Defying The Odds – Max Is Reunited With Owner
Charles Rogers and Max were reunited last Friday. Max had been missing for almost three weeks.
WATER VALLEY – Charles Rogers had almost given up all hope of ever seeing his beloved Max again. A 90-plus pound pit-bull-mix, Max was over a 100 miles from his home in Jackson when he went missing on County Road 220 in Yalobusha County on Dec. 28.
Making matters worse, Max had just been shot and was having trouble standing or walking before he disappeared. Rogers’ son spotted Max in the woods minutes after he was shot, and had gone to get a four-wheeler to retrieve the wounded dog. Sadly Max was gone when he returned, and the men looked for hours that night in a cold rain.
Even with seemingly insurmountable odds, Rogers was holding on to a little hope for one reason – Max is irresistible. Rogers was confident that if his dog survived the gunshot long enough to find someone, Max would convince them to help him.
“He loves people and is a charmer,” Rogers explained.
Days passed and after two weeks Rogers’ hope was waning. He called the Herald newspaper office on Jan. 13, placing an ad with a hefty $1,000 reward for the safe return of Max. He was also looking for closure and posted a $350 reward for information about where Max’s remains could be uncovered, thinking he may not have survived the gunshot.
From Jackson To Water Valley
Rogers was forced to bring his beloved pets, Max and Max’s year-old son, Red, to a friend’s house outside of Water Valley on Dec. 28 after the dogs repeatedly escaped from his back yard in Jackson. Rogers, who is 62, moved from Water Valley to Jackson in 2009 after his wife accepted a job in that city. They share a love for dogs.
“But we started having problems with our dogs escaping from our backyard and running the neighborhood,” Rogers explained.
Neighbors were complaining and the two dogs were picked up again in December and held by animal control. Nine days later, Rogers finally had located a temporary home for them in Water Valley. He picked up Red and Max from the pound with the understanding that they could not return to the City of Jackson. There was also a threat, if Max and Red were picked up again, they would be euthanized.
Rogers drove to County Road 220, visited with his friend and let the two dogs out of his truck. The dogs had been in animal control’s custody for days, and cramped up during the ride from Jackson to Water Valley. They were ready to romp.
“After being out of sight for only about two minutes in the woods, we heard three gunshots ring out,” Rogers said.
Red came back, and was bleeding with an gunshot wound to his upper left leg. Max was in the woods, seemingly unable to walk, before disappearing.
The Charmer
Rogers would later learn that Max was on his own for 12 days before he showed up a business in the south end of Water Valley on Jan. 10. Max went home with one of the employees at that business, charming his way into a new home and an immediate trip to the veterinarian for treatment.
Rogers got the call a day after the Herald hit the streets, his beloved Max was safe. He made the trip from Jackson to Water Valley Friday afternoon and was reunited with Max.
The person who picked up Max and carried him to the vet, spending almost $600 for treatment, wishes to remain anonymous.
“He even offered to give me back the $1,000 reward, but I insisted that he take it,” Rogers said. Rogers also reimbursed the man for the vet bill.
There are still unanswered questions, but both dogs are receiving professional training in preparation for their next chapter in life.
“The training is expected to stop them from breaking out,” Rogers explained.
Rogers has also invested $800 in upgrades to his fence at his home in Jackson to prevent them from escaping if the dogs are allowed to return to the city.
“We are going to appeal to the city (Jackson) to lift their demand that the dogs could not return. But if need be, I have a first cousin in Water Valley who has agreed to keep them,” Rogers added.
Rogers has also filed criminal charges against the alleged shooter and is awaiting a trial date. Rogers said the alleged shooter goes by “Cold-Heart” on Facebook.
“I know that when people give themselves titles like that, they often try to live up to them. In being cold-hearted, he shot two dogs that were not a threat to him in any kind of way,” Rogers added.
