Max, chocolate lab

Dog missing since fire found
By Brenda Bernet, Amarillo Globe-News
Mar 10 2011 - 12:34am

One more lost dog has been reunited with his family after the Feb. 27 wildfires.

Max, a chocolate Labrador retriever mix, was found Wednesday, ending a 10-day search. He went missing after the fires destroyed Willow Creek Kennels.

Max, a chocolate Labrador mix, sits close to his owner, Terri Hastings, Wednesday in their backyard. Max had been missing since a wildfire destroyed the Willow Creek Kennels Feb. 27

"I didn't give up hope," said Terri Hastings, who remained encouraged after hearing story after story of reunions of owners and their pets. "I'm just amazed at how good he really looked."

Chance Smith, manager and obedience instructor for the kennels, saw Max on the day of the fires. Smith was parked on Loop 335 and Eastern Street behind a roadblock. He remembered seeing Max walking south on Eastern toward the roadblock, but the dog stopped about 100 yards away and headed back toward the kennels.

Smith told Hastings on Friday he would keep searching until she told him to stop.

On Wednesday, rancher Bill Hefley alerted the kennels he found a dog while checking on his cattle. Hefley and another person from the kennels tried to catch Max, but Max wouldn't come to them.

Smith arrived and joined in the chase. After some coaxing, Max hopped into Smith's truck.

Hastings had missed some calls on Wednesday. When she checked her phone, she had a couple of messages from Smith, who said he had found her dog.

"My heart started beating really fast," she said.

She immediately left to meet Smith, and Max jumped all over her when they were reunited. The dog lost 9 pounds, but a veterinarian said he was healthy.

Hastings sent text messages to her three children. On the drive home, Max whined as Hastings neared the family driveway. He had a bath and found a favorite napping spot, sprawled out on one of her boys' beds.

"He's doing good," she said.

Source: http://amarillo.com/news/local-news/2011-03-10/dog-missing-fire-found
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