Suggested Interview Questions and Answers
TRAVELS WITH MAX: HOW MY DOG UNLEASHED MY LIFE
Janet Bennett, Author
Question: How did Max come into your life?
Answer: I agreed to take care of Max—who was given up by his former owners—for a few days and I really fell in love with him even though he was not in good shape. I could tell that he was meant for me and I wanted to help him heal and become a healthier dog.
Question: Why was Max in such bad shape?
Answer: Max is a very big dog—about 100 lbs—and I think that his former owners just didn’t know what to do with him. Unfortunately, they kept him in a crate most of the time because they hadn’t trained him at all, and that lead to him being about 20 pounds overweight and with several other health problems.
Question: Why did you decide to drive that 33 foot motorhome all over the country?
Answer: It was really because of Max. I had taken several driving trips over the last several years and I wanted to continue to make them, but I didn’t want to leave Max at home with someone else—particularly since I had just spent the last year helping him get over a bad case of separation anxiety. I had driven the motorhome before but had never managed it by myself—but I learned how to do it all so that Max and I could travel in it and stay together.
Question: You say that Max changed or “unleashed” your life—what do you mean by that?
Answer: From the day I first saw Max, my life was changed. He is such a lovable dog that I couldn’t part with him and I had to rearrange my life to accommodate a very big dog. Which meant moving to a new residence far from my home, committing a great deal of time to his training program, and basically making him a priority in my life.
Question: Why were you willing to do all that?
Answer: I was at a point where I needed to do something different with my life; I was stuck in a lot of negative behaviors and couldn’t seem to get moving. When Max came into my life, I had no choice but to start taking care of myself while I was taking care of him—so I have come to believe that Max really “rescued me” as much as I “rescued him.” And it has all worked out for the best—we are both a lot better off for having come into each other’s lives.
Question: What would you say are the most important things that you’ve experienced and learned since adopting Max?
Answer: I have learned a great deal since adopting Max—all of which is described in more detail in the book. But generally I would say that Max has taught me how to live in the moment, how to love and appreciate nature, how to balance the time I spend in work and play, and, most of all, how to accept whatever comes into my life with grace and gratitude. That is how he lives and that is how I am trying to learn to live.
Question: What would you say to others who are considering adopting a shelter animal?
Answer: Know what you are signing on for—learn about the type of dog or cat you are adopting. How much exercise will they need and who in the family is going to take responsibility for that? Why are you bringing a pet into the home at this time and what will it take to socialize the pet to the rest of the family—including other pets? People need to think these things through before they adopt any pet in order to insure that the pet they bring into their home is going to find it a welcoming and healthy environment. But once they do, they are doing a great thing by giving a needy pet a safe and loving home.
Question: What is in store for you and Max in the future? More motorhome adventures?
Answer: Yes, Max and I are confirmed motorhome travelers at this point. Now that I’ve figured out how to drive and manage the motorhome, we are all set for more fun trips. Now, of course, we’ll be able to travel in the motorhome and go out and do our “Travels with Max” book tour.
Question: So what advice would you like to leave with our audience?
Answer: Only to learn to listen to your inner wisdom. Max has taught me how important it is to listen to ourselves and follow our hearts. That is the path to true happiness and inner peace, and I wish you all “happy travels” on your journey.