Max's Legacy
A service dog. A heart dog. A legacy that lives on.
The Dog Who Changed Everything
In 2009, my journey truly began when Max, a wavy black Labradoodle puppy, entered my life. At first, I had no idea just how much this dog would change everything. As my cross-trained multipurpose service dog and guide dog, Max wasn’t just my service partner — he was my constant companion, my source of strength, and my heart dog.
When my vision began to decline and daily tasks became more challenging, Max stepped in with unwavering intuition and loyalty. He learned to guide me through busy streets and crowds, navigate me around obstacles, retrieve dropped items, and alert and respond accordingly to changes in my health (seizures, tachycardia, and more) — all with quiet confidence and unwavering love.
Max didn’t just support me. He carried me.
Why Cardinal's Crossing?
"When cardinals appear, angels are near."
After Max passed away in 2022, I found myself seeing cardinals during the quietest, hardest moments. In many traditions, cardinals are seen as messengers from loved ones who have crossed over — a symbol of enduring love, connection, and the idea that we are never truly alone.
Naming my breeding program Cardinal’s Crossing was my way of honoring Max’s memory — a daily reminder that his legacy still walks beside me, in every dog I raise, and in every heart we reach.
A New Chapter Begins
Bodhi: The Legacy in Motion
Though Max can never be replaced, his legacy continues through Bodhi — Max’s nephew and my current medical alert and response service dog.
From the moment I met Bodhi, he mirrored the same soulful presence and intuitive laidback temperament Max carried. Now, he helps me navigate life while also laying the foundation for the next generation of purpose-bred Australian Labradoodles at Cardinal’s Crossing.
Max taught me what a dog could truly be — not just a companion, but a lifeline.
Every puppy we raise carries a piece of his heart.
