Just a Little Dog

Maxine von Schmidt, Maxi, , a little doxie,came into our lives on October 30th, 2001 in Laguna Hills, California. On our first meeting this little black and tan 13 pounder of five years jumped into Gene's lap and was not about to leave it or give it up. His heart melted and she was on her way to Texas. Just getting there proved to be an adventure. Taking off from John Wayne Airport, we lost one of our two engines necessitating a "precautionary" landing at LAX. Hours later we were airborne again and heading for Dallas. Being really late in the evening, the American Airlines terminal was closed; but, they put us up in a nearby hotel without our baggage (her food and leash were in it). God love her ... she had gone all day without a potty break! Gene's belt served as a leash and room service provided the food (Donna had never had room service although we shared the bun and fries while Maxie ate the hot dog). The next day, after several false starts, we flew to Hobby Airport and her home for the next ten years.

What a love she has been! She took to our trips in the motor home like a champ ... start the engine and she is in her chair and ready to GO. In December of 2005 we adopted Beckett, the Love Bug, a 15 pound red doxie, and survivor of Hurricane Katrine. They both bonded well and he quickly adapted to our lifestyle. Actually, they were like two peas in a pod; but, in reality she had him completely buffeloed .... I mean one glance from her and he backed off. He too travelled well.

Last May we noted she was having problems ... slower gait ... sight was failing ... sleeping a lot ... the diagnoses was conjestive heart failure. With the help of meds and extra care she appeared to be getting through the days. However,on the 13th of January she developed a cough that would not be calmed with medicine. As Gene picked her up to take her outside, she collapsed in the grass. An hour later while curled up in Gene's arms she breathed her last and with a sigh passed out of our lives but not out of our hearts. Her cremated remains rest on our mantle in a lovely rose box as a gentle reminder of her presence and love.

We recently read the little commentary repeated below that sums it all up ...

What Dogs Do For Us

Get us outside on beautiful days

Warm up out beds on cold nights

Make our hearts more vigorous

Make us smile

Help us live a little longer

Treat us like celebreties when we come home

Teach us the meaning of unconditional love

We know that she is curled up on Gene's mother's lap in the great beyond and both are grinning from ear to ear. We will see them one day; but, till then we'll have to muddle through. She was just a little dog, but oh my goodness, what a blessing!