Max

My story

🐾 Max: Waiting for His Person—Who Really Sees Him- Max was surrendered to our shelter on 6/11/25, and since then, he's been struggling to find his place in the world. In the kennel, he barks and growls—he’s overwhelmed, and it shows. But once he’s out, his guard comes down just a little. You can tell he wants to feel safe. He just doesn’t quite know how yet. He was adopted on 7/19/25 and returned just three days later. While the visit at the shelter went smoothly, once home, Max didn’t seem to connect with anyone—human or animal. It’s not that he’s “bad,” he just hasn’t found that person who makes him feel understood. Max doesn’t warm up quickly and doesn’t like new people reaching out to pet him right away. He has nipped as a warning when people don't respect his boundaries —but never hard enough to break skin or draw blood. He needs an adopter who understands his boundaries and lets him come at his own pace. We know he’s not an easy case. But sometimes, the dogs who take the longest to trust are the ones who love the deepest in the end.

If you have any questions or would like to adopt Max, please reach out to the adoption group directly. PetSmart Charities does not facilitate the adoption process. Thank you.