How the Grinch Got Max: Pt. 1

My name is Max. Of course you are probably wondering Max who? There are many famous Max’s in hundreds of different stories. But my story is probably the most different out of all of them, for I was the one who dragged a whole load of Christmas presents up the side of Mount Crumpet one snowy Christmas morning. That’s right; I am The Grinch’s dog Max.

Some of you have probably wondered why I even want to live with a scary green hermit when I can live with a much nicer Who family than him. Oh I do have my reasons and it’s a nice story to hear by the fire on a cold, snowy night or even on a rainy afternoon, depending when you read this. So if you are interested keep reading, if not, well I guess it’s just not your kind of story.

I was born five years before that memorable Christmas night on a very chilly early spring morning. My mother was a stray named Kelly, part spaniel and part something else. She had always been a stray, and never had an owner to take care of her, save for Hal the local Deli shop owner. Hal wished he could adopt her but his wife was allergic to any animal he brought home, but my mother was fine with that, life wasn’t too hard for her, just as long as she knew the ways of the alley and how to avoid other Whos and dogs when she needed to.

My father’s name was Riley, a big half retriever half Shepard mix, the leader of a pack in the area. He had an owner once and claimed that he was kicked out of the house for chewing on too many shoes. Many of the dogs knew that this was not true and that he had run away from home to become a street dog.

But whatever the reason, he had a big name on the streets; he was the leader of a large gang of dogs who would often cause trouble and steal food from others. He was also very close to my mother for many years; they would take long strolls together in the park or head over to Hal’s for a nice evening meal. She had another litter before I was born with him and all of them were adopted thanks to Hal who put them in a box in the front of his shop.

But their love for each other changed only two weeks before I was born. My mother caught Dad cheating with a prissy poodle named Cleo owned by none other than Martha May Whovier. My mother was so heartbroken that she never wanted to speak to him again. My father didn’t even care and even admitted that he had planned to find someone else in a few years time.

So she gave birth to us alone beside the trashcan of Hal’s Deli, she knew it would be a safe place for us and that Hal would find her at the end of the day taking out the trash. It had worked the first time and she knew that Hal was kind enough to do it again. He would take her into the broiler room and let her sleep there with us until we were old enough to be adopted.

Including me there was five of us, three girls and two boys and yes like most children we did have sibling rivalry but that would not happen until our eyes opened. All we wanted was milk from mom and a warm spot to call our own. My mother watched us with loving eyes while at the same time she watched the door, waiting for Hal to appear with his day’s garbage.

He did it his usual way when he finally came out, humming a song to himself while at the same time calling out to my mom to let her know that he had some delicious treats for her.

“Kelly! Oh Kelly, I have some roast beast for you!” he would say in a sing songy voice. Occasionally it was ham and on special occasions, during the Fish is Delish celebration; he would give her Crackling Mackerel a very delicious fish I might add.

My mother let out a small bark to let him know that she was there when he was done calling for her. Hal looked around for her until he saw some movement next to the trashcan.

“Oh Kelly there you are, and I was wondering why you seemed to be getting fat, I didn’t want to say anything because I know how a lady feels about her weight,” said Hal with a chuckle.

My mother let out a happy growl while she wagged her tail, it was her way of telling Hal that he could help her since Who’s are of course very terrible at communicating with other creatures than themselves.

“And its going to be a cold night too, I don’t think those pups would like being out in this freezing cold alley, the broiler room should keep you warm,” said Hal.

My mother jumped up and wagged her tail before giving Hal a big lick on the face. Hal laughed while he carefully gathered us up and carried us inside, my mother was not too far behind, making sure that no one fell out of the nice Who’s hands.

Once we reached the broiler room, Hal set us down carefully while Mom ran over to make sure that each of us did not get harmed in any way. She trusted Hal but like all mothers you have to be sure. Hal made sure we were comfortable too and set down a big bread basket with a few comfortable rags he had lying around.

“Tomorrow I will bring something nicer for you to sleep on and you can stay in here for as long as you want, just try to stay out of the fridge, I don’t want the health inspector getting mad at me for finding a dog running loose in this place with fleas. And once those pups are old enough, I’ll find homes for them just like your last litter,” said Hal

My mother only wagged her tail as she set us up in the warm and cozy bed. Hal watched and smiled before getting up to get a bowl of water and some roast beast. Once mom was all situated and Hal gave her her meal, he closed the broiler room door to give us peace and quiet.

Once all was silent my mother looked down at the five of us and smiled.

“You will be safe here this is your best chance of finding a home when you are all older I promise you that. Even though a stray’s life looks easy, but I think a home would be better for you all,” she said with a sigh before licking each of us in the face.

My mother then gave a big yawn and set her head down close to ours, it had been a long day and sleep was now the best option in a very safe and quiet place.