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

After almost 10 years of a stable home, love, care, fun, respect and dignity.
Of making new friends - humans, dogs and even feline friends.
Cuddles, on his own terms.

Of running when he wanted, though it was more like a prance.
And curling up into a little sleddie donut.

Of taking short naps and long sleeps on his favourite spot on the couch.
The same spot where he left this world, to find his sister Portia and go adventure with his friends on the other side. 

Rest in peace and love sweet Jasper.

Jasper's beginnings are a bit hazy, as are many of the sleddies in this project. What is known is that the call was put out to find a foster for him in July 2015. He had been working in Whistler, but had bronchial issues that were likely brought on by the dust and hay at the sled dog operation in the summer. His name was Raima then and he was about 4 and originally from Montana.
He arrived into foster with Jillian in August of 2015 and in October 2015, the papers were signed and Raima's life as a beloved family member could begin.
Oh... and he got a new name, that fit him perfectly.

I will miss seeing Jasper's puppy prance and happy face as he zoomed around on walkies over the years, stopping in occasionally to get a treat. And I'm ever grateful to have been there at his end... where he left this world with his favourite human by his side, his auntie D, a special stuffy from a bestie and a belly full of chicken, cheezies and whip cream with rainbow sprinkles.

Thank you Victoria Humane Society and the team who got him into care. 
Thank you Jillian for providing Jasper with such a rich and beautiful life, and when the time came, a gentle, heartfelt farewell.


To see more of Jasper's adventures over the last decade, please type click on his name (on the list on the right).​

The updates are few and far between these days, I know.

It doesn't mean our sleddie community is any less committed, it's just that we just don't get together quite as much. 
One group I do see more than others though is Deb's crew, currently made up of Apex (into care 2014), Mary Kate + Roo (into care in 2017) and Homer (into care 2024).

Back on Oct 26 I went to visit them. Apex wasn't feeling well so I showed up with some cheese slices for the dogs and a shoulder for Deb.

A few days later, Apex passed away. 
And though I shared a memorial post and my last photos of sweet Apex, it seems I had forgotten to share the photos of the rest of the crew from that visit.
So here are some silly dogs trying to catch cheese while Deb and I sat on her front steps and talked.

And the last photo I ever took of Apex. 

Thanks for visiting,
w

The week marked the end of an era for one magical sleddie from our community.

Ten years ago I first met Apex. July 23, 2014.
A group of us went to the foster kennels to take him and his newly-arrived kennel mates out for a walk.
Apex, Charlie, Colby, Dave, Felix, Mars and Punk.
In the sleddie* world, there was no guessing for how "ok" or "not ok" a dog would be once it arrived into care. Some were ok with human interaction, some not so much.
What we knew, was that every dog in this group was a survivor, having come from a situation that was not only lacking in every possible way, but was seemingly, deliberately cruel.

But we don't dwell on the past life.
We take the information on past lives, but focus on helping each dog integrate into a home life as best as possible. And walks are one of those things. Most dogs are ok with walkie time,  but I remember it being pretty tough with some of the dogs in this group. For Apex, he preferred to be at the back of the group. He didn't want anyone walking behind him, so if that happened, he got a bit sketched out. But he did the best he could that day. And for the next decade I knew this guy, he always seemed to be at the back or on the periphery of the group.

Apex was the dog that watched what was going on, especially in those early days. I remember him at one of our sleddie reunions - instead of exploring the fenced in acreage with all the other 40+ dogs, he stayed close to Deb, who had taken him home as a foster to help him learn about our wild and crazy human home lives. He was really bonded to her and seemed to trust her more than anyone else. But he was a foster, so in October 2014, he got adopted to a home up in Sechelt. But just days later, he got spooked and bolted after his new family had tripped and dropped his leash. 
He bolted up the stairs, across the highway and into the forest.
Poof.
Gone.

For 5 months, Deb took 2 ferries every weekend to go look for him, until the one weekend she was going to miss because her other dog was needing surgery, Apex appeared on a fish farm dock in the inlet. 
So off she went.

From October 2014 to March 2015 Apex survived on his own in the wilderness. There had been occasional sightings, but nothing could be confirmed.
After his vet visit the day he was found, it was determined he was little skinny and had some ticks, but he was otherwise ok. 
He was a survivor.

He ended up going back to live with Deb and that's where he stayed. He met other foster sleddies and went on other grand adventures, but always stayed close by.

