Saying Good-bye to "Max"

In March of 2003 just before he turned 13, our beloved “Big Max” became very ill. One month later over the Easter weekend it became apparent that he wasn’t going make it and with much pain and love we say good-bye to him.

As Max got older and we knew our time with him was running out, we made the decision that for our next dog we would adopt one from either the local Human Society or Labrador Rescue. We are lab people, others breeds are great, but for us there’s nothing like a lab.

Once the shock wore off of putting Max down, we started searching the rescue web sites, registered with the local Human Society and told friends that our house had been empty long enough. The search proved to be much more than we expected. But then again, I’m not sure we really were ready. As cute and lovable as all of the adoptees were, no one stuck out. Then one October day, “Angel” showed up on the Labrador Rescue web site.

We were ready and he had everything we were looking for. He was a “Field Style” lab and weighed close to a 100–pounds. Yes, we like the big boys. One thing had to go – the name. No self respecting 100–pound dog is called “Angel”.

We filled out the application, had our inspection by Labrador Rescue and were approved. At this point we were finally able to speak to the foster family about Angel. They said that Angel was very sweet, got along with other dogs well and was a pleasure to have.

Angel’s foster family lived in Sarasota, Florida and we are in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Darrell (let me introduce him, he is my partner and the “we and Dad” in our story) decided that he would drive over by himself to check Angel out. Once he met him if he didn’t like him he wasn’t going to bring him home. If I was along he knew there wouldn’t be a “didn’t like” possibility. So on Friday, October 20, 2005, Darrell headed over to Sarasota to pick-up our new boy “Gus”. As I said the name Angel had to go.

Late that night Darrell called to say he was heading home with our new boy and I realized I finally had to say good-bye to Max. After a real good cry I did. Shortly thereafter, Darrell and “Drake” pulled into the driveway. Somewhere in the middle of Alligator Alley, Darrell decided he was a Drake more than a Gus.