PORT ANGELES — The “Save Max” benefit concert planned by local teen Kyle Sholinder to raise funds for a surgery for his 5-year-old dog Max has been set for 4 p.m. Feb. 2.
The concert will be at Olympic Vineyard Church, 3415 S. Peabody St., Port Angeles. Admission will be by donation.
Max, a German shepherd mix, was diagnosed in December with wobbler disease, a neck malady in large-breed dogs, which causes him to stumble and to be lethargic.
Lacking the funds for treatment — which could cost up to $7,000, according to Max’s veterinarian, Dr. Charles Schramm — Kyle decided to plan a concert as a fundraiser.
Since his story hit the street earlier this month, Kyle’s family has received more than $3,000 in donations.
“I’m really surprised,” Kyle said. “I didn’t expect to get this much help, to be honest.”
They also have had local restaurants donate food platters for the show, and others have offered to help with the concert, said Kristy Sholinder, Kyle’s mother.
“It just keeps getting bigger and bigger,” she said.
Max’s condition, meanwhile, has improved.
Medicine to hold down the swelling in the pup’s neck is making him a little more stable, Kyle said.
“He’s been a little better since we got the medicine,” Kyle said.
Kyle has rounded up a selection of talent for the show — and said musicians continue to volunteer.
Kyle and a band of his friends are planning to whip out a few tunes of their own.
Thus far, the lineup includes the PA High School Jazz Band, worship teams from local churches and teen musician John Doster, who won third place at the Clallam County Fair’s talent show last year.
Those who already have donated to the Save the Dog fund will be on a list at the door and will not have to provide more donations to be admitted.
The Sholinders have started a Save the Dog account at Sound Community Bank in Port Angeles, 110 N. Alder St.
They also have set up a PayPal account for online donations: k_sholinder@yahoo.com.
Proceeds exceeding the cost of Max’s treatment will be donated to the Olympic Peninsula Humane Society.
For more information on how to help with Max’s treatment, contact the Sholinders through the Facebook page www.facebook.com/savemydogmax.
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Sequim-Dungeness Valley Editor Joe Smillie can be reached at 360-681-2390, ext. 5052, or at jsmillie@peninsuladailynews.com.