But age and some health issues caught up with him and Deb made the incredibly difficult decision to let him go.
The day before he left, I went over for a visit and we went and got him some Timbits, a new favourite of his. 

Apex was a survivor once again and his incredible resilience was proven once again. But under whatever toughness kept him alive through the rain, snow, blasting at the mine, thunder + lightning storms and summer heat of Sechelt, he had the softest fur and he was a sucky boy who loved neck rubs and to be told how amazing and handsome he was. He also loved to be brushed and of course, treats and forest adventures. What did he dislike? My camera....though he seemed to not hate it quite so much on my last few visits.

His life, the real life he got to live, after he was adopted was what every dog should have. Love, care, adventure and respect for who he is as an individual. 

I will miss you gooby-doo. From your little Elvis lip, to your sideways glances. I will always remember going to help Deb look for you that weekend, laughing that you were probably watching us, but wouldn't come out because I had my camera with me. I'll remember the first time you tried those gross cheese slices. How they were kinda sticky, but when you finished the piece, you wanted more. And I'll remember our last visit, taking the soft part out of the timbit for you, because you didn't like the harder outside and watching you eat that gross cheese, one last time.

Below are some photos from our last visit, Oct 26, 2024. There are so many posts on my site that include him, I'd urge you to take some time to learn more about him by going to my home page and entering his name in the search bar.

Thank you to the Victoria Humane Society who brought him and his mates in all those years ago, all his dog friends and human friends for helping him navigate our weird human world. And especially to Deb, who met him where he was, through all the ups and downs and I know will miss him the mostest.

Rest in peace and love little buddy and say hi to our friends when you see them.

​xoxo
auntie wendy

*sleddie: affectionate nickname for former sled dogs

Some sleddies got together this morning to support their friend, Sparky, who recently lost her brother.

Sweet Sparky has been a bit out of sorts after Buddy's passing so with help of a couple sleddie friends and a walk in the forest, she was able to have a break from her day-to-day and get some new sniffs in.

Summer has hit us here in Victoria, BC, and it's been day after day of sun and warm temps, so a morning walk in the woods was refreshing and welcome.

Joining Sparky was Blue and Zuzu (formerly Zouave) and low-riders, Frankie and Ollie. 
I know I've said this before, but because I mostly only see sleddies when they arrive into care, it's such a cool thing to see them after they've had time in their new homes. Time to decompress, time to be dogs. And today was no exception.

Blue came into care in Feb 2023 as part of an intake of 14. (read about Blue's arrival here: https://www.iwasasleddog.com/blog/14-new-arrivals-14-new-friends) and Zuzu arrived in September 18, 2023. I may have an extra soft spot for this guy as I picked him up from the airport myself and got to deliver him to his foster home (5 mins from my house!)... and I think I still have his fur embedded into my car seats (https://www.iwasasleddog.com/blog/welcome-zouave).

Sparky has some arthritis so while she kept up with the group, it was Blue and Zuzu who put on the mileage. The zoooooomed along paths, jumped over stumps and even had a wallow of sorts in some mud (*ahem* Zuzu!). But not to worry, there was also plenty of time to: refuel at various treat-dispensing machines (aka humans), show off skillz (Blue's treat catching), avoid the camera (Sparky) and stretch out those looooong sleddie legs (Zuzu).

Thanks to the crew who was able to make this forest bath for Sparky. Our community has said goodbye to a few too many  friends over the last while because age and/or illness has a way of catching up with our sleddie family, but the crew steps up to support when and how they can.
Like today.
It's a remarkable group.

So please enjoy the photos of today's adventure - but before you begin, I would like to point out I finally got one photo of Sparky looking at me (!), Blue's photobomber of a tail and Zuzu's stillness in the Blue-catching-treats series! ;) 

Sleddie roll call: Sparky (white socks), Blue (one blue eye), Zuzu (floopy ears) along with low-riders Frankie (yorkie adjacent)  + Ollie (pom adjacent)

For more on the sleddies in this post, click on their name over to the right under 'Categories' or use the search option located on the home page.

I met Homer on June 29. He had arrived late on June 24 and was whisked away into a foster home. Not much is known about Homer other than he was running loose for about three weeks before being trapped. He then ended up at the SPCA in the NWT who then kennelled him at a dog boarding/day care/sled dog kennel where he's spent the last few months. And though it hasn't been confirmed he was a sled dog and if so, which kennel he may have escaped or been released from, between the video of him in harness attached to both a sled and a bike, he seems to know what he's doing in both situations, and where he was found, well... we've been told it's not uncommon to find sled dogs out on their own 

So without any ID or a microchip, this fearful stray became Homer.

