[Eremite]

Baltic Winters Sled Dog Association: Rescue Round Up

This boy was found tied to a tree in the middle of the woods. He will need a lot of rest and courage to return to being a normal dog.

Owner; Birman Kitty
Kennel; Frosted Forest
Full Name; Smooth Talkin'
Call Name; Casanova
Gender; Male
Age; 3 Years
Colour; Red Brindle Irish
Genotype; kbrkbr/ayaw/dd/emem/gg/irir/SISx/tt
Harness; Surprise Me <3
Stats;
speed- 26
stamina- 23
strength- 25

[Burrito Bunny]

I am claiming my Baltic Husky!
full name;; Taking a Chance
call name;; Salem
tasks;;

Task 1 - Welcoming your new dog home - Complete

It was a cool day, bordering on the chilly side as autumn winds shrieked through the trees, numbing the environment with the the bite of the winter that was to come. I sat, peering from my window out at the dusty drive way, wondering when they would arrive: the folk from the shelter who were going to bring me my new dog for 'rehabilitation.' They had warned me several times that this dog was like no other, it was scared, skittish, flighty, snappish. They insisted that it would be better for both the dog and myself if they simply put it out of its misery by putting it down, but each time I looked at the poor thing's picture online I couldn't help but let my heart go out to it. The poor thing had suffered from abuse unimaginable, tied to a tree and abandoned, helpless due to the chain keeping it steadfast against the unmovable trunk. It made me shudder just to think of it. I couldn't let this dog's story end like this, in him I saw so much potential, so much un-lived life he had yet to live. And for that reason I knew I had to give him a chance, had to let him live.

Time ticked on, the sky darkening. I knew not what was holding up the people from the shelter, but I decided I was content to wait, eventually grabbing up a book, scanning my eyes over the words but not really reading. As the clock ticked down each second I began to wonder just how broken this dog really was. Maybe the shelter was right....maybe he is a lost cause.... I shook away the thoughts angrily. Already I was having doubts and I had yet to even meet the pooch. Perhaps I am just not the right owner to go through this process with him. Before I could continue to doubt myself further the crunch of tires on gravel sounded, accompanied by the baying of my other dogs; the other healthy brutes I had raised and now kept in my kennels. Surprisingly their howls filled me with determination instead of the irritation they usually brought on. It was as though they were cheering me on, insisting I was up to task which lay before me.

Pulling on a thick, warm coat, I swung upon the door, squinting my eyes against the frosty cold that instantly them. Huddling into myself I approached the shelter people, exchanging friendly greetings and, though none of really wanted to due to the nipping weather, shook hands as a pleasantry. They explained the situation about the dog again, once again offering to take him back to the shelter. I shook my head, declining their offer. I had made up my mind even without seeing the dog: he was my pup now and I'd never let anything hurt him again.

They two of them turned to each other and shrugged, one of them finding the clip board with the adoption forms attached to it. They started to double check that they had the right forms while their partner circled around the van and yanked open the back door, revealing the crate inside which held the precious cargo of my soon to be dog. His fur was beautiful, red brindle and fluffy, though it was dull and he was quite obviously too thin. That was okay though: once I put him on the proper diet he would fill out and his coat would be shinning like the sun in no time! With the skill of an expert, the shelter worker unlatched the crate while simultaneously swinging a loop leash around the dog's head, preventing it from running off while also allowing it to emerge form the crate. However, the dog did not come leaping out of the crate like one might expect. In fact, quite the contrary happened: the poor beast slunk down to the kennel floor, pushing itself into the back corner of the cage. After much cooing and pulling the shelter worker was finally able to drag it from the car, though the poor thing still looked terrified.

