Everyone needs a fleet of flying monkeys to rip the stuffing out of the annoying people in their lives
— Laura
From time to time I’ve felt compelled to write here on serious subjects but I have always hesitated because I know this site has become a place where people come to laugh or roll their eyes at my craziness. But some stories need to be told, and even though this story belongs to my friend Amy and her little dog Max, I’ve been entrusted to tell it.
Amy got Max as a little puppy when Jack was about two years old. After she met Jack, she decided she wanted a Miniature Dachshund. Max and Jack would walk together at the park while Amy and I gossiped. Max was the kind of dog who never met a stranger, unlike Jack who would bark and growl at everyone who passed by. Max would run up to anyone, wagging his tail begging to be scratched and petted. They were the yin and yang of the park.
One night recently, as Amy lay sleeping, she was awakened by the sudden fierce barking and growling of Max who was lying beside her. Max shot off of the bed and Amy jumped up after him. She knew something was terribly wrong. As she turned the dark corner out of her bedroom, she saw in the light that flooded in from the street lamps what Max already knew, there was a strange man standing in her living room.
Amy screamed out for Max and instantly turned back into her bedroom. She locked the door and dialed 911 with trembling fingers. Amy leaned fast against the door screaming that the police had been called and that he needed to leave her alone. As she stood there, pressing with all her weight against the door she realized that Max was not with her and she no longer heard him. She started calling his name. Then she heard the back door slam open. Soon sirens and lights were blasting through every window of the house and without hesitating, Amy opened up her bedroom, ran to the front door, unlocked it, threw it open and screamed “IN HERE!” That’s when out of the corner of her eye she saw him. Max lay lifeless in a pool of blood on the floor near a blood stained wall. She immediately fell to her knees beside him, and gathered him onto her lap. The police swarmed in. “Was he still in the house” “Do you know him?” “Can you tell us what he looks like?” One policeman firmly took her arm and asked her to come outside with him. She lifted Max up against her chest and went outside.
The intruder was caught later that night. He had bite wounds on his lower leg and hand. The police said that Max had attacked and with all twelve pounds, latched onto his lower leg. The guy had reached down, grabbed Max by his neck or back, lifted him and jabbed the knife he held in his other hand into him. Then he flung Max hard against the wall and broke his neck. There’s no doubt in anyone’s mind that the man was there for more than burglary and without Max’s alert and attack there would have been an even more unimaginably horrible ending that evening.
This little, sweet, gentle doxie named Max saved his best friend that night.
** Amy left a comment for you all and I am posting it here also.
I want to thank you Laura for telling Max’s story. I also want to thank everyone for their kind words and support. I wish each and every one of you could have met him. Max was the best, bravest dog in the world and I will miss him every day.
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65 Responses to Max ** Update
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That was a story that needed telling and you did it very well. Good and brave Max will be missed by us all.
My condolences to Amy for her loss and to you and Jack for your loss of a friend.
Thanks for sharing.
There is so much evil in this world, God only knows why. but once again, this stands as proof, that great things come is small packages. All twelve pounds of him.
I was shocked when I first heard what happened. Max did what he had to do, but I know Amy will miss him terribly. I hope that sick son of a bitch that did this gets whats coming to him.
Fearless angels. That’s what dachshunds are. Extra bacon treats in Heaven for Max. No, no mere “doggie heaven” for such. He’s earned a place in the Eternal esteem of those with a soul.
I am glad that Amy is safe and so sad that Max’s attacker is still alive. The heat dial in Hell goes to eleven for his kind.
Like Joan said, that rotten motherfucker will fry extra crispy in Hell.
Thank you for telling us about Max. My best to Amy.
Sweet, brave, loyal Max.
God bless Amy.
Those of us who are guardians and caretakers of the pets that come into our lives are blessed…no greater love is this than to lay down your life for a friend. Salutes to Brave Max, tears for Amy, may you meet again.
Poor sweet Max. Thank you for telling us about him.
Way to go Max. You done good.
I already told you what I would do to that piece of shit, and I hope my version of punishment is still suitable for you and Amy. The motherfucker should die a slow and painful death.
Max is hereby awarded the Postdogous Juju Medal of Honor.
Laura, my brother and I went over there after the police and everything was done and helped clean up. It was horrible and all we kept thinking was “what if Max hadn’t been there?” He was a great little dog.
Max had a purpose for being in Amy’s life and he fulfilled it.
Dogs are the most wonderful, selfless, loving creatures.
