Calli.
Sweet Calli passed away this week. Not wholly unexpected, though that doesn't lessen the sadness that comes with it. Calli came into care along with a few other sleddies in 2016 having retired from a recreational musher in Fort St James. She ended up in foster with my dear friend Deb who - not surprisingly - eventually adopted her. She joined us on a walk on Sunday and she was enjoying the outing, but arthritis and some recent health problems came to the forefront and after lots of chat with her trusted vet, Deb had to make the call. Calli-wag, Calli-girl, Snappy Pants -- she always greeted me with that smile. She had a zest for life, she loved treats, forest romps and spending time with her friends. She leaves behind her adopted siblings Apex, Flash, Mary Kate and foster brother Roo. Rest in peace and love sweet girl and say hi to our friends for us. xo The window opened up and the weather held. Just pockets of sun and a brisk chill in the air. The ground was saturated from the deluge of rain we've been getting here on the we(s)t coast which made the moss extra green, encouraged little mushroom families and created delicate droplets of water which hung from the lichen. But the dogs paid no mind.
They got to romp, run, trundle, and saunter over trails and bridges and throughout the forest. They got to see old friends and meet new ones. And Apex didn't run from me and my camera... a first in the 7+ years I've known him. The regular sleddie walk schedule has been difficult to keep during Covid, but sometimes the last-minute plans are the ones that work out. That was Sunday's walk. Sleddie roll call: Apex, Bear, Biggie, Bruno, Calli, Flash, Jasper, Mary Kate, Portia, Roo, Saturn, Stevie + Sparky ... plus Tica (Bruno's sister while he's in foster) and Bear's new floofy siblings (Abby + Lola) Yes, you are reading that right... a sleddie puppy. They don't often retire before they start working, but Bamboo is one of the lucky ones. He was born in August 2021, and aside from knowing he battled parvo early on, not much else is known about his lineage. But if his gangly body, gait and hooves for paws, are a 'tell', he's sleddie offspring for sure. Being an outgoing little fella also meant he made the journey from Whistler to Victoria on laps and getting in as many snuggles as he could.
His travel companions included two seniors, Meso (me-so) and Saturn. Meso is a sibling to Ice who came in earlier this year. And Saturn, although he looks a LOT like Batman who retired back in January, is apparently a sibling to Mars, who was sprung from working life back in 2014. Mars is still with us - although he's a tripod now after it was found he had some broken bones in his hip/pelvis area that had been left untreated so his leg had to be amputated. It hasn't slowed him down though. Meso and Saturn originally came from that same kennel I've mentioned in previous posts. I don't know exactly what happened there - I've only heard some truly awful rumours - but every dog I've met that's spent any time at that kennel has been incredibly fearful of humans. These two have the visible scars on their snouts, and clearly some non-visible scars too. Meso has a big knot of fur on his neck (likely from a collar), and Saturn has some hair loss on his neck (also, likely due to a collar). Over the years, some of these fearful dogs have learned to trust, but some are still struggling... even 7 years later. What I do know is that these Bamboo, Meso + Saturn will be warm, safe and cared for this winter. Saturn spent some time recently in a house, but this whole 'living in a home' thing will be all new for Meso. Some great fosters have stepped up to provide a landing spot and they've got a huge community of support behind them. When these guys get adopted, that support continues. All three of these sweeties were game for treats when they arrived, however Bamboo was more interested in tossing his treats around and playing with them! Meso and Saturn took them very willingly and oh so gently. Their mouths lingered on my hand, came back in to check for more, and I even got a few licks. It took them no time to figure out where the treats were coming from so I'm guessing a little "cupboard love" will be a way into their hearts. So, what's next for these heartbreakers? First some time to decompress and get to know them, then it's off to the vet for check ups and get any medical taken care of -- including neutering and dentals -- two of the most common procedures for sleddies when they arrive. I'm sure "little" Bamboo (he's already a gangly 28 lbs!) will be adopted quickly, but Meso, Saturn and the other senior sleddies who are waiting for homes are just as special. And just because they were sled dogs, don't let the two biggest myths get you: 1) No, not all sled dogs pull on leash, in fact most of the seniors just amble along behind or next to you. 2) Though they may not have much (if any) experience living in a home, like any new senior dog you bring into your life, you find each other's rhythm, celebrate the ways you learn to connect and know you're helping a dog live out its twilight years in love and comfort. Thanks