It started with a bag of dog food and a rainstorm.
Jason, a freelance photographer living in Queens, had just stepped out to run errands when he spotted a soaked and shivering dog tied to a fence outside an abandoned laundromat. His coat was filthy, his tail tucked so tight it nearly disappeared beneath him. But when Jason knelt down and held out his hand, the pup licked it.
That was it.
Jason brought the dog home, unsure of what he’d do next. He wasn’t looking for a dog—his work hours were unpredictable, and his apartment barely had enough space for his camera gear. But something about the way this dog followed him from room to room made it clear: they needed each other.
He named him Max.
Over the next few weeks, Max transformed. The fear in his eyes faded, replaced by curiosity and trust. He learned how to sit, how to chase a tennis ball, and how to sneak onto Jason’s bed when he thought no one was looking. He even began appearing in Jason’s photos, always with that same grateful gaze.
Max went from unwanted to unforgettable.
Today, Max is more than just a rescue—he’s Jason’s companion, muse, and favorite sidekick on long walks through Astoria Park. And every time someone asks where Max came from, Jason smiles and says, “He rescued me first.”