Compassion brings us to a stop, and for a moment we rise above ourselves – Mason Cooley
His name was Max and he was an 8-year-old Malinois that we adopted from the shelter a day before his life ended. We first met Max scrolling through pictures of dogs hoping to find one that would fit in with our family. As we looked through the different pages and were introduced to puppies and more senior dogs, Max caught our eye, and this is where we stopped to read his profile.
He was described as a gentle German Shepard who had lost his family due to a relocation (the recession of 2008 impacted everyone) and he needed a home. His profile went on to describe how Max sat in front of his cage to protect the other more senior dog who was bunking with him from the sprinkler system that would come on and soak their living space. We fell in love with his picture and his kind heart without ever meeting him.
The next day we went to the shelter and when we arrived, we were greeted by an elderly gentleman. He was retired and spent most of his days volunteering at the shelter. He cleaned cages and desperately tried to find homes for all the animals especially the more senior dogs who are often left behind. As it turns out he had been moving Max around so that he would not be destroyed and when we told him we were there to meet him he was thrilled. He immediately took us to him, and the connection was instantaneous. There was no need to think about it, Max was ours.
The shelter had misclassified his breed and even his age as he was closer to being 10 years old than he was to being 8, but the one thing they got right was Max’s infinite ability to love. Max lived with us for a few more years before his health declined and eventually had to make his way to Rainbow Bridge. During our time together we learned that Max slept all day because he spent his nights guarding our back door and walking the perimeter of our back yard ensuring that we were safe. He always walked closely to my husband and children and would not allow anyone he perceived to be a threat near his family. Even when his hips failed him, and he became partially paralyzed he pushed himself to greet us with the same love and enthusiasm he had the day we brought him home from the shelter.
Max taught us a lot of lessons, but the biggest lesson he taught us was compassion. He showed compassion for his cage companion and when his health declined, we had to show him the same compassion and make the very difficult decision to say goodbye because we could not allow him to suffer. Adopting Max was a privilege and in this experience, we learned further lessons about the circle of life. An elderly man caring for elderly dogs, desperately trying to find them homes was something I will never forget. I remember turning to my husband and asking him if he thought this gentleman worked this hard because to a certain degree he could relate.
Life is very short, and, in the time, we have on earth we get to experience many things some great and others not so great, but if we are lucky, we will experience unconditional love. I have been very fortunate in my life to know love not just through my family and friends, but also through my beautiful pets.
As I reflect on my experiences one of the biggest lessons on compassion was taught to me by a beautiful dog who shared his life with us for almost three years. He taught me the beauty of seeing and being present. Max was able to have compassion for another dog and chose to protect him as best as he could. The elderly man did the same for Max. I hope that when my time comes someone will be as generous with me.
The Empowered Crossing 
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