Tuesday, February 3, 2015

The Case Of The Free Dog: Max

 A few weeks ago, I came across an ad on Craig's List for a "Free Dog". This is sad, but it's also very dangerous for the dog. Of course, if someone is offering their dog for free, they don't care about the dog, and where he could end up. There are some very bad people that search Craig's List looking for "Free" dogs. At the top of the list are dog fighters, looking for free bait dogs.
 
 So Angie and I drove a couple hours south to get him. He was such a good boy, considering that he didn't know what the heck was happening. And truthfully, I didn't know what the heck was happening either. I didn't have a plan. Whenever we rescue a dog, I do a lot of praying that God will help me get the dog to where he's meant to be. HE has always come through. :)
 
 The ad said he was 9 years old, and he'd been with the same owners his whole life. It also said that he had an old injury to his paw, but that it wasn't a problem now. The woman wouldn't answer any of my questions when we met her in a restaurant parking lot to pick him up. I said "Why are you getting rid of him?" and "Do you have any other dogs"?
She just said she's been feeling bad because he's been having to live in the garage. That was it!
Living in the garage during a Minnesota winter would be torture!
 
 Isn't he sweet? He's holding his left paw up in this pic, the paw that is supposed to be "just fine". 
On the way home I Googled "English Springer Rescue", thinking it was a long shot.
But there were a few to choose from! So I randomly chose one, and left a message.
By the time we got home, the rescue called me back...and this part was truly God helping me out, I believe. I told the woman that I just picked up a free Springer Spaniel, and I'm looking for some help.
She immediately said "Oh, is it Max with the bad leg?"
 
(This pic shows how bad his leg really is)
 Here this rescue group had been trying to rescue him for weeks! The owner didn't want him to go to a rescue though. I said well, I've got him, so the joke's on her!
Can you believe that the owner told the rescue group that they bought a brand new Rottweiler puppy, and Max didn't like him....so Max had to go!
 
Here's the other thing, Max has been living is extreme pain all his life. The kids broke is leg when he was just a couple months old, and the owners never took him to the vet! His leg healed at a very weird angle, and he developed severe arthritis because of it. It's no wonder he didn't like the Rottweiler puppy. Max has become defensive because of his injury. I saw this when he stayed with me. But overall, he was so sweet, and he just wanted love!
He stayed with me for a week, while a long term foster could be found. I brought him to get neutered, and then he was transferred to his new foster home in Ohio.
 
 
Now, this AMAZING rescue group, English Springer Rescue America, is on a mission to help him!
Max is their newest "Special Needs Springer", and they have a fundraiser set up to raise money for his surgery!
I couldn't believe it when I saw that there were people from all over the country sending money to help him out. And NO, this post is not meant to ask you to contribute! I hope you know that! I just wanted you to see what happened. He was a free dog, who's owners didn't love him, and now he's got a whole list of people trying to help him. It confirmed for me that sometimes having faith is enough.
 
 
Click HERE to read about his injury, and to see his fundraiser page.
Go HERE to scroll through many available Springer Spaniels. Max,in Cincinnati, is towards the end.
 
Thank you for reading my long post!
Hugs- Erica :)
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


22 comments:

  1. Im so glad you went and got him. I cant even begin to tell you how angry I get about people who give away their pets after theyve had them for a while. it really ticks me off. a friend's daughter in law is recently pregnant and has three cats and a dog.. had two other dogs that they got and then gave away until she got the "perfect" one.. and three cats that technically do deserve a better home.. but anyways.. suddenly she is pregnant and decides she has to get rid of two of the cats. I have to bite my tongue because she is my dear friends daughter in law.. but boy would I like to blast her. I cant even let myself think about all the unwanted animals out there.. it breaks my heart and makes me sick.. so glad that you saved that sweet old guy! thank you!
    xoxo
    vivian

    ReplyDelete
  2. Ugh....this make me so mad!!!! Why are people so irresponsible with pets? When we got Bullet, Bailey made it very clear that she didn't like him. She didn't try and hurt him or anything like that. She just gets very diva-isn and pays zero attention to him. But does that mean I get rid of her just because she doesn't like the new dog?! Uh no! People like the lady you got Max from are just lazy and heartless and shouldn't be allowed to have animals (or probably children for that matter) at all. Thank God for you and your sister. Brian thinks I'm crazy because I have a stack of blankets in the back of my car for when I find strays. We live in the country and people dump their dogs out here all the time. He and Maddie actually picked up another one last week so at least I'm rubbing off on him! You and your sister go above and beyond this and I am so happy to say that you are my friend!

