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Witnesses saw a red pickup truck push a Walker Hound out at the top of the mountain pass between here and the next city. The dog tried to climb back into the truck but the man kicked him and started driving. The poor animal chased after as the truck sped away. He was already skin and bone when that happened. For the next three weeks a number of people stopped and tried to help the dog but he'd always run away. He was scared to death of humans. Finally one evening when temps were expected to drop below freezing, two little girls convinced their Mom to stop and try again. After over a half hour hunkered down behind their car, using it as a wind block, they extended their hands with treats repeating, it's ok - it's ok. The poor skeleton that was once a dog, who had been surviving on road kill, gave in and came to them. Once the girls got him in the car they drove quickly to Angels Retreat Rescue. They put him in one of the pens where he had shelter, food and water but it took me three days to get him to let me touch him. Admittedly, I bribed him with a bowl of chicken and rice. I was getting desperate. As I sat, petting him that night, for some reason, I decided he should be named Maxwell. Max went to the vet for what we suspect was the first time in his life. Doc estimated him to be just over a year old and he only weighed 53 pounds. He got his vaccinations, a microchip and neutered. Thank God he was heartworm negative. After vetting, Max came indoors with the rest of the population and started crate training and leash walking. It took a while to get past the food aggression, but after six weeks with a full bowl he finally figured out he'd get fed. The other dogs helped me get him house broken and taught him to play. He'd play with anything. In fact, his last day here I laughed out loud when I looked out my office window and saw him running up the hill in the yard with an empty plastic bag from chicken leg quarters. Today Max, AKA Maxwell, AKA Maximus Wiggilus was adopted. He'd crate trained, house broken and not scared. He's happy and about to get happier. As I type this his new Mom is most likely just getting home from the eight-hour round trip drive to get him and introducing him to his very own, THREE little boys. And as every good story should end, they all lived happily ever after. |
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