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.

Welcome Zouave!
This handsome youngster just arrived this morning from Whitehorse, YT and is now officially retired!

I had intended to tag along on his pick up with my camera in hand, but when flights changed and no one else was available, I put my big camera down and headed out solo. 
You'd think it would be a no-brainer as I've done it so many times before. But knowing his pick up, collaring, harnessing, GPS'ing, transportation to his foster home, was up to me and me alone, was a whole new feeling. 

I'm just going to say I'm thankful I wasn't photographing myself!

Zouave was perfect at pick up. Once I got him out of his crate (collard and leashed of course), he velcroed to me. Since he didn't seem to be in flight mode, we moseyed over to a patch of grass and he did some sniffing (a good sign!).

It was then time to get in the car. He gave a hard pass to getting back into the crate so he'd have to ride secured in the backseat as his crate barely made it into the hatch of my car. 
But he didn't want to get in my car either. 
If he wouldn't go in his crate and I couldn't get him into my car... now what. 
"Think Wendy, think!" I told myself.
And then I remembered the advice I'd shared so many times before... get in the car first and then call them in.
It worked!
It took him a bit to push himself up and in - maybe he's sore or stiff - but once he was in I was able to secure his leash. I then had to reach over him and close the door he got in, then slide out through the crack of the other open door.
He took it all in stride.
Yay Zouave!!

It was a beautiful, sunny day so I cranked the AC and other than a few times he stood up to look out the windows with his sniffer going, he just lay down on the backseat for most of the ride to his foster home.

Once there, he trotted out, sniffed at the kids playing across the street and we headed to the backyard. His foster dad took the leash and let him wander around the yard. This is the same family who was fostering Idèfix (who's been adopted - YAY!), so perhaps there's still a bit of his smell back there to help Zouave. I had a couple minutes to get a few photos and then I had to go... thankfully he's being fostered close by so I can hopefully visit him again!

Zouave is only 1.5 years old so once he's had time to settle into his foster home he'll be off to the vet for a wellness exam and neuter. At the time of writing, it's been a few hours since he arrived and his foster family says he's eaten, done some business outside and is watching the world outside their window. Oh, and he's found his voice too!

Speaking of his foster family... Zouave is staying with the lovely family who recently fostered Idèfix because (drum roll)... Idèfix has been adopted! YAY! In fact he and Shining both have been adopted - double YAY!!

If you've continued to read this far, thank you. I try to make each story as unique as the dogs that are a part of it and with fewer than usual photos, I wrote a bit more.

Thanks to Jill for organizing his arrival, Victoria Humane Society for taking yet another sleddie under their wing, Air North for allowing him to fly for free, and his amazing foster family.

Zouave came from a smaller sled dog operation that needed to shut down. After re-homing some dogs themselves and a full shelter who couldn't help them, the operation reached out knowing of our dedicated community here and for that, I'm thankful.

I fall in love with every sleddie I meet and Zouave was no exception -- that soft fluff on his head, his cute little nose and those eyes... 

xo