Bet he died happy, protecting his mistress. Beloved dogs never live nearly long enough, no matter what.
I didn’t even know Max and I’m bawling like crazy. Dogs are angels, you can rely on a dog like no other creature in this world.
No joke, I have been talking to a dachshund breeder about some English Cream pups. Just minutes before looking at FMFM I was perusing photos of the parents of the pups I considered. Leif thinks they are too small, so we decided to turn them down in favor of looking for a standard. Perhaps this is a sign I made a wrong choice.
My heart goes out to Amy in hopes she will be okay. Bless Max, and all our canine friends. Losing one leaves a hole in your heart. I know. I still miss my Fido. But, at least we have these touching memories.
Thanks for sharing.
Laura, Thanks for telling the story. What a brave little dog.
My parents virtually raised me with German Shepherds. But after my parents moved to a house with a smaller yard, they got a regular dachshund. To this day, they still say that dog was one of the best they have ever had.
And I will always have a dog in my house for the reason here.
Laura, thanks for telling this story. It’s not often I’m moved to tears, but this story did it.
Max is a hero and Amy was lucky to have him.
One thing that’s almost as sad as Max’s death is the fact that Max wasn’t big enough to do more serious damage to the intruder.
I think the intruder’s punishment should be being dropped into an enclosed arena filled with a bunch of starving, mean-ass pit bulls. Hell, I’d pay PPV to watch that event.
Little dog, Huge heart. Godspeed Max.
Loyal, brave, kind, and prone to turn into wolves when their humans are threatened.
Eternal rest for a sweet little dog, who now guards the gates.
My heart is weeping for Amy’s loss of her furbaby and soars that he was able to give his ultimate gft of Love.
What a sweet boy who loved his mom and had such a huge, brave, gentle heart.
I know Max is @ the Rainbow Bridge with all the other Bridge Babies and I know my own fur angels would be there to greet him.
Wow. Poor Amy – to know that her little man saved her life while giving up his own for her; what a terrible burden to bear.
And in the midst must be Amy’s gratitude to Max for saving her.
Max will be waiting for her over the Rainbow Bridge for walks and love.
Sometimes I think the human race does not deserve the dogs we have been blessed with. Nothing can compare to the relationship and bond between Amy and her Max – so very sorry for her loss, so proud of her brave little Max, so sad that he had to lose his life. Greater love hath no man? Greater love hath no dog.
Good boy Maxie.
and yeah, this is the second time I read through all this – couldn’t get the words out the first time – and the tears are streaming down my face again. Damn, just damn.
Thank you, Amy, for letting Laura tell this story. My heart breaks for your loss of Max.
My family has a doxie. He will get extra treats and ear scratches when I get home tonight.
Dogs are our guardian angels, and the better souls we wish we could be. Rest in peace, Max.
My heart goes out to Amy; how lucky for her that Max was there to sound the alarm, and how sad that he just wasn’t physically large enough to protect himself as well as he protected her. There’s a special place in Heaven for Max, and a special place in Hell for the dirtbag that brought him to harm.
Oh my….how very very sad…and how very heroic of Max. I hope the robber (and God only knows what else) gets convicted and receives the maximum punishment possible for it. This makes me think of that email that travels around saying people (I add animals) are brought into our lives for a reason and then they are gone. She didn’t have Max for very long but he saved her life. I know she must be heartbroken and have a lot of other emotions she’s dealing with.
RIP Brave Max.
Little Max was meant to be there. God only knows what that evil bastard would have done if he wasn’t.
Poor sweet sweet Max.
I couldn’t believe it when I heard what happened. Max used to come over our house with Amy and play with our dogs. He was a happy little fellow- I can’t believe he attacked. He loved his mommy though.
How sad. Max did what he had to do and succeeded in keeping his mom safe.
We are blessed… so blessed to have such wonderful companions as Max. May he rest in peace and live on in all our hearts as we remember his ferocious bravery in the face of overwhelming odds.
My deepest condolences to Amy.
I would personally like to grab that asshole and gut him and slam him against the wall hard enough to break his neck. What a worthless piece of shit.
Thanks for telling Max’s story. I will hug my dog extra tonight. Also, where could we follow or find out about this case. by my count ther are about 32 people on this post willing to provide a victims impact statment. Please give my heartfelt condolences to Amy.
My best to Amy. Poor little Max.
God BLESS brave Sir Max. And what a handsome hero he was, dear, marvelous puppers. And I hope Amy knows that her sweet boy will be waiting on her and knows how lonely and hurt she’ll be…
Dammit.
