I used to say that the number of good teachers that I’ve had, I could count on one hand. There was Miss Kirby from the second grade who taught me that reading opens a door to the world. There was Mr. Opland, our school band, chorus and music teacher who taught me to sing and play some of the world’s most beautiful music, even though I lacked the natural talent to be great. There was Miss Heath, my high school English teacher and drama coach who taught me about passion and gave me the will to try things outside my comfort zone. There was Mr. Morowitz, my journalism teacher who taught me that good writing could ease someone’s pain or inspire someone else to action. There was Eugene Lyons, my college theatre professor who taught me that remaining silent to injustice was unfair to myself. These were the teachers who truly inspired me and who made an indelible mark on my future.

But that was when I was only counting the teachers I had in school. Once I realized that every person and every situation had the opportunity to teach me something, my roster of good teachers grew considerably. Many of those teachers came in unexpected forms-the bankruptcy of the company I was working for, a 4-year-old girl in my son’s preschool class, Russian-born comedian, Yakov Smirnoff and our dog, Max.

Max, was a seven-month-old Airedale Terrier, we adopted from the local humane society as a companion for our female Airedale, Bernie. When we helped Max pass 11 years later, I looked for books to help ease the grief of our family and that would especially speak to our 10-year old son. What I found were either chapter books or young reader picture books. Instead I decided to write a story which remembered the major episodes of Max’s life paired with the lessons we learned from him.

Over the years, when a friend’s dogs would pass, I would often share the typewritten manuscript. The manuscript got passed around so much that it became (pardon the pun) dog-eared. Afterwards, the response was always the same, “You should publish this.” It took me six years to finally find the design style, book format and time to do it and the result is my book, “Life to the Max: Maxims for a Great Life by a Dog named Max.”

What I wanted to accomplish with my book was to provide not only a vehicle for dog lovers to deal with the loss of a much-loved family pet, but also to give families a means to talk about important life issues-disappointment, adoption, friendship, love, family, illness and death. It also deals with the importance of a positive attitude when dealing with life’s challenges. Even though it deals with the important stuff of life, it really is a joyous romp. It provides a gateway for remembrance, reflection and inspiration.

I also think it gives people of all ages an opportunity to appreciate what we learn from the experiences we have in life and to recognize the value of the teachers who come into our lives-no matter in what form they present themselves. What we come to realize is that teachers are all around us. The trick is whether or not we choose to learn from them.

I don’t know if you saw this story on the news, but a little over three weeks ago, another Airedale named Max was out for a ride with his owner, Bill Clark, in his convertible. 45 miles from their home in Coventry, Rhode Island, the two were involved in a car accident and Max, who was probably spooked by the crash, jumped out of the car and ran into the woods. Though Mr. Clark looked every where, he could not find Max until he came home last week and found Max waiting for him in the backyard. Max had walked 45 miles from Sterling Connecticut to Coventry to get home. Experts don’t know how he did it, but I do: “Love always finds a way,” right, Max? Just another example of living Life to the Max! To see the video of this story, go to this link.

My big brother, Max, taught me a lot about life: how to enjoy the little things like finding the perfect spot for a nap, how to surf the counter for treats and how good it feels to always greet people with keen interest. It was all part of his philosophy of living Life to the MAX and now I’m passing on the skill at work.

Every day, my mom takes my sister, Krissy and me with her to NICE Creative. There are feather beds in my mom’s office and treats in the kitchen, but it’s not all about lounging and eating all day. Krissy and I have very important jobs.

Krissy is Head of Security and she is often seen lying by the door with her head propped on the window ledge. Should any stranger approach the door, she barks out a sharp warning. She’s just a runt, but she has all the bravado of a Rottweiler. Still to tell the truth, she’s all bark and no bite.

As the Chief Wiggler, I head up agency greetings. Whether you’re a CEO or the UPS guy, I’ll give you the same enthusiastic attention. I’m happy to see you no matter who you are!

Krissy and I have other important responsibilities as well. We provide the staff with opportunities to exercise (we’re always up for a walk especially with Danessy because she actually runs with us, as opposed to our dad, who thinks he’s running, but we’re just walking fast!).

We also provide a fair amount of comic relief-sometimes it’s because we get into a little mischief and sometimes, it’s because we just like to play. (Krissy, I found a paper clip. Let’s flip it around, but don’t let mom see!)

Moreover, we bestow no small amount of calm when things get crazy. Anybody who feels stressed can pop into our mom’s office and pat our tummies while we sleep on backs with our legs up in the air. AAAAAAHHHH-MMMMMM. Just like Max. You can’t stay tense after that!

I know I have some big paws to fill, but I really think we can learn a little something from Max like just slowing down and enjoying some of the simple things. So the next time, someone tells you you’re dogging it at work, just tell them, “No, I’m just living Life to the MAX!”

In today’s Arizona Republic, there was a story about local Valley volunteers who rescued 89 puppies from a puppy mill in Missouri. It made me sad that this country does not regulate this horrible practice, but also glad that there volunteers like Joey Penniston and Caron Lorber who were willing to drive more than 24 hours to rescue these puppies from certain death..

