My wife Joyce and I are 'snowbirds' and spend winters in Yuma, AZ. This year, prior to being in Yuma 24 hours, my wife answered a knock at the door while I had my head under the sink in an attempt to re-activate the reverse-osmosis unit. I could hear her talking excitedly to whoever was there and thought she'd re-acquainted with a sewing friend who perhaps had acquired a new purchase ... sewing machine that is. However, a couple moments later Joyce walks into the kitchen with the cutest looking bundle of fur in her arms and announces: "Fred ... look ... this is our new dog". I make a noise somewhere between a choke and a heave ... otherwise known as a "gulp".

So ... how'd this all come about?

Well it seems a couple from our RV park were enroute to Yuma via New Mexica and had stopped at a MacDonalds for a bite to eat. Just as they were about to leave a scene unfolded with the driver of a bus headed for Georgia confronting a young woman who 'perhaps'(??)had smuggled her Chihuahua puppy (7-8 weeks oldl) on the "no pets allowed" bus. He stated SHE could get back on but NOT WITH THE DOG. It was suggested she leave the dog behind MacDonalds. As this occurred the couple headed for our park decided they couldn't just sit by and watch this dog be abandoned so they retrieved the it then purchased a cage and brought him to Yuma. Unfortunately, for a variety of reasons no one in the park was able to adopt the dog ie only two pets allowed per site and already had two pets; unable to provide the care and attention required by a puppy; etc.

After exhausting all adoption avenues and immediately prior to taking it to the Humane Society someone remembered our previous Chihuahua rescue dog (Inky) had passed away the previous year and wondered if we'd be interested in providing this little fella a home so noticing we had arrived she knocked on our door ... and ... that's all it took.

Within minutes the puppy walked in and made itself at home ... to Ms Abbi's (our other dog, a Pomeranian) water ... Ms Abbi's food ... Ms Abbi's toys ... Ms Abbi's beds ... and Ms Abbi's parents ... ie ... us.

He (we checked) immediately stole our hearts and became a family member and it wasn't too long before the question arose ... "what are we going to name him". I speak some Spanish so came up with names such as: Chico (small boy), Nino (baby), Peso, Chorro (squirt), Loco (crazy .. he's into every nook & cranny ... all the time), etc ... none of which we were able to agree upon. Then, early one morning Joyce rushes into the kitchen and informs me she'd had an 'epiphany' during the middle of the night: "He was abandoned behind MacDonalds and rescued from MacDonalds so .... IT HAS TO BE ... M A X ... : )" I agree adding: "and after he grows somewhat we can call him: BIG MAX ..." ... now this has really evolved ...

... during his crazy playtime period we could call him: MAD MAX

... my son suggested when he becomes full grown his name could be: MAXIMUM

... if he requires correcting (and he will/has) .. I could/do refer to him sternly as: MAXWELL

... should we decide to teach him some Spanish commands he could become: MAXIMILIAN ...

So there you have it ... Senor Max has a new home and we have a new dog ... and are reading books as quickly as possible in an attempt to supplement our 'puppy' knowledge ... : )

Cheers!