Max's Diary
Page 2

(December 12, 2002) Today I wanted to talk about one of Max's favorite things: toys.
Not just any toy; he especially likes stuffed toys (Of course, if they are made for humans, I have to take out the eyes so that he will not choke on them). He has a teddy that he sleeps with and every now and then he drags it out of the kennel to rough-house with. He also has a giant bear that he wrestles with. But it is his assortment of small stuffed animals that he is particularly fond of....so much so that he waits patiently (O.K., sometimes impatiently) for me to mend them when they tear. I have to mend them standing up or he would be all over me trying to get his toy back! And, boy, is he ever happy when I am done!
Blankets are another thing! He has two fleece ones that are totally his that he likes to curl up in and hide. When I wash them (once a month) he acts like I took away his best friend! He is at a total loss at what to do! When I bring them out of the dryer, though, he is so happy that he takes them right out of my hand and protects them so they won't be taken away again. Maybe I need to start washing them one at a time instead of all at once, LOL.

(January 20, 2003) We found out, quite by accident, what to do to make Max drop everything and run to us. I give out a series of high-pitched sounds like "bee-bee-bee" and he comes to deliver his "1,000 Licks Attack". It's really crazy the way he suddenly bolts to me and licks me all over the face as fast as he can!

For his new tricks I taught him "Sit up". Of course, now he sits up and begs to get food while we eat. If I ignore him, he pounces off of my leg with his forepaws and sits up again until I notice him. Sometimes if I don't see him sit, he will stand and walk backward to get my attention. Another new trick, the "Stand and Dance" came from that where he stands from the sit up position and twirls around once.

(February 4, 2003) Max has hit a major milestone! He now is allowed to roam free at night....as long as I don't find a wet spot on the floor or something gotten into that shouldn't be, that is. I feel honored, because out of 2 children's beds (the third is on an upper bunk) and ours, Max chooses ours. The first night he was very bouncy and woke us up several times jumping in and out of bed and with lick attacks, but after 3 nights, he sleeps through the night, under our blankets by our feet.

(April 12, 2003) Max has made the adjustment well to having another dog, Rocky, in the house. In fact, it is kind of funny because Rocky is almost 2 years and Max is almost 1, and Max acts just like a troublesome little brother. Rocky can be chewing on a toy, turn his back on it for a second, and Max is right there, stealing it from him. Max then runs off with it with Rocky in hot pursuit. When Rocky catches up, Max plays 'keep away'. Then usually the game ends in a tug-'o-war with the toy, no matter how small it is.

Max with a hat my daughter made him and a candle I saved
from my children's first birthdays

(June 4, 2003) Happy Birthday Max!!!!!! It's hard to believe that he is a 1-year-old! There has been ups and downs over the year as he was our 'guinea pig'. We were new dog owners and only knew what we read in a book or advice we got from friends. We made some mistakes (what pet owner doesn't?), but over the year Max has become an obedient dog (well, for a puppy, lol), learned tricks, and endeared himself to everyone in the family and also to friends. He has befriended Rocky and learned when to give him space and when he is open to play. All in all, it has been a year full of growing, learning, and burying himself into our hearts.

What can I say? If you are thinking about getting a dog, look into the different breeds. Yahoo has a wonderful dog index that describes each breed's personality. They even have a questionnaire that, when you answer the questions, will give you suggestions on the different breeds that might be right for your family.

Thinking about a Chihuahua? There are some considerations. First, they are fragile, so are not recommended for families with small children. Second, they are easy to step on, especially when they are puppies, so you have to train yourself (which doesn't take long) to watch where you are walking. I have heard people say that they considered Chis vicious and were nervous around Max, but I have seen nothing of this in his personality. Perhaps the Chis that these people experienced were this way due to breeding or upbringing. I don't know. I only know that my Chi is a loving, active, and fun-loving little fur ball that loves to give lick attacks.