I am claiming my Baltic Husky!full name;; Whispering Winds
call name;; Lagartha
tasks;;
Task 1 - Welcoming your new dog home - Complete
Lagartha! Come here girl! I called as the canine approched. Her frail exterior proved what she had gone through. She was frightened, but releived. She could feel the warm welcome of our 'special' family. Reggie was tugging on his collar, trying his best to greet the new female. Lagartha held back as soon as she caught a glimpse of Reggie, she lurched backward. Her tail was quivering between her legs, the poor thing was frightened to death!
I slowly brushed my hand over her fuzzy ears, letting her know that she is okay. She looked up at me with piercing eyes, as if she was in total disbelief of my kindness. As I stared into her eyes I began to see that she was blind. They were clouded and distant, but still had a strong feeling in them.
I led her over to her crate, it was on the larger side, and just happened to be Reggie's hand-me down. Lagartha was quite small, about the size of Disney. Lagartha carefully stepped onto the cushy dog bed inside the crate, and her muscles relaxed. She knew what this meant: Sleep and Comfort. She delicately laid down, and closed her eyes. I bet she is exhausted, I thought as she curled up into a fetal position. I closed the crate door, and carefully latched it. Lagartha laid still, ears listening.
I walked over to the kitchen sink and let out a sigh. All of the dog bowls were lined up in a row on the counter, filled to the brim with
Purina dog chow. I let out a sturdy whistle and said Dinner's Ready!!! Come and get it!. Just as soon as the words left my lips a flurry of huskies dashed into the room. Tongues hanging out and battling toward the bowls. Reggie had gotten there first as always, and the rest soon followed. I glanced down at the newest bowl labeled Lagartha, and cautiously carried it over to her crate. I sat it down, and unlatched the crate, slipping the bowl in with ease. Lagartha leaped up, and started gnashing down that food faster than the speed of light. I began to grow worried, I didn't want her to get sick by eating so quickly so I removed a portion of the food, and added it later.
I patted all my furry friends on the head and went off to bed. Lagartha and I needed our sleep, our work had just begun.
Task 2 - Bonding - Complete
I didn't get as much sleep as I was hoping, seeing that Lagartha cried in her crate all night long. I tried to comfort her, but nothing seemed to help. She was frightened, and everything was changing in her life. I would cry too! I rubbed my eyes and started my coffee, I had slept in far too late. We will be behind if I don't start working with Lagartha soon. I glanced over to her crate that was sitting by the fireplace and thought, She is sound asleep now at least. I through some bacon in the oven, and started some eggs in the frying pan. Breakfast was the most important meal of the day, especially for my team. I poured out their breakfast food, specially formulated Call of the Wild food. They were fed different foods at different times of the day, mainly to accomodate to their needs, and because all of my huskies were a little too picky with what they ate. I let out a whistle and the pack came running, they gobbled up their food and went off to do who knows what.
I grabbed Lagartha's bowl and slipped it into her crate, careful to feed her the high calorie food that I had bought. I tossed in a Milkbone as well just too add some flavor.
I speed-walked back over to the frying pan and flipped my eggs, and then checked on the bacon. I had 17 strips cooking, two for me and the rest for the pack. They needed their protein for their afternoon run. I can't wait till Lagartha gets too come with us, I am sure she will love it!, I thought as I put the eggs on my plate, and tossed the bacon in each of their dog bowls.
I unlatched Lagartha''s cage after I hooked up all of the dogs to the sled, she will be more comfortable exploring the house alone.
I kicked off and allowed Reggie to lead us into the deep forest.
Once I returned home I was pleasantly surprised, Lagartha had finished her food, she was laying on the carpet next to the couch, and looked happy. I walked over and patted her on the head, Good Girl..
Lagartha stood up and crawled on the couch next to me. I allowed her to do so, and I snuggled into her soft fur. I ran my hand along her back, She feels like a washboard I sighed. Poor little Lagartha, the troubles she must have endured. She laid her head down on my lap and fell asleep. I stared out the window watching my dogs frolic in the fields that the horses were in. Lagartha will be fine here, I reassured myself.