My attention was drawn away from my new charge as the other shelter work presented the clipboard to me; apparently it meet her satisfaction. My eyes scanned over the words, skimming them just to get the gist of what I was agreeing to before using the pen I had been offered to scribble my signature across the bottom of the page along the dotted lines. Finally, with the last of the begging lines filled, I turned back to the other shelter person who was still holding the leash, the dog cowering on the edge of it. I graciously thank them both as the lead was handed over to me and they hoped in the van, preparing to leave. With a twist of the key in the ignition the engine coughed to life and they were able to ease their way back out of my driveway. Once again my other dogs out back bayed, and this time I wished they would stop: the lean husky on the end of the leash was leaning away from the racket, distress obvious in his features.

I gently tugged at the leash, making a clicking sound with my tongue and throat to try to coax the dog to follow me inside. Even though most of my dogs slept outside in the kennels it had been quite obvious that this one would need some inside time to bond with me and get over his fears. However, it seemed the dog had different plans. It dug it's toes into the gravel, refusing it budge from its hunkered over position. I didn't feel any frustration though, instead I only continued the gentle motion, my tugs barely hard enough to apply any force at all to his neck, yet hard enough to be undeniably felt. Sure enough he followed me inside after while, letting my incessant pulling guide him.

When we were in the house and the door had been closed to block out the chilly, nipping winds, I reached down to loosen the leash the shelter worker and slipped around the dog's head. This was a mistake as the movement caught the dog off guard, resulting it its flashing teeth streaking towards my hand. It had been a stupid mistake and I should have known better, but at least I was lucky: his teeth had merely grazed the skin without puncturing it. Even with the near disastrous event I had just experienced I did manage to secure my hand around the loop and remove it from the dog's head. As soon as he was free the dog darted off, hiding underneath the coffee table.

It was clear he needed his space, so I let him have it, going about my usual evening routine as though he wasn't there. After going out to feed the other dogs I can in side, plopping a silver bowl full of dog food upon to floor, not too far from the table under which hid my new dog. It didn't take long for the dog to give into the hunger clawing at his belly, and I watched as he carefully slid his head out from under the table to eat the food.

"You're going to need a name," I said, only receiving a wary glance form the husky. I continued on with my thought anyway. "I think I'll call you Salem, for it is apparent that you have endure great torture and misery just like that town's history." The red husky looked at me again, his sad eyes staring up, and in that moment I knew I had picked the right name. "Yeah, welcome home Salem."

Task 2 - Bonding - Complete

I came to find that Salem was quite a skittish creature. He clung to the walls and shadows, and any time I approached he would slink away to the other side of the house. I hardly ever saw him, and he showed to interest in getting to know me. His flighty behavior pulled at my heart, because I knew he only acted this way because of what humans had done to him in the past. No dog acted this way naturally.

However, if Salem was ever going to be a sled dog, or heck, even a pet dog, I knew I had to bond with him. If he couldn't form a friendship with a human, if he couldn't come to trust one, then he was a hopeless case.

My plan was simple: just get Salem used to my presence. Even though we lived in the same house, Salem was the master of avoidance so we might as well have been miles away from each other. To do this I would have to sit with Salem, close quarters, until he got used to it. No touching, or petting, or talking. Just sitting.

I opened the door to the back yard the next day, placing Salem's food in an open kennel stall. He was cautious, not wanting to go in, but eventually the need to eat won out. I knew it would eventually: his ribs were still painfully obvious. As Salem ate I slid into the stall as well, closing the door behind me as Salem looked up, fright in his eyes. I knew it wasn't good to corner a dog like this, but it was my only choice. Promptly I sat down, back pressed again the steel door.

Salem let out a wine his ears pressed flat against his head as he shuffled to lean against the opposite wall. We stayed like that for hours, Salem cowering against the wall, and I siting, uncomfortable but relaxed against the door. Then, to my relief, Salem parted from his spot and creeped back over to the kibble he had left uneaten. He ate slowly, his eyes never leaving me, but at least he was able to eat. That meant he was at least a little bit comfortable. Because of the time it had taken to get to this point I was beginning to doubt it would ever happen.

