This post is in remembrance of the Whistler sled dogs who were killed over the course of two days, April 21 and 23, 2010.

It's because of this atrocity that this project was born, 14 years ago. After the massacre, "experts" were weighing in on what would happen to the surviving dogs. So many said sled dogs could never live in a home, never be "pets". They weren't built for domestic life. It was getting tiring hearing the same old lines and I knew from my years being around so many shelter dogs who had come from such a diverse range of unfit situations (from outright abuse and getting shot to being surrendered because a hair cut cost too much) that it would be up to the dogs. They just needed the chance.

So when survivors of Whistler started to arrive at the shelter it was pretty obvious that these dogs were going to prove those "experts"  wrong. 

They were lovely, friendly, social with other dogs and followed us around. And when they got adopted, they were so loved. 
It's because of some of these adopting families that I got to know the dogs more - going out on walks and adventures and hearing how life was going for them.
For some, the road to settling in was harder. But the same can be said for any dog being adopted into a new home. Again, they just needed the chance.

Our community began to grow so we planned reunions, where 50+ former Whistler sled dogs came together to sniff and romp and just hang out. 
It was magical.

Today, most, if not all, of the original Whistler survivors have now passed away, but there has been a steady stream of former sled dogs from Whistler and beyond who've need of a soft place to land. And the community here has been ready to step up to help. 

But as long as there are sled dog operations, shelters and rescues will be called on to help with re-homing these special dogs.
So more help is always needed.

Today, I light a candle for those who lost their lives.
And to the 269 former sled dogs I've met and photographed over the last 14 years, thank you for being such beautiful, honest ambassadors.

Abby, Ace, Adora, Angel, Apex, Arctic, Argus, Arwen, Ash, Ashley, Aussie, Baloo (BigBoy), Bamboo, Barca, Batman, Beamie, Bear, Bella, Berta, Betty, Big, Biggie, Birch, Black, Blizzard, Blue, Blue's puppies 1, 2 +3, Boo, Bowser, Bran, Bruno, Bubba, Buzz, Cain, Calli, Cally, Camino, Candy, Cane, Cap, Casey, Catty, Cello, Centurion, Charlie ('14), Charlie ('17), Chase, Cherry, ChiChi, Chief, Chocolate, Cleo, Clyde, Cocoa, Cola, Colby, Comet, Copper, Coyote, Cruz, Cuddles, Cutie, Daffy, Daisy, Dave, Digger, Eagle, Echo ('18), Echo ('22), Elton, Elwen, Eskobar, Eva, Farmer, Felix, Fiddle, Flash, Ford, Frankie, Gadget, Galute, Ginny, Gino, Goldie, Goofy, Goose, Gracie, Gretzky, Grey, Griffindor, Hailey, Heineken, Herman, Homer, Honda, Hooters, Hopper, Ice ('13), Ice ('21), Idéfix, Igloo, Inky, Jack ('17), Jack ('22), Jakala, Jasper, Jeff, Jet, Jo, Johnny, Jon Snow, June(bug), Kawasaki, Kayla, Kayou, Keeva, Keni, Kepler, Kerri, Kilo, Kirby, Kirika, Kismet, Kit, Knik, Lady, Lefty, Lion, Loki, Loretta, Louie ('15), Louie ('22), Louise, Lucky, Lucy, Luna, Luna ('17), Lunar, Magic, Manny, Mars, Mary Kate, Meso, Midge, Mila, Millie, Misty, Moon, Moose, Mossy, Muffin, Murphy, Muselix, Myers, Nike, Nina, Niv, Noodles, Nooner, Nordique, Oak, Oilers, Olaf, Ollie, Oman, Oscar, Otter, Owl, Pancake, Patsy, Peach, Penny ('16), Penny ('24), Pez, Pharaoh, Picasso, Ping, Piper, Pique, Pluto, Poppy, Porsche, Pumpkin, Question, Raven, Red, Reggie, River, Robbie, Rocket ('13), Rocket ('23), Rocky, Rolo, Rondy, Roo, Samwell, Santana, Sapporo, Sassy, Saturn, Sausage, Schwartz, Serabe, Shanti, Shazaam, Shining, Shrek, Siku, Silly, Sinatra, Sitka, Sky, Smokey, Snail, Snickers, Snow, Sonny, Sparkle, Sparky, Spinner, Splash, Star, Stella, Stevie, Storm, Stuart, Summer ('13), Summer ('15), Sun, Sweetie, ​Tag, Teddy, Tig, Tiger, TJ, Toledo, Touché, Trixie, Troy, Trudy, Tuba, Tucker, Twister, Typhoon, Vinnie, Vixen, Wasp, Watsit, Weasley, Whiney, Whistle, Whistler, Whitman, Wiggles, Willow, Willy, Willy's puppies 1, 2 + 3, Yale, Yamaha, Yang, Ying, Zazou, Zeus, Ziggy, Zouave

