Out of the cold...

The plan was no new additions for awhile..the inn is full.....but you know what they say about the best laid plans....


This sweet ol' girl joined the pack on Monday. I've known Pirate for a couple years at least. She's lived with a couple people I know, most recently just down the road from me. But Pirate is old, needs some serious care and I guess that just doesn't mix with a fancy house. I can't quite get my head around that, especially since her problems are treatable or at least manageable. Maybe I don't want to understand how anyone can leave an old dog out in the cold.

Pirate is 12 years old according to her shelter file. She was originally surrendered by the same musher who brought Anvik in. He arrived a few months after Pirate. Pirate is a stiff in her back end, her eyes are cloudy and she doesn't hear much(although some of that I think is the famous husky selective hearing!). She leaks urine when she sleeps--not unusual for an old, spayed female canine. Not that unusual for females of the human variety either! I expect that most of us when we are pushing 80 will be in much the same shape as Pirate!

But her blood work is phenomonal! She has the kidneys and liver of a much younger dog. Her heart is strong and steady. Her urine is normal, just won't stay where it's supposed to! She got a full exam this morning by Dr. Rick and he has provided some options to make the ol' girl comfortable and dry! She's on medication for the leaking and anti-inflammatories for the stiffness. They should both start to work very quickly. She is not ready to move on and can still have a good quality of life for some time!

She's taken to this "inside dog" thing like a pampered Pomeranian! She loves her crate and goes right in. Ya gotta love a husky's denning instinct, especially when it makes training easier instead of making 10 foot holes in your yard! Her hip movement has improved dramatically already just because she has a warm soft bed to curl up on. She can almost run when she's heading for the door to come in for the evening! It's no sprint racing dog speed, but it's a pretty good clip for a 12 year frieght style dog!

She may not have years, but she will be warm, safe and spoiled for whatever time she does have left. Welcome to your retirement home, Pirate!