Max 06-557

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Welcome back to RAGOM Max!

Max is a 3 1/2 year old, PB, neutered male Golden Retriever. He is very handsome. Tall, lean (about 60 lbs.), light golden color with lots of beautiful feathering, and what a GREAT face! He is a doll, there is no doubt about that. Max was originally adopted about a year ago by a very nice family, but it just was not the right fit... so Max is back in foster care and looking for his perfect, FOREVER home once again. His surrendering family loved him very much, and they know he will be a great dog for someone, they were not home enough for him, and do not have a fence, which he needs. We are determined to find that family so that Max never, ever has to move again.

Here is what we know: Max has a fear of thunderstorms, fireworks, and gunshots. He gets very upset when he hears these things (when his owners are not home, he is OK when his humans are around, still nervous...but OK) and will have accidents in the house. He HATES crates and will break out of them. He was crated because were he was living there was open hunting all of the time and many gunshots throughout the day and they knew how he reacted to this, so they thought they would contain him... it did not work. He has shown some signs of separation anxiety also. However, his previous owners were very busy and gone A LOT. So, he spent many days and nights home alone.We will see how he does with much shorter periods of being left alone, I think that is all he needs. Now for the good stuff...Max is house trained, extremely friendly, GREAT with other dogs. (best buds already with all 3 dogs here... plus foster girl Venus, and V isn't easy to charm!) He lived with 2 cats previously and loved them. LOVES kids! He has the basics down. (sit, down, come) Loves to fetch! He is very athletic. Would make an excellent jogging or agility partner! He is all UTD, and is in great health! WOW what a great boy!

We have so much to learn about Max, and are very much looking forward to it. He is a great, lovable guy that needs a special family that can give him just what he needs. Here is what we know that he needs so far:

  • Fenced yard is a must (Max will chase cars)
  • Someone that is home most of the day. (retired, work from home, stay at home mom or dad!)
  • Another dog is a BIG plus!

We will keep getting to know Max and keep everyone updated. We know... he comes with some baggage, but there is a perfect family for every dog! We know there is someone out there just for him. Max will be at the Highland Park PetCo on Saturday from about 11-1pm to give some kisses! Hope to see you there :) Stay Tuned!

 

 

   

At a Glance #06-557

Golden Retriever Born: September 2004
Male Weight not specified

Status: Deceased

Profile

Welcome back to RAGOM Max!

Max is a 3 1/2 year old, PB, neutered male Golden Retriever. He is very handsome. Tall, lean (about 60 lbs.), light golden color with lots of beautiful feathering, and what a GREAT face! He is a doll, there is no doubt about that. Max was originally adopted about a year ago by a very nice family, but it just was not the right fit... so Max is back in foster care and looking for his perfect, FOREVER home once again. His surrendering family loved him very much, and they know he will be a great dog for someone, they were not home enough for him, and do not have a fence, which he needs. We are determined to find that family so that Max never, ever has to move again.

Here is what we know: Max has a fear of thunderstorms, fireworks, and gunshots. He gets very upset when he hears these things (when his owners are not home, he is OK when his humans are around, still nervous...but OK) and will have accidents in the house. He HATES crates and will break out of them. He was crated because were he was living there was open hunting all of the time and many gunshots throughout the day and they knew how he reacted to this, so they thought they would contain him... it did not work. He has shown some signs of separation anxiety also. However, his previous owners were very busy and gone A LOT. So, he spent many days and nights home alone.We will see how he does with much shorter periods of being left alone, I think that is all he needs. Now for the good stuff...Max is house trained, extremely friendly, GREAT with other dogs. (best buds already with all 3 dogs here... plus foster girl Venus, and V isn't easy to charm!) He lived with 2 cats previously and loved them. LOVES kids! He has the basics down. (sit, down, come) Loves to fetch! He is very athletic. Would make an excellent jogging or agility partner! He is all UTD, and is in great health! WOW what a great boy!