Task 3 - Gaining Confidence - Complete
I woke up as soon as possible. I knew I needed to get Lagartha as comfortable as possible here. It was very overwhelming, the whole team trying to break into the kennel to meet the new girl, a new house, new friends; I can't imagine what Lagartha was going through.
Lagartha didn't sleep well, I had to wake her up in the late hours of the night because she was crying loudly in her sleep. I felt horrible, the struggle this poor dog must have had gone through. After I woke her up I didn't hear anything for the rest of the night, which was odd since I was expecting it again. When I walked into the kitchen the next morning I was shocked to find Breeze, the introverted troublemaker, lying next to her crate comforting her. My heart melted as I watched the two. Lagartha seemed content, and so did Breeze.
Breeze had been needing a friend just as much as Lagartha did. Breeze was one of the newest members of the pack, and he did not get along well with the lead dog, Reggie. They constantly fought, and Breeze lost on every occasion. The rest of the pack turned a blind eye to Breeze, since he was challenging their respected leader. Breeze was my buddy though, we love to snuggle, but I still wanted him to have good dog friend. This will make life so much better for both of them, I thought.
Lagartha awoke soon after, she stood up in her crate and stretched her legs. Breeze leaped to his paws, being overly protective of his new friend. I unlatched the cage and cooed to Lagartha. Just for a moment, a small moment, she wagged her tail. She didn't wag it hard, or too soft, just a small flick from side to side. My heart almost burst, I was exhilirated. Lagartha was settling in well after all!
Lagartha cautiously stepped out of the crate, listening to the hollow hard wood flooring under her paws. Breeze trotted up beside her just a little too quickly, and Lagartha jumped. Breeze took a step back, not knowing what he did wrong, so I put my hand down and rubbed him between his soft ears. Just let her get settled in silly, be careful with her! I whispered to Breeze. He looked up at me with his big understanding eyes.
Lagartha began to explore the house, with Breeze following right alongside her. After at least an hour of exploring, she began to play tug- of- war with Breeze. I smiled, and watched them play. Lagartha seemed truly happy with how things are playing out, and I knew that she was ready to begin training.
Task 4 - Training - Complete
I knew today was the day as soon as I approached Lagartha. She was wagging her tail as she heard my boots clicking against for floor. I rubbed my hand against her head, "Lagartha you silly little girl!". She let out a soft woof, and I smiled. Breeze came dashing in through the dog door, he must have heard her bark and wanted to check on her. Breeze nuzzled against his dear friends snout, and then pressed his nose into my hand.
I clipped Breeze's harness onto his back, and snatched up a leash. I fastened Lagartha's harness onto her, fitting it to her lean frame. "Thats a good girl", as I finished the last buckle. I glanced at her, noticing that she has gained some weight, but not as much as I was hoping. Seeing Lagartha next to Breeze makes it seem so much worse, especially since he is so huge. I picked up their leashes and went out into the forest.
I began to work with Lagartha by fastening a small log to her leash, I showed her how to get her paws underneath herself so she could have an easier time pulling it. Lagartha dug her nails into the ground and dragged it just as far as I told her to. I praised and prasied her, slipping her one of those milkbones. I unlatched her leash, and started comfirming the commands that I have been teaching her. I yelled "Hike!" and she took off running in the direction I pointed, I told her "Whoa" and she slid to a stop. Beaming with pride I ran up to her and hugged her, she gave me a kiss on the cheek and I laughed. I grabbed Breeze who was now latched to the sled and hooked Lagartha on it as well. Breeze leaped into action and Lagartha closely followed. Together nothing could stop them, they were a team a powerful team at that. Lagartha was light and quick on her paws, and Breeze was powerful enough to take the heavy sled along .
