07/29/03
Here are some pictures of me and Sierra for the Happy Tails website.  Thank you again for helping to make WAMAL possible.  Without it, I wouldn't have found my sweet companion.

07/16/03
We adopted Nanimo (now known as Niko, as he likes and responds to the name better, it seems!) from the King County Humane Society and are absolutely thrilled and just in love with him!  What a sweetie he is!  He is incredibly well-mannered, too!  What a dream dog!!!!  He is our ultimate new family member and we are extremely happy with him.
My 16 yr. old daughter and I had originally attempted to place a hold on Niko when we first saw him on July 03rd, but another family had a first hold on him.  He was originally adopted by this family on July 05th, but they returned him due to his "jumping & power."  (They had 6 kids.) After they returned him, we saw him again and simply fell in love with him.  We found yet, another family with a first hold on him wanted him, but the father apparently said no, so our 2nd hold won out!  I guess we were just meant to have him!  '-)  It amazes us that we ended up with him after all of this commotion! So for those people who would give up when they see a hold on a dog, my advice is . . . be persistent!
As a former owner of a purebred Alaskan Malamute and Siberian Husky for 14 years, I know the standards and breeds well and have not found Niko to be aggressive or misbehaved in any way.  The first evening we had him home, I was expecting him to potentially show signs of some type of mishap with housetraining, or behavior.  He, instead amazed us by coming to us and gently nudging our hands to come with him to take him out.  Early the next morning, he awoke me with a gentle kiss on my chin to let me know he needed to have his walk and to be fed.  There were no "accidents."  How good can it get?
We already had a 6 year old tuxedo cat, named Misty, who had been with other dogs in the past.  We were concerned, due to the Alaskan Malamute breed that this blending might not work.  She and Niko hit it off famously.  They actually seemed very happy to have one another.  They gently play with one another and seem to tolerate each other well, with no complications.
Niko is a perfectly mannered gentleman!  We can't believe anyone would have ever let this animal go!  I simply believe the former people who gave him up, or adopted him, must not have understood the breed, or known how to handle him.  Fortunately, we believe we do and he has shown us that he is very happy and extremely well-mannered and well-adjusted in our home.
He is very loving, yet independent, with a passion for people.  He thoroughly enjoys the lavish praise, play, exercise and tummy rubbing our family offers him.  His curiosity is overwhelmingly indicative of the Alaskan Malamute breed and he is exceptionally obedient for having such a trait.
He knows all of the commands of "come, sit, down, heel and wait."  He very quickly learned, within a day, to "roll-over, stay" and to distinguish the difference between going "outside" and going in the "car."  His intelligence and his loving willingness to please have truly endeared him in ways we never imagined for a dog of his size, power and breed.  He is very perceptive, sensitive and has more than proven himself to be a wonderful companion.  When one of our teens (we have three in high school) was upset about something, Niko couldn't wait to go to him and comfort him with kisses.  Niko truly has made a difference with our teens being more responsible, too!
My husband and I never thought we would end up with a male dog, much less one who's purebred history was unknown.  Nonetheless, Niko is not sexually aggressive, or aggressive to other dogs, even though he shows himself to be an Alpha dog.  He is calmly territorial with other dogs through his body language, but is in no way ever misbehaved or unduly aggressive.  He definitely has manners.  He is truly a gentle "leader."
We had his health checkup with our vet and found he had no evidence of hip dysplasia and was in exceptionally good health.  They couldn't believe he would have ever been up for adoption, as he seems to have some champion traits of his breed.
His mellowness and overall intelligence are a true joy to our family.  What a gem of a dog!  His word recognition and his sensitivity to people are incredible.  He even talks and sings to us, without barking.  Need I say more?!!  In short, we are totally enthralled with Niko and feel extremely grateful to have found him.
We will forever be grateful for the Rescue League finding him and for the Humane Society offering him for adoption to our family.  He truly is our new baby and a very dear and loved family member.  He definitely has a permanent home in our residence, as well as in our hearts!

