Recovering from extensive cancer surgery and its nasty side effects were without a doubt the most difficult experience of my life. There were times when I thought I would never return to normal.

Max was a huge part of my recovery. Once I returned home from the hospital he never left my side for five straight weeks. Prior to my hospital homecoming, he refused to jump up on the footrest of my recliner and lay at my feet. But things were different now. For five straight weeks he insisted on it. He lay at my feet keeping guard while I took extensive daily naps crucial to my recovery.

At the one year mark I felt well enough to take a hike in the nearby state park with my wife Terry and dogs Max and Indy. We placed a geocache celebrating my recovery. It felt good to be alive and immersing myself in nature although it would still be another six months before I achieved my "new normal". As I gently lowered myself onto a nearby bench to gather enough energy for the return walk Max hoped up to join me. He sensed my heavy breathing and knew his closeness would help. Terry positioned her iPhone for a photo, but the always camera shy Max refused to look up.

Sycamore State Park, 8/30/14

P.S. I grew a beard when I was 20 and finally shaved it off in 2016. Dave Blazejewski once told me he thought I was dyeing my hair since it stayed black while my beard was grey. Nope. The skin on my face and head are simply not on the same genetic schedule.

Photo courtesy of Terry Combs