Urban-Maximilian vom Chöpfli
Max was born in Switzerland in the Canton of Baselland in a small town called Brislach. The town is so small it isn't on most maps. Just take the A3 motorway towards Basel, then turn west towards Delémont.
Max was whelped at Zuchstätte vom Chöpfli. He came from a litter of five: four boys and one girl. Max was the pick of the litter, the alpha, and the only one born with a fully developed white-tipped tail. His mother is Brändi vom Lühler-Dick and his father is Blacky von der Singold.
Max came to California when he was nearly ten weeks of age, traveling in the
Business Class cabin of a Swissair flight. The flight from Zurich to Los Angeles was graciously renamed 'Der
Hündli Flüg' (or 'The Puppy Flight') in his honor.
This was a lot to ask of a ten week old puppy: taken from his mother and the farm, to his
first car ride, to a major city, to a crowded airport, and onto a jet plane to a distant land.
We came to understand, however, that Maximilian was adept at handling new circumstances and surroundings.
He was cautious, but not timid. He was social, but also discriminating. He
was both patient and impatient.
He was decisive and always made his wishes known. He could be incredibly gentle with children, but could also
knock a full grown man off his feet. He would destroy his own toys in a matter of minutes, but never touch
that antique table.
Max was named in honor of the Swiss/Austrian Maestro,
Max was named in honor of the Swiss/Austrian Maestro,
Maximilian Schell.
He loved to swim, but couldn't stand being splashed. He adored
California, but hated the sun. And although he grew into a Southern
California surfer dog, he always remained very Swiss.......
We tragically lost Max in November 2004. He was stricken with IMHA (Immune-Mediated Hemolytic Anemia), often labeled 'The Thief in the Night". Most people never see it coming. We never did. IMHA causes the immune system to attack the red blood cells mistaking them for foreign bodies. Some causes for this condition are known (i.e. poisons, viruses, reactions to vaccinations, chronic infections etc.) but, in many cases, the cause is never determined. One day Max was leaping into a neighbor's pool after his Frisbee and chasing his Jack Russell Terrier girlfriends. The next day he was receiving blood transfusions. His decent was that swift, that debilitating, and that heart breaking.
Max had a life filled with experiences. Max had a life without fear. We felt as though there was nothing we couldn't do. We competed in Obedience, Agility, Herding, Conformation, Frisbee Tournaments, Weight Pulling Competitions, and the NEMDA Olympics. We saw the desert. We saw the snow. We swam in lakes, mountain streams, swimming pools, and the Pacific Ocean. We traveled in fast cars, speedboats, and in the back of pickup trucks. We went camping, hiking, and stayed in fancy hotels. We strolled though the crowds on Hollywood Boulevard. We traveled up and down the California coast like a couple of gypsies. Nothing exceeded our grasp. Nothing rattled him.
Maximilian was a sweet boy, with a disposition that drew and comforted people and animals alike. Many dogs in the neighborhood, labeled as non-social, would seek him out. Many people, disdainful of dogs, would reach out to him with affection. He was welcomed into situations and houses not normally open to animals. He displayed sweetness, calmness, a feeling of security, and (yes) a kind of wisdom. Maximilian was an old soul.
Four years earlier, in 2000, he led me on an odyssey that ultimately ended at a small farming town in the north of Switzerland. I leaned over the whelping box and whispered, "Maximilian". A little creature stumbled out and looked up at me as if to say.."Here you are! What took you so long?" I believe it will be the same when we meet again at the Rainbow Bridge. Max will stay forever in our hearts and in our souls. He will always be with us; always watching over us. He will always be the first 'Hunde in Hollywood'.