07/09/03
Hello Ladies,
I just wanted to give you both an update on my adventures with Sierra.  What can I say?  I just adore her.  She starts obedience training this evening with a trainer who is a friend of her previous owners.  In fact, this trainer knows Sierra from an annual sledding event, so she is looking forward to working with her.   Sierra is very hot at the moment...no surprise.  She is presently downstairs in the basement with a large fan on her.   I take her to a large fenced in dog park, where she sees all of her friends every morning.  She is very well socialized and is wonderful with all of the dogs at the dog park, even females and little dogs.    When we arrive each morning, the other dog owners say, "Look, here comes that sweetie, Sierra."  She plays there for about an hour to two hours, then she comes home to the basement where she waits for our late evening walk.  She will hardly go out in the backyard right now because of the heat.   I thought my living situation was great, but another situation has presented itself that is even better.  Sierra and I will be moving two blocks up the street, where my rent will be the same, the house is the same size, and she will have a 1yr. old male malamute playmate, and a much bigger backyard.  The male malamute's name is River, and those two are already the best of friends.  River's owner, Melyssa and I take them on walks, to the dog park, etc.  River and Sierra look so much alike that when they curl up together in the back of my truck it is hard to tell where one begins and the other ends.    I tried to get her to sleep in my bedroom, but it was too hot for her.  So for the first week I slept in the basement with her.  I've also taken her down to the beach to my family's home.  She LOVES the ocean, and would play in it all day if she could.  I'm having some pictures taken this week of her and I.  I will send them for the "Happy Tails" website when I have some. 
Thanks again for all of your help.
A Happy Dog Owner.

06/20/03
I just wanted to keep in touch regarding Cudda.
Everything is going so well--we're thrilled!  We're very glad to have him here.  He has been put to the test on several occasions & has handled the situations very well.  We've had lots of kids playing in the back yard.  He knows when they're playing WITH him & leaves them alone when they're playing amongst themselves (after he slobbers all over them).  He did tackle Dawson (our youngest) the other evening, but it was all in fun, or so Cudda thought.  Dawson was a bit peeved, but quick to recover.  Watching the kids & Cudda play in the sprinklers has been very entertaining.  There were 2 men working in the yard on Tuesday (Day #4) with big, loud pruners & leaf blowers & Cudda remained mellow.  He doesn't even bat an eye at the lawn mower.
He appears to be a bit of a watch dog, an EXTREMELY new experience from Neko, barking at the fence when anyone arrives, along with an occasional hooooowl, when Darrin leaves. 
He has taken possession of his dog house & new cedar bed & the Iams Large Breed food seems to agree with him. 
He has learned "sit" & "lay down" with the typical Malamute hesitation & attitude.  No luck on teaching  him to swallow however!  I would say I'm even getting use to his overwhelming size.
I have ID tags on order for him, so I guess that means we're ready to complete the adoption papers so I can feel like he's our own, & not 'on loan'.  I'll wait to hear from you soon.

06/19/03
Good Morning!
Hope all is well with you! 
Had to touch base.......looked at the WAMAL site today and it brought tears to my eyes, cannot believe the people put down the dog because they moved, it's so sad.  I wish every dog could find a loving home......I would take them all if I could.....
Max (renamed from Farley) had to have surgery for cancer ...... kept Nicole informed, been trying to keep Nicole updated on Max as I know she really cared for Max......Anyway, the surgery seems to be a success but it is the type of cancer that can grow back and can be aggressive.  Hopefully it's not going to grow back.  Was a Huge lump on his side which the cancer does not affect any of his organs, etc and if removed does not hurt him in any way, just need to keep an eye on it to see if it grows back, again Hopefully not.
Max has some fat balls or spots but we're going to check further to be safe.....hopefully it's just fat
Max is doing excellent! He is so loving and so intelligent!  He's also a lap dog!  He is definitely older anywhere from 8 to 10 but that's ok we love him! He is always right by our side esp. Mark!  Right from the beginning with Mark....me.....I'm the food source and extra hugs and lovins!  but think mainly the food! just teasing!
Yes, he's really spoiled.....but a good spoiled!  Quite the character! Took down the baby gates and he loved that!  Loves to travel and loves that truck!
At night he gets his bear and goes off to bed in his bed!  without us sometimes!  so guess he's comfortable!
Will send you some photos of Max and Bear.....He Loves this Bear!  It plays In the tree top nursery rhyme/ too cute
Hope all is well and will talk with you soon