By Jarissa Aquinde, Positively Woof Rescue and Adoption Story Editor
Juliette wasn’t looking for a dog at the time, but that all changed once she saw Max. Max, formerly known as Peanut, had just been brought up to New Jersey from North Carolina 2 weeks before meeting his forever mom. He was severely underweight, scared of everything and extremely shy. All of this was to be expected, considering he had spent the first 6 months of his life being shuffled from a home, to the local pound, to a foster home and finally to another foster home in NJ. Juliette’s understanding is that his first home was unfit, so he was surrendered at a very young age and brought to the shelter. From there, an unknown rescue picked him up, but they were not able to care for such a young, scared puppy and he ended up being abused by the other dogs. He was then rescued by B.A.R.K. (Bonnie’s Animal Rescue Kingdom), which is how he and Juliette met.
The decision to get Max, once he fell asleep in Juliette’s arms, was simple! Thankfully, she fell in love with him right away because he tested her patience and sanity more than once in the last six years. At first, she couldn’t leave a room without him crying, barking or destroying whatever he could get his paws on. He ate everything in her apartment, including her couch. But they got through it.
Max is one of Juliette’s greatest accomplishments. Anyone that knew him when he first came home can’t believe he’s the same dog today. Max has become one of the most loving, accepting and outgoing dogs. Everyone he encounters goes crazy for him. Despite all the struggles Juliette has faced related to him, she would never change her decision to adopt. At six, he is still a big baby, but he’s Juliette’s big baby. His beautiful heart has changed the opinions of many non-dog lovers, and those who were leery of pit bull and pit bull mixes. Juliette and Max can’t walk down the street without someone stopping to pet him, or ask Juliette questions about him. Juliette is so proud of the dog Max has become. The love and compassion he’s shown her has changed her life. He has been there for his mom during one of the hardest times in her life and she is forever indebted to him. Max showed Juliette that you could hit rock bottom and still make an awesome come back. She thanks God that Max was there to help her make her comeback. Their story is a true, who saved whom story. However, the answer is simple… they saved each other!! 
Follow King Max on Instagram @kingmaxpaterno and on Facebook @maxtheking28
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@kylienmp and I enjoying the water last summer. #rescuedogsofinstagram #bestfriends #dogsofinstagram
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