Do you believe in fate? If you do, perhaps you would also agree that some of us are born for adventure. A 75 lbs lab mix named Max just might be one of those lucky wayfarers.
Today, Max spends his days globetrotting with his family, but once upon a time, he was a pup in a shelter, yearning for someone to notice him.
An Instant Connection
When Jill and her fiancé, Isaac, decided to visit the Humane Society of Utah on the 24th of October in 2025, they were planning “just to look.” Little did they know, they were about to find their missing puzzle piece.
Max was a bit shy in his kennel, having arrived at HSU just two days prior. Jill said they almost passed him by, but when they asked to take him out to a playyard, Max morphed into a completely different dog! He was excited, playful, and sweet, zooming around the yard and cuddling with his family-to-be. Jill recounts that in that moment, they knew they had to take him home.
Max’s Journey as an Adventure Dog
One of Jill and Isaac’s favorite hobbies is visiting new places. When Max joined the crew, it immediately became clear that he had a passion for exploration, too. Jill shares that Max is a chill pup in the car, but as soon as they arrive at their destination, he gets the zoomies! He’s visited several places over the past 7 months, from the deserts of Southern Utah to the beaches of the Oregon coast.
“I truly believe letting him see the world with us and tweaking our plans so he can always come along is the best thing ever,” Jill says. “He deserves to see the world and enjoy it with us!”
Max especially loved adventuring in Moab, UT. He enjoyed hiking, splashing in the shallows of the Green River, and digging in the warm, red sand. Just before adopting Max, Jill and Isaac moved from Maine to Utah. They had never experienced scenery like that of the Moab area before. Jill expressed how special it was to explore that new type of beauty with Max.
“It wasn’t just Max’s favorite, but ours too!” Jill remarks. “A close second was when Max got to run through the snow at the Tetons.”
How to Adventure with a Dog
When it comes to advice for those hoping to help their own pets fulfill their adventure dog dreams, Jill says the key is to start small. Max’s first trips were shorter and closer to home, helping him to become comfortable with travel.
Jill notes that planning completely dog-friendly trips can be a little more challenging, but it’s more than worth it. After all, it’s a pup’s first time living, too!
“Max only gets so many years, so I want him to get to live his life like I would want to live mine,” Jill says.
Even an Adventure Dog Needs a Home Base
Though he loves being an adventure dog, Max doesn’t need to be out jet-setting to have a great time! He has plenty of fun right at home.
“Max is so quirky in so many ways, and he’s also insanely sweet,” Jill says. “He sleeps right in bed with my fiancé and I, with his head on the pillow, tucked under the blankets, snuggling one of his many stuffies.”
One of the funniest and cutest things Max does is seek out ample privacy to do his business. “When nature calls, he will only go #2 in the bushes!”
Why Adopt an Adventure Dog?
Jill encourages anyone considering adoption to take the leap.
“Adopting Max from the Humane Society of Utah was the best decision we’ve made,” she says. “We have no family here in Utah, so building this life and family with my fiancé and Max is so helpful.”
She expresses that adopting Max also had some unexpected benefits.
“Max has helped me in so many ways, mentally and physically,” Jill says. “Even when I don’t want to do anything, I have a furry little face looking at me, telling me it’s time to get up and give him his morning belly rubs. Having Max has kept me active, given me a schedule, and a support system I didn’t know I needed!”
Are you looking for your own adventure dog? Visit UtahHumane.org/Adopt today, and you just might find them!