again to Jillian (sleddies Jasper + Porsche's mom) and Victoria Humane Society for helping this intrepid trio into care! Once again, I share many photos to so you can too can witness the nuances of their personalities on the first moments of a new life. xo Baby steps. Sometimes former sled dogs take baby steps, some take smaller-than-baby steps. They're more like blink-and-you'll-miss-them steps. Bruno is one of those sleddies. The three times I've hung out with him - once when he first arrived, another in October and most recently, today. I can see the wheels in his head turning and he tries to sort out what's going on around him. He watches, he'll inch closer and then he'll stop himself and back up. Sometimes he does that again. It's like he has an internal "road closed" sign seemingly preventing him from going forward. But for all we know, it's an internal "detour" sign and he's going at his own pace, doing his best to navigate his way through this new life. Bruno's now in foster with my friend Shannon (mom to the tiny wonder, ChiChi) and her happy-go-lucky-but-just-keep-the-cats-away former street dog Tica so today we went for a little walk around their neighbourhood. He's been with them a couple weeks now and he's started to take treats from her hand. And when it's walkie time, once he hears Tica's leash being put on, he makes his way to the door, peeks around the corner and gets ready for his turn to be leashed up up. Shannon showed me how she gives him treats at the start of our walk so I tried with the treats I brought. He wouldn't take it.... but then he took one of her treats from my hand... and then he took one of my treats from my hand. And as long as I didn't try too hard or make too big of a deal about the amazingness going on, he continued to take them. He trotted along behind Shannon very politely and when the sound of the leaf blower worried him, he quickened his pace so he was closer to Tica. He then got another treat for being such a champ and making it past that noise. Bruno putting on his "brave dog face" today navigating his internal blocks and detours is another reminder of the resiliency of former sled dogs. Their legacies don't have to be steeped in the human ego attached to running 1000-mile races or being exceptional athletes, designed to be run for human gain and livelihood. It can be as simple as savouring those blink-and-you'll-miss-them baby steps towards a life as a beloved dog. Bruno isn't officially adoptable quite yet as he's got a dental coming up, but when he's ready, you'll see him on the Victoria Humane Society's facebook page. Well done Bruno and team! xo Here are some photos + vid taken with my phone as I didn't want to worry him by using my usual gear. ;)
On a beautiful fall day, a couple senior sleddies had a visit. Word has it Rio (red harness on the left) + Bruno had been keeping company within an "old man's club" of sorts. The club was made up of dogs no longer working, who were waiting for adoption and official retirement. Rio had left the "club" back in August 2021 when he came into care with Toledo. The seniors were leaving so Bruno, who's a very fearful fella, pretty much just stayed put in his kennel -- only going out when he had to. Of course, this is second-hand information, but it seems very plausible given what I've seen of the 'after' stories over the years. When Bruno arrived back in October, he quickly found a spot under a desk to escape to. He came out with a bit of gentle coaxing and took part in the goings-on and seemed interested in what was happening, but this was all so far out of his normal, that you could see he once again needed the safety of his den. At his foster home, that's his spot... in his kennel, his den, his safe spot. Since Bruno arrived, he and Rio have had a couple other mini meet ups and they do their thing - Rio being more interested in human attention and affection, and Bruno watching it all happen. But for all Bruno's fears, I do want to note that when I arrived at Bruno's foster, there was a moment when I was sitting down and Rio came to get sniff and get some rubs and treats and Bruno inched his way close enough to get a good sniff of the treat... and me. He's trying to trust us humans who only want to help, but his past includes time at a kennel where a number of the most fearful sleddies I've met have worked at. Apex, Lunar, Willow, Flash... to name a few. I made a little video of the visit in the hopes that someone may see these two senior sleddies and want to adopt them into their home as beloved family members. To dispel the myth that as former sled dogs, they'll pull too much, or have too much energy. And to also show some tiny glimpses into their personalities that still images may not show. Rio and Bruno are not bonded, but seem to appreciate the company of other dogs who are just as gentle, patient and understanding as the humans who are helping them along. Bruno + Rio are adoptable through the Victoria Humane Society. Thanks for stopping by. xo Chase. Chasing time. Chasing memories. The years are flying by and my memory for some details regarding my sleddie friends is getting a little