Max

Max is the smartest, snuggliest, 70-pound lap dog you’ll ever meet. If his caramel eyes don’t steal your heart, his enormous squishy cheeks sure will. While Max was the name given to him, “Shadow” would be more appropriate because he will be just that: your little shadow. He follows his current foster mom everywhere around the house. He is incredibly smart and eager to please, learning new tricks in just one sitting, and anticipating daily routines and husbandry behaviors after only a few repetitions (“sit,” “shake,” and even “left paw” and “right paw” for wiping his paws or getting into his walking harness)! While it is adorable and convenient having such a fast learner, it is a double-edged sword: he has outsmarted his foster mom on several occasions. His mental stimulation is a key form of entertainment for a dog like this. Someone willing to teach him more tricks would be a perfect match for this smart cookie. He has incredible potential.                  Max needs to be in a home where he is allowed to cuddle next to you on the couch. He loves nothing more than laying his head in your lap and dozing off. Because Max is heartworm-positive, he has less stamina than most dogs, and gets tired easily. As such, he would be more suited to a fellow couch potato than to a jogger (his favorite show is Golden Girls!). While he is fine being left home alone for several hours in a crate, he prefers to be by your side the entire time you’re home. Though, if you need to crate him while you are home, he is miraculously cooperative, taking a nap or chewing a toy until you’re ready for more cuddles. In or out of the crate, alone or with others, he rarely barks or whines.                  Since Max grew up outside, he is still learning his inside manners. He had never seen a staircase or a couch until recently, and some patience is required for such confusing obstacles. However, with a few treats, anything is possible! We’ve progressed from jumping over the back of the couch onto guests’ to politely using the front like a normal inside dog. We’ve even conquered the stairs and no longer army crawl down the whole flight. We’re still working on drawing the line between playing and play-biting, but he is catching on. He quickly learns which things are his toys, and which are “not for chewing” or “for humans.” While he doesn’t destroy anything, he will bring you items he isn’t supposed to have to get your attention. Again, he is VERY SMART.                  Any home would be lucky to have this cutie pie. He is quiet, potty-trained, eager to please, and loyal to a fault; he will follow you to the ends of the earth (whether you want him to or not). Adopters are required to squish his ears at least once per day on behalf of his foster mom.