Here's a great story. Max's godmother Kathy delivered this letter from Max. He was adopted by mom Virginia last November. Virginia is 79 and lives alone (except for Max and one pissed-off cat) and is very happy with the adoption. Even though Max is a strong dog, he is very gentle with his new mom. Here is his letter:

Woof, I'm MAX. I'm part Charpei and part Collie. I have something else, maybe a little Spaniel. I don't know, I just wear this coat. I just wanted you to know how happy I am at my forever home. I am an only dog and do I love it. I have a best doggie friend named Amber who is about my age (I'm 5 and she's 6, an older woman). We race around my yard until neither of us can hardly breathe. Then we lie down and talk to each other or play tug-o-war with my red and white chewy thing, You know the one with the knots.

Mom likes to take me in the car, but she has a little car and worries about me being too crowded and getting overheated. Never happen. I LOVE to go in the car. She knows it so she tries to take me if possible.

There is one small problem. What is this thing called OBEDIENCE school. I don't get it. Maybe it's to late to teach an old dog new tricks. I really want to make mom happy, but I don't know what's wrong with me just like I am. I love to be brushed on my tummy while I lie flat on my back with my feet all curled up. Mom makes me turn over and get the rest of me brushed too. I love it it feels so good. My coat is like a collie and it is really thick.

Mom likes to go for long walks now and then, and she loves to talk to me, and I love to sit and watch her weave and read and just be with me. We play a lot of tug of war but I don't do retrieving. I don't do chase the ball--what is that stuff? If I go get it, she'll just throw it again. Mom worries about whether I am happy and if I know she loves me. Boy let me tell you, I know she loves me! She lets me walk her around the house by the hand and she even thinks it's funny when I empty her Kleanex box in the middle of the living room floor. Then there are the times when I can be a big helper and untie her shoes for her.

Boy, does her cat hate me!!! She cusses me out every time I look at her. You know that look only cats can give you and the language, whoa, if mom only knew what it was saying. Mom even gave the cat a whole room to itself. The weaving room. The cat gets fed in there ( I do like cat food though so mom feeds the cat on the window ledge). Anyway I learned to stay away from that cat. Man, what an attitude. Anyway, it's sort of fun just to tease the cat a little. I just look at it or pretend to sniff it. "Meow, meow, meow, spit and snarl." Then mom gets mad at the cat and makes it stop. HEH, HEH, HEH.

Well I've shared some of the fun things I'm doing now that I'm out from under the bridge and thanks Shannon for taking me back when my other master had to bring me back. I was good but things just didn't work out. Things are sure different now though. You guys were really great but now I've got a real forever home. I love you too, but mom's the best. Love, Max