Dog Files Mascot, Max Celebrates His 11th Birthday!

10 years ago I went in search of adopting my first dog since I was a child. I had grown up and thought I could handle the responsibilities of owning my own canine.

To be honest, I think it was just plain luck that I went to an animal shelter and adopted a dog. Back then, I had no idea about the millions of dogs that were put down each year or any of the other reasons why I should adopt and not buy.

I wound up at St. Hubert’s Animal Welfare Center in New Jersey and I immediately fell in love with Max, though his name was different back then.

The next few months were rough. Max had extreme separation anxiety and I have the teeth dented doorknobs to prove it. There were a few moments when I wondered if I had made the right choice.

But then something happened.

I noticed that because of his attachment to me, I could teach him all sorts of tricks. He learned them all so fast, many in ten minutes. If he was getting my attention, he would be happy to do any trick I asked of him. I found that the time we spent together doing this, built a strong connection between us.

As the years went by, Max and I became quite a team. My friends knew, if they invited me over, Max was coming with me. That’s just the way it was.

What I didn’t realize at the time was how much Max had added to my life. He was and still is, my best friend. And I make no excuses or apologies for that. This furry creature has been here for me for ten years, through good and bad times, always with a smile for me.

In fact, pretty much everything I do in my life… the people I know, the work I do, the causes I fight for… are all because I walked into St. Hubert’s and spotted my best friend waiting for me.

Max may be 11 years old but I prefer saying 11 years young! He still loves going on mile long walks with me every day and though he is just a bit mellower than he used to be and he has a very distinguished grey beard, I am happy to report that he still holds a grudge against the mailman, he still views squirrels as the advanced stealth team of the enemy and when it comes to his brother, Remy, he’s still the boss.

Happy 11th Birthday, Maxie Moo! I hope I’ve given you the same amount of happiness that you’ve given to me over the past years.

Love,
Kenn

P.S. These are some pictures I took of Max today.

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Frances Gaeta
11 years ago

Happy Birthday Max! You are so handsome!

Kathy Barrett
11 years ago

He is absolutely adorable!

theresaoconnell
theresaoconnell
11 years ago

Happy birthday Max! You look marvelous buddy!

D. Tracy
D. Tracy
11 years ago

Happy Happy Birthday Max. You’re such a handsome boy!

Maura J Zellner
11 years ago

Happy Birthday Maxie Moo from Derby Dog who shares your birthday!

Jennifer Leigh Maginity

HB Max! Lookin’ goooood!

Judy
Judy
11 years ago

What a great looking dog! Very regal looking and of course handsome. My best buddy Duke was 161/2 when we had the hard decision of putting him to sleep. He was so very sick that I’m sure I made the right decision. He was a stray and was picked up on a cold december night. Around 8 to 12 weeks old.What great dog and friend he became to me and our family! Give Max our best wishes for his birthday.

Betty Wright
Betty Wright
11 years ago

Feliz cumpleaños, Max. You are a very handsome boy. You are a lucky dog and Ken is a lucky guy, you both deserve the happiness you give each other.

Kenn at Dog Files
11 years ago
Reply to  Betty Wright

Thanks Betty!

stephanie
stephanie
11 years ago

Max looks like a McNab Shepherd…..

Kenn at Dog Files
11 years ago
Reply to  stephanie

Max is an American Foxhound/Pointer, but hey, you never know!

Stan
Stan
11 years ago

Happy Birthday Max from Uncle Stan and Aunt Mary!

Kenn at Dog Files
11 years ago
Reply to  Stan

Thank you!

Katie Pierce
11 years ago

HB2U, Max!!!

Kenn at Dog Files
11 years ago
Reply to  Katie Pierce

Thanks!

Pjbell
Pjbell
11 years ago

Happy Birthday Max, we love you. Grandma and Grandpa Bell

Kenn at Dog Files
11 years ago
Reply to  Pjbell

Thank you for all the frosty paws! And the evil Swans!

Marianne Franco
11 years ago

Happy Birthday Max! What a beautiful boy!!

Kenn at Dog Files
11 years ago

Thank you!

tlj515
tlj515
11 years ago

He’s a honey – Happy Birthday Max, and may the three of you have many more happy years together – what you did for Max 10 years ago brings to mind this quote, which is so true

“The kindness one does for an animal may not change the world… but IT WILL change the world for that one animal”

Kenn at Dog Files
11 years ago
Reply to  tlj515

Thank you, but because of the Dog Files, Max WILL change the WHOLE world! Hahaha!

Michael Haslam
11 years ago

Happy Birthday Max, what a great life you’ve had and will continue to have for many years to come.

Kenn at Dog Files
11 years ago
Reply to  Michael Haslam

Thanks, Michael!

DocLing
DocLing
11 years ago

Happy Birthday Max. God bless you and your daddy! LOVE!!!

Pup Fan
11 years ago

Happy birthday to Max! Love the photos.

San Diego Puppy
11 years ago

Happy birthday, Max! I think I teared up a little when I read your post, I can feel how much you guys are bonded for life. How old was he when you got him from the center?

Polly Geller
11 years ago

Happy birthday Max you touch my heart

Kenn at Dog Files
11 years ago
Reply to  Polly Geller

Thank you, Polly!

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