Jason Bradford, a 44-year-old masseur from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, went through a tough few months earlier in 2017. Battling severe illness and a deluge of personal problems, he often found it very difficult to cope.
Source: Jason A. Bradford
One day, while he was home feeling very weak, he logged into Facebook to check up on his friends, after a week offline. There, he saw a post from a woman who was trying to find a family for a puppy she was fostering. Within half an hour, Bradford was on his feet, getting ready to go and see the little pup. He toldThe Dodo:
I was weak and disoriented, but my instincts took over and I rallied to get dressed and bike over to meet him immediately. I had been mulling over the idea of a cat to keep me company better than my fish tanks could, but a dog has never been on my mind. This was purely instinct, no logic whatsoever.
Source: Jason A. Bradford
The puppy, a 5-month-old Chihuahua, had Bradford under his spell from the moment he saw him, and not just because he was adorable. Like Bradford, the little dog was a fighter, having survived parvovirus, a deadly disease which is often fatal for puppies. Although 70% of dogs survive it, puppies don't have strong enough immune systems to fight it off.Against the odds, the puppy had managed to beat the disease, although he was very small and still very weak, barely weighing 2 pounds when Bradford saw him. The man decided there and then that this was the companion for him.Just a few days later, the young dog, now named Maximus LaRue, or Max for short, was brought to his new home, so that he could spend the rest of his recovery with his new dad.
He was too little and weak to be outside or do much his first couple weeks, and he was quarantined so he wasnāt allowed to play with other dogs.
Source: Jason A. Bradford
After several weeks, Max was taken to Bradford's friend Chloe's house for a playdate with her dog; the first time in months that he had come into contact with another canine. Before the eye of his proud dad, Max could finally just be a puppy like any other.For Bradford, Max has proved to be a healing presence too:
I began to notice that if I drank water ā¦ so would he. And if I could muster the energy to prepare food ā¦ he would eat his.
And, despite his hardships, the little dog has proved to be an affectionate and energetic companion:
Heās quite relaxed for a small dog and his breed, likely a result of being so ill and in a hospital for three months, and all he has is love for everyone and everything. Heās truly comfortable with anyone, but of course barely leaves my side if Iām in sight.
Source: Jason A. Bradford
Thanks to the bond that has formed between dog and human, Max and Jason have been able to help each other survive their respective illnesses and carry out normal lives.Every year, many dogs and puppies are looked over at shelters because of their special needs, but Max's story shows that, even if it's a lot of effort, most dogs can make wonderful pets.
Source: Jason A. Bradford
If you are thinking of getting a pet, please consider adopting through one of your local shelters, such as theASPCAif you are from the U.S. or theRSPCAif you live in the U.K.
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