MAX AND MADDOX

Maddox's Mercedes Benz S-Class Coupe parks in front of Dr. M's Veterinary Clinic. I rush to the Vet's door, unbothered if Maddox is following me, and immediately find someone in charge where I can ask the whereabouts of my buddy. So the Veterinary clinic is enormous, and the best idea to ask for help from their staff.

"Hi, my neighbor brought my dog here earlier; his name is Max. Where can I find him?" I ask the woman at the front desk.

"Please, have a seat while I retrieve his file," said the woman, and then she proceeds on hovering on the desktop computer. I refuse to take a seat and wait for the result instead.

It didn't take her long to find it; Maddox was by my side by the time.

"Max is in the Critical confinement area," the woman said.

Like what? I literally cuddled Max this morning. He refused to eat, but he looks fine. I thought he was just a lazy doggo trying to trick me by giving him treats. The word critical alarm me, sending chills to my bones. My heart can't take it if something terrible happens to Max.

"Take right, when you reach the consultation room, take right again, and it will take you to the area where Max is confined. Someone is attending him there; she can help you as well. If you have any questions, she'll be happy to address them."

"Thank you."

"He'll be fine," Mad squeezed my arm as we made our way to the critical confinement area.

I give him a brief smile as we head fast to find Max. The anticipation is killing me; the clinic is enormous, as I've seen on the front. Unfortunately, this is not Max's vet clinic. Susan texted me that she had to rush my buddy here as some vets clinics are full. I can tell this place is expensive, but I don't mind, I'll find ways to pay Max's bill.

"There, there's a woman. She might be the one referred by the receptionist," Mad says, as we are nearly approaching the woman in a white uniform. And Maddox turns out to be correct.

In the next minute, I reunite with Max. My boy is so attentive that he wiggles his fluffy tail the second he sees me. Though his eyes are teary and his body is weak, he manages to get up for me. I hug him tight like I haven't seen him for days which never happen. Max and I have never separated since the day we met. I don't see life without my boy. Max keeps wagging his tail even until I put him back to his bed.

My heart aches to see the dextrose in his leg. Max had been confined before, but I don't seem to understand why this time it felt different. I don't just feel sad; I'm terrified. I stay by his side, rubbing his fluffy neck to his ears, my favorite part of my boy.

"Max, I have a friend with me; I want you to meet Maddox," I said as I glance up at Maddox, smiling beside me. Mad's open lip smile is adorable.

Max barks a bit, still wiggling his tails, sending me a message that he seems to like Maddox. "Mad, come and pet him."

Maddox did not hesitate as he leans and starts stroking Max's forehead. My boy did not protest, and he seems to like it as well.

"So sweet, just like my boy Logan."

"You have a dog?"

"Yes, one from my mom's shelter, ASPIN breed, he is the sweetest. I have personally attended to Logan since the day we rescued him from the street. He was weak, left by his furmom. Logan's siblings have passed away, and he was the only one left. It was almost hopeless, but we never gave up on him."

"Beautiful story, but I'm sorry about your mom."

"Thank you; it was hard. But at least, mom left me beautiful memories."

"She must be a nice person like you."

"She is. The dog's shelter is my mom's foundation she started 5 years ago. Mom adores furbabies; she used to rescue dogs during her leisure time from the business."

"Wow, that's interesting. I'd like to try that one of these days."

"Sure, we can do that. How about weekends? Let me know when you will be free, we can set up a date to go rescuing some fur babies on the streets."

"Really?"

"Yeah, seriously. I help manage my mom's shelter now that she's gone."

"Hear that boy? You should get well very soon so we can rescue more doggo's on the street." I said to Max, continuously rubbing his neck. Max whines a little bit as if to confirm that he understood me.

Maddox giggles while watching us. "Where did you get Max?"

"Mom adopted him from one of her friends who happens to have too many Golden puppies. And then mom gives Max to me as a birthday gift as she knows how much I love dogs."

"At least now we know we have something in common. It's getting more exciting. I can't wait to have you with us rescuing dogs. We can also invite Luke and Sam to join us and even some of your friends if you'd like."

"I don't know about that; my best friend Lea is not a dog lover. She is more of a cat person. Maybe us four would be fine."

"Sure, I'll bring Logan to the shelter as well. You can meet him, and he can play with Max too."

"Yes, let's do that. But, for now, let me attend Max's Vet; I should ask what was going on and how was Max's medication."

"Yeah, I can come with you if you'd like." 

"Can you please be with Max instead? I don't want him to be alone."

"Sure, I'll watch your, boy. He seems to like me, anyway, so go ahead."

"Max, I'll leave you with Maddox, okay? You be a good boy," I said, kissing Max on the nose. Maddox bends over and replaces me by rubbing Max's neck. I am confident to leave them two as I head to the Veterinarian's office.

After a few minutes of discussion with Dr. Mendoza, I come back heartbroken. Things didn't turn out as I expected, and my head is full of questions. I don't even understand how a dog's life could be so short when they're making this world a better place to live in. Max is my best buddy; he lightens up my mood every time I see him.

"Hey, how was it?"

I sat beside Maddox, silent. My boy Max wags his tail like he's not into something hard. Max finds a way to make me feel better even though I know it's difficult for him.

"Angel, are you okay?" Mad asks; he touches my arm as if to make sure if I am paying attention.

I rub Max's neck all the way to his ears. Maddox stroked Max's chest, which my boy, Max, loves. "It's not good, Mad."

"Why, what did the doctor say?"

"I don't think I can talk about this now."

"I understand. Would you like to stay and skip half-day of the class?"

As much as I want to keep my boy company, I can't disappoint mom for skipping classes. "No, I'll just drop by after school. We have to go back to school."

"Alright, whenever you're ready to share, let me know. Angel, I am your friend."

I nod my head and then give Max a quick, tight hug and kisses before we leave.