I had recently lost my dog to Parvo and swore I would never get another dog. One day I just happened upon a picture of a dog at the Thunder Bay District Humane Society and fell in love. The dogs name was Tommy and he had the saddest eyes I had ever seen. I called the Humane Society and made a few inquires about Tommy and my heart broke as I heard part of his story. I knew then that I had to give Tommy a loving home and that we could help each other's broken hearts heal.
After going through all of the paper work, the wait periods and the visits I went to bring Tommy home. Tommy was very shy and anxious and it was very obvious that he had lived his 4 years of life in pain. Tommy came home with me and the healing began. Slowly at first but every day was a little bit better. Tommy never responded to his name so it was changed to Max and he responded the first time I said his new name.
Max is terrified of men and small children, he shakes uncontrollably when either is around or he runs and hides. He hates loud noises or sudden movements of any kind. Max had no idea how to play or what a ball was. He has just recently started chewing his raw hide toys and will play with my cat or other dogs. He still is afraid of balls and thinks they are something to run away from.
When Max saw the vet for the first time she said he may never get any better due to the trauma he had suffered in his life and that he may have several injuries that never healed properly. But still we try and Max gets better every day.
Several months after I adopted Max I received an email from the TBDHS with more of his history. It seems that Max spent the first 2 years of his life tied to a 4-foot chain with no shelter, water or love. He was fed pig feed as were the other 25 dogs chained up around him. The dogs were all most likely interbred and very aggressive due to lack of socialization.
All 26 dogs were ceased from that owner and taken to the Humane Society where most of them began the long process of healing. Many had injuries and were very unhealthy. Some sadly did not make it to full recovery.
Max spend almost 2 years at the Humane Society but he is now an amazing part of my family and as his broken heart slowly heals so does mine. Max and I bonded the instant we met and in time I know he will bond with others in my family. Max wants to love and be loved, you can see it in his eyes but because of someone’s unkindness he may take a very long time to completely heal.
I have now had Max for 10 months and I know that we were meant to find each other and to help our broken hearts heal.
Thanks Max and welcome home!
