More on Max

Max is my boy. He's now officially a seven-year-old golden retriever. The very rare, very exotic golden retriever. I always say that, despite the fact that they are amongst the most popular breeds of dogs. I can't help it. I think they are the perfect breed. My parents got me and my sisters our first golden for Christmas when we were quite young. We've had them in our family ever since, so of course when it came time to choose a dog of my own, I could only consider the golden. I love them. Any time I'm out and about and I have a golden siting, I can't help but get excited. They truly are the best dogs.

Now as for Max, well, he's merely the best of the best. I have been absolutely spoiled with this boy, and after having Scout join the scene, I am more and more convinced of this fact. I've had him since he was 6 weeks old, and while puppyhood will be puppyhood, I really have no complaints. He is completely dependable, absolutely faithful, always huggable. He's my giant teddy bear. "Big hug" is actually one of his tricks, where I open my arms to him, and he'll walk up to me and put his head up on my shoulder. I love a dog with substance, and he loves it when I wrap my arms around him and just pet him. He's a complete pushover without an aggressive bone in his body.

Now being a golden, he has some athleticism in him, but before we moved into our house, he was the laziest retriever. I'd throw a ball for him, and he'd casually stroll over to it, pick it up, then lay down and chew on it. Since the house, he's become more ball obsessed than ever, and will actually run after the ball, and occasionally bring it back. He's much better in the water, and when there's a pool, lake, creek, you name it, present, I can't keep him out of it.

Now inevitably, the most endearing trait about Max is the fact that he's an absolutely clown. His face is very expressive and his personality is very carefree. He's got these eyebrows that move, ears that perk up, a mouth that smiles, and eyes that sparkle. And now, now that he's a seven-year-old boy, he's got the beginnings of white fur around his eyes and muzzle. His coloring had many depths to begin with, but the white is just adding another subtle layer.