Steven Petrow and his dog, Max, in 2009.
Photo by Ernest Dollar via nytimes.com
Over the weekend, a beautiful essay by Steve Petrow about two dogs named Billie and Max was published on the New York Times website. Petrow explores the difficulties and joys of committing to a new dog after you’ve lost a beloved best friend:
After Billie was gone I never thought I would have another dog, much less one I could love so completely. Then, suddenly, it turned out I was single again; I thought I would remain that way for years to come.
Of course, just when he thinks it will never happen again, he meets Max, a somewhat slow-witted but lovable Cocker Spaniel with whom he’d fall in love again. . .