Delta & Antare's Gotcha Day!

Three years ago today, two timid 9 month old littermates joined our pack. Technically fosters at the time, but seriously, did anyone think they were leaving!? Delta and Antare had spent most of their puppyhood in the shelter. Cute as buttons, but no one was interested in dogs who cowered in the back corner of their kennel all day, who had to be carried outside even for fun stuff.

Their shelter website pic. Such cute little guys, but they rarely moved from this position!

The day they joined us wasn't a particularly happy one around our kennel. The night before we had rushed Kayleigh to the vet with a 6 inch gash across her neck, a wound inflicted by her sister who we were attempting to foster. Unfortunately, Summit's temperment was even worse than Kayleigh's and despite our best efforts we could not keep our permanent residents safe from Summit. So on the morning of August 16 as the shelter manager unlocked the doors, I was waiting with Summit in the truck. She had to go back to the shelter, the only foster we've ever completely given up on. Of course there were no open kennels so someone had to leave for Summit to return. I said we'd take a timid, non-aggressive male and walked out with two of them.

When we got to the house, Antare could not get out of the truck fast enough. He was thrilled to see other dogs and he already knew several of them from the shelter. It took over an hour to convince Delta that it was safe to come out.

They've come a long way in three years. They will never be super friendly, outgoing dogs, but they no longer cower in fear from everything. Antare is one of the best little sled dogs I have. He'll do anything if it means he can go for a run. He hates being left behind. Several miles from home, I can still hear his mournful howls if he's left in the yard.

My happy little sled dog--even when there's no snow!

Delta is still much more timid than his brother, but we can handle him now. He doesn't approach often for attention, but we have long conversations every day. He does love to WOOOOO at me. I'm hoping this winter he will find his place in the team too. That beautiful gait is being wasted running around the yard! Delta adores other dogs and they in turn adore him. He is one of the dogs in our kennel who can go in just about any pen and get along with the other dogs.

Even at -40C, Delta's a looker!

I wasn't happy the day I got them, but I'm happy they are here. Happy Anniversary, boys.

Oh, & Summit, the foster from hell, eventually found her forever home too--with a single man who lives in the boonies, no other dogs, no cats, no kids, no neighbors. A perfect place for her less than perfect temperment!

Godspeed, Twicket

Twicket lost his battle with time late this afternoon. I could not have asked for a better crossing for him, if he had to go. He was calm, serene and in no pain. He died in my arms, which was his most favorite place to be. His breathing had been shallow for about half an hour. Then he let out two big sighs, stretched his paws out around my neck and was gone.

(Taken August 7, 2005 during a snuggle session)

I am so grateful that he waited for me to get home and that I was able to spend those last moments with him. I spent several hours today just holding him and telling him how very much I love him. My boss was kind enough to let me have a two hour lunch break and I left early so I could spend time with him. I got to tell him everything I needed to and I know that he left surrounded by nothing but love.

He was an amazing cat and I was blessed to know him. I will miss his purr, his snuggles, the way he slept around my head. I'm not sure my heart can take this. It has only been nine weeks since Dominique died.

I know that he was met at the bridge by Dominique and Hoodoo and that all three of my bridge kids are together, happy and healthy. The ravages of old age no longer affect Twicket and he is able to play and run again. I hope there are lots of honeysuckle trees up there. He did love his honeysuckle!

Rest well, my little angel. You deserve it. I wish we had more time together, but I don't regret a second of what we did have. I knew you wouldn't be here for a terribly long time when I adopted you. You were already over 13. My heart is broken again now, but you were so worth it. I love you, snuggle-buddy. I will see you when I get there.


My all-time favorite pic of my beautiful boy.

Trip to Haines....

We spent the past weekend in Haines, Alaska, one of my favorite places. It's a beautiful drive there, it's a gorgeous little town and it doesn't scream "tourist trap" the way Skagway does!

Taken from the Haines Highway on our way down. Not a bad pic considering I took it through the windshield!


We rented this little cabin at Salmon Run campground. I don't sleep in a tent, especially in an area as full of bears as Haines is! We saw a little grizzly close to the campground, but it was too dark for pics.

We arrived right around supper time, so we decided to eat junk at the State Fair. After a greasy, totally not good for us dinner, I indulged my inner hippie and bought some great clothes while Stuart tested the local beers! Then came the big event....Steve Earle! The entire reason we were in Haines in the first place.

I've seen alot of Steve shows and this one was Steve at his best! He played for well over two hours, did a three song encore, interacted with the crowd lots. There had been some negative press about him in the local papers--too political, too anti-Bush for some. But the crowd that came out to see him clearly weren't those people. This crowd knew the words to "Christmastime in Washington"--I thought I was the only one! ;) It was even better than the show in Whitehorse. NO drunk idiots yelling at him to play Copperhead Road--it's damn near 20 years old people, lets move on!

Sunday morning, my co-worker took us fishing on her boat. The fish weren't biting, but we had a great time anyway and saw some amazing sights!

Like the Davidson Glacier.

Stuart did catch one fish. It may be the tiniest pink salmon ever caught!

He had much better luck on Monday when he went fly fishing in the Chilkoot River. He loves to fly fish for salmon.

I kayaked on Chilkoot Lake while Stuart was fishing. The ocean swells were a bit much for me! The lake is huge and stunning! It was a lovely paddle!


Then we took the ferry to Skagway. It's a much shorter drive that way and the ferry is a relaxing way to travel. Skagway was insanely busy--3 big cruise ships in town for a total of close to 15, 000 tourists in the tiny town! Crazy! We did not stay long!


The dogs were thrilled to see us come home. Stuart's dad took care of them and they were fine with him, but acted like they had been left to fend for themselves! There was one unauthorized absence while we were gone. Ozzy escaped, but let himself back in a couple hours later. I finally got his brother safely confined and now Ozzy is being an escape artist! Never a dull moment with huskies!