Sunshine

We had to put our dear dog Sunshine down on Sunday.  He was one of our original group of dogs that we brought with us to Alaska from New York.  Sunny was a stray dog from Brooklyn, found in Bed-Sty.  He had a huge scar under one eye and had several broken teeth.  Here is his picture from the shelter’s website in 2002:

Sunny was a gentleman who got along with everyone.  He loved car rides more than anything else.

Me with Sunshine and Sherpa in Kluane, Yukon, Nov 2002

When we arrived in Alaska, we lived in a small cabin near Healy for the first winter.    Here is Sunny, Forest and Sherpa enjoying the heat from the woodstove:

Sherpa and Sunshine squeeze onto the chaise lounge, January 2003.

Sunny was a playful dog who invented his own game with empty water jugs (we had to haul water, so empty jugs were usually lying around).  He would toss them in the air and roll them along the ground.

True to his name, Sunny liked to bask in sunlight.

He was always gentle and trustworthy with the other dogs (but not with cats!).

Butters with Sunshine, May 2009

Sunshine, March 1999 – Nov 2009.

 

Smile for the Camera

Polar is a 9 year old sled dog who comes from an Iditarod kennel in Chugiak.  He was re-homed because he was not interested in running long distances.  He recently had some dental work done and now has nice pearly-whites.  I had his hips xrayed too while he was at the vet, and unfortunately there is a problem with his spine that will likely get worse as he ages.  Polar is  a happy, friendly guy who loves everyone he meets.  He has a “metronome” tail – - it wags back and forth, back and forth, back and forth in a steady motion.   Isn’t he handsome?

early morning sunshine

Nothing like waking everyone up to take pictures first thing in the morning.  It’s chilly and snowing, and no one wants to go outside.

Forest gives a yawn and a dirty look.

Pumpkin is not thrilled either:

How does a guy get any sleep around here?

Sunshine scopes things out…

Sunshine in the sunshine:

You Can Help The Wolves

Wolf hunting starts in Idaho on September 1st.  Speak up for wolves and sign the petition against the hunting and de-listing of the gray wolf:

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/165659664?z00m=19785216

Tell your senators that you want to see Federal protection reinstated for the gray wolf in the Northern Rockies.

A District Court judge will begin hearing a case – this Monday – which may affect whether or not the hunt will take place:

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2009770502_apidwolfhunthearing.html

Support ranchers with other, non-lethal options for protecting livestock.  Of course, we recommend the Great Pyrenees as a flock guardian and watchdog.

G2 – Glacier the Second

This is Glacier II, a purebred Great Pyrenees that we got from the Skagway animal shelter.  Here he is attending the Chena Hot Springs Energy Fair (as Glacier I had done).  “The Hot Springs” is about 60 miles from our home, and it’s usually a wonderfully quiet and scenic drive.  Yesterday’s trip, however, was plagued by construction.  But the weather was ideal.
G2 was a big celebrity – tourists wanted to take his picture, children ran up to him, people driving by would wave.

This is G2 and Daddy :

Road Home

Wolf Killing in Alaska

Defenders of Wildlife has obtained recent photos of state-sponsored wolf killing.  The photos are file material from the Alaska Department of Fish and Game.  The group says it obtained the photos through a public records request after the state tried to use copyright law to prevent their release.

Monty

I saw Monty being advertised on an on-line classifieds list.  Someone had him for a month, and said he was not good with their children and was also injured.  In his previous home, he was too large and unruly.  I knew that if he wound up at the shelter, he would likely be euthed since he doesn’t get along with children.  So I made arrangements to visit him.

Monty was only 10 months old and quite a handful.  Food aggressive.  He snarled when the children walked up behind him and touched him.  He was also limping on a front leg.  So I took Monty home.

I brought Monty to a sports-medicine/orthopedic vet for xrays.  Turns out he was not “injured”, but actually has some conformation problems.  His hocks are bad, and it’s likely hereditary and will give him trouble from time to time.  So he needs a low-protein diet (since he is young and still growing), cage rest, anti-inflammatories, and gentle exercise.

Trouble is, Monty is young and full of himself, and not very interested in resting!  He wants to play, play, play.  He is quite rough and needs some work on manners.  He is high-strung.  Monty was also overweight, so I’ve slimmed him down, which will be easier on his joints.

He was very excited about the camera, as you can see in these pictures.  He zipped around in a full run for a few minutes and then started limping again the next day.  A day of rest and some Metacam, and he improved.  Need to look into physcial therapy for dogs.

Monty is a handsome guy though, isn’t he?  He is attentive and tries to learn, and fortunately is very food motivated!

Suzie Speaks

Suzie is the boss around here.  Her official title is ‘Queen of Everything’.  Now she has her own Twitter page.  Her favorite quote: “It’s all about me.”
https://twitter.com/SuzieSpeaks

A Little Visitor

I found this girl on the road running with a female (pregnant) malamute. Couldn’t catch the malamute, but did catch the little Shepherd. I found the owner later in the evening. The gal’s name is Roxy. Apparently she’s a little spitfire at home. Sweet, lovable little thing.