A few years ago, my husband and I got involved with a little community in downtown Kingston. It began with feeding dogs on the street. Soon people started coming to us for help with their animals.
Max will always be my favorite, a big guy with copper-colored fur and the gentlest, sweetest disposition I have ever met in a dog. Aside from accompanying the ladies in the yard when they went to do errands, he also liked the ladies of the four-footed variety. Very much. Max would disappear for days and come back exhausted, ravenously hungry and with all manner of injuries. We treated cuts and bites, chops and burns, and several times one or more of the pads on his paws would be almost severed. He patiently endured all the dressings, listened to all the scolding, and went out and did it again.

Image Credit: Cindi Scholefield
Max had guardians, but the man was always too busy “working,” and the lady was too busy trying to keep things together in a small space with no running water. At first they were suspicious of our motives, but when they saw we only cared about Max’s wellbeing, they warmed up and were happy for the help. And occasionally I would get lunch as a thank you.

Image Credit: Cindi Scholefield
This picture was taken just after I had gotten him up on a makeshift table and picked out dozens of maggots from a wound just under his tail. A nasty place indeed to have someone poking around—but Max never made a murmur. He submitted meekly to being turned upside down and worked on for a couple of weeks until the wound was properly healed.
But the injuries kept reappearing. One bite on his neck turned into an abscess that we had to have lanced at Jamaica Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (JSPCA) more than once. Finally we took matters into our own hands and had him neutered—whether his owner liked it or not—expecting that, as usually happens, it would take a while for him to become a stay-at-home boy. But to our amazement almost immediately Max lost interest in going walkabout, and was content to lie in the sun and doze off. With no more fights his fur grew lustrous and thick and he really was stunning.
Max loved everyone—cats, other dogs, and people—but with one exception. He couldn’t abide dreadlocks and would turn on his loudest, fiercest bark whenever a “rasta” approached. Not even the nice young man who used to regularly bring fruit got a break. Max would watch his every move with a low growl permanently in his throat, ready to spring into action at any moment if he was needed.

Image Credit: Cindi Scholefield
There was one thing he especially loved, and that was to have his coat combed. I would perch on a ledge and he would sidle up to me, rest his head on my knees and close his eyes. As I combed, I would hear a light sigh every now and then. It was as if he went into a trance, and more than once he just slid in slow motion down into a lying position without even opening his eyes.
- Image Credit: Cindi Scholefield
- Image Credit: Cindi Scholefield
But age was catching up with him. He would have been around 11 or 12, and over time his appetite began to wane. He lost weight, and his bones started to stick out.
When the heavy rains started, he refused to come in to shelter. He stayed on the sidewalk in the downpour, oblivious to the thunder and the lightning, lying down where he had always enjoyed the cool breeze coming in from the sea.
This morning we took him to JSPCA, and Dr. Brown, the gentlest vet in the world, put him down for us.
He was ready. I wasn’t. I am never ready.
It will be a strange world without you, Max. But now you are free, nothing to hurt anymore. So run and jump again like you did as a puppy.
Fly with the angels, and sleep the sleep of a life well lived.
You will be much missed.

Image Credit: Cindi Scholefield
What a wonderful story of a beautiful boy the only sad part was that he had to be PTS. Run free you gorgeous boy 💙😘😘
What a lovely story of a beautiful boy the only sad part was he had to be pts
Run free you beautiful big guy 😥😘😘
Heartwarming story.
Keep up the Great work Ma’am!!!!
Si emouvant ce requiem.
Cet amour pour Max est si beau.
Je suis submergé par l’émotion.
Un grand moment de partage et de repect pour ces belles histoires de vie qui nous en apprennent tant. Merci
I understand your pain. Only those who love and lose can get it. There is no pain exactly like losing a beloved pet. I don’t, for a moment, intend to say losing a pet is worse than losing a child or a spouse, but it’s in the top 10 hardest things to go through. You miss the feelings of being the bestie of a cat or a dog or anything that counts you as a bff or, just as flattering, a fellow member of a pack or a pride. You miss that little shadow with you wherever you go. The little warm body next to you in the recliner. The excited yapping of a frenzied human- worshiper who can rejoin the living, now, because Mommy’s home.Every time I go through the agony of losing something special I wonder why I ever did it once, and why I will do it again when the time is right. I suppose it’s because the good outweighs the bad. There will be other dogs someday, and I will love them to the point of being silly in the head and eventually I will cry every time I come across a toy under the couch or a chewy-stick behind the refrigerator, and then I will thank my Lost Shadow for loving me unconditionally and for taking the time out of his itinerary to stop by my life to give me a few years of happiness before going on his way. You did good, my little love, and I thank you.
We need more angels like this lady and her husband. I know Max is looking at you from his comfortable, colored cloud and loving you always for giving him love and tenderness.
R.I.P. MAX…ENJOY YOUR FREEDOM TO LOVE EVERYONE.
So so sorry — it just doesn’t make any sense, does it? — when they die — death — WHERE do they go? —- it’s heartbreaking — THANK YOU for loving them all — Remember, as soon as you get them, bring them to the Vet for spaying & neutering and the required shots — KEEP UP YOUR WONDERFUL WORK.
How very tragic what a dreadful mentally sick man!
What a brave dog!
The world is much sadder and poorer place without Max. A noble tribute to a noble animal.
Rip beautiful MAX, this is good to know you ve been loved and you will stay forever in Hearts. Beautiful Requiem
Dear Cindi,
thank you so much for the love and care, you have for all “your animals”. I am sure, that Max always knew, that he was your sweetheart, and that he enjoyed your care and caress. May God be with this wonderful boy, fingers are crossed….!
I am sure, Cindi, one day we all meet again and you will play with Max like you did before.
Lots of greetings from Bonn, Germany,
Dagmar
I just hate when people say put down and not killed which is what it is. The dog would have gone in his own time without a vet giving him a needle to stop his heart. Nature takes its course and most of the time it doesn’t need the hand of man.
As for his age. 11/12 years old isn’t that old and maybe, just maybe he stopped eating because there were other issues like his health.
Humans have a lot to learn from animals,a lot.
God speed Max, rest in peace but knowing you you’re not resting you’re soaring high and flying with the angels looking over all the good people that love you and helped you. A dear sweet kind soul. If Only humans could be as good.
A lovely story about an amazing character. Like people, dogs are unique. Each one with its own personality..I am sad to hear of his demise. You will miss him so much..he will now be running free over the Rainbow Bridge..bless you all💖🐾🌈
What a bittersweet story. BLESS YOU and YOUR PETS
RIP Max, look down kindly on your rescuers! You will meet them again!
Cute boy.This made me cry. Sorry for your loss & thanks for caring for him.
R.I.P. Max, Thanks for your loving care!
Nice story.
Thank you for loving Max, and giving him the best life you could.
He’ll be waiting for you on the Other Side, for more pets and hugs.
Sorry for your loss </3 And thank you, again, for caring.
I am sorry for the loss of your sweet boy. Reading this my eyes filled with tears. He is a guy I would have loved too. Thank you for taking care of him and letting him feel loved and for releasing him when the time came.