It's been a week and a day since Idéfix + Shining arrived into care and both are doing really well.

Idéfix is in foster home a couple blocks from me and since Shining is hanging there for a few days while her foster family is out camping (an activity that might've been a bit too much, too soon for her), I took the opportunity to visit!

When we picked up the dogs from the airport August 7, it became clear right away that Idéfix was a velcro dog and needed support from humans, and that hasn't changed. 
Although Shining (now called Shi) came to sniff me out and then hang out with me for pets and to lick my arms, it took Idéfix about 20-30 mins to settle enough to smell me, like not just sniff me, but smell me... and I think doing that may have triggered a memory from our time together last week, because once he crossed that threshhold, he wanted all the pets and attention... just like Shi. And he still does the thing when he licks you that he bonks his teeth on you too... full contact style.
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The visit also provided a chance for me to get a good look at Shi's right eye -- it's like the sky and forest in one -- half white/blue and half dark. Beautiful.
Idéfix's eyes are both beautifully blue. It's likely his vision is limited though -- we noticed a few things upon intake and now that he's in a foster home, they've seen some clues too, including him bumping into things that are obvious.

One thing I've learned about sleddies over the years is that there are a fair number who don't understand personal space. There is no 'asking' to be on your lap, they just slowly make their move and then they're up, blocking your view. When they want your attention, they lean into you in case you didn't know they were there. When you're low to the ground with a camera in your hand (ahem), they don't care that you're trying for a photo op... they want both of your hands giving them scritches on their back end while they bend around to lick your face. And when one moves in for attention, others likely will too! So when these two both requested my attention at once, I did my best to accommodate - one hand on both dogs while camera in the other!

We're having some pretty warm days here in Victoria this last week, so even though our visit was in the morning, it was already getting pretty toasty so we kept it short(ish). Depending on the dog, it can take hours, days or weeks for them to feel comfortable enough for a neighbourhood walk. So while Shi seems game to explore slowly and cautiously, (she's got her leashes on as she was seen trying to stick her nose through a spot in the fence), Idéfix prefers to stay in the yard, and that's ok. In time he'll have the opportunity to venture out and sniff his new surroundings, meet the dogs in the neighbourhood and perhaps some new human friends too.
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Here are some photos and video from yesterday's visit. We hope to do it again soon!

Welcome ​Idéfix + Shining!

These two super sleddies arrived into care on August 7 and it's taken me a bit to put their story together. I originally tagged along on the pick up with camera in hand, but ended up using my phone for video mostly. So... I've created a 3-minute video from about 3 hours on Monday.

​Idéfix is the beautiful blue-eyed male. No, you're not seeing things... he's got somewhat crossed eyes and/or a lazy eye. Also he's got a spotted coat, a bit heeler-ish, but more than likely German Short-haired pointer as they're often part of the sled dog mixes. He's a young 9.
Shining is the beauty with two different coloured eyes. She's a bit floofier than ​Idéfix and was a bit slower to open up. When she did though, she loved getting some loves. Shining is 8!

Both dogs had travelled on a morning flight from Whitehorse, YT to us in Victoria, BC. I'm really amazed each time new dogs arrive after flights. I can only imagine what they may be wondering. Their started their day as usual, but it took a left turn somewhere and they've landed in a whole new place. The sounds, sights... and SMELLS. It's all new. It's all different.

It's been a few days now since they arrived and their foster homes have noted that they have both finally did their business (outside!) and are eating a bit. This is a big win as it often takes days for new arrivals to feel safe enough to do seemingly normal things like eat and do their business. Mostly they sleep or pace... or sleep and pace. 

I've learned ​Idéfix is being fostered close by so I'm looking forward to popping over for a visit. Upon arrival he was a velcro dog. He gave licks - the kind where you can feel his teeth pressing on your face because he's really getting in there (see video). And though they were mostly stress-related 'kisses', instead of shutting down, he was looking to me... an unknown human, for some sort of comfort. Back at the shelter for intake, he gave kisses to Deb while getting weighed.

Their decompression will take time, but the support is in place for these two to learn about a whole new life and maybe even dip their toes in the ocean.

Welcome to your official retirement Idéfix + Shining!!
xo

p.s. Idéfix and Shining are the 250th and 251st sleddies I've photographed for this project! A milestone for sure.

