Hi everyone! My name is Max but I also go by Maxie, Maxwell, and my mom’s personal favorite; “my love.” Corny, I know, but I don’t have the heart to tell her. But, you can just call me Max! I am a one-year-old pitbull/lab mix from Dallas, TX and enjoy running around, chewing up my toys, and eating ALL the food. I think I am putting on a little weight but it’s okay because my mommy says I am PERFECT.

     My mom is my best friend. We were inseparable since the day we met each other at the shelter. She gravitated toward me and I loved her smell. I knew I wanted to go home with her and wouldn’t let her leave without taking me. Any time she tried to walk away I would WHINE.

(I still do.) She had no choice but to take me and that is when my life truly started!

      As soon as I got to my new home, I met my dad. Yes, I have a dad as well. I don’t treat him as nicely as my mom but he’s growing on me. Him and my mom are best friends, they love each other so much which makes them love me even more.

       Throughout my year with my new family, there have been a lot of things I have learned! One thing is writing this article. I don’t even know what an article is. A magazine? Never heard of it. But my mom wanted me to help her write it because this month is important to her; it is known as Mental Health Awareness month and she struggles with something called anxiety, which is the second thing I learned! Since 1949, Mental Health Awareness month has addressed the challenges humans face everyday living with mental health conditions and has dedicated the time to overcome the stigma, educate the overall public, and advocate for proper policies to be put into place for humans who do struggle.

        My mommy is 1 in 970 million people who struggles every day to overcome her anxiety. Some days are bad days and some days are better. It makes me sad to see my mom so sad. As my mom’s best friend, my dad has been there every step of the way to help her; he’s a true loyal friend. But, sometimes my dad can’t be there so that’s when I step up. I know when she is about to have one of her attacks, it’s like I can smell it, like a super power!

       As soon as I see her stop and sit, I go and lick her face to remind her to breathe and I lay on her lap to bring her back down from wherever she goes. Or when she starts to get frustrated, I sit by the door to ask her to take me on a “walk.” Sometimes I don’t really want to walk but if it will help her, then I LOVE it.

     One of the main things I have learned throughout the year with my family, though, is this is my family who I have to protect and care for just like they do for me. Just like my mom is my best friend, I am hers too. My mom saved me and I saved her.