Five days after his arrival in Victoria I met Homer at his foster home. One look at him and he broke my heart. There was nothing physically wrong - no scars, cuts, broken limbs, he wasn't starving. But inside, that's where the broken bits are.
There he was. Sitting as far back as he could in the crate that's in his kennel. Front legs stuck together and head lowered looking at me.
We make eye contact. 
He wears a collar - the kind used at sled dog kennels with the big 'D' ring on it and a GPS tracker attached to that. 
His left foot looks to be wearing a spotted sock - is there heeler in there or pointer?
I have my camera ready and move it slowly up to my eye and he watches. Click. No response. That could mean he's in freeze or it doesn't bother him. I click some more, moving slowly, taking breaks and watching him. 
Deb, his foster, goes in to his kennel and attaches the long line to his collar to bring him out.
He's not ready. 
So we sit in her yard with her other dogs - Apex, Mary Kate and Roo - and talk for a while. Every once in a while we can see Homer's feet come out of his crate, walk to the gate of the kennel, perhaps to see where we're all at. Two hours of our visit goes by and Deb tries again.
Success!
Homer comes out and the dogs do their sniffing and Deb and I pretend we're not watching him. I continue to photograph him at a distance which he's not seeming to be bothered by. He also doesn't mind the kids riding their bikes on the street. And when Mary Kate gives him a lip when he gets too close, he backs off. He rubs back ends with Apex and follows Roo into the best dirt holes in which to lie down.
It's a delicate balance helping a fearful dog with no history -- sometimes they need the gentlest little nudge to help them along, but not enough that it sends them into a backward slide. Teeny tiny steps along with seemingly thousands of decisions every day for both the foster and the dog. 

Everyone's trying.
So hard. 

But Homer is going to need a champion, or 20. People who will show him kindness and patience and understand he's doing his best. 
He's eating and drinking and doing his business which are great to see. But like so many sled dogs, when he's outside in the yard on his long line, he starts the circling behaviour so ingrained in many dogs from sledding kennels. When dogs are kept tethered, circling is about all they can do... for entertainment, for stress release, out of frustration, for attention. It's their 'go-to'.

On Homer's side is an experienced sleddie foster home (thanks Deb!), a community that has helped hundreds and hundreds of former sled dogs make the transition into a retired life, and the Victoria Humane Society who will ensure whatever help Homer needs, Homer will get. However long it takes.

In my photo story, I captured Homer as he was and include my usual sets of series to help illustrate the nuances of his behaviours and movements.

Thanks for stopping by,
​wendy

For adoption info on Homer or to donate towards his care, please contact: https://victoriahumanesociety.com/save-animals-everyday/

New arrivals Gadget (blue collar) + Penny (rainbow collar) are being fostered close to each other so I invited myself to the impromptu gathering yesterday afternoon.

Penny had a dental a few weeks back which meant some extractions and now she has a bit of an Elvis snaggle-look. She's also had some other medical issues appear, so having some friends come over put a little pep in her step for a bit and she seemed to have a good time. Her foster family is all about the dogs -- they've had about 50ish fosters come through their home over the years and though Penny has a couple foster brothers currently, there's something special about sleddies when they get together - especially old kennel mates like her friend Gadget - that can help with the transition from their old life into their new.
Along with Gadget,  Apex, Mary Kate, Roo + Smokey also came. Amongst the photo ops, there was lots of sniffs of hello, then treats, then hanging out, then treats, then more sniffing and potty breaks... and cheering for poops.

Apex, as always, was suspicious of me and my camera, Mary Kate stuck close to Deb and Roo kept an eye on his sister Mary Kate. Smokey just woo-woo'd and followed the treats... and stopped in for neck scritches.

After a bit, Harry the gentlest bear (and one of Penny's foster brothers) managed to 'lick himself out of the house' and came for a visit (and looked quite pleased with himself!). Penny's other foster brother, little Lenny visited through-the-window, and dearest Diesel, the neighbour got some treats through the fence. 

With full bellies and business taken care of, I sat next to Penny - who just loves people - while the humans kept chatting. Eventually this little lover rested her head on my leg.
Quite possibly one of the cutest things ever. 

Thanks to Penny's fosters, C+D, for hosting this last-minute gathering. 

