We walked out of Church one warm spring morning, the sun was shining and the young people were excited. On the threshold lay an emaciated little grey dog. It slinked away just out of reach of anyone who got too close, anyone that is save for me. When I took pity on the poor beast and crouched down nearby it allowed me to pick it up. I discovered it was an in tact male and it was so thin I could count its ribs visually. Its hind quarters stuck up like two sticks and it’s little belly was concave. Where had he come from? He had not been there before service. With much encouragement from the rest of the congregation of Kincaid United Methodist I put him in my Titan and headed out. Thus began my adventures with The best dog ever!
On the way to meet my beloved at Burger King I named the little guy Maximus. I held him in my lap as I drove and he seemed content to sit with me. I decided that Jesus gave me a puppy, or perhaps Maximus is an Angel in disguise. I haven’t ruled that possibility out. When I pulled in at BK Ralph took one look at him and nodded as I explained how he came to be with me and pronounced him to be Max the Mutt! I vetted him and they told me he was probably 2 years old, a schnauzer terrier mix of unknown origin. But I know where he came from. There is a little dog house in heaven waiting on him to return.
I decided to crate train my new companion. Over the next few months I discovered you can’t confine a free spirit. He would somehow move his crate which is bigger and heavier then himself into positions where he could drag things inside with him and destroy them. He chewed up my favorite Pink Floyd tshirt, the corner of a favorite blanket. He destroyed underwear, sheets, towels whatever he could drag into the box with him. And it didn’t help with house training. Maximus claimed every inch of territory for himself, a dedicated marker, alpha of his domain, he peed on the corner of everything. He can jump high and he can open the front door if it is not locked. He is by his choice my steadfast companion, my comforter, protector, and best friend. I let him have the run of the house and the farm and if I am home his favorite place is close to me.
Over the past 7 years I have rescued other dogs and Maximus is the leader of his own little pack now, acknowledged alpha, he is 14 lbs of pure attitude. I can’t take him in polite company, he is not civilized. He has the true heart of a free spirit. And this is where he and I connect. We understand each other. I can’t tell him to come and have him obey. I ask and he comes or not. He is with me because it is where he wants to be. I honor that. I must admit I don’t like to be told what to do either. I refuse to be categorized or defined. I was imprisoned in a destructive relationship for many years and when I broke those bonds I decided I would never be constrained by another. My beloved now is a live and let live soul. I seek my own path. I walk the back woods, I ride my Harley Davidson, I teach karate, I write. I am me, just me…and Maximus? He is a reflection of my heart. Here because he wants to be, beside me because he chose me that day in the church yard. I lay abed sometimes when the thoughts start playing their twisted game of ‘What are you going to do?’ And I hold Max in my arms his little body curled next to me and I listen to and feel him breathe. I tell my frantic thoughts this is what I am going to do, I am going to lie here and breathe and hold my dog, my kindred spirit and all will be well with my soul. 
MrsSmithsLifeUnexpected 