GREETINGS FROM SOUTH AFRICA!!!
MAXMOM here...
MAXMOM here...
Hello there to all my friends across the world!
I have to admit....I am entranced by my five month old pup:
TOBY...
As he gets older I am sometimes caught off guard and I am stopped in my tracks.
It is in that moment that I become rivetted in fascination as I absorb the similarities between him and my "Angel Maxdog"!
It is quite uncanny and it leaves me with goosebumps up my arms and along my entire spine. It also feels quite mystical at times - almost as if Max has returned and given his special 'sprinkle' of spirit in Toby. My household is alive with canine happiness again.
Please bear with me as I draw some comparisons:
I know that Toby and Max's lineage is very close (Maxdog's mother is Toby's GG Grandmother), but one would think that their differences would be vast. In 'looks' however, they have so much in common. I have created these few collages for you to examine and either agree/disagree with me:
Toby however, is a unique spirit and he has traits which are quite specific to him. His face and his temperament is 'softer' and calmer than Max's. His little trait of whimpering profusely when he retrieves something for me is most endearing. He is a lot more playful than Max and gets up to much more mischief than his predecessor.
But in other ways, they share some traits:
Like Maxdog, Toby is a keen learner and loves being taught tricks and various commands. He also barks profusely in welcome when I arrive home. He also demolishes the contents of his food bowl in less than 30 seconds. He is so keen to please me. He loves swimming. He adores Tammy. He sleeps in the same places that Max did...and one could go on and on...
As the old song in "The sound of Music" went:
"I MUST HAVE DONE SOMETHING GOOD!"
Am I being silly, or what?!
Sending lotsaluv to you all, my wonderful friends!
35 comments:
Hello Maxdog Mom,
You are not silly at all, that's piappies mom! (heehee) We did mention in our comment on your Toby swimming post that he does remind us of Angel Max.
We know that Toby has such wonderful traits of his own but we are convinced that somehow Maxdog has indeed sprinkled some of his magical Maxdog dust on lil Toby. Your guidance and love for Toby will surely make him a super special pup.
Thank you for asking about us in your comment. We've been fine except for piappies mom being so busy to post these days. We have told her that if she fails to post this week, we will take over the blog. Let's see how all 7 of us take control of the keyboard! (*evil eyes*)
Love,
Piappies Fudgie, Princess, Frappie, Mocha, Sugar, Wai-Pai & Wai-Max
I totally believe that Max sent you Toby- with love! You also forgot one other significant similarity. Max and Toby both have you! You, MaxMom, love them both the way they need to be loved and therefore they florish!
Momma Heartbeat
I love hearing how happy you sound! I'm sure that Maxdog is guiding Toby from the sky, telling him how to make you smile and laugh!
Woof! Woof! Very Sweet. You're blessed to have Toby. it's amazing how much they look a like. Lots of Golden Woofs, Sugar
No, no, not silly at all. I've seen it all along. I do love the name Toby, but that is why my suggested name when you solicited your loyal reader's input was "Chip".
I do so enjoy watching the little guy grow up. Can never get enough puppy pictures and adventures.
Hi Maxmom - Again... too long since last visit and again... Toby has grown!!! No... not silly at all; there are lots of similarities, it's clear. I think my biggest smile as I looked through this post was your acknowledgment that your household was "alive with canine happiness again" and that made MY flesh tingle! Thanks for the smiles this morning!
Hugs xoxoxo
Sammie, Avalon and Mom
I think that Toby looks very much like Maxdog and must be his angel coming back to take care of you! In the swimming picture the other day, I thought that was Maxdog at first. I kept having to go back and look again and again. They seem to look so much alike!! At any rate, you have a wonderful and beautiful puppy!! Lots of love, Holly and mom
Hi Toby & Maxmom
You're walking in Max's footprints - and your Mom is not silly at all. You are just such a handsome puppy destined for big things. We all enjoy watching you as you grow up.
