All shelter dogs deserve to find families who will love them forever.
Sadly, some of them end up waiting too long for a kind family to notice them and take them home.
Max, an adorable Chihuahua mix, waited too.
He was rescued from a hoarding case along with other dogs, and they were admitted to the Valley Animal Center in Fresno, California.
Eventually, the dogs who came to the shelter with Max found their forever homes, but he was overlooked. He hoped that he would get a second chance to be happy.
Max’s Long Wait
It wasn’t easy for Max to get used to the noisy shelter environment. He felt so frightened and nervous. He longed to leave the shelter for good and find his place under the sun.
However, more than 165 days passed, and Max stayed in his shelter kennel, watching families walk past him as if he were invisible.
Since he was rescued from a hoarding situation, he found it hard to trust new people and show his true disposition. That was the major reason why Max was overlooked.
Volunteer Jackie Gonzalez shared his story on TikTok, posting a video of him facing another holiday season at the shelter.
“You’ve been waiting 165+ days with no interest because you are ‘too nervous’,” the caption reads.
The message touched the hearts of viewers. They could tell that the pup only needed someone to believe in him and help him overcome his fear.
Gonzalez describes Max as having a “big heart and gentle spirit,” a dog who wants affection, but needs time to feel safe enough to ask for it.
A Hopeful Future
Although Max is timid, he enjoys being around people once he feels secure around them.
He also does well with other dogs. Being around them makes him feel safe and relaxed.
Gonzalez believes Max would do best in a peaceful home.
“Having a calm canine companion may help him build confidence,” she said.
Having a regular routine at a forever home could help Max understand that he doesn’t need to be afraid anymore.
Viewers who saw Max’s story shared their own experiences with dogs who used to be terrified.
One commenter, Yulairamartinez, wrote, “The most nervous dogs become the most loving and goofy personalities once they feel safe.”
Another, Skylarardenevents, added, “My pup Aspen wouldn’t even walk when I got him. He came from a hoarder and didn’t know how to dog. Now he’s the king of the neighborhood.”
Max remains at the shelter, trying not to lose hope for a better tomorrow.
His shelter friends are confident that with the right person, Max will finally let his guard down and find happiness that he deserves.