Max's Story
This is Max’s story – as told from posts by
Kathy Ostrander, who was the last WIN volunteer in the WURL who
picked him up, groomed him and then gave him to Rob and Dan, his new
owners. The last posts are from Rob and Dan.
MISSOURI - They called me Samuel Jackson, or
Sam, or Jackson - but I really didn't have a name. I was surrendered
by a puppy miller on Jan. 19 to Wheatens in Need Volunteers (WIN).
Donna and Ross picked me up and they didn't strangle the puppy
millers - even though all they gave up with me was a couple of
handfuls of dog food in a garbage bag and a rusted chain.
Then I went to Liz and then to Kristen and then to Betty - all the
way into Illinois - and then to Kathy and Scott. I rode in a cage -
until Kathy and Scott got me late Saturday afternoon. A cage won't
fit in the back of Kathy's car, so she sat in the back with me. I
didn't know what to do - I am three and have never been in the
backseat of a car before. I wouldn't lie down so she kept moving my
front legs a little by little until I was lying down.
It was heaven! A clean sheet on the back seat and another for a
pillow - and she petted me for two hours - two hours. No one has
ever petted me for that long. But water kept coming out of her eyes
and falling on her coat and on my long, tangled, dirty, smelly coat.
I didn't understand that - no one has ever had water coming out of
their eyes for me before.
And we got to Kathy and Scott's house in Wisconsin and I went in the
yard and went potty. And then - I was overwhelmed - first time on a
leash, first time in a yard - first time in a house, what is this -
end tables, chairs - couches - carpeting? A TV, a radio - a bird in
a cage that makes loud noise? Dogs eat out of bowls - not food
thrown on the ground - we get water in the winter - not just
expected to eat snow?
But I was good and very quiet. And she put me on something called
grooming table and she clipped all that dirty hair off and plucked
the nasty hair from my infected ears and clipped my nails And she
kissed me - a bunch of times - imagine that - I still smelled!
And then my new owners, Rob and Dan came and they told me I would
never have to go back - and I got a bath - a bath! I thought baths
were getting hosed off! I went into a bath tub and had shampoo and
creme rinse even! It was wonderful - more heaven. And I got dried
and I was fluffy and when Kathy was all done - she put her face
close to mine and said - Welcome back from hell - this is the first
day of the rest of your life and your name is Max. And more water
came out of her eyes.
My name is Max. I am a Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier For every Max
that comes out - there are hundreds more that do not.
Jan. 19 – from Kathy to WIN
Max is more afraid of Dan and Rob then he was of me. They put him on
their laps and spend at least 15 minutes a day just stroking him.
When my husband picked up Max to carry him out to the car for them.
Max opened his mouth in a silent scream of terror - it gave me goose
bumps.
I told Rob to read to Max so he and Dan read to
him (books for work or newspapers) so he gets used to a nice, calm,
non-threatening male voice.
Rob and Dan said Max eats and drinks now - reluctantly - until it is
night time. Then, in the darkness of the bedroom, he eats his food
and takes long drinks from his water bucket.
I don't even what to contemplate what type of environment he was in
that he needs to have that duplicated to eat and drink.
Jan. 24
Here is an update from Max's "dad" Rob - I asked for his
thoughts on whether or not he thought WIN should look at the other
puppy mill dogs.
Hi Kathy:
Here are my thoughts - Dan may have different or additional
thoughts.
Yes, Max is blank and clearly has been
neglected and probably abused. He is
so scared of everything - as if almost everything can potentially
hurt him
and cause him pain. I'm talking about utility poles, cars,
garbage cans,
trees, People, other dogs, any noise, the kitchen cupboard, a rug, a
door,
etc. You get the point.
Having said that, we're starting to see his personality. His
eyes aren't
quite so dead, vacant and blank and he will look at us, if even for
the
briefest moment. Also, in 2 weeks with us, he's never pooped
or peed in the
house or in his crate. This morning, after Dan got up to take
him outside,
he was getting dressed (and had left the crate door closed while he
did so)
and Max pawed the crate door, as if saying, "Hey. I'm in here.
You're up
and it's time to go outside." Very endearing and an example of
how we're
starting to see glimpses of his personality.
After 2 weeks, he is beginning to bond with us and in very, very,
very small
increments beginning to trust us. He doesn't tremble as much
when we hold
and pet him. He doesn't cringe when we try to touch the side of his
face or
scratch under his chin. He will sometimes come out of his
crate on his own.
Is a puppy mill dog for everyone?
Probably not. Are the puppy mill dogs
worth saving? I'd say they are worth a try. Max has
already found a place
in our hearts, after 2 short, fearful, non-affectionate, blank
weeks.
I'd say rescue the puppy mill dogs and try fostering them for a
month with
People who understand this is what they will be. Then, place
them in homes
where People understand this is what the puppy mill dogs will be
like and
that are willing to pour on the love and build the trust and help
the dog
learn what it's like to be a happy, loved dog who can trust and
interact
with humans.
Thanks again to everyone with WIN and all the support you've offered
us and
Max!
Rob, Madison, WI
March 9 – from Rob and Dan
Max is doing better every day. He wags his tail every day when
we come home. We took him to the dog park on Saturday and he
stuck close to us and interacted nicely when other dogs came over.
Yay!
He meets strangers and other dogs well, but is still pretty timid.
It will take time. Of course, we love him already and can't
imagine what we did without him here!!!!
Take care.
Rob, Dan and Max
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