Maverick, the Dog, Needs a New Home

SOUTH KINGSTOWN, RI – He's a dog with a winning smile. Maverick's ready to start a new life with a good family, according to Jennifer Gebar at Animal Rescue Rhode Island.

The American Bulldog mix had a bumpy start in life. Originally from South Carolina, he was subjected to cruelty. An animal control officer found him starving and suffering from burn wounds on his back, left leg and stomach.

Indications were someone deliberately hurt him.

He was taken to the Dillon County Animal Shelter, where Maverick found a new friend who paid for his veterinary care and adopted him. But then, things went wrong. His new owner fell on financial hardship and ultimately disappeared, leaving the dog in a boarding kennel. Maverick was there for eight months.

Fortunately, Animal Rescue Rhode Island stepped in. Maverick rode the transport to Peace Dale, where he's been recuperating from his ordeal and learning to trust people again.

He's been there for more than a year, and he needs someone special to give him a forever home. A single person or a couple with no children or other pets would be ideal.

“We’ll never give up on Maverick, especially after all he’s been through,” said Gebar, the shelter manager. “Make no mistake: he needs a lot of training and a very understanding owner who’s willing to commit the time required to make him a wonderful citizen in the world," she said. "But we’re so confident that that will happen—and that his new family is right around the corner.”

“Maverick’s traumatic history of abuse and abandonment has made it difficult to find a forever home since he requires such dedicated and structured training,” said canine behaviorist Bob Midwood, owner of Golden Dog Training in Warwick. "He just needs a chance and someone with a gentle hand."

Milwood added that Maverick needs an "owner with great patience and compassion" and has volunteered to meet with any potential adopter to craft a training program and ensure a smooth transition.

"He needs an owner with calm, consistent and confident leadership; and an owner that likes to hike and go for long walks. A tired Maverick makes for a happy owner,” said Midwood.

Anyone interested in adopting Maverick should contact Animal Rescue Rhode Island at shelter@animalrescueri.org or 401-783-7606.

Courtesy Photo