Maggio

By Joy Pape

MAGGIO, above, walking The Hudson River Greenway is 100% his happy place. Photo by Joy Pape.

“Hey, have you seen that big Shephard that walks around here?” I don’t know how many times I’ve been asked that question. I answer, “Yes, that’s Maggio! I call him the King of our Kingdom of Hudson River Park Greenway!”

As a member of American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), I received a 2024 calendar with a picture and story about Maggio. Here’s some of what ASPCA wrote in “A Big Dog with an Even Bigger Heart: Maggio’s Story.” (Reprinted with permission.)

“In April 2022, one of the biggest—if not the biggest—dog any ASPCA facility has ever seen walked through the doors of the ASPCA Adoption Center in New York City. Having just been rescued from deplorable conditions, Maggio, a 137 lb. Anatolian Shepherd, was quiet, timid and nervous about walking on a leash.

“Little did our staff know, Maggio would turn out to be one of the sweetest dogs to ever grace our shelter, earning himself the title of the “Gentle Giant.”

“Maggio was one of nearly 30 dogs the ASPCA assisted ­­the New York Police De­partment in removing from filthy conditions in a city hoarding situation, many of them without access to food or clean water and confined in crates covered in feces and urine.

“ASPCA veterinary and behavior experts jumped into action, conducting forensic exams, much-needed medical care and behavioral treatment and enrichment.

“To help treat an allergic skin disease, Maggio was placed on a special diet and given oral medications. To treat his paw inflammation, the team soaked his paws and applied ointment to them. He also had to have his ears cleaned and treated. 

“The more our staff worked with him and got to know his personality, he quickly became a staff favorite,” says Dr. Melanie Benetato, Director, Shelter Medicine and Clinical Training. Despite his massive size, Maggio was calm and sweet, making exams run smoothly, with the only exception being that Maggio didn’t like his ears being touched.

Sparking Joy at Adoption Center
“Our staff wanted to create positive associations for Maggio when having his ears touched, so any time they touched his ears, he would be given a treat. Maggio soon learned that when he had his ears touched, good things (food) would come.

“But his ear sensitivities weren’t the only concerns our Behavior team had for Maggio. We were worried at first about walking Maggio outside,” explains Adi Hovav, Senior Manager of Behavior. Due to his size, the Adoption Center had to order special equipment for him including a harness, collar and booties that he would wear due to his skin condition.

As it turned out, Maggio loved walking outside and sniffing the ground to his heart’s content. Maggio also soon became the star of playgroups at the Adoption Center.

Finding Maggio a Home
“Though Maggio was kind, gentle and did very well in his foster homes, finding an adoptive home for a dog his size in New York City proved challenging. Teams across the ASPCA pitched in, promoting Maggio wherever they could. He was included in newsletters, blogs, media pitches, social media posts and more. It was in one of our newsletters that Maggio caught the eye of his future pet parents.”

Learn more at: aspca.org/news/big-dog-even-bigger-heart-maggios-story

Interview with Maggio’s Pet Parent

Tell us about Maggio.
We got Maggio in January 2023. He was born in May 2021 and he was named “Maggio” by the ASPCA. which literally means “May” in Italian. We liked the sound of it and thought it fit his personality and his fresh start in life. The ASPCA did such a wonderful job of showing him care and love, that it was a very easy transition to his new home. He is very courteous to his neighbors and furry friends.

Where’s Maggio’s favorite place to go in the Village?
The Hudson River Greenway is 100 percent his happy place. He has access to all sorts of parks, beaches, and a second home in the Berkshires, but by far he is the happiest there. He loves the people and commotion.

Is there anything particular you want us to know about Maggio?
This note we received from Joy sums it up: “When I had my unbirthday party at the Leroy Dog Park, Maggio and his pet parent visited and brought me a present and a lovely card. It made my day even more special, as it does every time I see them. I hope you get to see Maggio and let him make your day too. He’s a lucky dog!”

Joy Pape, FNP-C, CDCES, CFCN is a Board-Certified Family Nurse Practitioner, Diabetes Care and Education Specialist and Foot Care Nurse who specializes in Weight Management, Obesity and/or Diabetes and holistic care.