I remember bottle feeding him at rest stops and never imagined he would eventually weigh 50 times what he did that day. It was love at first sight when he met Wally and the two were inseparable until Wally’s death in 2011. We moved Max and Mavis to our current location in 2012 where Max met his new friends, Hazel and Helen.

He became increasingly arthritic as he aged and his crazy horns became curlier and more magnificent with each passing year. He weighed close to 2000 pounds at his top weight—he was a very tall steer who acted more like a sweet little puppy. He greeted everyone with a gentle nudge and would be your best friend forever if you gave him any kind of molasses treat (he loved Nickerbait horse treats the most!).

We gave him a variety of herbal supplements and pain medications over the years and provided laser therapy which helped him cope, as well. Eventually, his pain became unmanageable and the couple of days before we put him to sleep he could only walk a few steps with great effort and it was obvious that he was exhausted from the struggle. Sadly, the time had come when his bad days outnumbered the good. Fortunately, he left this world peacefully and with dignity on a sunny Spring afternoon. We hope he has found Wally somewhere in a lush field where his legs are young again and he is free from pain.

Max was 14 yrs old when he left us and was the most gentle soul we have ever known. I will miss leaning against him as he reclined in the field and wrapped his head back around me. His companion, Hazel, also missed her friend, having spent her days grooming him and comforting him the last four years. Thank you, Kelly, Robyn, and John, for helping me care for Max over the years, he loved you all. We also send special thanks to Dee who helped on his last day from afar sending reiki (for both Max and for me). Rest in peace, my sweet gentle boy, you changed my life and touched all who knew and loved you. And I really hope you have found a cow brush. . .wherever you are. . .