Click in his little canine brain...

A little over four years ago, a timid grey dog arrived in my world.

Sundin's mother, Pingo, already lived here. I was told they had similar temperment, a bit spooky, but sweet, smart dogs. Sundin is sweet and smart, but he is pathologically timid. Terrified of everything, trusts no one. I put him in the smallest pen I have in November 2005; I did not touch him again until February 2006! He was completely uncatchable. From that first contact til very recently, Sundin would occcasionally decide that he wanted to run. He is confinent and reliable in harness. He came from a distance musher and has been to races all over North America.

We reached a mutual understanding. I wouldn't push him too much; he would occasionally let me pet him or put him in a harness. Last winter, Sundin showed me that he does trust me when he has to, like when he's badly injured and needs assistance. He knows who to turn to when he needs help. After he had recovered, our relationship returned to it's status quo.

Until three weeks ago, when something went click in Sundin's little canine brain. All of the sudden, he decided that he likes me; he likes sleeping in the house; he loves having his ears scratched and he'll run every time I hook a team up. I even get the occasional little kiss while I'm putting his harness on! He can be loose in different pens; I can catch him without trapping him or luring him with food. Like a normal dog, "Come here, Sundin" actually gets him to come here!

Apparently it takes four years, three months and two weeks for Sundin to unpack and decide to make himself at home! I just wish I knew what it was that made the click happen! I would have done it a long time ago!