Dog Goes From Craigslist to Westminster
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Image Credit: Courtesy Dan Stallings
The Westminster Dog Show is an orgy of canine entitlement. It is where purebreds are spritzed, shampooed, trimmed and blown dry, where they’re hand-fed steak, dressed in diapers and bowties and followed around with saliva zambonis, but Maverick is an exception. He was found on Craigslist.
“[He] was a rescue that was abused and neglected and in terrible shape,” Maverick’s owner, Dan Stallings, told ABC News.
Maverick’s previous owners kept him in a crate for years. He was so thin you could see his ribs. His nose was infected and he’d chewed his own tail raw, but Stallings nursed him back to health and their bond is now palpable.
Five months after rescuing Maverick, Stallings started entering him in shows, and Maverick started winning, making it to the biggest stage of all.
“I can’t even imagine [if he wins],” said Stallings. “That would really tear me up. I’d be so happy for him.”
As Stallings watched nervously, Maverick and his trainer paraded before the judge today. But in the end, the judge picked another dog.
“There’s my boy. There’s my boy,” Stallings said, petting Maverick after the defeat. “This is what it’s all about, every day.”
Stallings said he wasn’t disappointed because Maverick in a sense had already won. He had gone from forgotten to unforgettable.
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God Bless Dan Stallings. You did a wonderful thing. Maverick is the lucky one. You rescued him and made both your lives memorable. He is beautiful and his worth is priceless. Well done.
Posted by: Julie Robishaw | February 14, 2012, 7:10 pm 7:10 pm
Great story about the Under Dog! America needs more inspiring stories than the fawning, worshiping posture displayed by Diane Sawyer towards Barack Obama about his “cutesy” comments in reference to what men should give for Valentine’s Day.
Posted by: Pete Menks | February 14, 2012, 7:11 pm 7:11 pm
Wonderful story! The fact that he made to Westminister, is big win, not an easy task!
Posted by: kathy | February 14, 2012, 7:22 pm 7:22 pm
A wonderful story.
Posted by: whatever | February 14, 2012, 7:30 pm 7:30 pm
I hope God always blesses you, Dan Stallings, for the compassion in your heart. Thank you for rescuing this finally fortunate dog. A beautiful dog, too. No small achievement, either, to have been entered in the Westminster Dog Show. Kudos to both of you ! !
Posted by: zilchnew | February 14, 2012, 7:32 pm 7:32 pm
Poor reporting. It doesn’t even mention the breed of dog. Many of us recognize it, but that is a basic fact that should have been in the story.
Posted by: SamJ | February 14, 2012, 7:42 pm 7:42 pm
Thank you for this Valentine’s Day story. Now, this is love…for all life. Very well done, Dan Stallings. You are unforgettable, Maverick. May you both be blessed always.
Posted by: m | February 14, 2012, 8:39 pm 8:39 pm
Fantastic story for Dog and Man…..appears they needed each other….does man need a human friend? I rescue dogs daily…..but need friend/partner to enjoy it with me! Congratulations to you both your for all of your love and hard work! it really paid off…..Happy Valentines Day
Posted by: Julia | February 14, 2012, 8:41 pm 8:41 pm
He should have kept his big mouth shut about where he got that dog. Those dog show hypocrites can’t have a Craigslist dog winning their competition.
Posted by: AlnHouston | February 14, 2012, 9:21 pm 9:21 pm
That is awesome…. A beautiful story and outcome for a rescued dog.
Posted by: ALeigh | February 14, 2012, 9:35 pm 9:35 pm
Well said Julie Robishaw!!
Posted by: Jose | February 14, 2012, 10:05 pm 10:05 pm
I have 2 Weims both are rescue from Weimarainer Rescue and the are the best dogs EVER !!!!
Posted by: Marty Klein | February 15, 2012, 12:40 am 12:40 am
God bless the rescue dog lovers! There is nothing more satisfying than knowing you’ve saved a life and brought an irreplaceable member of the family into your midst! I have a “designer doggie” throwaway who has been with me 7 years and is such an incredibly loving and eager to please little fella…I wish there were a category for rescued pets and mixed breeds…
Posted by: Justme123 | February 15, 2012, 3:53 am 3:53 am
Finally..a GOOD story from a news organization.
I love my weimaraner. He truly is my best friend…they are crazy…but they are loyal and sweet to a fault.
NIce piece guys..
Posted by: AP | February 15, 2012, 7:32 am 7:32 am
Huh, ironic coming from a club who just got rid of Pedigree as a sponsor because they support shelter dogs… Apparently Pedigree isn’t “in keeping” with the reputation and standards of Westminster… And Westminster got themselves a new sponsor. I won’t be watching Westminster any longer. But I WILL be supporting Pedigree in their endeavor to promote adopting homeless animals. 3-5 MILLION animals are killed ( many of them gassed) in the US every year. MANY of them pure bred dogs…
Posted by: tarancara | February 15, 2012, 1:21 pm 1:21 pm
I have had 2 rescue weimaraners. Oliver, and now Beau. They have brought me immeasurable joy. Maverick “won” when Mr. Stallings rescued him.
Posted by: Dana | February 15, 2012, 4:40 pm 4:40 pm
This made me cry real tears.
Posted by: The Crossing Guard | February 15, 2012, 4:49 pm 4:49 pm
Congrats to Dan and Maverick for finding each other. Congrats to all who find it in their hearts to save a pet from a shelter and make them part of your family.
Posted by: jon | February 15, 2012, 4:52 pm 4:52 pm
As someone who’s been a dog lover my whole life, it was so heartwarming to watch Maverick’s story! I got my first Weimaraner in the early 1970s when no one really heard of he breed and 3 of the 5 Weimaraners I’ve owned since then, I rescued.
They are such an incredible breed of dog…very intelligent, affectionate and fiercly loyal–they truly do become members of your family.
In fact, I just rescued a beautiful AKC registered 2 year old female Weimaraner a little over a week ago whose owner dumped her because her husband-to-be didn’t want her! Who would want to marry a man who’d make you get rid of your dog?
She is quickly adjusting and is great company for 2 1/2 year old male Weimaraner who is also a rescued dog & became part of our family in January 2011. Everyone who meets him says the same thing–they can’t understand why he was abused and abandoned..He is so sweet and loving!
Kudos to Dan Stalling for recuing Maverick and also to the reporter Dan Harris for telling this wonderful story! I hope more people will think about rescuing an abandoned dog to give it a second chance at life.
Posted by: UptownGirlinFlorida | February 16, 2012, 12:21 am 12:21 am
Go Maverick!!!!!!!!!!!!! We rescues our weim (who looks IDENTICAL!?!??!) off Craigslist four years ago! She had 3 homes in her 6 months of life, this is such a beautiful story!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: Sara | February 16, 2012, 10:43 am 10:43 am
I have recued 5 Weims in the last 25 years. They have all been the best dogs you COULD ever want.
God Bless Friends for Pets here in Los angeles and in Particular Diane Monahan who has dedicated her life to rescuing these dogs. WEIMS RULE !!!
Posted by: Marty Klein | February 16, 2012, 2:44 pm 2:44 pm
I think most dogs should be spayed or neutered and kept as family pets (contrary to what is promoted by Westminster), BUT, this is truly a wonderfully inspirational story. I love it!
Posted by: Robert Jones | February 16, 2012, 4:52 pm 4:52 pm
Now that’s an animal rescue!! God bless this man for saving this dog, guess this kinda makes people realize that good dogs aren’t only from breeders. shelters have purebreds in em too……as well as craiglist!
Posted by: linda | February 16, 2012, 11:53 pm 11:53 pm