If you don’t know why puppy mills are so bad, let me tell you about the conditions under which these dogs live and often die. It is not unusual to find up to 1,000 dogs crammed into these commercial breeding facilities. In this environment, these animals are routinely neglected, abused–physically and emotionally–and do not receive vet care even when ill or injured.

In the puppy mill world, dogs are considered livestock and many are brutally killed just because they lack the desired physical characteristics or because they can’t breed. The rest are sold to brokers who sell them to pet stores and if the pet stores don’t buy them, they are put up for auction. If they are not bought at auction, they are euthanized.

Buying puppies at pet stores perpetuates this horrific cycle, so the next time you are tempted by a furry face in the window, remember that demand perpetuates supply and many more innocent puppy lives will be lost in order to replace the “inventory.”

Because of today’s bad economy though, shelters and animal rescue groups have no lack of “inventory.” So if you’re thinking of adding a fur friend to your family, go to a shelter or apply at a rescue. That’s what my family did and I will always be grateful to them! Also, I just happen to know that right now there are at least 89 little furkids who are looking for forever families.

For more information, check out the Republic article for the rescue organizations that are handling the adoptions of these puppies.

http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/2008/09/23/20080923dogs0923.html

If you missed the first booksigning event at Changing Hands, now you will have another chance to see what everyone is howling about. Did you know that Educators’ Appreciation Weekend is coming up? Borders stores nationwide will honor local educators for their commitment to spreading knowledge and encouraging life-long learning during Educator Appreciation Weekend, Friday-Sunday, October 3- 5.

In honor of Educators’ Appreciation Weekend, I will be speaking at Borders Bookstore on Mill Avenue on Saturday, October 4^th at 11:00am about one of my family’s most treasured teachers–my Airedale Terrier, Max!

Find how Max taught my family how to live each day from the heart and why we should honor all of life’s teachers–even if it’s the one at the end of the leash. I will be sharing some of my favorite “Max tales”–stories about living life to the fullest from my book Life to the Max. Once again, book purchasers will receive a free silver/pewter pet tag that says “Live Life to the Max” and ten percent of the book price will be donated to Airedale Rescue.

The event would not be complete without Max’s sisters, Amber and Krissy, beside me, behaving wonderfully (fingers crossed!), as I speak about the many things I have learned from the “pet teachers” in my life. This will be an event you and your family will not want miss! Hope to see you at Borders, 699 South Mill Avenue Tempe, AZ 85281 on Saturday, October 4^th at 11:00am!

Did you see the great coverage that my mom and I got in the Arizona Republic for the booksigning event at Changing Hands? I must admit, I am a little jealous that my sisters, Amber and Krissy, got a huge picture in the community section of the Arizona Republic!

If you didn’t get the newspaper, you should check out the article and photo of my mom and my crazy sisters online at azcentral.com. There are even several of my Maxims in the article! I can’t wait to get even more press for mom’s future booksigning events.

This year, Life to the Max is proud to be a part of the Airedale Rescue Quilt promotion which is now underway at http://www.airedalerescue.net/a_day_in_the_life/. We have donated seven Life to the Max books to their annual fundraiser to use as incentives to buy raffle tickets. If you do not already know about the Airedale Rescue Quilt, here is some information about this unique project.

The Airedale Rescue Quilt originated with a core group of Airedale enthusiasts who had another common interest: Quilting. These members put together an Airedale Quilting Bee website and decided to make a quilt with pictures of their passion, Airedales, to be raffled to raise money for National Airedale Rescue. The proceeds help to re-home/re-educate every purebred Airedale that comes into Airedale Rescue’s care. Although many people suggested that this project seemed impossible, the members of the Airedale Internet community, who often resemble the feisty, focused breed they love, were determined that this project would happen.

A quilt that raises $15,000 can help out 30 healthy Airedales, yet well over 600 Airedales were reported to have entered Airedale Rescue groups in 2007. Although a $15,000 donation from the Airedale Quilting Bee may seem to be a lot of money, it doesn’t stretch far with the costs of bringing an Airedale into Rescue and finding a Forever Home. Sadly, we see a lot of Airedales in Rescue as far too many people get an Airedale because of the Teddy Bear look, forgetting that pet ownership continues even when the puppy/dog eats a hole in the Oriental carpet … or de-stuffs the sofa.

All the Rescue Quilts show humorous and imaginative design, and the quality of workmanship makes them into pieces of art. Airedale Quilting Bee members, all over the country, make up the pieces, then send them to a designated member who puts them all together, and adds the finishing touches on the Rescue Quilt. Now the Airedale Rescue Quilt is ready to head to Montgomery, Pa., where during early October each year, there is an All-Terrier “do”. This do is where the finished Rescue Quilt is to be raffled off. Everybody with a ticket has equal chance of winning, as you don’t have to be present for the draw.

The 2008 quilt depicts “A Day in the Life of an Airedale”. The scenes will be familiar to all who cohabit with this wonderful breed, starting at the crack of dawn when the Airedale “greets” the owner who would prefer to remain in bed and ending with a sleeping Airedale, dreaming of the high points of the day. For a sneak preview, go to www.airedaleterriers.org/quilts/ and click on the 2008 quilt at the bottom of the page.