Gadget + Penny are currently in the care of the Victoria Humane Society.
For adoption info, or if you're able to donate to help offset the veterinary costs while Penny's medical issues are investigated, please contact VHS directly: www.victoriahumanesociety.com

Thanks for stopping in,
​w

Gadget, Hailey, Junebug, Loretta, Oak, Penny, Shanti - seven sweet sleddies who arrived into care March 28.

When the van pulled up to the shelter, Hailey was the first sleddie I saw, right there on a lap in the passenger seat. She was very much not a fan of being in her crate so she used her voice to express this to her drivers. Hailey probably would've preferred to ride in the driver's seat, but all parties came to an agreement and Hailey got the chance to show off her lap-dog skills.
Gadget & Penny being besties, shared a kennel for the trip and Oak, Junebug, Loretta and Shanti had their own private kennels.

As always, for safety and security, before the dogs get out of the van, they're fitted with a martingale collar, flat collar with GPS, harness (with top & front clips), two leashes (one to attach to the martingale & one to attach to the waist leash/belt) which the dogs wear when outside and on walks. Some may think this is overkill, but experience has been a very good teacher. The most well-known story in our group being that of Apex, whose new adopter slipped, dropped his leash and he was missing on the Sunshine Coast for 5 months. Thankfully he was found safe (which isn't always the case with missing dogs), but we don't want that to ever happen again, so safety first! 

Ranging in age from about 3ish to 7ish, this group made the trek from Whistler to Victoria where they were met with the welcoming crew made up of intake helpers, fosters and a couple senior sleddies.
Each dog has been matched up to their foster home according to variables such as other dogs in the home, ok with cats, someone home most of the time, etc. and most of the prep with the fosters is done in advance to help make the arrival process a bit more streamline. But each dog still has to get weighed as well as de-flea and de-wormer (if needed) and any last-minute bits of info learned from the trip is shared with the fosters. 

My job is to get photos. Not only for this work of I Was A Sled Dog, but to ensure we have photos for their file, should one of the dogs go missing. Having created an archive of 264 former sled dogs over the last decade, my hope is that it brings to light the diversity in what is considered the 'sled dog breed', or 'Alaskan Husky' while hopefully dispelling some myths about their behaviours when it comes to life after being a working dog and living in a home. With the diversity of personalities and behaviours amongst former sled dogs, each intake is a learning opportunity. And when we learn something new, we can apply it to new intakes as well as sharing it with the growing sleddie adoption community. 

I have no idea how each of these dogs is going to settle in. Some take longer, some know retirement the second they walk through their foster's threshold. I'm writing this the day after their intake and have heard that all had a good night, some are confused about being indoors and some don't want to go outside (the weather here today has been sunny and cloudy). That sounds pretty typical for a new group! The next few days will be time to decompress and learn new routines while their fosters learn more about their likes and dislikes, which will ultimately provide info for their adopters. All seven will get wellness exams with the vet and any medical treatments taken care of before they're available for adoption.
A new chapter has started today for each of these dogs and I'm thankful I can help share their story.

Here's my take on meeting each of the dogs last night. It's by no way a personality assessment or indicative of how the dogs will be once in homes or anywhere else... it's just how they interacted with me for the approximately one hour I got to spend with them after their transport and intake and all the newness they were experiencing:
Hailey (~1ish), this youngster was sweet from the moment I saw her. She's in heat so Oak, the only male in this group, was very interested in wherever she was. His sniffer was go-go-going the whole time he was outside. Hailey loved treats gently and her kisses warmed up my cold hand!
Gadget and Penny wanted to be close to the humans, especially Penny. If you stopped petting her, she'd make a fuss and then all you'd have to do is rest your hand on her side and she'd be ok. Take your hand off, she'd start again. It was as if her whole body was an on/off switch (see video below). These two are besties and word on the street is that they're possibly sisters which wouldn't be a surprise. Once Penny was at her foster, we were told she settled and slept on a cushy bed by a fireplace. Both girls took treats very gently and easily.
Shanti (~7/8ish), who has one blue and one brown eye was quiet and gentle. She didn't like my treats, but was ok with others which isn't a surprise with any dog!
Loretta (~7ish) (Junebug's sister from the country singers litter) with the red fur, spots and blue eyes, is a very unique looking sleddie. And as it turns out, she matches her foster human! Seemingly overwhelmed by what was going on, Loretta  went into 'hug' mode, but she's going to an experienced sleddie foster home so she's in good hands. She didn't want treats but I suspect it's because she was a bit too stressed.
June/Junebug (~7ish) (Loretta's sister from the country singers litter) looks more like their other sister Patsy who came into care in October 2023. She totally mugged for my camera and was so sweet. June loved treats!! 
Oak (~3ish) reminded some of us of Bamboo, a pup who came into care in October 2021. Oak has legs for days, but more of a slight build and short coat. He was very sweet, but very distracted by Hailey so he didn't take any treats.

