In Loving Memory . . .
Oakwood's Maxima
9/28/97 - 5/4/03
Gone, but never forgotten. . .
Maxima (left) and daughter, Monet, maintained a close relationship. This picture was taken about 1 month before we lost Maxima.
I'll never forget the first time I saw Maxima, it was at the very first Te Cabri Spring Promenade 2001 held in Alexandria, LA. She was a very cute doe with lots of personality in those big beautiful eyes. The most striking thing about her was her belly band, wide on her right side getting smaller to a strip on her left side. Every time I passed by her pen while deciding if I was going to buy her she would talk to me. Finally I decided I had to bring her home, when we got there knew I had made the right decision. Her first kidding for me produced one baby buckling but I lost him about 36 hours after birth. Her second kidding on Mother’s Day 2002 produced a buckling (stillborn) and a doeling (Monet). This last kidding proved disastrous, I couldn’t make it to the barn until 8 pm when I found her in distress with a kid stuck. Upon examination I discovered it was a malpresentation with both front legs coming out but the head back. After several unsuccessful attempts by myself, my daughter (Trisha), and her husband (Chris), we started calling area veterinarians. We were finally called back and Maxima was transported to him by Trisha and her husband (I had gone home to care for my grandson). After several attempts the doctor was finally able to pull the baby out. Sadly we lost her baby doeling, he advised us that after the stress Maxima had gone through that she only had a 50/50 chance of survival. We brought her home and got her set up in a stall (by this time it was 3:30 am). She had gotten up and moved several times drinking plenty of water during the next several hours which gave us hope. Then she started to have contractions in order to expel the afterbirth, this must have proved too much on her already stressed system, she slipped away from us. Maxima passed away in my arms at 11:50 am Sunday May 4, 2003. This date has special meaning to me as it was the 29th anniversary of my father’s death.
Maxima was my favorite doe and we shared a bond as she did with my daughter and everyone who came in contact with her. She will never know the impact she had on us, nor will she ever be able to be replaced. Her sweet disposition will always be missed in our pen and will leave an empty space in our hearts and our lives.
One day I'll see you again my little Maxima when we meet across the Rainbow Bridge, 'til then you are forever in our hearts.
Thank you for being a part of our lives. . .
Rainbow Bridge
Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.
When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.
All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor, those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.
They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.
You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.
Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together, never again to be separated.
Author unknown..
