Mississauga Writers Group
March 2015
Heart to Heart
Max & Me
When it came to Max - our handsome senior black lab golden
mix, fate dealt us a cruel one-two punch. We thought we had
narrowly squeaked past the first blow, when the second
devastated us. My nightmare started on 5th October, the
second day of our long planned Montana trip. Max was home
in the care of my adult children. We were driving near Grand
Teton when my daughter called with deadly news.
“Max’s hind legs are paralyzed. We are taking him to the
emergency vet hospital.”
My vacation was over right then. Tears blurred my eyes and I
handed over the driving to my husband.
After some time, another call, “The vet thinks it’s best to
euthanize him, it’s either slipped disc or spinal cord tumor, an
MRI is needed but they think he’s too old”.
“Hang on! I’m flying back right now.”
I was numb, unable to accept I will not be there for my boy,
when he needed me most. I asked my husband to drive to
Jackson airport to see if any flight was available. After
checking several options, including flying out of Bozeman or
Idaho Falls, everything seemed complicated and expensive. I
told my husband and sister they could continue the vacation as
everything was booked and paid for. But they refused to go
on if I went back.
I felt cornered and desperate. I suggested that I could get
home, be with Max when he was euthanized and return to
Montana, though I knew it was a crazy and costly plan. I
would rather spend money on Max’s treatment. Given these
constraints, my children reassured me they will do their best
when the unthinkable happened. They loved Max as much as I
did, so I reluctantly agreed.
.
By: Chitra Ayyar
A passionate supporter of animal
rights and their cause, Chitra
hopes to be their voice in her
writing. This piece is a true
account of her last days with
Max, her beloved dog.