Maxwell 2

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Update 11/28/11:

Maxwell qualifies for MAESSR’s Home for the Holidays Program. For dogs in this program, adoption fees will be waived through the end of the year. Help a special Springer’s wish come true – welcoming one into your home may be the most heartwarming gift of this holiday season!!

Thanksgiving was a quiet event for Max as he stayed at home and played with his Springer-friend, Annie. As Max makes himself increasingly comfortable in his foster home, his personality is becoming more distinct. He is a sweetheart with adults and loves cuddling and attention. He has decided that he is a lap dog and likes nothing better than settling in with his foster mom for a long nap. 

In a short time, Max has become quite attached to his foster mom. He no longer appreciates small children and grandchildren sharing their love or affection with her and does not always surrender the choice spot at her side when asked. For this reason, Max will not be placed in a home with small children. He will do best if living with adults and teens and with a family that could provide him with his own space for retreat if smaller people are visiting. 

Max’s legs are healing slowly but nicely from his granulomas. He is completing treatment and is very eager to find his “forever home.” Max is quick to spot good people and will attach to the next human that offers a lap and treats him well as does his foster mom. Make it easy on Santa by giving Max his wish early – a home of his own for the holidays is all he wants!

Original:

Originally from North Carolina, Maxwell became a MAESSR boy when his owner could no longer care for him. While his owner dealt with personal problems, Max had been living at a kennel, being cared for personally by the kennel owner. His move from kennel to foster care has gone very well, and Max has made himself right at home. He enjoys the constant attention and loving he is receiving in his new home environment. 

Maxwell had developed two lick granulomas that are being treated with antibiotics. They are healing nicely. (Note: A lick granuloma is an open sore that appears when a dog consistently licks his leg or paw in one area, frequently due to anxiety. Licking the area is thought to release endorphins which cause the dog to feel relaxed. In this cycle, the more the dog licks, the better he feels. The granulomas can develop a mild infection and are treated with antibiotics.) Now that now that Maxwell is in a calmer environment, he doesn’t appear nervous and rarely licks. 

This sweet senior has lovely house manners. Completely housetrained, Max goes to the backdoor and scratches when he wants to go outside. He is not kept in a crate and has free run of the house when his foster parents are away. Since his foster mom works from home, Max spends much of his day curled up behind her office chair waiting for her to take a break. After work, he does like to curl up on the couch or in a lap to take a snooze. He will obey the off command to get down from the furniture, but does so with a soulful expression. He is not a counter-surfer, but he is right there to see what snacks may be coming his way. Max does have a tendency to stare while his people are eating, but he never barks or begs. 

Max loves to go for walks and does well on his leash, only pulling for squirrel sightings. He loves to chase squirrels! On his walks, Max is very friendly to approaching people and other dogs. He’s fine off-leash in a fenced yard, but doesn’t respond to the come command immediately when outside of the fence. At eleven years of age, he may have some trouble hearing with all of the background noise. Just to be safe, however, he stays on leash when out of the yard. He does respond well to sit and stay. Max loves to ride in the car, but will try to ride shotgun in the front seat. 

A great watch dog, Max barks when someone comes to the door, but then he greets them nicely when they are inside. His deep bark, however, would make someone who doesn’t know him think twice about entering the home without permission! Woof! Max is good with young children although he startles a little with their sudden movements; then, he plays well with them. He’s not a resource guarder so that makes him safer around children too. 

Although he’s great with hard rubber toys, Max likes to disassemble fluffy stuffed toys. Let the stuffing fly! Max loves to run in the yard and has a surprisingly high energy level for his age. He will chase the ball, but may become distracted before he brings it back to you. If he has gotten muddy paws playing outside, he doesn’t mind having them wiped off. He’s good when he has his coat brushed, too, just soaking in the attention. Max had all of his vetting done prior to coming to his foster home, but the vet notes from prior visits describe him as “sweet.” 

Max is a loving dog who will do well in a home with or without another pet. He loves attention and affection, so his forever home should have lots of both to give him. He will probably do best in a home with a fenced yard or parents who will walk him on a leash frequently. Max will make someone a great companion!