Once Salem finished his food he moved back to the wall again, but I knew we were making progress. I slowly stood up, unlatching the door and removing myself from the kennel, allowing Salem to also exit. I left and headed into the house, because I knew he wouldn't leave if I stayed out there. However, to my surprise, he followed after me before I had even made it half way across the yard. I didn't slow though, I knew that if I paid too much attention to him he would shy away. This was going extremely well. I would have never expected him to be this comfortable after so little work.

That night I was several changes in Salem's behavior. For one, he didn't shy away as much and he didn't hug the wall so tightly. Also, he didn't avoid me like the plague anymore. Yes, he certainly wasn't bounding up to me for affection like my other huskies would have, but he was getting better.

The next morning I tried to play the same trick on Salem. He saw it coming, and I watch as he battled with himself wether or not he should enter the kennel. Eventually he did, and much like the day prior, I went in behind him and closed the door. It took less time for Salem to finish his food this time. We repeated this routine each day, Salem growing more comfortable each time we went through it.

About a week in we made a huge break through. Barely hesitating at all to finish his food, once Salem was finished, he looked up at me. He seemed to really be thinking. Then, ever so cautiously, he came over, his tail tense but wagging the slightest bit. It was a friendly walk, and it was clear he was scared, but he was giving something new a try. He trusted me.

He stopped within arms reach, and lowered his head, gently touching his cold, wet nose against my arm. I smiled at him, and, curling my fingers I tested my luck, snatching his chin. He lean into the affectionate touch, just as I had hoped he would do. I couldn't have been happier. This time when we went inside, Salem was at my side the entire way.

Task 3 - Gaining Confidence - Incomplete
[your task 3 goes here]

Task 4 - Training - Incomplete
[your task 4 goes here]

Task 5 - Your choice [optional] - Incomplete
[your task 5 goes here]

[olivionary]

This dog is to be seized by it's artist.
The artist has the chance to keep ONE of their seized dogs, but must readopt out the rest as normal adopts.

*Please update to the normal 'healthy' lines HERE*

[Eremite]

Open to forms!

[Yodel]

Owner; misswarrior123
Kennel; red Robin Kennels
Full Name; What is Courage
Call Name; Andre
Gender; Male
Age; 3 Years
Colour; Red Brindle Irish
Genotype; kbrkbr/ayaw/dd/emem/gg/irir/SISx/tt
Harness; surprise me
Stats;
speed- 26
stamina- 23
strength- 25

Courage is not the absence of fear, but the acquired ability to move beyond fear - Unknown

[Kallisto Moon]

Owner; Birman Kitty
Kennel; Frosted Forest
Full Name; Smooth Talkin'
Call Name; Casanova
Gender; Male
Age; 3 Years
Colour; Red Brindle Irish
Genotype; kbrkbr/ayaw/dd/emem/gg/irir/SISx/tt
Harness; Surprise Me <3
Stats;
speed- 26
stamina- 23
strength- 25

quote;

"Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak, Courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen"- Winston Churchhill

[gently]

Owner; allerleirauh.
Kennel; don't have one yet - working on it
Full Name; galileo galilei
Call Name; gally
Gender; Male
Age; 3 Years
Colour; Red Brindle Irish
Genotype; kbrkbr/ayaw/dd/emem/gg/irir/SISx/tt
Harness;
Stats;
speed- 26
stamina- 23
strength- 25

quote; i have loved the stars too fondly to be fearful of the night.

[Eremite]

Owner; Birman Kitty
Kennel; Frosted Forest
Full Name; Smooth Talkin'
Call Name; Casanova
Gender; Male
Age; 3 Years
Colour; Red Brindle Irish
Genotype; kbrkbr/ayaw/dd/emem/gg/irir/SISx/tt
Harness; Surprise Me <3
Stats;
speed- 26
stamina- 23
strength- 25

quote;

"Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak, Courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen"- Winston Churchhill

Congrats!