Caleb and Ashlyn Mellstrom’s pup, Maximus, was so small he could literally fit in their palms. But a Great Dane does not stay that way for very long. It only took him a year and he outgrew his siblings.
At 3 years old and just shy of 200 pounds, Maximus still thinks he’s as small as his “big” Pomeranian sister, Dahlia.
Having no idea how big he is, he has no hesitation being Dahlia’s right-paw dog. “Those two are constantly causing trouble together,” Mellstrom said.
Among the Mellstrom family’s four dogs, Maximus is the youngest, and when he first arrived, not all were happy with the new addition, having to share the attention.
Cheyenne and Charlie did not buy 100 percent into having him around, they needed time to adjust.
“Cheyenne is still not so thrilled about him. She’s very much a daddy’s girl and doesn’t like anyone else taking his attention from her.”
The Great Pyrenees/Lab mix Charlie has come to accept Max, so long as the puppy does not interrupt his napping schedule.
It is Dahlia who is Max’s best friend. When Max first arrived, they were about the same size, and even though Max outgrew her, they still see each other as equals and enjoy wrestling and playing together.
Taking weekly photos of the pack of dogs was Ashlyn Mellstrom’s way of keeping track of Max’s growth spurt.
Her other dogs, especially when treats in view, are experts at sitting for cameras. So little Max quickly learned the trick.
“When I got Maximus, I knew immediately that I had to take growth photos or I wouldn’t believe that he used to be small,” Mellstrom reflected. “I was kind of obsessed with seeing the change every week.”
“Everybody has to sit, which some days can be a struggle depending on who wants to cooperate,” she continued. Lining them up, she said yelling silly words helped to snap the photos.
It still amazes Mellstrom that Maximus could start so small, despite having photographic proof.
“Due to unclear instructions, the gray potato may have a little too much watering …” said Mellstrom in a Facebook post.
The fact that Max towers over everyone, he even outgrew his parents, does not matter to anyone.
Although every dog is unique in their appearance and personality, they all share a family bond.
As a pack, they all fit very well together. They follow a routine and understand each other.
Thanks to The Dodo for bringing us this funny story.
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