Your Maxi sounds a lot like our Bear Bear. Our Bear Bear, she kept us from giving up through some very difficult times in our lives. Our Shepherds' are our guardians , our best friends amd companions. We are all so lucky to have them in our lives. They are also an inspiration to all of us the way they fight to stay with us even when they are suffering or at death's door.They fight death for us until they can't fight no more.