Woofs
Nadine & Neeli
Angel doggie Apples (1994-2010)
Aw! We are so pleased the you are having such a great time with Toby, and wonder if, consciously or subconsciously, you were looking for 'Max-like' traits even when you oicked the dear wee chappie out as a puppy. We remember how certain you were that he was the one you wanted.
Cheers,
Gail (who, to be honest, is a bit too rationalist to believe in sprinkles of spirit) and Bertie (who is maybe not so sure!)
Looking at the pictures of Toby swimming yesterday I thought 'my goodness that looks like Maxdog.' But didn't want to comment for fear it would make you sad.
So... I'm of the opinion that the comparisons are spot on. I'm glad there's puppy joy in your house!
Tobby gets as much love as Max did, so no surprise they act very much the same towards you.
And yes, Max must smile at the trick he is playing to you at making Tobby so much like him :-)
We are firm believers that Max had a paw in you having Toby join your family.
The similarities in appearance are there, but yet they have their differences and that is what makes us love Golden's so much.
When you get a Golden you have a pretty good idea about what type of dog you are getting, but never quit sure and they all have those little nuances that touch our heart.
Sheila & Bob
Wow - almost uncanny! Wonderful though how each dog has his own traits as well and I agree, you sound really happy! A perfect fit it seems, amazing how our animal families just continue to grow with each little one finding his/her own unique spot in our hearts!
Oh I definitely think you got a chip off the old block! A good friend of mine (the closest I have to a sister) is awaiting the birth of her first grandchild any day now. The baby will be named William, which was also my Dad's name. I like to think that my William is coaching baby William now in Heaven, telling him all about us so he'll recognize us when he arrives here. No doubt Maxdog was busy in Heaven doing the same with little Toby before he was born - told him how to find you when you came looking for him!
I KNOW without a fact that Petey and I were meant for each other and divine intervention brought us together.
Love,
Jane and Petey
What a sweet post. Dog owners will uynerstand that we are so, so fortunate to share our lives with a sentient being that brings us such a sense of continuity.
You are absolutely right Toby and Max share an amazing likeness. Please don't think me crazy but I do certainly think Max is dashing about sprinkling loving fairy dust about the house. For several months after our first kitty, Milky-Way, passed, I declare his spirit returned. His litter box was in the room above our family room. He was a meticulous litter box user too Numerous times after his passing I heard what sounded like MW scratching in the box.
I also randomly heard kibble being crunched....he was there saying thank you for loving me for 14 1/2 years. Max has returned to say thank you,
Hugs Madi and Mom
You are not being silly. We are certain MaxDog sprinkled some his spirit on Toby!
Ahhhhhhhhhh... this moves me to whines... what beautiful Goldens to have shared life with. Slurps for everyone! Tucker
we just KNOW angel max had sumting to do wiff all the similarities. one fing they for sures have in the commons ish all that handshumness....
SUGARY PIBBLE KISSES
the pittie pack
We rekhoginsed 'Chip' from the start!
Hugz&Khysses,
Khyra
PeeEssWoo: And so did Maxdog!
Not silly at all, we can totally see the similarities.
Lovely post.
take care
Clive and Murray
Silly? Not at all! We believe, absolutely, that Max sent Toby to you. Max knew what you loved in him and what you would love in little Toby. Max knew that each doggie deserves to be loved for himself and not because he reminds people of someone else. Max was a part of Toby's selection just as surely as if he was standing next to you. And he probably was. The life force goes on.
the minute i saw Toby swimming, i thought of Maxdog! it really is uncanny...
love to hear student vet stories!! :)
xoxo
When I saw those swimming pix (yesterday?!), I thought he looked an awful lot like Max.
