From the moment I saw her picture, I knew she was mine. Thankfully Bob needed little convincing even though I always told him when it came to me bringing home pets he was supposed to be the voice of reason. Maxine came home with us on September 5th, 2009. She came in the way she did most things – quietly. A rescue at the age of 12 or 13 years, blind from having lost both eyes, scared, with a bad heart and stiff joints she stood proudly in her new back yard raised her freckled nose and sighed in all the new smells.
That was her last “quiet” moment. She followed it up with getting into the flour bin (not one but twice till we moved it), the bread box (until we no longer used it to store bread products), the dishwasher (from where she unashamedly stole silverware), the fish food (how did she unscrew the lid to eat it all?), and that doesn’t count climbing onto tables, chairs, grills and woodpiles. She spent hours walking the yard with a freedom she savored or resting next to the fish pond listening to the waterfall. She went mountain climbing in Vermont, swimming in lakes and pools, ate like a truck driver and slept like a rock. In her last few months she had her own “column” on Zim Family Cocker Spaniel Forum where she expounded on the foolishness of some humans, her concern for the earth and all the animals – especially doggies that didn’t have all that she found to comfort her in her later years and sharing her ideas and humor. She gave great thought to the “Big One” who looks out for us all.
Earlier today the Big One came to take back His beloved Maxine. He gently took her from the arms of her momma and poppa and the loving circle of her brothers and sister. Her work here was done. She touched thousands of hearts and gave us all her love and her trust. I am humbled that my husband and I could provide our girl with the comforts of her last years. As I was warned when we took her in at such an advanced age and with her medical conditions “You’re setting yourself up to have your heart broken” – and today that is true.
Maxine, you were one in a million – as Jean and Isabel say “maybe more”. I know you are with the Big One on the Rainbow Bridge waiting for us. You are with your big brother Coriander, Isabew's big brothers Joey and Bear, Weesister, Abby and Abby Girl, and so many of our precious pups gone before. I am sure you are being treated royally because you lived the way we all should: enduring our hurts, forgiving those that cause the hurts, rejoicing in our blessings, sharing our love and trusting in others. I know when I get to the Bridge to meet you I will see you whole and happy and I will be able to look into your eyes for the first time ever and tell you I love you. And you will look back at me and let me know that you already knew that. Because my dear pup – that was you – pure love.
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on your fellow pups at the Rainbow Bridge
things that Maxine pulled off and smiling at her antics might help as well. Take Care! We all love you and your stories about your Maxine The Rapscallion Doggie! 
