Before there was Jackson, there was Dillon & Maximus. They were amazing dogs who had traveled all over the country with us and were lucky enough to stay in some of the most luxurious hotels in the United States (@thelittlenell, @montagebh, @hotelbelair, @bevhillshotel, and @belmondelencanto just to name a few). Last year, right before Christmas we found out that our #goldendoodle Maximus was dying of aggressive bone cancer at 8 years of age. We had just moved back to Philly, which he never really liked. So we took him back to one of the spots he was happiest and where we used to live on the Eastern Shore of MD to have him put down on the beach he swam at weekly. We arrived a year ago today and spent our last few days with him doing what he loved most... hanging with his best dog friend and brother Dillon, swimming, digging holes in the sand, and eating. We put 8 pounds on him in just a few days time feeding him bacon, steak tenderloin, breakfast sandwiches, and anything else he wanted to eat. Losing Maximus and then losing Dillon a few months later broke my heart in unimaginable ways. It was a reminder to me to cherish every day with the ones you love because you never really know how much time you have with people. I was also reminded that regardless of species that I can love hard and with all of my heart. I miss both of my boys so much. But I am grateful for the time I had with both of them. They made life better & funnier too since they both had so much personality. Even when dying their stoicism and grace is something that I can only aspire to. What makes me feel some solace is I know that they are looking out for me from the other side. The holidays are a great reminder to make sure you tell the people that matter most how much you love them:) RIP my loves and I will see you when my time comes! #dogsmakelifebetter #dogsarefamily #goldenretriever #dogsareangels