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.

Clark

Clark died unexpectedly on Wednesday. He was an odd duck, not well socialized, and was afraid of just about everything. Clark was found as a stray dog on Fort Wainwright, and I believe he was captured by the MPs (I’m really wondering how they did it, since he was very skittish). Clark was also a first-class escape artist. Not sure how old he was, maybe 5 or 6.

Clark was sitting quietly in his crate while I was letting some of the other dogs out for their 1st a.m. potty break (Clark wasn’t good with other dogs, so he had to wait his turn and go out alone). He laid down, stretched all 4 legs out all the way, convulsed slightly, let out a loud sigh, and his head fell back. He died on the spot. Our vet thinks he either had an arrhythmia or a blood clot. Clark was a very handsome guy, and a mystery from start to finish.