Task 5 - Life Onwards - Complete
After long months of hard work I clicked off the alarm. Today was just like any other day, I pulled off the covers on my bed and was greeted by Breeze and Lagartha right away, as usual. I padded them both on the head, and Lagartha wagged her tail. Breeze led me towards the dog bowls, and I knew that could only mean one thing
Breakfast. I reached for their dog kibble and poured it into each bowl, the clatter of the kibble hitting the plastic rang throughout the small bungalow. Just as the last piece of food hit it's dish, a herd of huskies raced into view. Disney was in the lead, racing her pack to be the first to eat. I whipped around, clumsily knocking over a full dog dish, I glanced at the name
Reggie printed in bold on the front of it. I let out a shocked gasp, and looked desperatley around the room. Reggie was no where in sight! Usually he leads the pack to breakfast, not Disney. I pulled on my snowboots and looked in the dog runs for my baby boy. Reggie was gone! I stumbled backward in amazement, and tripped over Lagartha's paws. I ran back inside, with Lagartha at my heels and grabbed two harnesses. I cinched up Lagartha and Breeze, threw on my heavy winter coat and went out the door in a flurry.
I latched the two huskies up to the sled, and pulled the whistle hanging around my neck up to my lips. I let out a strong blow, and the sound echoed through the trees. Lagartha's ears went up and she let out a quick yip, I shouted a command and the dogs pushed off. The fresh snow was easy to sled over, and it allowed us to travel more quickly than usual. I whistled and called for Reggie, but with no responce. I was sick with worry, and pushed Lagartha and Breeze even harder. Breeze was digging his claws into the soft snow, keeping the sled steady as we plowed through a deep patch.
Lagartha's ears shot up, and then she let out a frustrated howl. Breeze slid to a stop, without my command, and sang along with Lagartha. At first I just screamed mush, but the dogs wouldn't budge, their chorus danced through the woods. I heard a howl coming from behind us, in the oppsite direction we came, and then the howling ceased. Breeze and Lagartha followed my command to turn around, and they pushed off faster than ever. The wind was whipping my hair back, and nipping at my nose. Lagartha was leading Breeze straight towards the distant howl.
As we came closer to where the sound had come from a deep knot formed in my stomach, what if this creature isn't Reggie? What if it is a Wolf or a coyote?
It was too late to make any choices now, we barreled into a clearing, and saw something huddled in the distance. To my dismay I saw Reggie, my baby, caught in a trap for a fox. I whispered a command and the dogs slid to a stop. I leaped off the sled and ran to my baby. Reggie's foot was badly torn, and needed immediate attention. I grabbed the pocket knife out of my satchel and cut him loose from the trap. I lifted Reggie, and placed him in the sled, and adjusted the sack to keep him safe and warm.
Lagartha and Breeze pulled and pushed, trying to carry both Reggie and I through the now densely packed slush. Breeze was panting hard, and Lagartha was growing tired. We were close to home but not close enough, so I got off the sled and slowed the dogs. They were moving at a slow pace alongside me. Reggie was whining, and looked like he was going into shock. I dialed the vet's office on my cell and asked if they could meet me back at my place soon, they agreed and were on their way. I yelled hike to my dogs and they took off at a quick pace once again, they headed home in the direction they came. I clipped my snowshoes on and trudged through the snow. I knew that the vet must have gotten there just as the dogs did, and I hoped it worked out. Reggie and I were counting on Lagartha to bring him home safely.
I turned the corner and became overcome with happiness. The vet was tending to Reggie's foot, and both dogs were let off of the sled. I unclipped their harnesses and let them go rest. Reggie was laying on the table, letting out little squeaks as the vet tapped his toes with medicine. I thanked the vet, and she told me how to care for his foot. I kissed my little baby on the nose, and then left him to rest.
I pulled some bacon out of the freezer and baked it for two brave dogs, Breeze and most importantly Lagartha.
Changing her name if thats okay <3
Holy cow I love this gal!!! Ahh I love that brindle, it is perfection!