We have so much to learn about Max, and are very much looking forward to it. He is a great, lovable guy that needs a special family that can give him just what he needs. Here is what we know that he needs so far:

  • Fenced yard is a must (Max will chase cars)
  • Someone that is home most of the day. (retired, work from home, stay at home mom or dad!)
  • Another dog is a BIG plus!

We will keep getting to know Max and keep everyone updated. We know... he comes with some baggage, but there is a perfect family for every dog! We know there is someone out there just for him. Max will be at the Highland Park PetCo on Saturday from about 11-1pm to give some kisses! Hope to see you there :) Stay Tuned!

 

 

   

Updates

Thursday, April 24, 2008

Max came back into RAGOM about a month ago and we had no idea what we were in for.  Christy and Joe were Max’s first foster, they had him for a day and found out the hard way he had Severe Separation Anxiety.  It was so bad that they could never leave the house because Max would find a way out of the house by any means.  He is an escape artist.   Thus we came in, it was decided Christy, Joe, Connie and Rick would duel foster Max and see if we could help him.
 
Let’s just say the first week was a nightmare, we did nothing right for Max and we were going the wrong direction, so Max came to stay with Rick and Connie.  We worked hard on getting Max comfortable with being by himself.  We thought meds would help, so we tried that, all of a sudden this wonderful family of 6 came into Max’s life.  They knew all about his issues, but they still wanted to love him and help him with life.  So Monica and Willie became Max’s family.  We all had hoped he would make the transition with few problems, but for some reason I know this would not go well.
 
Monica and Willie spent 4 sleepless nights trying to get Max comfortable with life at their house.  We knew on Monday there was no way it was going to work and so Max came back to Rick and Connie’s house.  Because Max could make it out of everyone’s house, including ours we knew he was not safe.  We consulted a wonderful behaviorist and she confirmed what we already knew.  It was not going to be good.
 
Dr. D walked Rick and Connie through our possible lives for the next 6 months to a year if we decided to keep trying to rehabilitate Max.  It would mean sedating Max for the first month and than gradually take him off and start to work with leaving him for seconds at a time and hopefully within a year we would be able to go out to dinner and stay out for an hour or so.  But this also meant that Max would become a forever foster because he would never be able to go to another house.  A year of someone always being at the house is just not feasible for anyone and it is no way for a dog to live.
 
So RAGOM made the decision that we would allow Max to cross over the Rainbow Bridge and meet with Bacon who just went over the bridge last month.  We know Max will finally be free from his panic attacks and his anxiety; he will finally be at peace and understand that we as his foster and his family (Monica and Willie) only have his best interest at hand.  We would never hurt this young boy, even when he tried desperately to head butt his way out doors and windows.
 
I ask that you love your dogs, understand your dogs and please I am begging you, never leave your dogs sitting alone and scared for 12 hours a day each and every day, they need your love and companionship.  Please don’t allow your dog to become another Max, because it is so devastating for the fosters and families that need to deal with the SA issues.
 
Max, you will be missed forever because you have made such a deep impression on us.  I can not imagine what the days are going to be like without you, but I can promise you this, we will go on and help others just like you, I miss you so much!
 
Rick and Connie Full time foster
Joe and Christy – Fill in foster
Monica and Willie – Max’s long lost almost family
 
 
From Foster Mom Christy –
 
Good bye Max :( I miss you so much. More than you will ever know. I am so thankful I was able to meet you, so thankful I was able to love you, and so glad you let me in, even though our time together was way too short. I will never forget your smile, your soft fur, you had the furriest head I have ever seen... such long hair on the top of your head! It was perfect for petting :) That is what you loved most of all, to snuggle up as close as you could get, and lean in for some love. You thought you should always be in some one's lap :) even though you are a big boy... I let you anyway.
 
I know that you are free now. You don't have to be scared anymore. You don't have to panic, don't have to try and escape. You are free to run, free to play! I know that there are people to pet your head, and to snuggle you, and lakes to swim in because that is what you loved most of all, and that is what you deserve. I am sorry we couldn't give you what you needed here. But, I know that we have given you peace and that is the only thing that is getting all of us through. You are so loved you beautiful, goofy, boy! You have no idea the amount of lives you have touched and how deeply we love you buddy! I hope we were able to give you a small part of what you have given to us. I love you Max, and I will never, ever forget you.
 
