12/11/03
KODIAK'S REPORT TO WAMAL
OK, here's my report to Cindy and Sandy and Jennifer and all the fine folks at WAMAL who rescued me and sheltered me and found Judy for me.  I have two assistants (Judy and Jeri) who are transferring my report to a gray box which sits on Judy's desk and sending it to WAMAL.
I want you to know that I've been very good and I like my new home, but I do have a few questions.  I don't understand why Judy gets so excited when I play chase with the black, fluffy toy that moves very quickly around the apartment where we live.  (That's Samantha, an 8-yr-old black cat.)  There's also a grey toy that moves even faster (aka "Lily Grey," another 8-yr-old cat).  However, Judy seems quite pleased that these toys are slowing down.  Maybe they need new batteries.  At any rate, they're not so entertaining any more....
Judy and I go for walks every day by a very large pond near where we live (Bellingham Bay).  I like to chase interesting moving things in the water.  What I don't understand is how some of those things just seem to blow away just when I get close.  (He chases anything that moves, i.e., driftwood and seaweed riding to shore on waves, birds, etc....)  We go to our office almost every day so I can visit with all my friends and give them an opportunity to rub my head, or my back, or my butt, or my chin, or my nose, or my shoulders, or my legs....   Jeri named me "He who must be admired" and Judy added "frequently."
I'm happy to provide counseling and security services for Northwest Indian College, especially since I often receive treats in return.  I can tell you where all the best places for treats are located, including Judy's pocket, my shot-giver's staff (veterinarian) and the place where Judy has our car serviced (Subaru dealership).
Jeri and her husband Rich are part of my extended family.  They had an Alaskan Malamute when they lived in Alaska, so they really do an excellent job of admiring me.  I like to go for walks with them, too.  They do a lot of biking, so how about putting in a good word with Judy about one of those bicycle attachments that would let me run with them?  And while you're at it, would you also ask her about a sled for me to pull and maybe some snowshoes, too?  I hear they're quite tasty.
OK, one last question.  Why won't Judy let me do some exploring on my own?  She has this very long (26 ft.) leash which gives me some room to move around as we walk, but she just won't budge when it comes to letting me wander a bit.  She doesn't seem to understand that "All who wander are not lost."
In closing, I just want to say that I agree with something Judy found recently:  "Too much of a good thing can be wonderful!" (Mae West)  Thanks to everyone at WAMAL who helped me find a new life with Judy and my extended family.
Kodiak
(Editors' note:  We send WAMAL our thanks, too, for allowing this charming, Kodiakian "love muffin" to become a part of our lives!  We're attaching a picture of Kodiak hard at work in his new office, waiting for the editing to be completed on his report.)

12/05/03
Kuma or Princess Kuma as she is known here as has adjusted very well to her new home. Her first task every morning is to greet whomever might still be sleeping in the family with a kiss. She does not believe that any of the dog rules apply to her. The bed, couch and chairs are at her disposal even if someone is using them at the time. She is a very loving animal but has a jealous side to her. If one of the other kids in the family comes for some attention she is there to let them no she is the only one that it suppose to get any of the attention. They all no that she is just all talk and no action. Tiquana and Kuma play some but act more like brother and sister. Tiquana loves to grab Kumas tail or back foot as she passes him to get a rise out of her and it works to his satisfaction every time. Kuma has a forever home. Thanks Cindy to you and all of the folks for allowing me to adopt a wonderful animal.

11/17/03
Just wanted to give you an update on Kokanee.  She seems to have really bonded with Toby.  We had to take him to the vet today and she howled the entire time he was gone.  I took her treats, brought her in the house, sat and pet her for about 1/2 hour (he was only gone an hour, thankfully) but she was clearly looking for him the entire time. They were so happy to see each other when he got back and have been playing non-stop since he returned. The backyard is a little worse for wear with all the play that goes on.   We just keep reminding ourselves that we picked it because it wasn't fussy and we don't really care. 
We have noticed she is tentative around all children.  She's not aggressive toward them just timid.  I think the boys will push thru that with her because they are really enjoying having a more affectionate dog.  I'm just surprised because they said she used to break out and head to the elementary.
We are thrilled with how Toby and Kokanee are getting along and with how they seem to enjoy being together. Kokanee is a great addition to our family.  I'm not sure what happens at the 2 week mark on your end but from our perspective, Kokanee is a keeper.

08/25/03
Hello, my name is Kweebo and I'm a Malamute/????????  mix who was lucky enough to be put up for adoption on the Washington Alaskan Malamute Adoption League internet site. I spent my first 4.5 years as an outdoor dog who didn't get enough time with people (I love people more than anything, except squirrels). And spent my last year stuck on a chain most of the time. Luckily some wonderful people saw that I needed a better home and put me up for adoption.    My new and final owner, Rex (what a great dog name!!)  saw me on the internet and couldn't resist my beauty and character.   Now I have my very own house and fenced back yard so I'll never spend months on a chain again. I sleep on a big orange couch instead of the hard ground.  I share with my new house with a  big feline sister (Pepper) and little lab puppy brother (Hunter). I play with my new little brother all day long and try to teach him new things like digging and burying bones. I'm so used to being outside that I spend hours sleeping on my new lawn, but can come inside whenever I want. Finally, I want to thank the wonderful people at WAMAL for ruffing, I mean running a wonderful organization and finding good owners for perfect dogs like myself.
Woof Woof,
Kweebo.
I second that last thought,
Rex

06/03/03
Rest In Peace sweet Keisha!
Dear friends,
Although it hurts even to think about it, Ken and I thought you would want to know that our dog Keisha passed away over the weekend.  She was only with us 7 months, far too short of a time, but those last 7 months of her 11 years on earth were filled with love and people who cared about and for her very much. 
We adopted Keisha from a wonderful organization, the Washington Alaskan Malamute Adoption League (WAMAL, http://www.wamal.com)  last November after her original family abandoned her at an animal shelter.  WAMAL rescued her from the shelter and gave her a foster home for several months, then we adopted her brought her home to live with us and become part of our family. 
Keisha was a gentle and intensely loyal dog who seemed to have 3 goals in life:  to please her people, to be loved, and to go on long walks as fast as possible.  She succeeded wildly in all three.  Her last month was filled with several medical crises, but she never lost her positive attitude and she seemed active and happy to the end, so that's what we're trying to remember.  She died peacefully in her sleep sometime early Saturday morning, 11 days after surgery for an aggressive form of cancer.  She seemed to be doing very well afterwards and her passing is as shocking as it is sudden. To celebrate Keisha's memory, we plan to scatter her ashes on a favorite walking route of hers later this month.
Ken and I, as well as our other malamute, Sadie, miss Keisha very much.  We knew when adopting her at 11 years old that we wouldn't have much time, but we had hoped for more.  Keisha brought a light into our lives and we were happy to make sure she had comfort, peace and joy in her remaining time.  As hard as it is to lose her, I would simply tell all of you that we'd do it all over again in a heartbeat to make sure she had the home she deserved.  I encourage all of you thinking of adopting a pet to seriously consider older animals that need your love and compassion most of all.  We adopted Sadie at 6 years old and she is still shining brightly in our lives at 13, so all things are possible.
Please keep Keisha in your thoughts today.