If it should be that I grow frail and weak
And pain should keep me from my sleep,
Then will you do what must be done,
For this -- the last battle -- can't be won.
You will be sad I understand,
But don't let grief then stay your hand,
For on this day, more than the rest,
Your love and friendship must stand the test.
We have had so many happy years,
You wouldn't want me to suffer so.
When the time comes, please, let me go.
Take me to where to my needs they'll tend,
Only, stay with me till the end
And hold me firm and speak to me
Until my eyes no longer see.
I know in time you will agree
It is a kindness you do to me.
Although my tail its last has waved,
From pain and suffering I have been saved.
Don't grieve that it must be you
Who has to decide this thing to do;
We've been so close -- we two -- these years,
Don't let your heart hold any tears.

-- Unknown

RIP, Max.  Thank you for being my cherished friend. 

I pray we'll meet again.....

He was my shop foreman, analyst, "shotgun" rider, doorbell, alarm system, garbage disposal, and general all-round buddy, and Max...was upset at me a lot.  He worked harder at training me than I did at training him....and was a lot better at it.  However, I'd wager that I was much easier to train.

  A very few of my favorite "Max" pictures.

  The definitive "Max" picture.  I was setting outside my shop...attempting to eat a sandwich while I was being stared down from about two feet away.  It's really hard for a 130# Lab to look starving and abused, but he was doing his best.

  Pissed off because I was paying more attention to the Mercedes in the back ground than I was him.

  Extremely pissed off....glaring at me through a window while standing on a park bench  I was in the 65 degree shop.  He was in the 10 degree Michigan outdoors, and not a happy camper.  My wife isn't this effective with the "Evil Eye"....he was playing the time-honored "door game".  "In" or "Out", Max....pick one.

  Later in life.  Out like a light on his "box".  I provided the old fool with all sorts of hi-tech dog beds......and he'd rather carefully stomp down a cardboard box and lay on it.