Hiya Maxmom! :-)
Wow - they do have so many similarities. What a fun post to read - and I definetly love those pictures. It is fun to look back at how they are similar and different. Simba is a dog I cannot personally compare to any of the other dogs I've ever owned. He is so spunky, unique, and crazy! His personality is so strong... the apple doesn't fall far from the tree, I suppose. They say that human traits can be passed on from owner to dog. In my days, I've been called many of the same names and personality traits that I call Simba. Its funny how that works! They aren't lieing when they say a persons dog shows you alot about the owner.
Toby is wonderful! adorable! and fun! What a great dog! 5 months... wow... I remember Simba at 5 months. I was about stick my head through the wall! LOL!
Lots of Holiday Cheer,
Paige & Simba
I don't think it's silly! I think it makes sense. Those traits that drew you to Max would of course also draw you to Toby. If he'd just looked like Max as the only light colored dog in the litter, but was wild and rambunctious, or displayed other traits that you find less than desirable, then you might not have felt the pull. You were drawn to him because he had a similar presence, I believe.
After Treat died, I was absolutely bereft. Really, truly heartbroken. We still had three Greyhounds at home, but none of them were Treat. I wanted to keep doing therapy work, though, and realized that I'd have to find another dog to work with, since two were very senior, and Blue was already my husband's dog. We went to visit the adoption kennel. I really wanted anything besides a brindle, but there were sure a lot of brindle dogs there. I didn't feel that special click with any of them, though. When Bunny walked in, she came straight over to me and leaned against me. I could have cried right there. It was like being chosen all over again, much the way it had been with Treat. Since Bunny's come home, I often do a double take at times, because she does things so much like Treat did -- things I could never have known she'd do from our first meetin, and yet, we're kindred spirits, just like I was with Treat. Bunny isn't just like Treat. Actually, I've learned that she may actually be even better than Treat was, and I didn't think that was possible.
I think there are just threads that draw us all, invisible as they are!
Caryl, he's certainly a special boy!! I agree with everyone's thoughts--It happens within human families, so why not 'dog families' too?
Silly? Not at all, unless we say silly in love with Toby. Nice that he has so much in common with MaxDog, but even nicer that he has his own endearing ways. This way you have the memory of one very special pup and the making of new memories with another special pup.
Woos ~ Phantom, Thunder, and Ciara
Dogs come to us with special spirits and you know Toby senses Max's spirit every where in your home. I beleive it can be Max and his spirit that is helping Toby to fit so easily into your life and to bring you so much joy.
Gail and Mistaya
Hi Toby that is funny you are posting about this. We were just going to tell you yeaterday you look exactly like Max our tour guide
Benny & Lily
Maxmom you aren't silly! We can see exactly what you mean!
I’ve always seen it. I am so pleased that Toby brings you so much joy and makes you smile by remembering Max, because through destiny or otherwise, your love for Max and all that he means to you, has brought Toby (who is such a wonderful new friend) into your heart and home.
Woofs,
Riley
MAXMOM! Thank you for sharing this post!!! It does seem as though Toby is an angel sent to you be Max. I still get teary thinking about Max and how much we loved him! We still have his "angel" out in our garden. Bless You!!!! HUgs Joey and Kealani
Maxmom
These words that you said...
"It also feels quite mystical at times - almost as if Max has returned and given his special 'sprinkle' of spirit in Toby. My household is alive with canine happiness again."
We.,,, your friends are joyful that we hear these words from you.
We know how much you love TOBY puppy, but to hear your words,,, warms our hearts,, because we love you so much.
No it is not silly at all for you to be asking or feeling these thoughts..
We have felt from the very beginning that yes,, as your words said "the sprinkles of Maxdog"
are showing up in Toby.
Maxdog who lives in your heart.. is the navigator, and is showing Toby the way.
That very specialness that was in Maxdog and now is in Toby,, allows them their uniqueness of their own special ways.
thank you for being honest and sharing your feelings
we love you
tweedles
You know, I've thought that they look alike from the beginning! Toby is special and unique but I see Max so much in his features.
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