Niv.
​Nivvy poo, NivNiv, Big Seal Eyes, passed away this week.
One of the original Whistler sleddies, this girl has led quite the retired life with her adopter Erin. But it wasn't the slow down and garden kind of retirement, it was learning how to have a life. Adventures in the woods, camping in the middle of nowhere, getting lost, and found. Romps and runs. Big days and big naps. Naps were very important to Niv.

When she wanted something from me, it took one look from her huge seal-like eyes, and I was ready to give her anything! She was a mooch of the highest order, and I was always happy to oblige! Most of the time I got to see her out on adventures, but one time she came over and it happened to be time for 8-sies (the 8pm treat time for any and all dogs at my house) and once she was done, she trundled over to the sofa and hopped on it. Right next to my husband. She didn't really know him and she hadn't really been in my house before, but she clearly just wanted to nap and watch some tv, with whomever was there. It was so cute.

Often Niv would be the one dog in a group photo who wouldn't stay in one spot - she'd prefer to wander around the group or come say hi to me (febuary 19 | twenty two dogs take over the beach)

I remember first meeting Niv in September 2013. She came running down the path with Erin (her adopter) and sibling Siku for our first sleddie reunion. Over the years, we started hanging out more and formed a little dog-dork group - mostly sleddies, but a few "littles" too. In those early years our sleddie gang consisted of Niv & Siku, Question, Daffy, Cola and ChiChi. Siku was the first of our gang to pass away in Nov 2014, and the others followed. And this week, Niv has bookended that group. 

And though Niv's time working as a sled dog was far in the past, what that life did to her body slowly caught up to her so earlier this year Erin got Niv some wheels for her back end and Niv could toodle through the forest trails or around the neighbourhood much more easily. And she caught on quickly! 

Niv was a survivor or the 2010 Whistler sled dog cull, and because of that, she helped form this great supportive sleddie community here on the west coast of Canada. She was an ambassador for sleddie adoptions and just an all-round cool dog and friend.
I got to visit Niv the night before she passed and for that I'm thankful to Erin. Niv ate some treats, got some loves on the lawn in the summer evening sun, (and she and I had a private little chat) and then followed me to the gate when I left. Of course I couldn't leave her looking so alone, so I walked her back into the house... but the sentiment stuck with me.

Sweet Niv, leaves behind an adopted sister, Cedar, and sooooooo many human and doggy friends. 

Rest in peace and love dear friend,
xo
​~w

Below are just a handful of photos... explore my site to see more.

The sleddie support team came together this evening for Tiger. Tiger came into care back in May extremely fearful... and she's still very fearful in her foster home. There have been some baby steps, but she's still super nervous of humans - a common trait I've seen over the years.
So in the yard of a school away from the city, a small group assembled to meet, say hello and let the dogs have a romp... or nap... or whatevs.

I also got to meet my 225th sleddie - Louise! She's a former Whistler sleddie and is just a wee thing! She's super friendly, loves to play and run and hang with her family.

Have I mentioned just how cool it is to see dogs who I've only met on their arrival into care, post adoption? Today I got to see Toledo, Jack and Angel again and it was beautiful to seem the settled and happy. Jack's had some health issues, but his adopter is so in love with him, that she's making sure he gets whatever he needs. 

Kayou and Tiger are still in foster. Kayou is such a sweet velcro dog! He just wants to be close and get massages and pets and he'll stand on you or meet you at your level, just to make sure you haven't forgotten about him. He was also a big fan of Louise. They did come from the same kennel... I wonder if there's a history there?
Tiger isn't a fan of most humans but she's found friends in shoes and bits of clothing at her foster's! She just brings them into her bed with her and just sleeps amongst these special 'found' objects. Adorable.

I'm not sure how the support team worked for Tiger in the end, but I'd like to think it helped in some respect. She did sniff and trundle around and check out her surroundings a bit and then chilled out next to one of her foster moms, so baby steps it is and baby steps it will be.

What a cool, supportive community.

xo
~w

Sleddie roll call: Angel (recently adopted!), Jack (recently adopted!), Kayou (adoptable), Louise (adopted), Tiger (adoptable) + Toledo (adopted). Also along for the romp were Max (Louise and Toledo's brother who looks like a sleddie, but isn't) and l'il Sam (Tiger's foster sibling)