fuzzy. I was trying to remember the first time I met Chase. I don't think it was at the Man & His Dog Fashion Show Fundraiser in October 2016 (first 3 images below) because a friend had been fostering him... but maybe it was? He was such a sweet guy right from the start and honestly just wanted human attention - especially neck rubs and belly rubs. After he was adopted I reached out to his new human and she brought him to my studio to participate in I Was A Sled Dog. I remember that day well - April 15, 2018 - it was my anniversary and it wasn't the first time I'd spent it photographing a dog. When Chase arrived, it'd been about a year and a half since I'd seen him, but he was as loose as a goose. He stood in position easily, mugged for my camera by showing off all the head-tilt angles he could muster and then laid down for a nap. There wasn't much history on him other than after he was 'rescued' from being a sled dog, he was taken in by a rescue that couldn't keep up with the animals in its care. It shut down and the Victoria Humane Society jumped in to help. Over the course of the photo session, it was obvious how much he had connected with his new human and how much she loved him. Last week I got a note though: “well my beautiful boy passed last month. he was 17. and i miss him every day!!! he was my beautiful beautiful boy!” My heart broke for K and her loss of her buddy, but I knew that he got some good years in to experience love, nurturing and lots of off-leash adventures. The memories will now be ours to chase. Rest in peace and love Chase. xo p.s. check out just how much he loved belly rubs... there were people and stuff happening all around him, and this was the place he wanted to be (thanks Heather for helping make this happen!) It's Thanksgiving here in Canada and though I am thankful for the multitudes of humans who are adopting former sled dogs each and every day, today was extra special because I got to re-meet four sleddies who live in my neighbourhood and meet their adopters.
Batman and Stevie came into care back in January 2021, Biggie in April 2021 and Cally in August 2021. Photographing them when they're new into care isn't about trying to get a "happy" adoption photo, at least not from me. It's great when the dog is pretty non-plussed about it all, but in my experience, that's not often the case. Sometimes they're almost frozen in fear so they don't move, don't look at me, don't react. Basically hiding in plain sight. So when the opportunity arrives where I can re-meet a dog, it's pretty amazing. I take some deep breaths before meeting them (because I'm so excited), gather my gear and set forth. All the dogs did so well and it made me think back to the reunions we used to have. The first one in 2013 where we had 9 sleddies, to the the ones where we had 50+ former sled dogs running around. The park we met at today wasn't fenced but Cally did get some off-leash time. You'll see a wrap on Batman's leg. This old gent has pretty bad arthritis and he's been fixating on his sore leg joint so it's wrapped up. Arthritis isn't uncommon in sleddies, but sometimes that comes with other pains that are difficult to diagnose. Thankfully his devoted human has been working with their vet to sort out options that work best for him, but for now, he saunters along, sniffing and going at his own pace. Oh, and he likes impromptu belly rubs too! Stevie you'll see is pretty glued to his human. Meeting at this park was new for him, which can be very scary, but he took time to sniff a bum or two which was a good sign! He's gone on a couple runners since he was adopted, but thankfully there is also an invisible tether between he and his human so he's made it back to her safely. Biggie was a treat hound and showed me some of the best head tilting I've seen in a long time! He lives with his humans and little staffy sibling and they're becoming buddies slowly, but surely. He loves watching the world and getting ear rubs by his human. Cally just wanted to say hello to everyone. Actually, she wanted the treats first - especially the ones in my pouch - THEN to say hello! No fear in the people we met, however upon meeting Batman, he let her know not to get too close, too fast, to which she acquiesced and all was good. On what turned out to be a beautiful autumn day for this mini meet-up, it's because of these humans and the hundreds of others who have stepped up to help sleddies through rescue, fostering and adopting that I have titled this "thanksgiving, thanksliving". Without them, it's not known what would've happened to these dogs, but with them, we know an often overlooked group of dogs are getting a chance to live in warmth, comfort and with love. p.s. for those new here, as always, photos are in chronological order and I have included sets of succession images to help show as much of the dog's personality as I can. p.p.s I also have a 'thing' for pictures of dogs with their eyes closed so have included those too :) Thank you to the Gorge Park Gang for this visit today! ~wendy xo It's official!!!! Our dear Mary Kate and sweet little Flashy pants now have an official home for life!
