Hi Matthew and Welcome back to YT. I do remember your story. The woman was not very appreciative towards you when you returned Myles(Max) and was actually very nasty....nor do I remember her showing any excited emotion towards Max...I mean if I would have lost my dog & someone was nice enough to first, take obvious good care of him, then think enough of how much I missed them and return them, I would not only be planting kisses on my furbabies, I would probably kiss the person who returned them too!! So fast-forward til today....not sure what to say....I mean it doesn't sound the Max is too happy at home..maybe he's purposely running away, who knows. And he was is such a messy condition, I'm assuming either she doesn't have time or doesn't spend much time with him.
You haven't seen any fliers or advertisements for missing dog? I would say just go with your gut...I would hate to think he has to go back where he's obviously not cared for properly. I really don't know what the right thing to do in this situation but if she really wanted her dog back, she would do what you did and post fliers or something. I hope wherever he is, he's loved and appreciated and given the care he deserves...and how nice of you to give them the things you bought.
I thought maybe you'd considered getting a baby for yourself..you sound like a wonderful care-giver to any furbaby you get! I wish you the best of luck. Please give us an update should anything come about in this situation.