January 15, 2002 - June 28, 2007

Max was my first boxer, my first love to the breed that quickly embraced me and had me falling fast and deep and complete. It was that love that introduced both me and Max to Boxer Rescue Ontario.

Being one of the boxers of the former webmaster of Boxer Rescue Ontario may have been tough at times. Photo shoots balancing funny hats, or bunny ears couldn't have been easy. But Max was a real trooper. He was always welcoming to foster boxers that came to stay at our house. He was

Unfortunately, Max was plagued with heart disease. He was diagnosed with congested heart failure soon after his 5th birthday, in early 2007. We decided to have him on a 'drug cocktail' to help prolong his life, always knowing that should quality of life become an issue, we would help him cross humanely. In his last week, Max began to get bloated, and lost his appetite. The bloating was indicative of his organs starting to fail him. We made the unhappy decision to help him cross the next Tuesday morning. Unfortunately, Max's condition deteriorated quickly the Thursday we made that appointment. He collapsed twice, losing control of his bladder and was whimpering and crying. I rushed home from work that afternoon and still, Max greeted me with wagging tail,

I was with Max at the end. It was a very peaceful passing. I held him, and pet him, and told him how much we loved him and how much we'd miss him, but that he was going to a place where there was no pain and that we'd meet again.

Max is survived by Andrew, Stephanie, Danielle, Conor, Drew, Ryan and Kaitlin, as well as his canine pack, Lucy and Tie.

.....it is so hard to say goodbye.