obituary
Together Across
the Rainbow Bridge
Maximus Prime Schindler | December 14, 2016 — May 27, 2026
Chicago Buttercup Schindler | June 27, 2015 — May 27, 2026
Chicago Buttercup Schindler | June 27, 2015 — May 27, 2026
They came into this family separately, under dramatic skies as if the universe knew they needed a proper entrance, and they leave it the same way they lived — together.
Maximus Prime
Bubby, Buzz, Voldemort
Maximus Prime Schindler — beloved as Bubby, Buzz, and Voldemort — was found on a website, looking scrawny and uncertain, like a dog who hadn’t yet been told how magnificent he was. Mom called the man. It was a snowy day. She brought a ball to the backyard, handed it to him, and Maximus — the head of security, the defender of the home — knocked her clean over in the snow and covered her in kisses. They fell in love right there in the cold, and he never stopped loving her.
He was a big, scary Rottweiler who wanted everyone to know it. He had a growl that rattled walls, a size he threw around with enthusiasm, and an absolutely sideways tongue that gave the whole thing away. He was devoted to Chicago, completely and without question, but let the record show he was also a total ladies man — those big brown eyes did a lot of work and he knew it. He equally loved any chance he got to hang with the guys, because Maximus Prime contained multitudes. He loved balls more than almost anything, burying bones, rolling in the grass after a good meal, rides, and his collection of treasures — toys, empty iced tea jugs, everything that was his. Every time the lawn crew came, Max conducted a full inspection of his stash to make sure nothing had been touched, nothing had been moved, nothing had gone missing. He was territorial to his core. He did not share his toys. Unless he loved you. And if he handed you one, you knew exactly what it meant.
He worked on art projects with Mom in the garage. He once decided to join Dad in the shower. He swam in his pool every summer like a king on vacation. He loved Gabby and Mom fiercely, took his role as head of security seriously, and left his mark, literally and figuratively, on every single one of us.
He was a big, scary Rottweiler who wanted everyone to know it. He had a growl that rattled walls, a size he threw around with enthusiasm, and an absolutely sideways tongue that gave the whole thing away. He was devoted to Chicago, completely and without question, but let the record show he was also a total ladies man — those big brown eyes did a lot of work and he knew it. He equally loved any chance he got to hang with the guys, because Maximus Prime contained multitudes. He loved balls more than almost anything, burying bones, rolling in the grass after a good meal, rides, and his collection of treasures — toys, empty iced tea jugs, everything that was his. Every time the lawn crew came, Max conducted a full inspection of his stash to make sure nothing had been touched, nothing had been moved, nothing had gone missing. He was territorial to his core. He did not share his toys. Unless he loved you. And if he handed you one, you knew exactly what it meant.
He worked on art projects with Mom in the garage. He once decided to join Dad in the shower. He swam in his pool every summer like a king on vacation. He loved Gabby and Mom fiercely, took his role as head of security seriously, and left his mark, literally and figuratively, on every single one of us.
Chicago Buttercup
Cago, the Blonde, Princess, Ginger Rogers, DJ CAGO
Chicago Buttercup Schindler — known to her people as Cago, the Blonde, and Princess — arrived on a dark, rainy night, a small blonde blur streaking across a Chicago street, her future caught in a pair of headlights. Mom didn’t hesitate. She jumped out of a moving car and scooped her up, and that was that. She was raised by Stitch and Arnold, shaped by their love, and became the bridge between the old crew and the new one. She was many things to many people, but above all, she was Chicago, and there was nobody else like her.
She tap danced. She DJ’d with her tail, the only dog in family history to have one, laying down beats that filled every room she graced. Her heartbeat lived in her tail. Every feeling she had ran through it, and when she was happy to see you, you didn’t have to wonder — the wag, the thump against the floor, the joy loud enough to hear from another room. She sat like she’d been to debutante school. Paws crossed, posture immaculate, every inch a proper lady. You’d never have known she was found on the streets of Chicago. She was a diva of the highest order, demanding table food and belly rubs with the authority of someone who absolutely deserved both. She had stuffed animals she treasured, a chicken she once tried to smuggle outside, and a room she chewed her way out of when the situation called for it. She couldn’t bark or growl until Gabby and Mom taught her how — a skill they later came to deeply regret. She loved sleeping, hanging out with Dad, her BFF Khaleesi, and the stuffed animals she kept close. And those eyes — big, golden, and warm enough to melt anyone who dared look into them, which she knew and absolutely used to her advantage. But her greatest love, her soulmate, the one who made her whole, was Max.
She tap danced. She DJ’d with her tail, the only dog in family history to have one, laying down beats that filled every room she graced. Her heartbeat lived in her tail. Every feeling she had ran through it, and when she was happy to see you, you didn’t have to wonder — the wag, the thump against the floor, the joy loud enough to hear from another room. She sat like she’d been to debutante school. Paws crossed, posture immaculate, every inch a proper lady. You’d never have known she was found on the streets of Chicago. She was a diva of the highest order, demanding table food and belly rubs with the authority of someone who absolutely deserved both. She had stuffed animals she treasured, a chicken she once tried to smuggle outside, and a room she chewed her way out of when the situation called for it. She couldn’t bark or growl until Gabby and Mom taught her how — a skill they later came to deeply regret. She loved sleeping, hanging out with Dad, her BFF Khaleesi, and the stuffed animals she kept close. And those eyes — big, golden, and warm enough to melt anyone who dared look into them, which she knew and absolutely used to her advantage. But her greatest love, her soulmate, the one who made her whole, was Max.
Together
They were brother lover and sister wife. They were best friends, soulmates, and partners in everything. Chicago wouldn’t eat or go outside without Max. Max wanted her near always. They drove each other crazy and couldn’t live without each other. And every single Saturday, without fail, they had Caturday — a weekly tradition of treats, new toys, and stuffed animals, because they were spoiled absolutely rotten and deserved every bit of it. Which is why it is only right that they cross the rainbow bridge the same way they did everything else — side by side.
Chicago Buttercup would have turned 11 this June 27th. Maximus Prime would have turned 10 this December 14th. They leave behind their siblings Gabby, Noah, Khaleesi, and Viscerion, and a family whose home will feel the size of their absence every single day.
They are reunited now with Lilo, Stitch, Arnold, and Drogon, who went ahead to keep the grass warm.
Chicago Buttercup would have turned 11 this June 27th. Maximus Prime would have turned 10 this December 14th. They leave behind their siblings Gabby, Noah, Khaleesi, and Viscerion, and a family whose home will feel the size of their absence every single day.
They are reunited now with Lilo, Stitch, Arnold, and Drogon, who went ahead to keep the grass warm.
Run free, you two. There are balls and belly rubs and all the table food you want on the other side. We’ll find you there.
“They were the best damn doggies ever.”
THIER FAMILY
P.S. It was Chicago Buttercup who killed all the birds and the baby bunnies. She knows what she did. She is really sorry about that.