When Jack brought Maxx home to me as a Christmas gift back in 1993, I received the dog that I wanted the most, a Westie, the kind of dog I happened to see in a Dirt Devil commercial. There was this Westie sitting underneath a Christmas tree watching Santa come down the chimney, getting soot everywhere. So Santa pulled a Dirt Devil vacuum cleaner out of his sack, and proceeded to clean up his mess. And there's this Westie watching him, cocking his head from side to side, and when Jack came home from work one day, I told him about this dog I wanted. So unbeknownst to me, Jack sought out a Westie breeder and ended up buying Maxx for me from a litter of five in Huntington Beach (born in Visalia). I was out shopping one day about two weeks before Christmas. I came in the front door and Jack stopped me, put a blindfold over my eyes and said, "I know it's not Christmas yet, but I had to buy it for you now." So he's leading me into the living room and I'm thinking, "Wow, I'm finally getting the curio cabinet I've always wanted." But no, we walked through the living room, to the kitchen. There I thought, "Wow, I'm finally getting the KitchenAid mixer I've always wanted." But just as I said that, I heard a little yelp, and I took off my blindfold, and there before me was the cutest little white puppy I've ever seen. I told Jack that it wasn't the same dog in the commercial, his ears were standing up straight, whereas 
this puppy's ears were turned down. Jack said not to worry, that in a few weeks the ears would stand up straight, and they did. I never thought I could ever be so in love with a dog as Maxx. I named him Maxx with two "x's" for two reasons. One "x" was for my grandfather, Max. The other "x" was for Max the dog in "The Grinch Who Stole Christmas". Maxx was my shadow, and I mean, everywhere, even sitting by the bathtub. He was spoiled, that's for sure, but he was also there for me when I had my pity parties, and would lick my tears away. For those of you reading this who have never owned a dog, you'll never truly understand what I'm talking about, but these dogs are like children. The cruelest thing about owning a dog is that they live such short lives, but Maxx was 14, and for him, he was now an old man. It was his time to leave, he could hardly see, or hear, and his three legs were getting tired. But, I'll see him again near the Rainbow Bridge, read on and you'll know what I mean......THE 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 of 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 that 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 his 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 the Rainbow Bridge together..........
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