Max and Wanda

Max sized Wanda up and decided he wanted nothing to do with her and walked away in a huff. Little did Max know just how deeply he would fall for Wanda.

She was a beauty alright. Her redish coat and sweet expressive face seemed to know exactly what you were saying. Her big brown eyes relayed the message, "Yes ma'am. I understand."

Max, a prideful half breed with a long shaggy coat and bushy tail, lived next door to Wanda, our little red dachshund.

Max seemed to change before our very eyes. It didn't take long before we knew he was devoted to Wanda. She was such a playful pup, and soon a well worn trail was formed from his house to ours.

Each morning Max waited outside our door for Wanda to come out and play. He became very protective of Wanda and was her constant companion outside.

At dusk, I would stand at the back patio door and call Wanda in. Max would follow her to the door and block her way. He used his paw to pull her back toward him. Max wanted Wanda only with him.

I had never considered dogs could love one another, but it was obvious Max and Wanda were devoted.

They spent wonderful days exploring the back yard, always side by side. You never saw one without the other.

Then one warm summer day, I saw Max and Wanda near the driveway. I planned to put Wanda inside the fenced back-yard as I normally do before leaving. She ran to Max and looked up at me with expressive eyes that seemed to beg, "Let me stay and play with Max." I recall telling her, "Stay in the yard Wanda. I'll be right back."

Max's owner glanced out the window just as Max and Wanda scampered toward the road. Wanda never saw the car coming.

Max ran back to Wanda. Very gently he pushed the lifeless body of Wanda from the road. He sat by her side until help arrived.

Each day Max laid in front of my door, heart broken. He grieved and refused to eat. He was mourning the loss of his beloved Wanda.

A few months later, Max and his family moved away, but the memory of Max and our sweet Wanda will always remain with me.