Max's New Pal or Why He Didn't Kill Rufus

Despite being only 20 pounds, Max is very aggressive. When he sees another dog, he instantly switches to Kill Mode: lunging, growling, chattering his teeth and sometimes foaming at the mouth. Needless to say, we keep Max away from other dogs.

Two weeks ago, we drove to the local SPCA to look for another dog. We were surpirsed to see so many English Setters until we learned the SPCA doubles as an English Setter rescue. The dogs were all beautiful, but we chose Cutter, a handsome red and white male who was given up because he couldn't hunt. He had been at the shelter for 13 months, and we decided this boy really needed a home.

There was one small problem: Max. We thought he would like having a buddy, but we had to figure out how to introduce the two without Max ripping Cutter's head off. We suspected that might not make a good impression on the shelter workers.

I strapped on Max's muzzle (an essential piece of equipment for a Fox Terrier owner) and took him into the exercise yard to meet Cutter. I dropped Max's leash and he launched himself at Cutter, driving for the kill. He bounced off, and lunged again. And again. And again.

After 15 minutes, he finally realized he couldn't bite Cutter and gave up, panting and perplexed. We signed the adoption papers, drove Max and Cutter home, and turned them loose in our large, fenced yard. Max renewed the attack: chase, leap, bounce, chase, leap, bounce, but wasn't able to score a single bite.

Half an hour later, he stopped and stood staring at Cutter. I gingerly removed the muzzle, ready to grab him if he leaped. Instead, he and Cutter approached slowly and sniffed noses. Then they exchanged a signal -- let's play! -- and took off around the yard on a game of doggy tag. They haven't stopped since.

The trick was getting Max past his natural agression, and the muzzle did the trick. He and Rufus (we changed Cutter's name; Rufus is Latin for red) are a real Odd Couple. Rufus is tall and elegant, Max is tiny with a huge nose. Rufus is relaxed and easy going, Max is focused and intense. Rufus is curled up at my feet, Max is upstairs trying to eat the cat.

Ah, doggy domesticity.

Mr. December

This past Christmas, I looked for a Smooth Fox Terrier calendar as a gift for my wife, but I couldn't find one. I guess the breed isn't popular enough.

So my daughters and I spend one weekend photographing Max in 12 "typical" poses: Max standing on the dining room table, Max trying to eat the hamster, Max lunging on the leash. We found a calendar program on the Internet and made our own: 12 Months of Max.

My wife was delighted, and the calendar has been quite popular with people who know Max. If you'd like a copy, let me know and I'll email you the complete file.

Max's Dream

This is really Max. Click on the cartoon to see it full size.

Watch Out, Max. It's Chinese New Year!

I have two daughters from China, and Spring Festival (Chinese New Year) is a big deal in our home. Lots of friends and family, home-cooked Chinese food and fireworks.

You may have heard that the Chinese eat dogs, and it's true, at least in southern China, where my younger daughter is from. So in honor of the holiday -- and as a warning to Max that he'd better behave -- here's a recipe for stewed dog.

Stewed Dog

Serving Size: 30

Preparation Time: 3 hours

6.5 pounds dog meat (Lamb may be substituted, but don't tell Max)

1 1/2 cups vinegar

60 peppercorns, crushed

6 tablespoons salt

12 cloves garlic, crushed

1/2 cup cooking oil

6 cups onion, sliced

3 cups tomato sauce

10 cups boiling water

6 cups red pepper, cut into strips

6 pieces bay leaf

1 teaspoon tabasco sauce

1 1/2 cups liver spread

1 whole fresh pineapple, cut 1/2 inch thick

1. First, kill a medium-sized dog, then burn off the fur over a hot fire.

2. Carefully remove the skin while still warm and set aside for later (may be used in other recpies)

3. Cut meat into 1″ cubes. Marinade meat in mixture of vinegar, peppercorn, salt and garlic for 2 hours.

4. Fry meat in oil using a large wok over an open fire, then add onions and chopped pineapple and saute until tender.

5. Pour in tomato sauce and boiling water, add green peper, bay leaf and tobasco.

6. Cover and simmer over low flame until meat is tender. Blend in liver spread and cook for additional 5-7 minutes.

Max: The 'Difficult Child'

During our first few months with Max -- when we found out what a "Fox Terror" -- is really like, we decided he was't a good match for us, and we listed him with a rescue service. I have since learned this is what happens to many Fox Terriers. They are so cute and smart and perky that people are happy to take them home. But their frustrated owners give them up after a few months when they won't quit chasing cats, emptying trash cans and pooping on the rug.

In the months we were waiting for Max to get a new home, I got attached to him and eventually decided to keep him. My wife was less enthusiastic about the decision, and yesterday she said the rescue service was asking about placing Max again.

This made me think about the "difficult child" paradox: you especially love the one that gives you the most trouble. I see this among my own relatives. The kid who should be locked up is the one his mother dotes on.

This is how I feel about Max. He won't stop chasing the cats, emptying trash cans and pooping on the rug. Or jumping up on the dining room table, barking at night or trying to kill the hamsters. He is more trouble than any other dog I've had. And that's part of why I love him. His bad points make his good ones more precious. When Max is curled up on my lap getting a tummy rub, I feel I've really earned the moment.

Max is a pain in the neck. And he's worth it.