Jami, John, Max & Morgan Waggoner

We have lived in the Kansas City area for about 18 years. We love the community and what it has to offer and enjoy giving back to causes we believe help the community become a better place.

Max and Morgan came into our lives in July 2009, four months after we had to put down our 14.5 year old dog, Mason. We found Max (male shih tzu) and Morgan (female malti-pom) at the same shelter that we found our precious Mason 14 years ago. We wanted to keep with the ‘M’ names so we replaced their shelter names … Max (formerly Ziggy Marley) and Morgan (formerly Marshmellow).

Max was very shy when we found him at the shelter, but quickly recognized us as his family when we brought him home. He was very thin, and you could see his spine and hip bones. Max’s history was that he was at a breeder who had a double wide and she became overwhelmed. When Max came to our house he was very comfortable and quickly made himself comfortable on coffee tables and couches (clearly he had not been kenneled!!). However, outside was a very different story. He did not have any desire to walk in the grass. We can only speculate that his first three years at his previous home were spent going to the bathroom on gravel, because that is what he did for the first several weeks at our house. He took care of business in the mulch or on the rocks underneath our deck! Walking on a leash was also a new experience. The cars coming down the road were scary and so were the garage doors that opened! Now, he is a completely different dog. He loves his walks and snuggle time.

Morgan was completely different than Max. She was only 8 months old when we found her. Despite her background, she has been an endless source of energy and affection. She loves to dole out kisses to whoever will take them. Morgan’s story, as passed on to us by shelter workers, is sad but has a happy ending. Morgan’s previous owners drove to the shelter and tossed her out the car window in the shelter parking lot and drove off. Well, needless to say, Morgan was scared to ride in cars and would just salivate nervously. It took her several weeks before she would even jump off the couch. We decided to help her get over her fear, and started taking her on very short car rides with Max several times a week. Now she loves them! She jumps up and down when we say, “Want to go for a car ride?” (and Max gets even more excited). Morgan also had issues with potty training, likely due to repeated urinary tract infections (6 in her first 18 months with us). After a quick surgery to correct an underdeveloped vulva she has been UTI free for over six months. It just goes to show there is a solution for almost any issue if you look hard enough!!!

The dogs have learned so much from each other, and are the perfect pair. Morgan taught Max to let go and have fun, and that it is okay to approach your people when you want a little love. Max taught Morgan that sometimes you have to share and it’s best to have a buddy. They love their weekend mornings (a walk and then a car ride to Starbucks … Max licks the Mocha cup hoping for a taste)! And they are living proof that rescue dogs bring so much joy into your life. Many times you don’t know their story, but even if their early life was a little rough, with love they seem to learn new things and come out of their shell. It is truly amazing how adaptable animals are to change. They give as much in return, and much more, than what we give to them.

Thanks for your vote (no matter who you vote for) and for supporting two great causes.

FuzzyFotosKC
benefits these
local organizations:

Photo Credit: All contest photos were provided by Elaina of Photography by Elaina.
You can see more of Elaina's work at www.elainag.com.