And even more great news is they’ll be staying right where they are; Where they’re most comfortable, know the routines, don’t try to escape from (anymore) and with those who know them both the best… their super duper foster mom, Debbie and adopted siblings Apex + Calli! (Handsome Roo (last pic) is still part of the crew while he awaits his perfect match to come along and whisk him away to a life of fun times, love and complete devotion to his adorable ways. Know anyone?) Thanks to the Thunder Bay SPCA and team for rescuing Mary Kate back in 2018 and to the Victoria Humane Society for bringing Flashy into care and continuing to be such dedicated supporters of our sleddie friends. Ginny + Bruno.
100% gems. I was going to make a little video of their photos thinking I needed to switch things up a bit. But my video program kept gacking at me so I will share the intake photos as I usually do... lots of succession images to help show more of each dog's personality. I know the power one single image can have and I appreciate that, but when I photograph the arrival of new sleddies into care, I want to show as much of them as I can in the hopes that you see what I do. Bruno apparently originally came from a kennel that has provided seemingly no end of very mentally damaged sleddies. Dogs (with names that you may recognize from my posts) that are fearful (mostly of humans) in a way that they can't seem to shake -- Apex, Flash, Colby, Lunar, Summer, Ace, to name a few. But Bruno surprised us all. And that’s what’s so cool about these dogs… time and time again they prove just how individual they are. They're not all machines born and bred to do one thing: pull sleds. If we label them as one thing, they may show us different. And that’s ok. We can adapt to their needs. These images in this galley show Bruno coming out of the van - the looking, the sniffing, the baby steps and then taking that step that will land him on new ground. Bruno had been retired for a bit up in Whistler but it wasn't until his care was transferred over to the Victoria Humane Society that he became protected under the same laws that protect the dogs we share our homes with. (something that advocates are working to change) This older gent apparently spent a lot of time in his kennel laying down, so while Ginny was fitted with a new harness and volunteers looked to find one that fit him, he was let to explore inside and once he found the bed under the front desk at VHS, he knew what to do and the infamous 'sleddie donut' appeared. Then, once both had harnesses, we hung out a bit upstairs at VHS and they got to explore even more. Ginny was a go-go girl... on the move. Watching. Following. Coming when we called her name. She seemed to go up the stairs no problem, but down held a bit of a learning curve. So did squeaky toys. She was interested, but maybe didn't realize she could make the fun squeak herself. Time will tell. Afterwards, both headed to their foster homes with the help of Jill + Deb and will be in care until they get any medical needs sorted out, then they'll be adoptable through the Victoria Humane Society. Welcome to retirement Bruno + Ginny! Thanks for stopping by, ~wendy Before I went to meet the new arrivals on August 9, I stopped off at Deb's place to say hi to her crew... and her.
This group always makes me smile -- so many personalities amongst them. Calli, who I'd seen recently is so damn sweet and was first to greet me... with a big smile. I'm not sure if she's really 'smiling' so much as she's excited for a visitor... whatever, I'll take what I can get! Flashy I know has heard me pull up. And even though she won't take a treat from me (she did once a few years ago, but never again), she stands where she's knows I can see her so I toss treats her way that she promptly gobbles up. Roo and Mary Kate - who I haven't seen for a bit - were a bit slower to the game, but once they remembered, they were ready to accept the cupboard love. And Apex... well he just does his thing knowing I'll come to him when things have settled down. We also had a little brush session because it isn't always about treats. Apex and Roo LOVE being brushed and with the warm weather, there's a lot to brush! Then it was time to head out to meet the new arrivals, Cally + Ice. Here are a few pics from a short, but sweet visit with Flashy, Roo, Mary Kate, Calli and Apex, including Apex taking a treat from me... while I was taking photos with my phone... a first in the 7 years we've known each other. Remarkable. |
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