Size
(when grown) Small 25 lbs (11 kg) or less
Details
Good with kids,
Good with dogs,
House-trained,
Story
Meet Max
Precious Max has been through so much trauma in his life. Thankfully he was surrendered and has been living in a loving foster home for the past several weeks. His foster family says hes doing well and is ready to find his forever home.
Max is a nine-year-old Yorki/Chihuahua mix as best as we can tell. He weighs about 10 lbs. and has a beautiful silvery, silky coat, and all-seeing, intelligent eyes. Max is physically healthy but bears emotional scars. When Max first arrived, he didnt know who was friend or foe. He was terrified and shook constantly, tucking his head down as if waiting for something bad to happen. He did not want to be seen and if he could have melted into the floor, we think he would have. What Max didnt know was that he was safe. He went home immediately with our operations manager and his family so he could decompress in a quiet and safe home. His foster family showered him with kindness and allowed Max to work things out on his time. They didnt force Max to socialize with them; they never rushed him but rather they let him come to them when he was ready. After just a few days of watching his surroundings, he felt safe and has become their Velcro buddy.
These days, Max loves sitting in laps and being as close to his fosters as possible. He follows them around. He loves the kids in the family. Theyve been taught to be gentle with animals, and he loves hanging out with them. Max also likes the resident dogs. He watches them and tries to mimic what they do. Hes learning to play, maybe for the first time ever. Hes come a long way since the terrified dog that arrived at our shelter.
Max has suffered severe abuse previously and he still carries the emotional scars of not knowing when the hurt will come. We think Max's perfect home will be a quiet and patient home, perhaps an older person or couple who are often home and looking for a constant companion. A home without small kids might be best. Max does well with kids, but due to his past trauma, he startles and out of fear he could snap unexpectedly. Hes not aggressive, just uncertain. Max will do well in a home with small, friendly dogs but hed also be fine in a home with no dogs. Were not sure about cats. Max can be left alone in the home. Hes potty trained to use a pee pad during the day or overnight. He walks well on a leash, and he now enjoys being carried by those he trusts.
This little guy is a gem. For the person adopting, Max will need a bounty of patience and kindness. He is not to be rushed or overwhelmed. When he feels safe, hell come to you. And, when he does, its forever. Max is proving to be a loyal little dog while living in foster care, he just needs to know that his love will not be used to abuse him. Hes trying so hard to be brave. And hes come a long way in a short amount of time. We know his perfect home is out there.
If looking to welcome Max to your heart and home, get your application in at www.charlessmithgallhumanesociety.org. Please email our shelter (smithgallhumanesociety@windstream.net) to make sure we received your application. All adopters must complete an approval process which involves a reference check with current/recent vet. We require an excellent pet/vet history, and we require every animal in the family to be fully vetted and fixed in order to adopt. If you have an exception, please explain fully in the application. Well require a brief home and/or a live Facetime visit. Incomplete or inaccurate applications will not be considered. We do permit out-of-state adoptions. Adopters MUST come to the shelter to transport their new family member home. We do not ship, nor do we transport them to their new homes. Adoption policies and application procedures are detailed at the shelter website: http://charlessmithgallhumanesociety.org/ under tab All Adoptable Animals.
Charles Smithgall Humane Society (CSHS) is a No kill shelter. Animals in our care remain safe with us until adopted. Resident animals are either owner relinquished rescued from area Animal Controls or high kill shelters. The facility usually operates at capacity with a list of animals waiting