Thank you Connie, Rick, and family for trying all they could do to help. Thank you R Family for falling in love with Max and trying your best to make him a part of your family forever. And thanks to all of the other RAGOM volunteers that have offered their kind words and support.
 
Bye Max. We love you and miss you so very much!
Love,
Christy, Joe, and "the girls"

Goodbye, sweet boy.

Monday, April 7, 2008

Max found his forever home this weekend!!! He is now officially "adoption pending"!!!  The "R" family fell in love with his smiling face on the website and just HAD to meet him.  Since Max has TWO foster families both foster moms went down for a visit yesterday... and it was love at first sight for the "R" family.... and for Rusty their current RAGOM dog! Yes, this is RAGOM dog number two for this fantastic family! Any dog would be so very lucky to be a part of this family, and we are so happy they are going to give that to Max.

They are committed to working with Max on his SA and best of all... Mom only works part time so he won't need to be left alone more than 2-3 hours at a time! Perfect.

Max has absolutely, without a single doubt, stolen the hearts of everyone in his TWO foster families! We know that poor Max has been misunderstood for most of his life. We made the commitment to him to help him, to love him, to earn his trust, and to find him a forever family... no matter how long it would take. I am so happy to say we have done that for Max! 

 

  

Tuesday, April 1, 2008

April Fools Day:

Max had a great day; he passed two huge tests at Doggy Day Care today.  Rick had to leave twice today and Max made it without a huge issue.  Granted he cried and carried on for the first 10 minutes but after that he laid down.

The first time Rick left he kept the office door open, well I guess Max decided he was going to try and do Rick’s work for him and checked out the computer and tried to type.  It did not work real well.  So now we have to close the office door so he does not try to do Rick’s work.

The second time he left, Max cried for 10 minutes but than went to bed.  We are trying to break Max of thinking he needs to sleep with us in the bed and let him know he can sleep on the floor in his dog bed.  There just is not enough room for this big lug.

Max continues to improve every day and will make someone a very loyal pet.  If you can continue to love and care for him, give him guidance and preferable be at home some during the day, I have the most beautiful boy in the world for you, and his name is Max da million!  If you would like to learn more about max, please contact his foster parents through placementatragom [dot] org.  We look forward to telling all of Max’s secrets.

 

 

  

Monday, March 31, 2008

The Max man had quite a busy weekend! Saturday morning we met co-foster mom and dad at PetCo so Max could meet some fans! We learned Max has many fans :-) Thanks to everyone who stopped by to say Hi and give him some love! He also scored two toys... a yellow stuffed toy AND a tennis ball (his all time favorite thing ever!) So, it was a great day! (thanks to those who gave him those toys!!) We met some really great families who seemed really interested in Max and we hope that things will work out for him because we cannot say enough about what a great dog Max is. He is happy, friendly, great with kids, great with other dogs, BEAUTIFUL, mellow but loves(and needs) his walks, and just about as sweet as can be.

We know... Max has separation anxiety. This is a tough one... but we are working on things with him and he is getting better.. little by little, day by day. He has started medication and will hopefully not have to be on the meds long... just in the beginning to help him relax and feel safe. Max will also soon begin work with a trainer to help develop a plan to help him through this. Our goal with Max is that he will eventually be able to be left home alone for an 8 hr. (or maybe more) period. He will get there. He just needs time :) Good thing we have time. We love this guy so much and want only the best for him. Dogs with SA are often times the most misunderstood. We are dedicated to understanding what he is going through and helping him to become the confident dog that we know he can be!

