Max

Anyone who knows me knows that I love animals and if you've been to any one of my salons, most likely you will be greeted by a wet nose or a wagging tail.  The two mascots are Charlie Joe and Dean Martin.  Charlie has been known to run and welcome his friends into the salon by jumping on them.... and "D" well, he is on lockdown most of the day because he is a little nippy and a whole lot of YAPPY!     I remember the good ole days of Joe and Jack - too big or too lazy to jump up on you and only barked for a cookie.  Naturally I became a little indignant when at our last salon meeting one of my stylists (in a meekish voice) brought up the dogs and said that clients were complaining about the dogs. MY SONS!.?

After explaining that more people like them there, expect them there, and even bring them treats, I had to take into consideration the reality that all people are not animal lovers and that maybe I need to reconsider bringing them in.  So I started thinking that maybe it was just Charlie and Dean that scared people, and maybe they don't even like coming into the salon.  I started thinking about when I had three dogs and I brought in my sweetie Jackie.  Three was a good number because I could leave two at home and still have the doggie energy in the salon, plus it's never a bad thing to have a big dog around you when you work in the city and leave work late some nights.

About a month and a half ago I was reading the book "The Secret" again and remembered that if you will it, it can be.  So I put out clear thoughts into the universe as to what I wanted.  I thought to myself, "wouldn't it be great to have an older dog who was already trained, gets along with the other dogs, and didn't bark or jump on or at the clients".  Well, let me tell you a little something about willing things into your life.
    
I know right now the world seems a little crazy.  People are homeless, jobless, depressed, uneasy and are looking for comfort in any way.  The way that I personally handle times like these are to think positive and take myself away from all the negative, and focus on creating and rethinking what is truly important in my life.  Redeveloping my business, exercising, and sending out love and hope to those that need it.
    
So a couple of weeks ago I decided to avoid a situation that may have been uncomfortable for me.  I called my friend in Virginia and asked her if me and the boys could come for a visit, she said that would be great, as long as I didn't mind her five dogs.  I told her five, seven?  Who cares!
    
We drove down in my new car.  I traded in my big SUV "gas guzzler" for a much smaller sedan, which, by the way, saves me $100 a week in gas.  With Charlie and Dean in the back we drove the six hours down south to Lynchburg, and when we arrived we were greeted by all five of my friends dogs.

My friend Ann lives on her farm and the door is always open for the dogs to run freely.  I had met three of the dogs before and was surprised to see a big dog which looked like a golden retriever greeting us as we opened the door.  It was love at first sight!
    
He had the sweetest face but the saddest eyes.  They were glassy and he looked like he had seen some really rough days.  He was extremely thin with his bones sticking out, he was dirty and his hair was matted.  I couldn't deny that he looked sick, but his demeanor was so gentle and sweet.  I asked what his story was and my friend said he must have been let off his leash to fend for himself.  He wound up on her nephew's farm down the road five months ago and that his dog had a problem with him so he couldn't keep him.  I asked his name and she told me she hadn't named him yet because she couldn't keep him and she knew if she named him she would have to keep him.  Without a moments notice I said, "come here Max!"  And so the story of my new addition to my family began.
    
I must have subconsciously known that I was going to keep him even though I knew that he was going to be an added expense I didn't need.  I was concerned that Charlie and Dean would not want to share me with another dog so I made sure they included Max in there pack during the day.  It has always amazed me how dogs adapt to new situations.  After only a couple of hours, Max knew his new name and became friends with my dogs instantly!
    
My friend told me that she was trying to find a home for him and that she would love for me to take him home.  I thought about the Ball we were doing for the Penn Vet School next year and decided I needed to put my money where my mouth was and rescue this sweet boy named Max!  I told her that before I took him home he needed a bath and a veterinarian appointment so I could be sure he wouldn't give anything to my dogs.  Although the vet was really nice, I didn't think her evaluation was completely accurate since she didn't take any blood.  She assessed him to be around 9 yrs old and eased my mind about being able to take him up to Philly.  And so I did!
    
Four days after we met I was driving home with three dogs in a sedan, which turned out to be the wrong time to trade in my SUV.  In six hours he went from being a southern dog living in the country to being the son of a Jewish liberal democrat moving to Philadelphia.  I knew as soon as I got home I was going to take him to my vet who has been my doctor since my first dog Joe 15 years ago.  I made an appointment for the following Monday.
    
I took him to work with me the next day and introduced him to the members of the Ground Zero team, and was loved instantly by everyone because of his mild disposition.  Clients even thought he was Charlie although he is much thinner.  He adapted extremely well to the salon - no barking no nipping and no jumping... I GOT MY WISH.
    
The only thing that made people upset was the sadness in his eyes.  I knew I had to strengthen his system and anxiously waited for his vet appointment on that Monday.  When we went to the vet on that Monday, I asked him if he thought I was crazy because I really didn't have the money to take on a sick dog.  He told me that no good deed goes unnoticed by the universe and that's all he needed to say.  When his assistant came back into the room she had this sad look on her face and told me he was he heartworm positive and that it could be a death sentence if left untreated.  I asked what the procedure was to get rid of them and the doctor said he needed to be treated immediately and watched closely for two days, and needed to stay overnight and it was going to cost around $600!
    
I had already spent $350 on him so far with two vet appointments, medication for his eyes, his shots and Frontline.  600 more dollars??  I asked if this would save him and he said they would X-ray him and see the extent of the damage and take it from there but most likely,YES it would.  I agreed and set up an appointment for the next day.
    
When I woke up I was in a panic thinking of all my bills that were due that week and I didn't know how busy I was at work since I had been gone for four days.  I am a firm believer in prayer for the things I need in my life, so I prayed and had faith that since God put Max in my life he would help me find $600 and also allow me to pay my bills on time.  I trusted that thought and actually started to cry.
    
On my way the next morning I went to pick up my mail and received two tax return checks that totalled more than I needed for Max's bills!  This was so out of the blue an unexpected.  I remembered what the vet said about my good deeds not going unnoticed and felt so relieved.  Later that day I got a phone call.  It was the receptionist asking me if I remembered the woman I had met when I was in the office the day before?  I remembered her and her blue pitbull.  She had told me her dog was heartworm positive that day, and she was smitten with Max.  The receptionist told me that the woman called the office to ask about her dog and she also asked about my sweet Max.  The receptionist told her that my Max also had heartworm.  The woman asked if I was going to treat him and the receptionist said yes.   The woman then told them that she would like to contribute $300 towards his bill!  I was in disbelief.  I had never met her before that day, she was a complete stranger and wanted to help me out.. I asked the receptionist why she would do that and she said she loves animals and fell in love with Max.  Crazy how the universe works huh??
    
So now it has been a week and a half after his procedure and Max is improving everyday, gaining weight, looking healthier and adapting really well to his new life in Philly!  So for me... If there is any moral to this story it is to put it out there into the universe what you want and need...and sometimes deeds do get noticed.  Stop in and say hello to Max at the salon if you are in the city.  He is working everyday I am!!!! ;)

-W