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Images courtesy of David Aaron-Harbin
Max is proof positive that any dog can overcome a hair-raising start to life thanks to the perfect adoptive family. Not much is known about Max’s early days as a young puppy other than that he was evacuated from a hurricane that hit the southern states in 2016. At a mere 4 months of age, Max was thankfully saved from the dire disaster and made his way to a rescue shelter in suburban Chicago.
Fast-forward eight years — Max is now a shining star in the Windy City’s community and beyond. As an official ambassador dog with Safe Humane Chicago, Max works hard at bringing canine awareness, inspiration, and calming comfort to countless people in his community.
How did Max triumph? His adoptive parents, David Aaron-Harbin and his partner Johnny, knew how special he was and wanted to share their precious gift of Max with everyone.
Believed to be a mix of Boxer, Black Labrador, and American Staffordshire Terrier, Max is a dog of all trades – an easy-going love bug with a sweet soul who still retains his puppy personality at 8-½ years old and also happens to be a die-hard soccer lover (his soccer moniker is TAKI, a nod to David’s Greek heritage). He’s also quite the ladies’ man, says David. “Whenever we take him to a party or event, he always gravitates toward women. He’s such a flirt with the ladies – he really gets that tail wagging! But really, he loves all people.” That’s why David and his partner Johnny decided to share the joy of their furry family member with their community.
As a volunteer at Chicago Animal Care and Control, David was familiar with the shelter’s partner, Safe Humane Chicago (SHC), a unique non-profit organization that inspires positive relationships between people and animals and uses the human-animal bond to improve the Chicago community.
After training to become a certified therapy dog, Max was happily accepted as an official “Safe Humane Chicago Ambassador Dog.” These special pups and their guardians visit youth groups and incarcerated minors, teaching them about animal welfare and safety. They also help train teenagers and adults how to safely and humanely connect with animals in need.
“Max’s first assignment as an ambassador dog was at Great Lakes Naval Base, interacting with 15 new recruits and trainees,” says David. “He’s also done a lot of work with YMCA youth groups.” The goal of Max’s work is to help teach people how to appropriately interact with dogs – how to approach new dogs, read their body language, give them a treat, etc. He also helps teach people how to rescue stray dogs.
Images courtesy of David Aaron-Harbin
Max’s gentle demeanor and love of people spreads far beyond his city ambassadorship role. “My mother had Alzheimer’s and was at a facility,” says David. “We would often bring Max to visit her and other residents. Max, along with us, was at our mother’s bedside when she gasped her last breath. He was whimpering and licking her face.” An intuitive, caring soul, for sure. To this day, Max still enjoys visiting senior facilities, bringing joy and comfort to residents.
David, a spry 73, instructs fitness classes for seniors at the Levy Senior Center in Evanston, IL. Every Friday, Johnny brings Max for a visit to interact with David’s senior fitness class. “He’s become the Levy Center mascot boy! We just love to share our gift of Max with everyone,” says David. A longtime animal activist and lifelong lover of animals, David’s motto is, “They all deserve our care and protection – always!” David and Johnny spread this mantra throughout their community with the help of their precious boy.
One of David’s major causes as an animal activist is “Adopt Don’t Shop.” During the summer months, he and Max frequent Farmers Markets throughout the city. Amish goods are prevalent, but they’ve boycotted their goods due to the association between the Amish community and puppy mills.
If you’re considering adopting a dog, please read our article about adopting vs. shopping for your forever dog. Animal shelters in the U.S. are in crisis mode, and many are astonishingly overwhelmed with dogs who desperately need homes.
If you have a remarkable story about your beloved pup, please share a bit of your story in the comments below. Our Canine Journal team is committed to bringing our readers the most heartfelt experiences our fellow canine lovers have had. All dogs are special in their own way and bring so much joy to our lives.
