Our family portrait in 1995. Max is 1 year old.
This is our tribute to Max, the best dog you could ever hope to have. Ok, so he had some issues, like being afraid of the ironing board. But who can honestly say they haven't had nightmares about being attacked by an ironing board?
We rescued him from the shelter when he was 4 months old. He was born in October of 1994 and we had to say goodbye to him in May 2007. We had 12 1/2 wonderful years.
If you have ever met Max, please email us your comments or memories about him. I will then post the comments at the bottom of this page. Feel free to email us any pictures you have too.
Our family portrait in 1995. Max is 1 year old.
Also in 1995 he learns how to dress up for Halloween and greet
the kids.
Swimming with his tennis ball in our pool when we lived in
Florida. Every so often he would get out of the pool and go outside to
pee. Then walk back in and start swimming again.
Here he is in 1996 relaxing after a swim
Dressing up for Christmas 1997. Tolerating us putting on
strap-on wings and halo.
Halloween 1999 here in Georgia. Strap on antlers.
We babysat my nieces birds in 1999. He liked to stare at
them.
Halloween 1998 with our niece Heather.
Grandma sent him a sweater for Christmas 1998. He wasn't
real thrilled with snow.
A cow broke thru the fence in 2000. You can see by his
eyes that Max is temporarily possessed by the satanic cow.
Christmas 2002. You can see in the background some of his
presents that he has opened.
Christmas 2006. Our last Christmas with Max. I
came into the living room Christmas morning to find him laying by the tree staring at the gifts.
He knew he had some from Grandma. Here I am helping him open one with his
name on it.
My hat fit him.
Halloween 2002.
Sue Moynihan - Florida:
I remember how Max used to ride with you in the truck all the
time. He sat up front in the passenger seat. One time you went to the bank drive-thru and when the tube came back
the teller said 'Thank you Mr. and Mrs. Merritt". You leaned forward so
they could see it was Max. They were all laughing over the speaker.
Me:
He loved to go for rides. If I couldn't take him he got
depressed and gave you a look that made you feel real guilty. The trick
was to not look at him if he couldn't go. Many times I would come back to
the truck after shopping and find people standing by the truck talking to
Max. A couple of times people were taking pictures. A lot of times
people would ask if I let him drive. I told them no, his legs won't reach
the pedals.
Chris Swiser - Iowa:
Several years ago Rick & Janis graciously offered to let
me stay at the Merritt B&B when I went to the Atlanta area for a sales call.
Of course, I'd heard about Max from Rick's stories over the years, I'd seen the
photos (I like him in his Halloween costume). I didn't truly appreciate
Max until the first morning of my stay. Rick & I were on the
back patio, having a cup of coffee, a smoke, and watching Max pee. Max
gets half-way up the stairs and Rick says, "Max, did you go poop yet?
No?? Max, go poop." Max looks up at Rick, kind of drops his
shoulders,
turns around, goes back down the stairs, and goes poop. Max had me from
that point on!
Connie Pilkington - Oregon:
I loved the story of how Max was terrified of the tiny dog
that lived next door. He would look outside to make sure he wasn't there
before he went out in the yard. I can just imagine the expression on that
funny face of his.
He was such a crack up and about as human like as a dog could be. He
touched many hearts and will be greatly missed!
Me:
I can just see him - looking back at us... then looking back
outside... then at us. Slowly getting up the nerve to go outside.
Mark Carillon - Florida:
Max was one of a kind for sure. I remember playing
basketball with Max. He had the best 3 point shot ever, and Boy could he
jump!
Me:
Ok, so he was afraid of the
basketball. Nothing wrong with that.
Steve Selvia - Georgia:
What a great dog Max was…….he seemed so much in touch with
you guys. I only was around him twice, but he was a special dog it seemed.
We know you’re gonna miss him!
Dennis Haefner - Iowa:
We met Max at a young age when Rick let our family stay at his
place in
Dorene Merritt (Grandma) - Illinois:
When I would visit Rick and Janis, I loved to get up
earlier than the two of them and go have breakfast, just Max and I alone.
He was so obedient and would sit in the doorway of the dining room while I ate
my toast and jelly at the breakfast table. He would sit there, just
waiting for me to give the command, "Look, Max, there is something in your
bowl!" (as it sat next to the breakfast table). I would throw pieces
of toast with jelly and butter in his bowl and he thought that was really a
treat. Then he would go back to the dining room doorway and sit for the
next command. I just know he was some dear friend, reincarnated!!
No dog ever understood what you said and obeyed like Max did. I miss him
and his pictures, especially his opening up his own Christmas presents after
being told that package was for him alone.
Me:
Thanks mom. I can picture him sitting next to you on the
floor wanting to get petted as you laid on the couch watching TV. He would
turn around and look at you or put his head on your lap if you weren't paying
attention to him.
Patty Kadlec - Minnesota
He was a terrific and rather eccentric dog. But I would be a
little weird if I lived with Rick too. (no offense
Janis) I'm a little sorry now that I asked Max if he wanted to go for a ride when
I knew full well he couldn't
come with. He was a great dog! Thanks for giving him a great home.
Nancy Dixon - Florida
I remember finding Max at the animal control and calling
Janis. She took one look at him and he was hers. Max turned out to be
totally awesome. What great company he was and what a good life he had with people
who could not have loved him more. He will be missed by many.
Heather Moynihan - Florida
I remember always telling you that you should cut his
beard off because his food and water would hang to it hahah but if you had cut
it off he wouldn't have been as cute! I remember how excited he was to greet
everyone when we showed up at your house, he was so springing! Love it when
animals don't realize how big they are compared to you :-) I also remember when we
would be at your house and you were gone for the day, Max would lay by the side
window by the fireplace until you came home...talk about needy:-) But you cant
beat that, something that loves you so much they would spend the whole day
staring out the window!
Once again, I am sorry for your loss but look at all of the things you would
have missed out on if you didn't have Max, think about the friendship you
wouldn't
have ever had and all of the memories.
Bob & Ursula Riddle - Colorado
Max the "model" dog....he always wore his gear with
such style....the bandana, the hats, the costumes! How indulgent he was!
The week he passed on, we were out in the country looking at property, and one
listing was next door to a breeder's kennel with a dozen or more Irish
Wolfhounds running free in the pasture (all were Max look-alikes). As we motored
along their perimeter, they raced after us, like greyhounds chasing the
mechanical rabbit--no barking or menacing, just running free like the wind,
graceful and powerful.
Now Max is just like them, I thought....
Dear friends, we are thankful that you and that mellow guy found each other to
love.