I don’t think I’m supposed to be crying like this at work.
Thank you, Laura.
Bless you, Amy.
Bless you, Max.
Pets are just love – wrapped in fur.
Obviously the scumbag didn’t know doxies were bred to go after badgers.
Good dog, Max.
“may flights of angels sing thee to thy rest.” — with bacon.
My heart goes out to Amy for her loss. Max personified what Dachshunds are, loyal, loving and fearless defenders. A Dachshund once saved me from a Husky when I was a kid, now I’ll never be without one. Good work Max enjoy your chewie in heaven pal.
My best to Amy. Max died doing what he instinctively knew to do, defend his family.
Good, sweet dog. Just twelve pounds, but forty tons of love. My condolences to Amy for her loss.
Well done Little Sir. Very, very well done.
poor brave little baby boy, i am so sorry
I’m so glad you wrote this, so glad Amy let you tell Max’s story and so glad I didn’t read this at work. I’m bawling my eyes out. My condolences to Amy and all who loved Max.
What a brave little dog. Please tell Amy that I am deeply sorry for her loss.
Damned few of us humans, I suspect, would have had as much sheer intestinal fortitude as little Max.
[Insert the usual remarks about doggie heaven here.] Then again, there are times when I think the entire population of heaven might be dogs; too often we ourselves are not worthy.
What a sad and tragic story, yet uplifting. Without a doubt, Max is in the pantheon of great selfless dog heroes. My best to Amy as well.
I can’t begin to know what to say. This is just so heartbreaking. May your friend find peace. If something like that happened to one of my pets, I would have to be seriously restrained or even institutionalized so that I didn’t go and kill that motherf**ker!
((Big Hugs))
Well done, Max. Fair winds and following seas.
I agree with patti, above.
This is not the first time I’ve thought “Humans hardly seem worthy of the loyalty we receive from dogs.”
Max should be proud, but I imagine he would still be more focused on the thought “Is my lady ok?”
Great story, thanks.
Max is a hero in the purest sense. The bastard who was caught should, and hopefully will, burn in hell.
My condolences to Amy.
I have a mini doxie myself….and this story hits close to the heart to any dog owner. Dogs love their owners and will do anything for them. You need to love your dog – because he/she will be there for you til the very end. This little dog saved his owners life and didn’t think anything of it. Thanks for sharing <3
Evil was stopped that night by a 12 pound angel.
I read your entry this morning and cried. I read it again, and I cried again. God speed little Max.
Damn, that’s a horrible thing to have happen to a beloved family member like Max. I’m with Jimbo…hope the failed burglar/attacker rots in hell. My heartfelt condolences to Amy.
Good boy…good boy.
I’ve retyped deleted and retyped. I want to say something as my heart hurts for Amy who lost her little hero. Max is waiting over the Rainbow Bridge till they meet again.
I want to thank you Laura for telling Max’s story. I also want to thank everyone for their kind words and support. I wish each and every one of you could have met him. Max was the best, bravest dog in the world and I will miss him every day.
Laura, I grew up with dachsies: Miniature and Standard, red and black & tan. Greatest dogs EVER. I posted a link to this story on Red State Witch. Sorry to hear about Max.
This is just one of the many reasons Dachshunds are one of the very few small breeds I dearly love. This fiercely loyal and protective lil hound deserves a special place in Dog Heaven.
So sad. He was so brave.
Grew up with a doxy (Baron J. Dog) good dogs. If we had more humans with the greatness of heart, spirit, and courage, as shown by Max, the world would be a much better place.
Rest easy Max, you done good.
Laura, we do visit your blog for laughs but we all know that bad shit happens and we appreciate you telling a story that needed telling.
We need to know about dogs like Max.
Peace to Amy and many many thanks to a good dog like Max.
May the ground open up beneath their feet, may the waters of the world rise up to drown them, may the sky come crashing down upon their heads, may there be no safe haven, nor moment of peace, by Land, Sea, and Sky, they are so cursed! So be it!
Please give my condolences to your friend. I am so sorry for her tragic loss.
Speechless. I’m so sorry for Amy. Makes me want to scream with anger. God bless Max.
It’s true, we do come here to laugh, but it’s ok to make us cry once in awhile.
That is just awful. But I’m glad Amy’s alive.
I think it’s a sure thing that Max is definitely a Guardian Angel to Amy now.
He was so heroic….but it still makes my heart very heavy for the loss of him.