Max ’s tale is an incredible tale of survival and the kindness of stranger .
After surviving 19 day in the Columbia River Gorge , the vast stretch of wilderness that separates Washington and Oregon , Max theGerman shepherdhas finally made it home safely . The family who searched tirelessly for him — and the community of interests who altruistically rallied behind them — couldn’t be happier to have Max home in time to celebrate the New Year together .
On December 2 , the Carmichael family check at the Memaloose ease stop on Highway 84 in northerly Oregon . They were taking a fast disruption on their way home to Eugene when their dear dog Max chute out of an subject elevator car door . Before the family pull in what was happening , Max had darted onto the highway . It was a terrifying moment as the dog was struck by a diesel truck almost immediately after his escape .
Photo: Oregon State Police Twitter
Max pull through the impact and kept moving — and the Carmicheals surveil . When they espy the dog again , he was near a auto in the road where a woman had stopped her vehicle . She also reported that Max had been hit by her motorcar . Before they could make it to Max , the injured dog fly the coop off again , this time into a bosky area near the rugged canyon . The family continued to search until twilight , when they made the heart - wrenching decision to finish their 3-½ hour drive home .
Once home , the Carmichaels did n’t give up hope . They returned repeatedly to the area near the residuum full stop to search for Max , launched the blogBringMaxHome.com , and share Max ’s video in localColumbia Gorge pet groupsto broadcast consciousness .
in conclusion , on December 21 , the Carmichaels receive the news they had been waiting for . Max had been spotted in the gorge near the rest blockage by Department of Transportation workers who ’d recognized him from local media attention . A K-9 officer from the Wasco County Sheriff ’s Office answer to the picture to find Max animated , but severely malnourished . The deputy brought him to the Columbia Veterinary Hospital for discussion , and jurisprudence enforcement get through the Carmichaels to rent them know the pup had been found .
The Carmichael family step on it to the clinic to be reunify with their furry friend . Their tearful reunification was apportion on societal media by theOregon State Police .
After week of vexation and fearfulness , Max is finally home and recuperating with his family . Matt Carmichaeltold local newsthat they ’re overwhelmed with the forgivingness and generosity of the strangers who serve Max make it home .
“ forgivingness is still king , ” the Carmichaels wrote in celebration of the good news . We could n’t agree more .
