Imagine this: It's a cold winter morning and as you pull
into your parking spot behind the shop where you work, your mind is full of
worries about things that haven't happened and guilt over things that have. You
open the back door, stomp the snow off your boots and as you wonder how long
it's going to take to shake your sour mood away, you hear the sound of feet on the floor in front of you. Soon
after feel a nose press against your hand followed by a head that wants to be
petted. You look down and smile at your co-worker.
You look down and smile at Maxx.
Or at least, for many of my days at Saltwater Sounds, this
is how my day would begin. In October, 2008 I was given the gift of minding one
of the most unique stores in Miramichi and awarded the privilege of working
with one of the most loved dogs in town.
For those of you who know Maxx, you will know that I am
talking about "the doggy in window", the beautiful, kind hearted,
gentle Boxer; the dog who kept vigil in the store window of Saltwater Sounds
for over 10 years; Maxx, who was more than just a dog. She was the heart and joy of the shop until her passing in mid-April.
Her sweet face gazing out at Water Street stopped many in
their tracks. Dogs are not uncommon in Miramichi, but a dog sleeping in a comfy
bed in the window, sometimes staying as still as statue would cause people to slow
down and not be in such a hurry. They would stop, sometimes tap on the glass,
and smile as she looked back at them with her gentle expression. Sometimes she
would be mid-nap and the surprise of the stranger finding a dog in a place they
didn't expect, would go peacefully unnoticed.
"Look a dog!"
"Is it real?"
"Say hi to the doggie!"
Every day as I sat in Saltwater Sounds, I would hear these
sentences and more. However, for some people, just looking at Maxx through the
window simply wasn't enough. The person, or people who could not allow
themselves to walk by without actually meeting the dog in the window, would
come into the shop to see her. Maxx, more often than not, would immediately
jump up, stretch in her bed and wag her wee tail in pure joy as she made
another friend.
People loved Maxx as much as she loved them. She was the
perfect dog. Sweet, kind, gentle with children, attentive to those who really
wanted her attention and for those people who came into the store who were not
really dog people, she would give them a sniff and the give them space. She
could read people. I suppose a lot of dogs can, but with Maxx she always seemed
extra in tune to the feelings of people around her.
There are people in town or people who visit Miramichi every
year who don't pass by Saltwater Sounds without coming by to hello to Maxx. She
was the lucky recipient of many dog treats. She always returned the gifts with
a heavy lean on the givers legs and a panting grin when they gave her what she
really wanted: a really good scratch on her back.
When some people left the shop, they would sign our guest
book. Phrases such as "Lovely dog!" or "It was nice to meet Maxx."
grace the pages.
While I worked with Maxx I saw many people who were sad when
they came into the store leave a little happier after a visit with Maxx. I've
had people come into the shop specifically because they were down and wanted a
little Maxx time.
Maxx's passing is not easy for those of us who knew her best
and from the comments on various social media sites and visits to Saltwater Sounds
to give condolences it is obvious that Maxx's passing is being felt beyond the
shop, beyond the window.
In the window where Maxx took thousands of naps, there is
now a picture. It is a beautiful picture of her, one that captures her gentle
spirit and her sweet face to perfection.
She will be greatly missed because, as I said, she was so much more than
just a dog. Like the shop she graced her presence with she was unique,
comforting and made you feel at home.
She was special.
She was Maxx.
-
Cin
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