It was a cool spring day in Houston, Alaska (I am from Wasilla). We had gone for a picnic to a campground there, and snow was still in the shadows of the trees. We were enjoying a mostly empty campground when I noticed a very skinny black dog (black lab/mix) sitting at a campsite. He was so bony that his ribs and hips were sticking way out and he was very scared. It took me an hour to earn his trust and get him to eat. Funny enough, it was when I hollered "sit down!" to my kids that he came over and sat in front of me. He understood a command and did what I asked immediately.
I left him in the hands of some locals but didn't trust that they would take care of him. The next day, I drove back to check on him and he was still there, alone. I decided to take him and got help getting him into my Chevy Suburban, as he couldn't jump because of his raw, injured paws. I went to the people who manage the campground and told them that I was taking him. They responded that he had been there for about 3-4 weeks! (I was horrified!!). I took him directly to the vet and got him the care he needed. He had a lot of problems but he would rebound.
I fell in love with him and named him Maverick. Even though I loved him, I knew that I was not the right person for him, as he needed someone who would be active with him. I found him a perfect home and he is doing very well with his new owner who had another rescue dog that was a black lab. I am happy for him!
Wasilla, AK