I'd been trying to meet Sweet Rocket since he was adopted back in 2020, but between covid and the travel time to get to him, I hadn't been able to make the trip. So in mid-July when my family was headed on a road trip to Saskatchewan, we'd be travelling so close to Rocket's house, I had to take advantage of the opportunity and stop in.

As we left the ocean breeze, heading to the interior of BC, we watched the temperature rise. By the time we got to his house, it was 31 degrees and sticky.

Nikki and I met years ago after she adopted her first sleddie, Piper. We've kept in contact since, and in 2017 she even brought Kismet to me so he could participate in Part One of I Was A Sled Dog. Rocket is her third sleddie, but she's also fostered sleddies along the way. Clearly she's hooked on sleddies.

So after the human pleasantries were exchanged, Nikki said "Rocket is hand shy so when you meet him, he'll like it if you let him sniff your face". Sure thing! Offering up my face isn't what I would normally do upon meeting a new dog, sleddie or not, but having met so many unique sleddies over the years, I've learned to just go with it.

And it was magical. To be honest, from what I'd heard about Rocket, I wasn't sure he'd even look at me, but once he had a good sniff, he watched me with Kismet and then even took treats from me! Maybe he could see that his brother and I were old friends. If Kizzy was cool with me, then Rocket could be too. Or maybe it was his Adaptil calming collar that helped.... in any case, Rocket rocked it.
Since we were travelling, we also had my dog Mr Coco with us. My husband had tried to take him for a walk but it was too hot and his was a bit distressed without me, so they ended up joining us in the backyard and both dogs had a bit of a sniff, but since our little guy is pretty blind and deaf, he stayed close to my husband. 
Kismet, true to what I remember of him, was adorably silly. When I crouched down, it was clearly his cue to come to me and get pets. We even tried for a family portrait and given the nature of both dogs, I think we nailed it!

I only had about half an hour to visit, which worked out because it was so dang hot and my glasses were fogging up. So after Kismet and Rocket did a couple laps of chase through the garden, we mostly hung out under the covered patio in the shade. And then the overhead misters were turned on. Game changer! That beautiful, cooling mist allowed us to have a bit more of a visit while providing some cool photo ops.

Nikki was gracious enough to provide some more info on Rocket to share based on the questions I asked for each of the 59 dogs who I photographed for Part One of this project. If you'd like to dive deeper into this part of my work, click here.
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Name: Rocket Age: 7.5 years old (approx.. birthdate Jan. 2016), male
Weight: 50 pounds
Breed/Mix: Saluki x Husky ?
Kennel name at birth: Rocky 
Age at adoption: 4.5
Adopted from: Commercial Sled Dog Kennel, June 2020
Coat - single/double: Single – very much like a Saluki coat.
Likes: He LOVES his companion dog Kismet more than anyone or anything. He enjoys a gentle alliance with his house kitties. He has recently decided he really loves mealtime and he barks with joy. He loves to snuffle for kibble in the grass. He is also becoming a snack monster. He loves forest hikes with his buddy Kismet but also loves his yard and his “fort” (a large metal crate wrapped in blankets with the doors removed).
Dislikes: He is a very shy guy and it took him a long time to overcome his fear of garbage trucks. He’s working hard to relax during fireworks and thunderstorms. He doesn’t love hands coming at him, he would rather say hello by sniffing your face if offered.
Sleeping locations: he loves his Fort but also loves his other dog beds and loves snoozing in the grass in the shade.
Off-leash time: Lots if we are away from roads. If we are in town he is on a long line.
Escaped or lost?: He was AWOL once for about an hour, which was terrifying and that was the day his name changed from Rocky to Rocket… he “took off like a Rocket”.
Siblings: unknown
Medical conditions: chronic bronchitis
Spayed/Neutered at adoption: Yes.
Known history: He was bred and born to be a working sled dog in a large commercial kennel. Both of his parents were/are working sled dogs. He was surrendered at 4 years due to his chronic cough.
Anything else you'd like to add: Rocket is a gentle spirit with an inner monkey and it brings us joy to see him feeling mischievous.
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I loved seeing my old buddy Kismet and meeting his new brother. I'll say it again and again... I love visiting sleddies in their homes, especially when some time has passed post-adoption and their personality is coming out. With time and patience it's really beautiful to see just what's possible for a group of dogs who have such limited license in their working chapter of life.

So, here's my 30 mins with Rocket + Kismet... complete with lots of photos to show the nuances of expressions and movements as well as my fave kinds of photos: "dogs with their eyes closed". 

Thanks for stopping by!
​xo