A BOXER WINS HIS TOUGHEST FIGHT

Shannon was reluctant to acquire a dog despite the repeated urgings of her children. A single mother, she was understandably concerned about the added cost and responsibility the addition of a companion animal would mean to her family. However, her fifteen-year old son Keegan persisted and Shannon, being a good mom, relented.

Keegan put much thought and considerable research into identifying the breed of dog that would be best for him and his family. Ultimately, Keegan decided upon a lovable six-week-old brindle boxer named Max that he purchased with his own hard-earned money. Although Max was particularly attached to Keegan, accompanying him whenever he rode his bike or skateboard, the feisty boxer also very quickly won the hearts of the entire family.

Then on March 19 of last year a terrible thing happened to Max. Keegan had just taken Max out for his last walk of the evening when Max suddenly and unexpectedly ran off. Despite the family's best efforts, Max was nowhere to be found. A distraught Keegan went to bed without Max; hopeful his best friend would find his way home. Unfortunately, this was not to be.

In the middle of the night a policeman who knew the family showed up at the door to sadly announce that he had found Max very badly injured by the side of Route 6, the major east-west highway on Cape Cod. Max had been the victim of a hit-and-run driver. He had already been taken to nearby Eastham Veterinary Hospital so Shannon and Keegan rushed to the hospital to be with him.

Max's injuries were serious and life threatening. Two of his legs were terribly damaged; his left hind leg literally folded in half. His left shoulder muscle had been sheared off leaving a gruesome gash. There was also a possiblilty of internal injuries, including brain damage. The diagnosis was bleak. The option of euthanasia was considered. And, of course, there was the question of medical costs, expected to be considerable, if efforts were to be made to save the young boxer's life.

Despite all he had been through Max amazingly remained fully conscious. And both Shannon and the veterinarian in attendance, Dr. Heidi Howell, were convinced that Max, although obviously in great pain and agony, was desperately pleading with them to let him live. They could see it in his eyes.

But there still remained the matter of the medical expenses. Fortunately, Eastham Veterinary Hospital is a Sampson Fund participating animal hospital. This allowed Dr. Howell to quickly resolve the financial issue by committing Sampson Fund monies to significantly defray those expenses. With that assistance, Shannon wasted no time in directing Dr. Howell to make every effort to save Max's life. Max's plea had been heard and answered.

Max remained in the hospital a week before returning to his family for long and intensive home care. Max was in considerable pain and his recovery was hard on everyone because he could not be left alone. As Max's shoulder began to heal the injuries to his legs could be addressed. His fore leg was essentially useless because of the missing muscle so a hole had to be drilled into the bone to reattach it. Max's badly shattered hind leg required special treatment. So Dr. Howell called in a "people doctor" and personal friend who donated his services and assisted in the surgery to insert a plate in Max's leg.

Max's recovery has been slow but steady, although some of his injuries will likely leave him permanently disabled. His rear leg is unnaturally bent and his front leg is of limited use. As a result, Max walks with a pronounced limp. He still somehow manages to run, but is unable to jump and hold a bone between his paws.

Max's ordeal may have taken its toll on his body but, like any good "boxer", Max's toughness and dogged determination saw him through it. Today, he remains a happy, loving dog very protective of his family.

As for Keegan, Shannon and the rest of Max's family, they are relieved and overjoyed to have him back among them and deeply grateful to Dr. Howell and the Sampson Fund for making it possible.