GOODBYE MAX!

Yesterday we said goodbye to our beloved Max with very mixed emotions. Happiness that he has finally found a new, forever home with a loving owner, and sadness because our shelter has lost one of it's most endearing residents. All of our dogs (and cats) are eminently loving and lovable. They all have their own personalities and every individual adds their own stamp. Some of them though, have an indefinable something that sets them apart. Max, most definitely is one of those.

For over a year, we'd actually resisted taking Max into the shelter. A wonderful lady, Lucy, who is now a firm friend, called us one day to say that there was a Shar-Pei mix, male dog living on the streets of her village. She had found the dog in a horrible state, emaciated and with one leg infected, twisted, and swollen to the size of a tree trunk. The rest of his body was also somewhat battle-scarred and added to that he had a very dominant personality. She had taken the dog to the vet and had him neutered and his leg amputated, he was now healed but there was nowhere for him to go although she was ensuring that he was fed regularly. Our shelter, is permanently full to overflowing, with the cute and not so cute. Several of our dogs are adults that have been with us since they were small pups and have never been adopted. All the dogs that have come to us as adults have been sick or needy in some way. The streets of our busy, tourist town are overflowing with literally thousands of homeless, starving and needy dogs. We were forced to say - 'Sorry, Lucy, but there is no way we can find room for a well fed, dominant male dog in our overcrowded shelter. Realistically, if we can't adopt out sweet, gentle, attractive adult dogs, what are the chances with a 3 legged, battle-scarred one?'

The day finally came when Lucy contacted us as a matter of urgency. Max, never popular in the village had attacked and killed a child's pet rabbit. Lucy was adamant - if Max didn't 'disappear' that day, he would be dead within 24 hours, and rather than have him be poisoned or killed with a machete, she would have him euthanized herself. What could we do? Clearly, the time had come when we had to step in and save him, cross our fingers and toes and hope it would all work out for the best. With one look at Max's sweet wrinkled face, big brown eyes and lolling purple tongue, we were hooked. This dog was coming 'home' with us!

I won't pretend there weren't initial problems. Our shelter dogs are not kept separately, they live in small packs. He was very dominant (not aggressive) which led to 'stand-offs' with a few of the other male and more dominant female dogs. However, we managed to find the right mix of females for him and he lived very happily with his little harem - Delilah, Dizzy, Artura, Margaret and Juliette. His only 'fault' being his ability to open bolts and locks with his teeth, let out his pack and cause general mayhem! Max is a real 'people' dog. He is gentle and loving with everyone and bliss for him is being kissed and cuddled. Judging by the the scars on his face and the previous problem with his leg, we feel fairly certain that prior to his life on the streets, he was being used as a 'bait' dog for organized dog fights. Certainly he shows every sign, like many of our dogs of having had a very hard life. How wonderful then, that this noble animal should have turned out so gentle and loving. We hope he will have a wonderful life, the life he deserves, with his lovely new owner.

Max, we love you, we miss you, but we'll visit you very soon.
Link: http://peanutpetshelter.org/adoptiondogs.html