In moments of quiet reflection, my mind often drifts back to the final days I spent with my cherished Border Collies, Max and Teela. Their story is poignant, woven with the highs and lows accompanying unwavering love. Their presence was a constant in my life, a reminder of the purest companionship. The loss of both of them within six weeks of each other was a profound and heartrending experience, underscoring the depth of their unique bond.
Max was more than just a pet; he was my best friend and an unwavering source of fun and companionship. He loved people and other dogs with boundless enthusiasm, and he approached life with the meticulousness of a gentleman. When he was digging for moles with his cousin Teela, she would be covered head-to-toe in mud, while Max was mortified by his slightly soiled paws. We used to call him the Cary Grant of Dogs.
With her infectious energy and boundless enthusiasm, Teela was an indomitable force. Even as a puppy, she faced a serious battle with parvovirus alongside Max. While he struggled and refused to eat, it wasn't until Teela fell ill with the same virus and was placed next to him that he began to show signs of improvement. Despite her illness, Teela's irrepressible spirit shone through, a testament to her vibrant personality.
While in the animal hospital, Teela, with her passionate and playful nature, kept chewing through her I.V. The vets had no choice but to put a cone on her, but to their surprise, she found a way to use the cone to scoop up her I.V. and continue chewing it! To prevent her from doing so, they had to tape a second cone to the first, resulting in a double "cone of shame." Despite the challenges and the cones, Teela's unbreakable spirit shone through, showcasing her vibrant personality.
Teela's mischievous antics never failed to bring joy to those around her. She was notorious for her adept food thievery, effortlessly swiping items from the counter with finesse. Her playful nature often led her to engage in slapstick antics, reveling in activities such as dashing through sprinklers and engaging in playful battles with the water hose. She possessed a photogenic charm, often hamming it up for the camera, and there exists a memorable photograph of her facing off against a freshwater crab, capturing her lively spirit for eternity.
Although Teela had issues with other dogs, sometimes nipping at them, Teela found our Australian Shepherd, Teddy. As I exited the barn one day, she sat with Teddy, looking polite and hopeful. Her expression seemed to say, "Dad, can I keep him?" They became special friends and often played together in their younger days.
Max and Teela had a complex relationship—they were close but filled with tension. Max would constantly test Teela when they were puppies, leading to antagonism as they grew older. Despite this, Teela maintained her role as the alpha and kept the other dogs in line, except for Max, with whom she often clashed. I frequently had to intervene and separate them when they were younger.
Max was a fighter. When we learned he had hip dysplasia, we opted for a hip replacement to ensure he could continue being our energetic, playful dog. It was an ordeal, yet as a tribute to love, he was leashed to my belt during his recovery, three months that solidified and deepened our bond.
Mischievous Max had a knack for playing possum about his hip, pretending he couldn't climb on the couch. But we knew it was a ploy when we found him standing on the dining room table at Thanksgiving with his head in a bowl of whipped cream. He looked up at us with those big eyes and cream-covered jaws as if to say, "What?" He was an exceptional companion in the studio, never once complaining about the Pink Floyd albums—unlike his cousin Teela, who would bark and howl. For my wife, Sandra, he was her gardening partner, often finding a shady spot beneath the shrubs to oversee her work when he wasn't busy "helping" by digging random holes.
The decision to let Max and Teela go was heart-wrenching, indeed a tale of two souls. We said goodbye to Max in late July and then to Teela six weeks later. Both times, our friends were gently euthanized by a compassionate veterinarian from Lap of Love, prioritizing their comfort and dignity. As a working dog, the vet took considerable time to ease Max into a peaceful sleep. I was grateful to look into his eyes as he began to lose consciousness, hoping to help alleviate any distress he might feel. His primary concern was losing bowel control, and it pained me to think he might feel embarrassed—he was such a dignified dog. Once asleep, the final injection gently slowed his breathing until his last soft exhale. Teela slipped into sleep more easily, and as we looked into each other's eyes, I felt the intense bond we'd shared as she lost consciousness. True to her nature, she slipped away with a stronger exhale that echoed in my chest, a final demonstration of her vibrant spirit.
Losing Max and Teela has left a void in my life, a gap where their warmth and love once resided. They were more than just pets; they were family companions who shared in our joys and sorrows. The grief is immense, akin to losing a cherished relative. Yet, I find meaning in this grief—a deeper understanding of love's enduring power.
Their legacy lives on in the memories we created together. The laughter over Teela's antics, stealing cheese and beef from countertops with unrepentant glee, or the sight of Max poised on a dining table, face buried in whipped cream, pretending innocence, remind me of their unique personalities and the joy they brought into our lives.
In accepting this grief, we honor their memory. It becomes a bridge connecting us to the love that persists, transcending the physical loss. We grow through this process, transforming the pain into a testament to our shared bond.
Grieving is deeply personal, a testament to the love we shared, and a bridge to meaning beyond the pain. Our pets love us through our faults, stand by us without judgment, and teach us the importance of being present in the moment. To those grieving the loss of a cherished animal, understand that your pain is valid. Allow yourself the space to remember, to feel, and to heal. In honoring Max and Teela, I find solace and strength and a reminder that love, once given, never fades.
Rest well, my treasured friends, Max Fisher and Teela Brown. Your legacy endures in the love and joy you brought into my life. May you run free in fields of endless delight.
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