To put faces to these important names: https://www.iwasasleddog.com/i-was-a-sled-dog-part-two.html

I would also like to take this chance to offer my condolences to the families of Bruno and Sparky. I just learned today that they both recently passed away. May they find each other and their friends and continue to run free. 

xo 
wendy

A big warm welcome to Adora, Elton, Jakala and Touché!

It's that time of year. When the sled dog operations end, and homes for former sled dogs are needed. Without the snow to pull the tourists around in, what does a sled dog do the rest of the year? Money earned through the winter, often has to last the whole year and has to cover a lot of expenses. 
This year is no different. 

So on Sunday, April 6, the Victoria Humane Society welcomed 4 new sleddies into care. 

It was a true group effort -- correspondence with the kennel, a ferry ride to Vancouver, drive to the meeting place, and the drive and ferry trip back. While at the shelter, food and supplies had been prepped for the fosters. Medicines were prepped. Mats were laid down to cover the slippery floors on the way to the scale. 
And when the truck arrived, and the back hatch opened, we were all so happy to see Elton and Touché's little faces peeking out of their kennels. Adora was in the kennel behind them and Jakala had been riding in the backseat of the truck cab.

The team unloaded the crates, then harnesses and GPS collars were fitted, leashes attached and then it was time to get weighed.
As the dogs walked the hall to the scale, they all got to peer into the window and see little Jitterbug, a sweet kitty who's awaiting her forever home, watching the action.

While the dogs were getting fitted and weighed, the fosters were all getting a refresher on fostering a sleddie and learning a bit more about their charges. 
Elton - the youngest of the group is about 3 years old. He did get some travel sickness, but was hungry again once he arrived at the shelter, super friendly and sweet
Adora - about 7 years old, very food motivated!, not a fan of other female dogs, but loved the attention of the volunteers at intake
Jakala - about 9 years old, apparently this girl is quite confident, but at the shelter, she seemed pretty stressed (not uncommon at intake), she's also food motivated (always helpful with the transition)
Touché - also about 8-9 years old, this guy has come to Whistler by way of Alaska last fall and has a racing history and competed in the Iditarod, however... he is a true couch master and that is his safe place. At intake, he wanted to be in the quiet corners and even took refuge in the washroom at one point. I can only imagine what it was like for him to be on display at the Iditarod with all the people and dogs and noise and action pre-race.... At intake it was observed he may have some sight issues, which the fosters are going to keep an eye on.

After one final photo op, the dogs were on their way to their foster homes, where they will be loved and cared for. And if nothing urgent comes up in the interim, in a few weeks they will go for a wellness exam with the vet. Should any diagnostics or surgeries be needed, they'll be scheduled and then paid for by Victoria Humane Society. 

As I write this, it's the next morning and all of the dogs have been settling in quite well. They've found soft spots to have big sleeps in, some have been eating, drinking and doing business outside, some have upset tummies (not uncommon from the travel/change/stress). 
There's a lot of new for these sweethearts, but there are some wonderfully, dedicated people who are there to help guide them into this new life.

And as we approach the 15th anniversary of the post-Olympic Whistler sled dog massacre, I am grateful that these dogs had the chance to come into the care of a rescue. 

Thank you to Jill and Deb for all your set up and being sleddie chauffeurs! To Janet, Cathryn and Sander for your muscles unloading crates, fitting collars, harnesses and giving love to such special, deserving dogs.

If you're interested in adopting one of these amazing souls, please contact www.victoriahumanesociety.com

xo
wendy