One of the Max's heroes who helped get him ready to transition to us had this to say the morning we picked him up; a lot is packed into three paragraphs that say so much about what a great boy he is:
"Max and I spent a little time this morning ....I had not had him on a clip leash before, only on a slip lead, and I had not taken him outside. What a sweetie! While I always caution...that the dog [you're] SURE was beaten or kicked or otherwise abused may just be a congenital cringer...this boy's on-leash manners smack to me of an overly-heavy hand.... he is SO concerned about dropping his butt for an automatic sit... he walks some of the time with himself in a semi-circle, trying so hard to watch you and know exactly what you want. Breaks my heart. But he is good on leash!
I opened the door to the car and he scrambled in. He was excited about the car ride, but sat down and grinned. I think he would have liked to come into the front seat to sit, but, otherwise, he was visibly excited...but not a problem in any way, especially remarkable given my two boys were in crates behind his seat, muttering some not very nice things to him. He looked at them and said, "hi, I'd be your friend!" then ignored them, and they pretty much left off. No peeing at any time entering, exiting or during the car ride. He has peed on the back of his front legs since his bath on Monday, though, so is a bit redolent.
As we returned to [the shelter], Max earnestly explained to me that he really would rather just keep going in the car, no need to return, because, just between him and me, he doesn't belong in that place. It was okay, although the food is pretty bland, and the people are nice enough, but he needs to go home because he is a dog who loves being a good dog and a good dog has a home. And, as I could see, he would be no trouble at all, but, please, could he go home now. Yup, totally bawling and what kind of idiot wears mascara on a day like this anyway? Adore this boy. Thank you so, so, so, so much for taking him."
"Max and I spent a little time this morning ....I had not had him on a clip leash before, only on a slip lead, and I had not taken him outside. What a sweetie! While I always caution...that the dog [you're] SURE was beaten or kicked or otherwise abused may just be a congenital cringer...this boy's on-leash manners smack to me of an overly-heavy hand.... he is SO concerned about dropping his butt for an automatic sit... he walks some of the time with himself in a semi-circle, trying so hard to watch you and know exactly what you want. Breaks my heart. But he is good on leash!
I opened the door to the car and he scrambled in. He was excited about the car ride, but sat down and grinned. I think he would have liked to come into the front seat to sit, but, otherwise, he was visibly excited...but not a problem in any way, especially remarkable given my two boys were in crates behind his seat, muttering some not very nice things to him. He looked at them and said, "hi, I'd be your friend!" then ignored them, and they pretty much left off. No peeing at any time entering, exiting or during the car ride. He has peed on the back of his front legs since his bath on Monday, though, so is a bit redolent.
As we returned to [the shelter], Max earnestly explained to me that he really would rather just keep going in the car, no need to return, because, just between him and me, he doesn't belong in that place. It was okay, although the food is pretty bland, and the people are nice enough, but he needs to go home because he is a dog who loves being a good dog and a good dog has a home. And, as I could see, he would be no trouble at all, but, please, could he go home now. Yup, totally bawling and what kind of idiot wears mascara on a day like this anyway? Adore this boy. Thank you so, so, so, so much for taking him."