# Max has crossed Rainbow Bridge **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [April 16, 2023, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/max-has-crossed-rainbow-bridge/982748 "2023-04-16T16:37:31Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![carrps](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carrps/32/2957_2.png) [@carrps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carrps)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2023, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/max-has-crossed-rainbow-bridge/982748/1 "2023-04-16T16:37:31Z")
RIP, Max. We thought you were going to be our “easiest” dog, and you turned out to be the hardest. Not that you weren’t the sweetest little guy, but all your health issues were not what we expected. He really was sweet. We got him as a 10 1/2 year old, but as a mostly-dachshund, that’s not so old. He came from a known background that was stable, so we thought he’d be a cinch. But we hadn’t had him more than a couple of months when we discovered an intestinal issue that caused rectal prolapse with nearly every poop. There was no possible surgical intervention. We just treated the symptoms with lots of different medications and lots of love. When he got the Cushings diagnosis soon after that, the stats said he’d not last two years, but he made it three! In the last few months, there’s been a noticeable decline in his cognitive function. We met with our vet yesterday, and while we were waiting in the exam room, I noticed a small poster for DISHAA which is a tool for judging the cognitive health of your pet. Each letter in DISHAA stood for a symptom, and Max had _all_ of them. We knew, but I think we thought he’d be o.k.-ish a little longer. Our vet is great, we just talked, and he left us to decide. I _so_ wanted to take him home, but it was obvious he was not as responsive as he was and wasn’t going to be again. We didn’t want to wait before it became painful for him, so we made the excruciating choice to have him go peacefully. O.k. I’m crying now, but I wanted to mark the life of this crazy little dog. He’s left a big hole. ---
**Author:** ![Fluffy\_PickleSniffer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/77aa72/32.png) [@Fluffy\_PickleSniffer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fluffy_PickleSniffer)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2023, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/max-has-crossed-rainbow-bridge/982748/2 "2023-04-16T17:01:15Z")
Max sounds like he was a sweet little dog, I’m glad you gave him a good home for his twilight years. (((hugs))) ---
**Author:** ![InternetLegend](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/internetlegend/32/13154_2.png) [@InternetLegend](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/InternetLegend)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2023, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/max-has-crossed-rainbow-bridge/982748/3 "2023-04-16T17:04:22Z")
I’m sorry you’ve lost him, but I’m glad he had you. ---
**Author:** ![Aspenglow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspenglow/32/76_2.png) [@Aspenglow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspenglow)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2023, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/max-has-crossed-rainbow-bridge/982748/4 "2023-04-16T17:09:18Z")
I am so sorry you lost Max. I lost my dachshund, Lewis, to Cushing’s just over 2 years ago, and losing them is just so painful. You gave Max a wonderful loving home in his challenging life, and that made him a lucky dog, indeed. I am certain he repaid you with his love 100 fold. A life filled with dachshunds is a very rich life. May your memories comfort you as time passes. Big hugs to you. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2023, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/max-has-crossed-rainbow-bridge/982748/5 "2023-04-16T19:03:16Z")
> [@carrps](#): > > Not that you weren’t the sweetest little guy, but all your health issues were not what we expected. Doesn’t it seem like it’s always that way? My mom’s previous dog, Bowser, was totally devoted to her, never got into trouble… but he had a dog allergy. His meds ended up costing something like $5 a day. ---
**Author:** ![aruvqan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aruvqan/32/2891_2.png) [@aruvqan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aruvqan)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2023, 7:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/max-has-crossed-rainbow-bridge/982748/6 "2023-04-16T19:21:53Z")
So sorry, may Max’s memory be a blessing. ---
**Author:** ![DavidNRockies](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidnrockies/32/6279_2.png) [@DavidNRockies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DavidNRockies)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2023, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/max-has-crossed-rainbow-bridge/982748/7 "2023-04-16T19:25:05Z")
My deepest condolences. It sounds like you gave him everything possible to give him the best last years possible. ---
**Author:** ![thorny\_locust](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thorny_locust/32/431_2.png) [@thorny\_locust](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thorny_locust)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2023, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/max-has-crossed-rainbow-bridge/982748/8 "2023-04-16T20:20:31Z")
I’m very sorry for your loss. I’m glad for the time you and Max had together. ---
**Author:** ![carrps](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carrps/32/2957_2.png) [@carrps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carrps)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2023, 9:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/max-has-crossed-rainbow-bridge/982748/9 "2023-04-16T21:17:48Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > His meds ended up costing something like $5 a day. I wish Max’s meds only cost $5 a day! Thanks everyone. He was so sweet. Friendly with our neighbor cats and never snappy with other dogs. If he met a more energetic (usually younger) dog, he always did a play bow and tried to play. But he was a bit too old in the last few years. I’m glad he’s not suffering now. That’s what’s so hard – judging when the timing is right. > [@Aspenglow](#): > > A life filled with dachshunds is a very rich life. May your memories comfort you as time passes. Big hugs to you. Dachshunds are the best. He gave us a ton of laughs. I know a memory of his silliness will make us laugh again in the future. ---
**Author:** ![carnut](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnut/32/3531_2.png) [@carnut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnut)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2023, 11:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/max-has-crossed-rainbow-bridge/982748/10 "2023-04-16T23:29:00Z")
I am glad that you had Max for a friend and he had you. I am sorry he is gone now. Hugs {@carrps } ---
