MAX Lang

MAX Lang, the 16-year-old Dalmatian boy of Kelley and Rick Lang, of New Palestine, Indiana, crossed over the Rainbow Bridge on Friday, January 30, 2026.

MAX was born in Indianapolis, Indiana, and was a surprise gift from Kelley to Rick after a lady she worked with was trying to find homes for puppies. Kelley chose MAX out of the box of puppies the lady had, and this little puppy won their hearts. They celebrated his birthday on April 10, 2010, because that is the day they brought him home, although they thought he was maybe 5 to 6 weeks old when they got him.

MAX brought so much happiness and joy to his new family. Rick stressed what he loved most about MAX was "probably his calm demeanor and definitely his black eye patch; he was very majestic the way he could run like a deer."

Rick described his personality as "a bit of a goofball; he could be a bit clumsy while playing with him sometimes, and he loved to run."

Rick shared his favorite memory of Max: "The way he would hug and snuggle with Kelley and my daughter Allie; he would talk to me when he wanted something, lightly moving his mouth and making sounds until I got him what he wanted, mostly snacks." MAX loved the outdoors. He liked car rides but wanted to stay close to his home. According to Rick, "He loved to get out of the house or yard; he would get right up in my truck and stick his head out the window, but after about 5 minutes. He would start barking and would not stop until we got back home, so our car rides were short."

MAX loved to play with tennis balls and a giant tug-of-war rope; he would skin the tennis balls. Rick shared, "As we got done playing fetch, he would chew on the rope until it was too small to play with and then bring it to me as if he was telling me to get a new one, Dad. I spoiled him rotten."

MAX did not like baths. According to Rick, "He would run from the water hose, and it was definitely a struggle to get him in the bathtub; the groomer was even worse." Rick also recalled a funny memory of Max: "Yes, as I said, he did not like the bathtub, but I think he hated loud noises, especially fireworks. I usually had 4th of July parties with lots of fireworks, so he would usually hide under the bed. So a few years ago, the last time we had fireworks, I came in the house to check on him. He was hiding in the bathtub behind the shower curtain; it was the funniest thing I ever saw him do."

Max's favorite food was whatever his family was eating at the time. His favorite treats were Beggin' Strips.

Max's family also referred to their sweet boy as "Buddy."

What Max's family felt he valued most in life was his treats and running around outside.

MAX loved everyone but had a special relationship with his daddy, Rick; he was always there by his side.

Life with MAX was richer, happier, and certainly more blessed. MAX will be forever loved and missed; his sweet memory will last forever in his family's hearts.

In addition to Kelley and Rick, MAX will be missed immensely by his human siblings, Allie Lang-Spangler and husband Tyler Spangler, human Uncle Mike Lang, fur siblings Beagle, Sadie May, Kitties Smokey and Hobo, and dog cousins Ozzy and Charley Brown.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Always & Furever in Our Hearts Pet Cremation in association with Liming Family Funeral Home, located in Shirley, Indiana. We are honored to serve the family of MAX Lang.