Once in a lifetime, there comes a dog who changes everything. Maximus, lovingly known as @maximussalot, was that extraordinary soul who paved the way for countless misunderstood dogs due to their breed. His journey is a testament to the power of love, care, and resilience.
Maximus was purchased as a pup but then tied up on a terrace when he was just 3 months old. The reason? Misconceptions about his breed, Rottweiler. Rumors had spread that Rottweilers were prone to harming their owners in their sleep. So, nobody dared to touch this innocent 3-month-old pup, who was chained with two unforgiving metal chains, enduring the scorching sun and pouring rain for a heart-wrenching 1.5 years.
A good neighbor couldn’t stand by and reported the plight of Maximus. That’s when we, at Bowsome Senior Dogs India Foundation, stepped in. The sight that met us still gives us goosebumps – Maximus, frightened and wary, wouldn’t let anyone come near him.
Determined to rescue him, we closed the society gate, urged every resident to stay inside, and decided to lure him with food. Maximus, thankfully, was food-driven. We placed a trail of food from the terrace to the stairs, down 12 floors to our waiting car just outside the building’s exit gate.
When we asked the family to release him from his leash, nobody came forward except for a brave 8-year-old boy who had secretly befriended Maximus. This young hero removed his leash, and Maximus was finally free.
We provided him with a big bone to chew on and embarked on a nerve-wracking 30-minute drive to Bowsome Retreat. During that ride, we found ourselves chanting every possible god’s name. It was clear we had been fortunate that day.
Maximus spent four months learning to trust us. Afterward, he allowed us to walk him on a leash, but we were still not permitted to touch him. We started taking him for two walks daily, and our founder, @richasinghchoudhuri, would personally visit to feed and walk him. Maximus grew to trust her more than himself.
The next step was training. We patiently worked on bathing, walking, and basic sit and stay training, and gradually, Maximus began to emerge from his shell. Visitors at the retreat suggested finding him a farmhouse or factory, as nobody believed that a wild child like him could ever fit into a home again.
But Maximus found his forever home and loving father, and he journeyed from Ahmedabad to Mumbai. Today, he has been a cherished member of his family for 4.5 years, and his remarkable transformation still brings tears to our eyes. This story is a testament to the fact that we should never blame a dog’s breed but focus on training, love, and care to bring out the best in them.