In Memory of Max

Max was a very special dog.  The first few years of his life were not the best, his history is unknown except for the fact that he was in pretty bad shape in early 2012.  Starving to the brink of death, he could barely walk.  From the numerous injuries and scars, it is believed he had been used as a bait dog and perhaps found a way to escape or was just tossed away when he was no longer of use.  Max must have been on the streets for sometime judging from his condition.  Severely underweight and dehydrated, Max was literally skin and bones and would not have survived more than a few days had his path not crosses with Nereyda Rivera.  Nereyda Rivera and her friend Mariana Baldillo.  

Nereyda and Mariana had been volunteering and fostering for local rescue groups, taking in puppies and dogs that needed a little more attention than a shelter had resources for.  They'd foster and care for them til the dogs were well enough to go to the shelter or get adopted.

The girls took Max in as they had many other dogs and hoped that it was not too late to save him.  What they did not know at the time is that this rescue effort was not at all like the others they had done in the past.  This was was special and Max was about to change not only their lives, but the lives of many other dogs as well.

The first few weeks were full ups and downs.  Max could not be kept at either of their homes because of his condition and precautions for the health and safety of the other dogs they were fostering.  A local pastor who had a bit of land behind his little church offered the girls an area where they could keep Max.  They built a makeshift kennel and cared for him there.  It was not long after that another dog with numerous health issues due to mistreatment and abuse showed up ... then another ... then another.  It was then that the girls decided they'd dedicate their efforts to those animals who were in such bad shape that they would surely be euthanized if they'd been taken to a shelter.  The amount of time, care, resources, and 24 hr attention was simply too much for the shelters to spend on one dog, when there were so many others that were more likely to get adopted.

So it began.  El Ranchito was founded in 2012 with Max as the "founder".  During the same year, Caboholics was created and adopted El Ranchito as one of few organizations to support.  Over the last 7 years, we seen many, many dogs taken a the brink of death, watched the progress and transformation of each unwanted street dog become healthier and happier.  Many have been adopted and found loving families of their own.  A few, such as Max have never left El Ranchito.  Those few called El Ranchito their home until they passed away.  Others have been there for numerous years and if not adopted will also continue live their lives happy, healthy, well fed, and loved until they get adopted (or not).

Over the years, El Ranchito has grown, the piece of land that was loaned to Nereyda and Mariana is now owned by El Ranchito.  Kennels have been built, water runs to the land, there's now electricity, fences, gates, and even a restroom.  All this would not have happened if it had not been for Max.  

Rest in peace, dear Max.  Run through the pastures with the others who have gone before you, but know that your legacy continues and El Ranchito will be changing the world for more dogs, one dog at a time.

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We have set up this donation button for those who would
like to make a donation to El Ranchito in memory of Max.