Maui - Special Needs

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A very special boy with special needs - BUT don’t feel bad for him and only adopt him if you are ready for the most devoted dog in your lifetime and the sweetest!

I am fostering Maui for a group in Florida - Lovey Loaves - this wonderful group takes in special needs dogs, rehabilitates them.

I’m going to tell you about his personality and zest for life first- then his back story and what he has to deal with medically. 

Maui is the single most happy dog I’ve ever met in all my years of fostering - he doesn’t realize he’s not the same and he wouldn’t care if he did.  He loves all humans and all dogs - he loves the dog park.  Water - goes right in wheelchair or not.  He loves it.   

I know that many fosters say “he looks at you like you’ve saved his life” -  this boy looks at you like you’re the only human in the world - he’s underfoot, I won’t lie.  Maui wants to know where you are almost all the time.  He has the funniest mannerisms that are hard to explain but if you adopt him, you will see what I mean.

As you will read below, this little man has been through so much and as a result he does have anxiety - we have put him on anti-anxiety medications that have helped tremendously - these meds must be continued at least for a while - they are not expensive.  They help him relax and sit by your feet while you are working or on the phone.

Does he bark - sure - if someone comes to the door.  He’s a good watchdog.   If you tell him it’s okay, he calms down.  Out on walks he will do whatever he can to get people and dogs so he can tell them how much he loves being with them.

And now his story -

Maui was found in a swamp last summer - it was noted he had lived in that swamp for some time - no one helped him even though he was clearly paralyzed and dragging himself around.  No one helped him but someone used him as target practice with BB’s - you can feel them when you are giving him the massages he loves.   We don’t know if he was disabled when someone left him in the swamp or if it happened as a result of being shot.

Lovely Loaves jumped into action to get him out of the shelter and he went to foster home where he recovered from being in the elements.

I was lucky enough to start fostering this boy in November - he has worked so so hard and we’ve enjoyed working with his PT people (Florida Veterinary Rehab) and his vet to get him well.   Maui has wheelchair from Eddies Wheels which has made all the difference in the world for him  he can get around like no one else in that thing.  He zooms all over every dog park, running up to meet anyone and any dog he possibly can - he adores both.   He’s the star wherever he goes - he’s on more peoples’ videos/phones I bet than any other dog at the park.

The chair has allowed him to exercise his legs- the move tremendously in the chair and with the help of the PT people he is now walking - not 100% steadily but he’s standing on his own with no issues, walking when guided.  He gets excited whenever he sees other people or dogs (or squirrels) and will forget he can walk so he needs to be reminded.

Maui is still at present incontinent and that may remain - we simply don’t know - there are days I know he has held it until we get outside and then there are days he doesn’t.  The good think is he does wear a belly band and will go on his own so if you work during the day, he can be left for some time - he does not need to be expressed at certain times of the day.  He is also fecal incontinent but again, will often go on his own.  He’s on the small side, this is NOT hard to handle.

This guy is a work in progress and you want to be involved, trust me.  Honestly if I were the right long term home for him he would never leave me and no, I don’t say that about every dog I’ve fostered for either Lovey Loaves or Paws New England.  

A fenced yard with room to run around would be key for Maui - he loves being outside when you are -  if no fence but you can get him outside to practice walking, go for long walks in his chair (for now) or to dog parks would be ideal.  This guy would be amazing buddy for a single person or couple looking for a best friend.  Kids - he’s done great around the ones at the dog park - he puts his nose up so they can pet him and will lick their face if allowed.  For Maui, the more humans the merrier - more attention on him.

Restrictions - not any different than any other dog really.  Belly bands for now, a routine of when to get out to help him do his business but that’s the same with any other dog. 

I hope you’ll consider this special, special boy.   I’m available at any time to rave about him in person -
Feel free to email: joanne@pawsnewengland.com

Name: Maui
Breed: Terrier/Labrador Retriever
Sex: Male
Age: 3 years  (estimated)
Weight: 30.0
Spayed/Neutered: Yes
Vaccinations: Up to date
Heartworm: Negative on recent testing
Microchipped: Yes

BASED ON OUR OBSERVATIONS:
Good with Children  Yes, no concerns
Good with Dogs: Yes, loves them 
Good with Cats: Probably not - he is always on alert for cats and squirrels - not sure how he’d do indoors however.

Adoption Fee: $350 

Location of dog currently:  Florida until mid-June - New England after.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION - 

Paws New England is a foster-based rescue - our dogs reside in various locations throughout the south and New England.  

Adoption donations cover pre-adoption vet costs (including vaccinations, spay/neuter when age appropriate, and heartworm testing/treatment when necessary), a microchip, and transportation to New England if necessary.

Donations for our young, healthy puppies and dogs support their fellow canines of advanced age or suffering from injuries and abuse whose donations are reduced but whose veterinary costs are typically much higher. We appreciate your understanding that your newly adopted dog will help others in need.