A life for Max at Daisy Farm Sanctuary
How does one put a price on a dog’s life?
As dog advocates, an answer is never simple. When a dog has shown repeated and indisputable aggression and caused serious injury to another animal or human, it may make a life-and-death decision less complicated (and even then, sometimes not).
So what about a smart, playful, affectionate, dog-friendly pup who has some unique triggers which have caused mild-moderate bites in most of his adoptive homes? Despite reputable professional training and medication, he has not been able to find the right match with average adopters. And he has run out of the most precious resource - time - to find the right circumstances, the right fit, the right match.
Meet Max. Max was set to die twice. The first time was at the county shelter when he was on deadline for euthanasia. He was “saved“ but had a few minor bites in that home and was surrendered to his trainer. After continued training, medication, and even success in his advocate’s home (short-term arrangement), he was adopted again but quickly returned for biting. So his second death sentence came from us - his trainer and his advocate. It was an utterly heartbreaking conclusion.
This decision to euthanize Max was made 4 weeks ago and still he lives. Why? Procrastination. Denial. Hope. Love. No one wants to see a physically healthy dog die. But there aren’t enough savvy adopters who will or can take on dogs like Max. His trainer has already absorbed many long timers like Max from local rescues or owner surrenders. And his advocate has 8 dogs of her own (5 of them behavioral).
Yet we haven’t actually made the appointment. Instead, we researched sanctuaries. Best Friends does not take private surrenders and a lot of “sanctuaries” are anything but. However, we did find Daisy Farm Sanctuary in NM and the owner has been more than generous with information, options and thinking outside the box for this guy. The waiting list for an established cottage on the farm is surprisingly only 4 dogs long but there is no time guarantee - it could be years. But there is space for a cottage to be built: 6-8 weeks. We would need to put half down to reserve the space. He would have seemingly good quality of life, a doggy roommate, and potential to go on field trips.
Of course it comes at a cost: $6,200. It’s a lot of money to ask for - one dog. But we have to try. For us. For Max.
It’s the price for his life.
Donations will handled by Canis Verus Sanctuary, Inc/Pit n' Proud, 501(c)3 non-profit organization. Any extra funds will go towards Max's continued needs, and/or the medical and maintenance expenses of our other dogs: Canis Verus Sanctuary, Inc. on Petfinder.com
As dog advocates, an answer is never simple. When a dog has shown repeated and indisputable aggression and caused serious injury to another animal or human, it may make a life-and-death decision less complicated (and even then, sometimes not).
So what about a smart, playful, affectionate, dog-friendly pup who has some unique triggers which have caused mild-moderate bites in most of his adoptive homes? Despite reputable professional training and medication, he has not been able to find the right match with average adopters. And he has run out of the most precious resource - time - to find the right circumstances, the right fit, the right match.
Meet Max. Max was set to die twice. The first time was at the county shelter when he was on deadline for euthanasia. He was “saved“ but had a few minor bites in that home and was surrendered to his trainer. After continued training, medication, and even success in his advocate’s home (short-term arrangement), he was adopted again but quickly returned for biting. So his second death sentence came from us - his trainer and his advocate. It was an utterly heartbreaking conclusion.
This decision to euthanize Max was made 4 weeks ago and still he lives. Why? Procrastination. Denial. Hope. Love. No one wants to see a physically healthy dog die. But there aren’t enough savvy adopters who will or can take on dogs like Max. His trainer has already absorbed many long timers like Max from local rescues or owner surrenders. And his advocate has 8 dogs of her own (5 of them behavioral).
Yet we haven’t actually made the appointment. Instead, we researched sanctuaries. Best Friends does not take private surrenders and a lot of “sanctuaries” are anything but. However, we did find Daisy Farm Sanctuary in NM and the owner has been more than generous with information, options and thinking outside the box for this guy. The waiting list for an established cottage on the farm is surprisingly only 4 dogs long but there is no time guarantee - it could be years. But there is space for a cottage to be built: 6-8 weeks. We would need to put half down to reserve the space. He would have seemingly good quality of life, a doggy roommate, and potential to go on field trips.
Of course it comes at a cost: $6,200. It’s a lot of money to ask for - one dog. But we have to try. For us. For Max.
It’s the price for his life.
Donations will handled by Canis Verus Sanctuary, Inc/Pit n' Proud, 501(c)3 non-profit organization. Any extra funds will go towards Max's continued needs, and/or the medical and maintenance expenses of our other dogs: Canis Verus Sanctuary, Inc. on Petfinder.com
Co-organizers (2)
Rachel Molyneux
Organizer
Tucson, AZ
Canis Verus Sanctuary, Inc.
Beneficiary
Barbara Monroe
Co-organizer