for a male, and the first name that came to mind was Max. Simple and cliché I didn't care, his name will be Max. Andrew already had a Siberian Husky puppy named Lana and we both decided that she could use a friend. We arrived on a farm and the nice folks took us back to where the puppies were being kept. One of the puppies ran up to me and grabbed my shoelace, and ran off with it, that's when I knew I didn't choose this dog, he chose me. That day I had absolutely no idea that this tiny German Shepard was going to make a huge impact on my life.

Max was seven weeks old so tiny that he only cared to be in the car if he either slept on my lap or, between the brake and gas pedal. Lana thought he was a tiny rodent and tried to grab his neck a few times, but it didn't take long until they both became great friends. I don’t have children one day perhaps, but that day hasn’t arrived, I still see both dogs as more than a friendship. I see them as family, as my own children whom I love so much. Sometimes I talk to my fur best friends and most of the time I get made fun of, but I swear even though they can’t speak to us humans they know what we’re saying, because the days I complain Max sighs or if I’m in the middle of a conversation he’ll react to it. Andrew and I did our first road trip to Oregon where we drove along the coast with the dogs, and we soon realized that our dogs will be traveling dogs.

     I have endometriosis and with every flare-up or agonizing pain, there wasn't a time that Max didn't comfort me, or left my side until he knew it was okay to. He kissed away every tear I have shed and even made me laugh on the days I wanted to cry. Over the years Andrew and I did a lot of traveling, we went from traveling around the country for two months in our Prius to buying a sailboat in Sausalito, CA with no knowledge of sailing, we decided to practice a few times before taking off beyond the Golden Gate Bridge. This was an unforgettable experience because we learned a lot about our dogs, and our friendship with both only grew stronger. Our family learned to trust each other in the hardest moments and shared incredible adventures with one another. It wasn't the first time that I had seen Max protective over his family, but it was the first time that I had seen him protective over every single living creature. It was a great feeling knowing that my best friend would always protect me even if it was against a Segal. I have met some people who believe that dogs live longer when they have a purpose in life, and I believe this to be true. Wherever we are Max's purpose is to protect and guard whether we lived on the sailboat, or if we lived on land. He loves it so much! And he thrives doing it.

As we sailed along the coast of California and into Mexico, Max and Lana have seen things most dogs in their lifetime don't see such as dolphins, Manta Rays, Turtles, Whales, and the glowing ocean (Bioluminescent). Sometimes people would say that our dogs were spoiled by the amount of fish they'd eaten on our sailing journey or the endless uncharted anchorages they explored, but the truth is Andrew and I cared so much about Max and Lana's diet that we are only trying to increase their life span. Even if it only increases by a year. It has been a great feeling watching my fur babies glow in a new environment and being able to run their paws on unfamiliar land. To this day we are back on land enjoying family and friends before we decide to live back on the sailboat, but Max's grey hair has spread and I can see the difference in his appearance, Lana can no longer move the way she use to limiting us to less traveling.

 Some of the things that I used to find annoying I now appreciate such as the need to put his head near my shoulders while constantly snoring, and the amount of bed space he hogs. Lana's little nose kisses and the way she crosses her paws like a princess. I've always felt like when Max comes over to me and rests his head on my lap, with his big sandy brown eyes I know he loves me because any animal lover knows 'the look' their pet gives them when they are affectionate. I know the little things now matter in the long run and I will miss it later. I will miss the way he lays on my chest and how he sits on my lap when he wants attention, I will miss the way Lana chomps her mouth open to let us know when she is hungry or the way they both play together. They are so loving, playful, and full of energy that any child playing with them will not be disappointed.

It's so hurtful to witness an animal that is your whole world get old and it's devasting to see them pass before you do. My sister asked me: "What are you going to do when Max passes away?" I didn't have an answer for her then and I still don't to this day. I'm enjoying the time I have left with both of my animal best friends.