| Maxx came to the Massey family in January, 2007. They looked and looked to find an English Bull Terrier - just like Pappy Boyington's dog Meatball. English Bull Terriers have a bad reputation - unjustly - just like Staffordshire and Pit Bull Terriers. They have an incredibly powerful jaw that evil people trained to fight in a pit. But, they also have a wonderful, loving family disposition and the English used them to actively protect their children from harm. |
| Because of their reputation, obtaining an English Bull Terrier is not an easy task if you'd like to purchase a puppy from a reputable breeder. The Massey family started looking two years before they found John and Theresa Spurr in Ohio. They were invited to come see puppies in Ohio and then the Spurrs came to Michigan to look at the Massey house to make sure it would be a good fit for Maxx. Finally, the Spurrs delivered Maxx to the Massey house - fully crate-trained, potty-trained, tattooed, and microchipped. |
| We loved Maxx like no other dog - because there are no other dogs like English Bull Terriers. They are STRONG, stubborn, and can smack you in the face with their head so it feels like a baseball bat. They are FUNNY, kind, loving, and faithful. |
| Katy started to train Maxx in Obedience and Agility when she was only eight years old. If we'd only knew now we didn't know then, we would have never put such a young handler with such a strong and powerful dog - both physically and mentally. While they made their way along just fine, it would have been nice to have the newly printed book, "When Pigs Fly", to learn how much better to train a Terrier. Who would have ever dreamed that he would take High Points at the Eaton 4-H Dog Show or a Gold Medal in Sub-Novice Obedience at State 4-H Dog Show? |
| Maxx not only tried very hard at obedience, he tried even harder at making us laugh. Who can not chuckle when a Bull Terrier dresses in drag, becomes Robin Hood, turns into a clown, and even becomes a Gangsta? Maxx's best class at Fair was "Costume Class" and he deserved every trophy he ever won. More importantly, he took his show on the road with pet therapy to nursing homes and VA hospitals. They are still fighting over whether he looks like Patton's dog or Boyington's dog. |
| And let's not forget - he was a Dancing Dog! Maxx was one of our first dancing dogs and stepped out nicely to disco with Saturday Night Fever. He also performed a pairs routine to Grease and a team routine to God Bless the USA. |
| Two years before he left us, Maxx developed muscle loss in his jaw. While we were able to contain it to only one side, his allergies and weak immunity continued to weaken him until we finally had to say good-bye. |
| They say that animals come into our lives to teach us lessons. Maxx has taught the Massey family many, many things. He has taught us patience when he ate three hot-tub lids and two couches. He taught us patience when he recalled to the judge in the obedience ring, sniffing up her skirt before he cheezed to the crowd. He taught us to smile as he romped in the yard like a little white goat. And, he taught us love and how to let go when it is time. He taught us PIGMAN! |
