Missing Max, death of a pet Options

[artchick]

On Monday 3/21 our little dog Max left the physical world. We got him from the Human Society alomost 4 years ago to the day (Good Friday)...he was a gift to my daughter who was turning 5. Max had just arrived at the pound about 25 minutes before we fell in love with him. He had recently lost his family, who were in their later years. Our family was quite different...we had four children between the ages of 5 and 13. Max seemed to adjust to the second round of his life extremely well...he fit in perfectly with our crazy family and we all loved the companionship he provided us...he had separate relationships with each one of us.
Yesterday I experienced my first day off work without him and it was heartbreakingly empty in my home...my companion who laid with me while I did yoga, my morning routine and ate the meat from my breakfast sandwich is gone. I miss his presence.
Max had wanderlust and always managed to find a way out of our fenced in back yard. Being so small, ( about 8 pounds)he could slip through a ground hog or bunny hole in the fence. He had not gotten out of the yard since last summer but the warm spring day must have tempted him to go on an adventure. I can see him breaking out of the yard and and enjoying freedom as he had done in the past. On Max's last adventure he encountered a Husky dog who was tied out in his yard, Max must have gotten under the fence and the Husky being territorial defended his home. Max had two puntcure wounds on either side of his belly and many broken bones. We assume he was shaken to death and died quickly.
A friend called after hearing of our loss. She felt she "needed" to share a story about when she accidentally hit and killed a 13 year old black Lab last year. She was affected greatly and could not get over what had happened. A friend and a pet communicator shared that often an older animal will choose to end life quickly rather than live in old age. Our Max was at least 15 and his heath was declining. He was wearing a doggie diaper and he didn't enjoy it. So I have found some peace in knowing that Max may have chosen to leave the physical world at that time. He was surrounded by his family loving him and he had a beautiful funeral sevice. He now rests permanently in the back yard he couldn't wait to escape!
This is my first loss of a pet in my adult life and I can not believe the hurt and pain I feel. I know that when the time is right, Max will lead another furbaby to this family to be loved! Always and forever Max and his beautiful spirit will live in our hearts!
My heart goes out to all who have experienced this deep loss. Much love to you my little Max spirit!