If you are interested in learning more about Max email : placementatragom [dot] org

   
   

   

Friday, March 28, 2008

Hi this note about Max is from his Doggy Day care providers.  Max comes to visit us during the day so he can stay safe and we can provide training to him during the day for his Separation Anxiety.  We have learned a ton from Max and I think every day we will learn more and more.  But in the past week he has started making the right steps to trust us humans.  See before he was left home way to long at one time and to make matters worse – it is possible he was left in a garage.  Max wants nothing more than to be with his humans, so it is important that he knows we can be trusted again.

When Max first came here he would pace and pace and pace looking for his foster mom and dad.  Now Max comes in and does not look back.  He realizes that someone will be picking him up at the end of the day.  But until than Doggy Day Care Dad will jingle keys, put a coat on, walk to a door, open a door and close the door.  Than go back to work and do all this over again and again and again during the day.  Just so we desensitize Max to these behaviors.  So far, so good, be we are not even close to trying to leave him for even 5 minutes.  Maybe in another week.

Tonight Max is actually going to stay the night with his Doggy Day Care family so foster parents can go out and have a night on the town and have fun!  They need a little together time since Max will not allow them to leave together just yet.  You watch though, a few more weeks and he will understand that life is good and he won’t have a problem.

I took some pictures of Max while he was here and I am hoping to get one of everyone tonight when we go to bed.  I am sure you will not be able to see the floor because we will have way too many dog beds!

 

 

  
 

 

 

Monday, March 24, 2008

Oh Max! What a nice boy Max is :-) He is so friendly and is a big snuggle bug! He loves to go for walks and is a dream on a gentle leader... he really pulls without it! He is house trained and is a very easy dog to have around. He lays contently by your feet or next to you on the couch and also will try to sit on your lap! He doesn't see why that is a problem!!?? He has met many dogs and is GREAT with all of them. In fact, he is great with everyone he meets! He has a very loving personality and will make the right family a wonderful companion.

Now, we need to talk about Max and his separation anxiety.... Max has a pretty severe case at this time and he needs some help to work through this. We are determined, and care a great deal for this goofy guy and I am confident that we can help him learn that when his humans leave they are not leaving him forever, and he has no reason to be upset about it. This kind of thing takes time, and most often medication.

So.. this is where the plan comes in! Max will be going to doggy day care at Auntie Connie and Uncle Rick's! They are another RAGOM foster family (and just about the greatest people we have EVER met!!) So, Max will spend his days with Rick, and we will pick him up after work and he will spend his nights here. All the while we will ALL, as a team, be working on his separation anxiety. This will be done by slowly building up the amount of time he spends alone, making comings and goings very boring, desensitizing him to his humans leaving, etc. This type of program works with great success in combination with medication and these dogs can learn to be "normal" just like dogs are capable of learning all sorts of other things! Max can do this!! We know it! Max will also see the vet tomorrow to get him on a plan for some medication so all of our bases are covered! His day time fosters and his night time fosters will both keep you updated on how the Max Man is doing! Stay tuned and watch this guy transform into the confident, happy guy we know is in there!

Thanks RAGOM for giving Max a chance, and not giving up on him! He is a very good boy and he is a very lucky boy! Cross your fingers and your paws and keep your thoughts with Max to help him be brave!!

 

   

Tuesday, January 2, 2007

Max is a 2 1/2 year old neutered male who arrived at our house in a snowstorm at 11 pm on New Year's Eve after a very long car ride. Even after such a day, he was full of energy and tail-wagging. As a matter of fact, when Max wags his tail, his whole body wags! He is light colored and a little on the thin side. He's getting along great with our 3 resident Goldens and 1 foster. He hasn't quite figured out the cat yet and has chased her a few times. Our 3 grandchildren were here for the weekend and he got along great with them. Max and our 6 year old granddaughter really had a good time playing together. Max is completely housebroken and knows several commands. He loves to chase balls and always brings the ball back and drops it at your feet. He does pull when walking on a leash so we're going to start using a Gentle Leader. He does not like being in a crate and gets out without opening the door or damaging the crate -- how does he do that?! He loves attention but is not clingy. He doesn't jump up on people or counters. More to come on Max after his vet visit in a couple of days. He's a big affectionate puppy.