Max’s Story

Bruised, broken and bewildered are just some of the words you would use to describe how Max would have felt. At just eight months old, Staffie Cross, Max went through something which no animal should ever have to experience.

In October 2009, Max was discovered by an RSPCA inspector in an appalling condition and displayed injuries consistent with being thrown against a wall or crushed – leaving him in what must have been unimaginable suffering.

Fortunately for Max, he was found in time and taken to a vet where the seriousness of his injuries were revealed. Max had suffered a broken pelvis from the trauma and the only way to save him was reconstructive surgery – something that came with risks and with no guarantee of a full recovery.

Max was placed into RSPCA Radcliffe Animal Centre’s care, where he would receive the care and rehabilitation he so desperately needed. Thankfully it became quickly apparent to the staff that the experience hadn’t had any psychological impact on him – he was a bright and lively puppy, which brought its challenges when it came to rehabilitating him.

As Emma Brown, an animal care assistant at RSPCA Radcliffe explains: “Max was a real tough one to nurse back to health as he had so much energy – he literally used to bounce off the kennel wall.

“He was crated to begin with and only let out on a lead for very short toilet walks. Every time we got him on a lead he used to go crazy and we would have to try really hard to keep him calm. He went for regular check-ups and as he started to get more stable we could increase his walks.”

Emma adds: “To keep him calm in his kennel we used to sit with him and give him lots of chew toys and puzzles to keep him mentally stimulated. It was a long road to build his muscles in his leg, we used to massage him as well which he loved.”

In October 2010 after months of hard work and dedication from the Radcliffe team, Max made a full recovery and the RSPCA inspector, who was dealing with Max’s case, was able to bring the individuals responsible for his injuries to justice. Finally Max was able to be signed over to the centre and his to road to find a forever home began.

Thankfully it wasn’t long before Max found a home and now at the age of nine he is still happily settled with the McEwen family – living life the polar opposite to how it started.

Neil McEwen explains: “He is a real softy, as gentle as anything, fun loving and extremely obedient – he can hear the fridge opening from five miles away! He is the perfect family pet, and has enjoyed the many holidays he’s been on since we adopted him; Scotland, Wales, Devon, Norfolk, Suffolk and Yorkshire to name a few!

“He is also quite the celebrity within our village and people will stop to pat him when they see him – he was also the second highest fundraiser for Bark for Life 2017 and was awarded Star Staffie in 2013 at the Stafficlub Christmas show.

“He loves water especially the Lily ponds in Radcliffe, and muddy puddles, we feel he was possibly a hippo in a previous life! He also enjoys, sticks, tug of war, cuddles treats and walks.
“The only thing that would suggest Max’s life started off so badly is the scars on his hindquarters, other than that he is an extremely chilled dog and is loved very much by us and everyone he meets.”

Max receiving his Bark for Life Award in 2017.

Max loves puddles and mud.