**Author:** ![thorny\_locust](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thorny_locust/32/431_2.png) [@thorny\_locust](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thorny_locust)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2023, 12:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/max-has-crossed-rainbow-bridge/982748/11 "2023-04-17T00:47:39Z")
> [@carrps](#): > > That’s what’s so hard – judging when the timing is right. That is indeed very hard. But sometimes it has to be done. And presuming that you’ve got a good vet – the vet also thought it was time. If they hadn’t thought so, they’d have told you that. ---
**Author:** ![JaneDoe42](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/janedoe42/32/14104_2.png) [@JaneDoe42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JaneDoe42)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2023, 2:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/max-has-crossed-rainbow-bridge/982748/12 "2023-04-17T02:12:57Z")
I am so sorry for your loss. They always take a big piece of your heart with them. ---
**Author:** ![Helena330](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/helena330/32/531_2.png) [@Helena330](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Helena330)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2023, 5:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/max-has-crossed-rainbow-bridge/982748/13 "2023-04-17T05:26:58Z")
I’m so sorry you lost Max, but I’m glad he had such a loving home in the end. I’ve no doubt he was very happy with your family. ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2023, 5:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/max-has-crossed-rainbow-bridge/982748/14 "2023-04-17T05:57:53Z")
So, while out with The Crew tonight, I toasted Max often. Teddy caught a big ol’ field mouse in his honor. It was an Epic dig! Godspeed, Max! ---
**Author:** ![OttoDaFe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ottodafe/32/356_2.png) [@OttoDaFe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OttoDaFe)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2023, 6:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/max-has-crossed-rainbow-bridge/982748/15 "2023-04-17T06:11:27Z")
[This](https://www.kiplingsociety.co.uk/poem/poems_dog.htm) comes to mind prit’ near every time one of these threads pops up. > Our loves are not given, but only lent, > At compound interest of cent per cent, > Though it is not always the case, I believe, > That the longer we’ve kept 'em, the more do we grieve; > For, when debts are payable, right or wrong, > A short-time loan is as bad as a long - > _So why in - Heaven (before we are there)_ > _Should we give our hearts to a dog to tear?_ But we do … over and over again, we do. _Requiescat in pace_ (Max); _Pax tecum_ ( **carrps** & kin). ---
**Author:** ![carrps](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carrps/32/2957_2.png) [@carrps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carrps)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2023, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/max-has-crossed-rainbow-bridge/982748/16 "2023-04-17T16:59:18Z")
Thank you, _everybody._ It really does help. I know I’ll cry more…especially when Zizi cat comes to door looking for Max. But it gets better. > [@thorny\_locust](#): > > And presuming that you’ve got a good vet – the vet also thought it was time. If they hadn’t thought so, they’d have told you that. Our vet is really good. I should put him in the strangest career changes thread – he used to work as a roadie. He didn’t steer us in any direction, but he made one really good comment: Max is not going to get better. He also suggested making a plus or minus sign on the calendar for good and bad days. When we were discussing it, though, we realized his bad days were getting more often, and his good days less. We knew it was time. > [@Gatopescado](#): > > So, while out with The Crew tonight, I toasted Max often. Teddy caught a big ol’ field mouse in his honor. It was an Epic dig! I love this! A mouse sacrifice for Max’s passage to the Underworld. Big hugs to you and your guys. @OttoDaFe , I hadn’t seen this one before, and I love it. I’ll have to keep it and pass it on. Again, BIG hugs and thanks to you all. ---
**Author:** ![OttoDaFe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ottodafe/32/356_2.png) [@OttoDaFe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OttoDaFe)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2023, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/max-has-crossed-rainbow-bridge/982748/17 "2023-04-17T20:15:14Z")
You’re very welcome. The link may not be obvious, but the snippet is the ending of [_The Power of the Dog_](https://www.kiplingsociety.co.uk/poem/poems_dog.htm) by Kipling. As I said, it frequently comes to mind when reading these threads. I’ve never had a canine companion — I’m actually a cat person — but as a somewhat extended family we’ve usually had several and I definitely appreciate the qualities that make them what they are. One left us last year (someday I’ll get around to telling the story about how his replacement\* entered our lives), one has perhaps a year and another maybe two or three. So apart from this thread the poem has been in my mind of late. \* Oscar was, of course, irreplaceable. But another one arrived in a completely unexpected and somewhat bizarre way. ---
**Author:** ![carrps](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carrps/32/2957_2.png) [@carrps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carrps)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2023, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/max-has-crossed-rainbow-bridge/982748/18 "2023-04-17T20:20:19Z")
I can’t wait to hear this story…in your own time, of course. I probably should have guessed someone like Kipling, but he didn’t come immediately to mind. ---
**Author:** ![OttoDaFe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ottodafe/32/356_2.png) [@OttoDaFe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OttoDaFe)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2023, 10:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/max-has-crossed-rainbow-bridge/982748/19 "2023-04-23T22:02:11Z")
> [@carrps](#): > > I can’t wait to hear this story…in your own time, of course. … Didn’t want to take the focus off Max, but [here you go](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/happy-doper-milestones-thread/637442/504). ---
**Author:** ![carrps](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carrps/32/2957_2.png) [@carrps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carrps)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2023, 10:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/max-has-crossed-rainbow-bridge/982748/20 "2023-04-23T22:11:13Z")
Thanks! I love hearing other people’s dog (well, any pet) stories, and you have a good one. Ruthie is a cutie, all right. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/max-has-crossed-rainbow-bridge/982748.md?page=2)