The end of winter marks new arrival for sleddies into care, with more dogs ready to retire as soon as foster homes are available. If you're interested in fostering, please contact the Victoria Humane Society www.victoriahumanesociety.com directly.

As always, big thanks to everyone who made this new intake possible! From Victoria Humane Society to Jill, Amanda, Deb, Shannon and the amazing people opening up their homes and hearts to foster this crew!

Also, don't miss the two videos at the bottom... one featuring Hailey and the other illustrating just how much Penny wanted loves. Oh my heart.

WELCOME HAILEY, GADGET, PENNY, SHANTI, JUNE, LORETTA & OAK!

~w
xo

p.s. also in attendance was Smokie & Apex, though only Smokie made an appearance... prancing as usual!

Sleddie roll call: Smokey, Patsy, Pluto, Apex, Mary Kate, Roo, Jon Snow, Baloo, Jasper, Portia, Louie, Argus, Blue, Oman

Though it's been over a month since this rainy walk in the woods, I remember it all very clearly.
The dogs, the people, the flooded trails, the bike racers.
Me abandoning my camera for my camera phone because my body was sore from holding my beast of a camera for over  40 dog photo sessions in the previous 2 weeks.
And then putting all that aside to try to just 'be'.
Though I still took some video while talking to dogs and offering treats.

And then I pushed my luck by talking to Apex just one too many times while offering him a treat, which proved to be a bit much for our delicate walkie relationship, so Deb was going to have to head into the bushes to coax him back from 'the dark side' as she calls it. Deb was already managing 4 dogs -- 3 of her own (Apex, Roo + Mary Kate) and one recent intake who was moving foster homes, Jon Snow. Since Roo and MK would want to be with her, once she headed into the woods, I took the leash of the odd man out, Jon Snow.
I didn't even think about it, I just did it.
Something had compelled me to take that leash.
And then as we started I walking I wondered what I had done. Jon was a big boy and a bit of a puller. Some sleddies pull, some don't... Jon did. My greatest fear walking a sleddie is it getting loose and being too scared to come back -- and with my painful body I was suddenly worried. But the muscle memory of years of walking both shelter dogs and sleddies clicked to the 'on' position and off we went. We walked with Ally and Argus, though puddles, around puddles, up hills where I appreciated the bit of pulling help, and down hills where I thought "don't let go, don't trip, don't fall"! Maybe Jon knew just how much tension I could handle because we made it the rest of the forest walk without any problems and best of all... no lost dogs!! (including Apex who was fine once I was out of sight... sigh...)

As we milled about in the parking area with the others Jon did some circles - a common behaviour with sleddies due to their time spent on chains - but then the circles went around me and my legs ended up cocooned in his leashes. I managed to unravel myself without falling over and laughed a bit to myself. I'm not usually the one in these situations, I usually capture it happening to others. But here I was and I was loving every minute of it.
As some began to leave it was a split moment when I happened to catch Jillian's dog Portia stumble getting into her car and Jon Snow noticed it too because he then put his front legs up on me in a 'hug'. Of course it seemed like the cutest thing and others saw him do it too, but then I realized why he was doing it, he had gotten scared. Some sleddies want to bolt, some look to the closest warm body. Thankfully Jon came to me rather than bolt away.
I gave him reassurances and a few kisses on his head and after about 20-ish seconds he put his feet back down on the ground and shook it off.
Recovery... yay Jon Snow!

I'm thankful I saw that happen because it not only informed us of Jon Snow's fears, but it hit home the concept that something seemingly innocuous as a dog doing a small stumble while getting into a car... across a road -- an action that barely makes any noise and doesn't seem like much -- can be scary to a dog that's learning about our big, wide, weird, human world.

Sleddie School is always in session with the dogs as teachers, we just have to be open to listening.

Here are a few photos as well as a video so you can enjoy a bit of the walk too!

xo
​wendy

p.s. Jon Snow has since been adopted and his new family just adores him!!