Max: A story of cruelty and grace

You see a lot of shocking things working in animal rescue, and though you get used to it, they never get easier. But sometimes, amazing things also happen. And the wonder and amazement when they occur never cease either, at least for me.

Max’s story has some of both – the worst and best of humanity. He’s one of many I’ll never forget.

Someone put a lit firecracker in Max’s mouth, presumably when celebrating New Year’s Eve. The firework exploded and tore off part of Max’s cheek. He had been wandering the streets for weeks, trying to survive, when my coworker Estela, who was trying to help him, contacted me.

A rescuer was able to coax Max to her car, and transported him to Estela, who drove him straight to the veterinarian. His gaping wound was very infected, and he also had a painful damaged tooth.

Estela gently cleaned his wound day after day and nursed him back to health. Despite the cruelty he’d endured, Max somehow still trusted people.

Amazingly, a family who lived fourteen hours away saw his adoption posting, and drove down to meet him. They bonded immediately. It was the adoption we dreamed of for him.

Max’s new family gave him the best care and all the love a dog could hope for, and Max gave back as much love as he got. He greeted them at the door with a wagging tail, and leaned in for hugs. After all he’d been through, Max was happy to have his own yard, and join his adopter for quiet nightly walks.

Just weeks later, Max was diagnosed with a terminal health issue, and his family began hospice care. It was a sad but special time for all of them. “When he is resting, Max seems to be letting the exhaustion of his life go,” his adopter told me. “I swear he looks at us with love and a thankful heart. Max knows he is loved. He might be terminally ill, but he is living his best life.”

Seven weeks later, Max passed away. It was a heartbreaking end, but also, a story filled with incredible love. Though his adopter wished she would have had years together with Max, she didn’t regret the long drive to get him, or the sudden heartache that came with his passing.

She believed Max had mustered all the energy he could into having good days together with his new family, and she found comfort in knowing she provided a peaceful and loving environment that erased some of the pain Max had suffered.

In the animal welfare world, human cruelty is a given – but so is human kindness.