If you missed previous chapters here are the links (they do need to be read in sequence to understand the thread):
Prologue & Epilogue Chapter 1 – Instincts Rule Chapter 2 – Love at First Lick Chapter 3 – Chewsing Heaven Chapter 4 – Unleashed Chapter 5 – Our Little Angel Chapter 6 – Favorite Flavors, Patience & Self Control Chapter 7 – Love has No BoundsDad is grinning, despite himself, as Max licks him on any and every part of his body that is accessible. All this is happening ON the couch
My Dad never comfortable with outward displays of loving emotion, even from a dog, starts a wrestling match. Max is more than up for the challenge. Jumping on Dad over and over as Dad pushes him back over and over. With every jump and every push Max’s eyes grow bigger and bigger . . . a wild look that I can’t describe. “Dad, Stop it!” Max gets wilder and wilder . . . his eyes get bigger and bigger. “You’re riling him up”. My sweet little angel looks possessed. I will only see this look in Max’s eyes as long as my Dad is alive. They have a primitive bond, a bit unnerving, but a special bond.
Dad finally stops, he’s 92 and no match for Max, “You picked a good one.”
Outwardly I smile. Inwardly I feel triumphant.
My Max loves his new family. My brother Rick visits. Max’s very first “encounter” with Rick he jumps on the couch smothering Rick’s ear, inside and out, with licks of love. Rick tries to dodge, unsuccessfully, Max’s attentions laughing so hard it brings tears . . . which of course, eggs Max on even more.
Max flagrantly disregards generations of controlled outward displays of affection. He disregards etiquette and throws pretence away. He licks my husband, he licks my Dad, he licks my brother, he licks me with unbridled loving passion. I’m sad that Mom, having passed on 4 years prior, didn’t get her share of all this public display of affection. Max would have licked and loved her too.
Max’s first outing since coming home from the shelter is taking Dad to the grocery market. Dad never spends much time shopping so this is a perfect opportunity for a short car ride. Max is more than eager to go. When the car starts he begins squealing, and I do mean squealing, with delight. Non-stop squealing in delight.
I attempt to wait with Max in the car while Dad shops. Max has other ideas. In self-defense, we take a little spin in the parking lot. Max in the lead, sniffing, zig-zagging, choking while I, hang on for dear life. Abruptly he comes to a dead stop in front of the supermarket clerk who’s corralling shopping carts. “What a cute dog, what is he?”, the clerk bends down to pet Max, who without hesitation exuberantly licks him on his face, his arms, his neck. The clerk breaks out in delighted laughter.
My world simultaneously crashes and soars. It not just me, not just my family . . . MAX LOVES EVERYONE.
This is a dog who now has a proper name that reflects his personality – distinct but cute, short but sweet, unique, memorable, independent, a gourmand not a gourmet . . . I add indiscriminate lover to the list.
CURIOUS to the MAX 
A dog’s lick generates a thousand smiles. As I recall, my first encounter with Max involved him jumping on the back of your couch and incessantly licking my right ear (inside and out) even, as laughing to tears, I tried to dodge his attentions. Must be a terrier thing as our New Mexico Gravel Pit Terrier Ozzy (another rare breed, who, like Max, was also designed by committee) is also a cheeky ear-licker.
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Wonderful memories.
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He loved everybody….but you know in your heart, as we all know, he loved you BEST. There’s no doubt in my mind. ❤
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