I've heard so much about my Uncle Max that I feel like I know him.  I thought you might like to know a little about him, too.  Max was Riggan's dog before she got me.  She didn't know much about dogs when she got him, but they evidently had a very exciting life together.  I think he taught her a lot,  both about dogs and about life.

Max intent on some unseen object out in the field                                  Max, age 12, on the beach                

When Max was 2 years old, he and Riggan started doing Search and Rescue work.  They spent a lot of time in the Cascade Mountains, both practicing and searching for lost people.  Max was really in his element out in the woods.  He loved the mud and worked best when he was wet.  As a result, he and Riggan usually ended up searching any swamps in the area.  For some reason, Riggan always makes funny faces when she remembers that part.  Max retired from search work when he was 6, in part due to an increasing fear of gun shots and thunderstorms.  I guess this was a problem that plagued him his entire life.

Max (bottom row, far left) and the other goldens in the search group

After retiring, Max was able to just enjoy hiking and running through the woods with Riggan.  He decided that chasing deer was a good substitute for searching for people.  Riggan says I won't be allowed to do that.  Too bad - it sounds like fun!  They also spent a lot of time on the beach.  As he got older, Max enjoying just laying out in the sun and watching life go by.  The hikes and beach walks started getting shorter, and at 13 he seemed quite satisfied with 2 or 3 miles, as long as it included time for a swim.  When he was 13 1/2, Max started having severe back spasms.  When neither drugs nor chiropractic could control these, Max reached a point where he had had enough pain.  He and Riggan went for one final hike and swim, and then Max crossed over the Rainbow Bridge.  I know Riggan still misses him.  She says that it is because of the wonderful times she and Max had that she decided that she needed another dog.  I've got some big paw prints to fill.  I know I can never replace Max (I'm already presenting her several challenges she never had to deal with with Max!), but I can be a new friend and companion for her.  I look forward to our life together!