cally + ice, new arrivals

Cally and Ice -- two more former sled dogs made it into retirement on Monday!​

First task was to put harnesses on the dogs, attach the GPS trackers and double leash them. Some dogs don’t always display as flight risks when they arrive into care, so it’s set up just in case. Their fosters have welcomed former sled dogs as fosters before and are part of the sleddie community here, so they know what to expect. 
All dogs are different when they arrive, but on this site, I’m referring to former sled dogs specifically. And I can honestly say that after they’ve had time to decompress, bits of their personalities emerge… it can take days, weeks, months, years even. But it’s so important that they get that opportunity to explore and exhibit behaviours of being just dogs. That they get the chance to learn what they like and don’t like, and be themselves. It’s incredible to witness. This is also helpful when matching them with adopters because you want to do your best to get the right fit the first time. But if it doesn’t work out, that’s ok because the dogs can always come back and the process can start again.

So for Cally and Ice, retirement begins. 

And if retired life for them is like it was for my parents, they will be busier than when they were working. Their days will be filled with outings and socializing. Naps and time for relaxation. Good food along with some exercise in there to keep the weight in check and the arthritis from setting in too quickly. As they age, they may see the doctor more, but one will be there to help them along the way.

Thank you to Jillian and Amanda for organizing and chauffeuring these two into retirement, and to their foster homes for helping them along this next part of their journey! 
And to the Victoria Humane Society who continues to help former sled dogs into retirement

Welcome to retirement Cally + Ice!