Max Johnston

VERY SAD NEWS (8th January 2014)

Maureen wrote to say “As you have already heard we lost our wonderful boy last Wednesday 8th January 2014. To say we are devastated just doesn’t begin to express our emotions. As so many have said he was such a big gentle giant and a more cuddly dog I have never known. I am still asking why? Why did we have him such a short time? Why did he bring so much love and joy into our lives just to be taken away again so soon? Why for the first time did I experience the feeling of my heart bursting with joy did that very same thing take his life? Why?

I remember when I contacted you at the very beginning I mentioned the most important thing for us was a dog who would be brilliant with our small grandchildren but NEVER did I think a boy as good as Max existed! He adored every one of them and gave them all a gift of knowing such unconditional love and devotion.

We hadn’t even sent you an update because we were waiting to include his Christmas photographs. You would hardly believe the difference in him. He was at his ideal weight, had started to tone up his tummy and his coat was gleaming. Everyone who had known him from day one commented on how well he was doing!

If nothing else he has brought IRR to the attention of everyone in Prestwick and was a fabulous ambassador for the charity and the breed.

I went back to the vets yesterday, the main reason being I had to know if there was anything I had missed and should have spotted sooner and also to know exactly what had happened as it was all so very quick. However the most probable cause of death was haemangiosarcoma, in which case there was nothing we could have done. I still feel guilty though that we encouraged him to walk more when probably he just wasn’t up to it, my poor boy.

Lastly I really just have to thank you and all the wonderful people who made the last 5 months of our lives so wonderful. I will continue to tell everyone about the fantastic work you all do and this most magnificent charity. I don’t know how I would have got through the last week without Edna and Brian and also Dr Sam. Please don’t ever underestimate the work you are doing for these wonderful dogs but also for us as very needy humans!!!! Take care, I am forever in your debt”
Maureen xxxx

MAX’S STORY

In 2013, Max (originally Mason) was a neutered male Golden Retriever aged between 3 and 5yrs old who had been in and out of his local pound several times in his life.

He was microchipped but his owner was no longer contactable so he had been rescued by IRR.

He had probably been eating an unbalanced diet of ‘human’ food and weighed about 46kg so we knew he ould need a calorie-controlled diet and gentle exercise to lose about 8kg to avoid health problems as he grew older.

FOSTER ASSESSMENT

He was fostered in Lincolnshire

Personality: Max is a big gentle bear of a dog, with a great personality,
easy-going and loves attention.

He is house-trained and travels well in the car but he doesn’t appear to have much experience walking on a lead.

Behaviour with other animals: Max is great with other dogs and with chickens. He is NOT good with cats.

Mason’s Dream Home
We believed Max (was Mason) would love to be a part of any active family, young or old. Being such a big boy, he will need someone reasonably strong to manage him as he learns how to do this better.

He needs someone to diligently manage his food intake and exercise regime to ensure he loses his excess weight – but he will still be a big boy at his perfect weight.

July 2013

Max went to his Forever Home