‘Happy’ shelter dog’s enthusiasm fading after 600 days. ‘Waiting for my perfect person’
An overlooked dog watched as hundreds of other pups got adopted — but not him, a Florida shelter said.
Max Mitchell is a “happy” dog, but his enthusiasm has faded after spending more than 600 days waiting for a home.
“Max has become accustomed to being overlooked, so much that he doesn’t greet visitors walking past his kennel much anymore,” the Gulf Coast Humane Society of Fort Myers wrote in a Facebook post.
Max Mitchell is ready for a second chance after he first was adopted in 2021. He was surrendered a year later after his then-owner said Max bit him. Further investigation revealed the bite happened as the owner “aggressively” tried to put a muzzle on him, shelter spokesperson Brian Wierima told McClatchy News in a May 30 email and phone interview.
Since Max Mitchell’s return in September 2022, he has experienced trust issues. But the mixed-breed dog’s friendly and sweet side continues to shine through, according to a video and online adoption profile.
“He is probably one of our most popular dogs at the shelter with volunteers and staff,” Wierima said. “Everyone’s just fallen in love with him early. He’s a goofy guy.”
At the shelter, Max Mitchell also shows off his “wiggle butt” and rolls on his back to get tummy rubs. But after more than a year, he has become the facility’s longest resident.
“He is getting used to living here,” Wierima said, “and we don’t want that.”
Workers believe Max Mitchell is overlooked since he’s about 7 or 8 years old and needs to live in a home without children or other animals. Despite this, the shelter believes the pup will bring “enough love for three pets.”
“His lucky adopters are going to find out that they made the right decision,” Wierima said. “They’re going to feel lucky that actually it took this long for Max to get adopted.”
As of early May 31, the shelter’s website showed Max Mitchell still in need of a new family. More information about the animal organization’s adoption process can be found at gulfcoasthumanesociety.org.
“Please come visit me,” the shelter said in an online post written from Max Mitchell’s perspective. “I am here at (the shelter) like always, waiting for my perfect person to walk in that door.”
This story was originally published May 31, 2024 at 6:54 AM with the headline "‘Happy’ shelter dog’s enthusiasm fading after 600 days. ‘Waiting for my perfect person’."