    Erica

    ReplyDelete
  3. I got a free Lakeland terrier once with an add from the paper. They bought him for a show dog and he didn't take to the ring. So they locked him on a glass in porch and let him out in the yard when he had to go out. We took him and loved him to the last of his days. You did a great thing!
    Cathy

    ReplyDelete
  4. I just don't know how people can treat any animal that way. This brought tears to my eyes when I saw the xrays. Bless you for rescuing him and I love that so many people are helping. Am glad the medication is helping him, too!

    ReplyDelete
  5. You are truly an angel! I shed a few tears reading about Max's story but I am so happy to hear that you and the rescue group are there for him. I can't imagine treating an animal so badly and I always have to tell myself that people that do this will get what is coming to them someday. Thank you for having such a big heart and loving animals!

    ~Trisha

    ReplyDelete
  6. Poor guy! Thank you so much for saving him. I can't believe his broken leg...just makes me so angry!! Good people out trump bad thank goodness!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Words are failing me right now and the tears are falling. You are a such an angel - God bless you for saving this wonderful fellow. I'm so happy he will soon have the great life he deserves. How people can mistreat animales is something I wll NEVER understand. You are a good soul. Cackie

    ReplyDelete
  8. God bless you! Thank you for saving him. What an incredible story. He deserves a very happy ending.

    ReplyDelete
  9. God bless you for rescuing Max!!! God's timing is so perfect! Sending this story to my animal-lovin' daughter to read, too!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Erica, I can barely look at that sweet face without tearing up, never mind his leg. People can be so ignorant and cruel, I'd like to come there and slap that woman silly!
    Thank you, your Sister and your BIG hearts for rescuing dear Max. Hope he finds his forever home soon. xo

    ReplyDelete
  11. Erica, you are truly an angel! Bless you for helping Max! He looks like such a sweet dog. I hope he gets treatment and then moves on to a home where he will finally have some love. How can people be so cruel? It just breaks my heart!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Oh my gosh that poor dog, I can't believe some people....that they bought a new puppy and he had to go. And that poor leg! .....Thank goodness for you Erica, you saved him and I'm sure he's so much happier and thankful now!! God bless you!! xo Holly

    ReplyDelete
  13. Thank you Erica, you're a good person. I'm glad the dog is being well-cared for now. I hope he finds a good forever family.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Oh Erica, I'm so glad you rescued Max, I hope he finds all the love and care he needs in a good forever home. Thank you!

    ReplyDelete
  15. What dedication from you and your sister to go out of your way to save Max. He is one lucky dog to have met you.
    Chris =]

    ReplyDelete
  16. You are an amazing woman. Thank you for sharing your story about Max.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Erica, One of my daily prayers is for animals in need, and that those who have the power to help on every level will have eyes to see and hearts to help. When you are out there on the front lines I hope you will remember that daily (and weekly by my church) you and your mission are being lifted up in prayer. God is so good. Not only does He answer our prayers, He also lets us see glimpses of those answers which builds our faith and encourages our prayer life. Donating and sharing with a thankful heart. Praise be to God.

    ReplyDelete
  18. You and your sister are wonderful people. You made the Lord smile by rescuing that precious dog. Kind of makes me wonder how the woman who was giving the dog away treats her human children! Scary!

    ReplyDelete
  19. I really enjoyed reading this article! I have just launched a book on The Rottweiler Puppy care, here is the link http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00TIIPP00/

    ReplyDelete
  20. You are so kind :) I read up on the poor dog and it said he passed away in april.

    ReplyDelete
  21. You are so kind :) I read up on the poor dog and it said he passed away in april.

    ReplyDelete
  22. More than 1000 casino games online to play this summer. Just click and view more details.

    ReplyDelete

Your Comments Are Golden :)