Say hello to our ARL Alumni!

Max
September 19 , 2000

Max

It had been nine months since the Blair family lost their precious cocker spaniel, Abby, and though they had been looking for another dog to share their home, the right one hadn't come along. Then came a warm sunny day last year when they heard that the Animal Rescue League would have dogs at Northland Ford in Zelienople, so they stopped by.

At first, Mary Lu and Charlie thought the "their dog" wasn't in this group, but then a lovely lady walked by with an English Setter that stood out in the crowd. He was so pitifully thin, his coat was sparse, and his sad eyes were fixed on the ground, but he had a quiet elegant grace about him that drew the Blairs to him. They visited with him, took him for a walk and learned that his previous owners had brought him to the shelter because he wasn't "cute" any more and they didn't have time for him. As the Blairs sat on the steps, he came over, put his head on Mary Lu's knee, looked at her, and those sad eyes said "let's go home." So they did! He jumped into the back seat, wagged his tail and settled in.   Max was theirs!

Max and family

   Within two months, those ribs filled out and Max was up to his normal weight. Today his coat is lush. At first, he was very anxious when he was left alone and he often had "accidents" at night in his room. But, it didn't take long for him to feel secure, and the accidents have stopped.

The Blairs had never had a dog so tall that he could put his head on the kitchen table. As they sat down to eat, Max would roll his eyes at them as if to say "where's mine?" They had to explain to him that "his" was over there in his bowl!

Max loves people, friends and strangers alike, and his boundless energy and friendliness are a delight. Cats are another matter! He would love to send those that wander through the yard up a tree. Max quickly destroyed the toys that were bought for him, but he enjoys big rawhide chews, as he lies on his back to hold them.

Friends asked "when you get a dog at the Ford dealer, do they throw in an Explorer?" Mary Lu responds "no, I'm afraid not, but we got a great dog and he's here to stay!" Our thanks to Mary Lu Blair for providing this article about Max and for the photos.

See past featured alumni!

Angel's Story, January 2002
A Pack, A Pride and a Family, December 2001
Thor, featured August, 2001
Bubbles, featured June 12, 2001
Rusty, featured April 3, 2001
Kodiak, featured January 15, 2001.
Max (Pati and Wayne), featured November 1, 2000
Max (of the Blair Family), featured September 19, 2000
Ray Ray, featured June 4, 2000
Buddy; featured March 5, 2000
Abby, Sunny, and Mojo; featured January, 2000

     Do you have a dog or cat that you adopted from the Animal Rescue League? If you have a pet that you adopted from the animal shelter, please contact us with any stories, photos, or updates of your pet and their new family, and we will try and post them up here! Show your friends, family, and prospective adopters what happens after shelter life.

Send your questions for the Women's Auxiliary of the Animal Rescue League of Western PA via our

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