Sixteen years ago today, my beautiful Max, known at least as often as Mr Moo, Moo or Moo-Moo, leapt into my life when his previous family had to find a new home for him.
Almost three years ago, he broke my heart as he left his earthly form to join the stars, but I know he’s still out there. He’s told me so. He was handsome, smart, funny, loving and my first boy* dog. I love and miss him so very much. I don’t get over losing them. I get through it. Just.
I miss his snuggles, the way he used to sit on my lap, lean into my chest for a hug, and press his head forward to be kissed between the eyes. We ‘shared’ many Reiki sessions over the years too. I miss sharing popcorn and pistachios with him while we watched a film. I miss his counter-surfing into old age. I miss him carrying his toy duck around. He LOVED toys.
I miss him scrounging all the food he possibly could. I made a pact with him when he turned 11 that I would always save him something from what I was eating, as long as it was dog-friendly. He held me to that for the next few years and it’s something that has continued.
I miss everything about Moo, including the naughty bits. Maybe especially the naughty bits. He learnt things quickly, good or bad. I once tried to clicker train him to bow, but he had different ideas and taught himself to ‘beg’ within about 3 clicks … because Labradors really need to learn how to beg
I ordered a book when Mr Moo was young in the hope of helping him to calm down just a smidge. It arrived while I was out and he’d eaten half of it before I got home. I remembered today <don’t read while eating> the first time I went to pick up his poo after bringing him home. It came out with a rubber alien attached. Only Moo.
I took this photo of him on our holiday about 10 years ago. It sparked my passion for photography, particularly of dogs, and made me realise I might be quite good at this camera stuff. I have it printed as a canvas, above my desk, much treasured.
*Before adopting him, I read several times about how male dogs are less affectionate, loving etc. It’s rubbish. My boy dogs have all been so loving and snuggly.
Mr Moo, I love you. Forever.
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