This is Max. We found out his real name is Abraham Lincoln. Max crossed the Rainbow Bridge. i thought he was going to go last year. But, he doggied up an extra year. It was his best, i think. We went on hikes, and a couple of drives too. i took him to see the Christmas lights. He really enjoyed that. It was his last experience, before he began to rapidly deteriorate.
Max made it into the New Year. i was surprised. But something was different: Max could no longer jump on the bed. Eventually, he stopped going up the stairs. Except, for a couple nights, i watched Star Wars, and he went into the extra room with me, to watch it with me. He knew that watching Star Wars was important to me. Then, the day before he died, there was evidence he made it up the stairs one last time.
It was Saturday morning, i was still at work. My Dad called me, and told me Max was rolling around, barking. Max was not able to stand up, even with assistance. i called my boss, and tried to get to leave before work was done, to take Max to the Animal Medical Center on I-20. i had to wait for my work partner, Phloum, to show up. It was 5:30 AM, so i knew it would be after 6 AM by the time i made it home. Poor, Max was suffering and i knew it. Time was of the essence.
i drove home as fast as the speed limit would allow. It was 6:15 AM by the time i got home. i did not even go smoke. i could see Max was suffering. His eyes were rolled back, and red. He could not move. There was waste on the floors. So, i poised the door open. Then, took Max to the Honda Civic. i put a blanket down, and laid him across it. i went and shut the door, and got in the front to start Max, Lincoln´s, final ride to the vet.
Max was so content. He actually let out not even a whimper as we headed towards his final destination. i got to the vet, and went inside to make sure it was open. Two young ladies were at the counter. i told them about Max. They asked did i need help bringing Max in. i thought about it, but said, “No, we will be fine”. i was wrong. As i tried to bring Max in, i realized he was heavy. He even tried to help me bring him into the vet.
It was like Max realized what was about to happen. The two ladies brought out a doggie stretcher, and they helped me put him on it. They went and wheeled him into the room. Meanwhile, it cost $88.00 for me to pay for Max. After i paid, they brought me into the room with Max.
The vet explained what would happen. They were giving me a few more minutes with Max. i told him “Goodbye”, and “Tell Grams and Sophie hi, for me”. i barely got the words out of my mouth before i started sobbing. i could not believe this was the end for my faithful friend. They had given Max a catheter. They gave him a sedative. Then, they wheeled him into where the vet was at.
After a few moments, they wheeled Max back into “The family room”. i could see breathing was a choir now. He was calmed down though, by the sedative. The vet explained to me what each dose did. She had three doses. The second dose, given to mental health patients, was described as like a rollercoaster. By the time the nurse got exactly half way through administering the rollercoaster dose, Max was gone. He had stopped breathing, his tongue hanging out, the pain from his eyes was gone. Max was gone.
i miss Max. i miss when he would jump on the bed and lay with me, or when we would go into the backyard so he could go to the bathroom. Or, when we would go for walks too. He was always so loyal. Good bye, Max.
The Courier 
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