06/09/03
She's been doing fantastic here! My roommate is in love with her - I'm going to have to talk to him about letting her get her way with everything. We went for a few walks yesterday and just got back from one this morning. No off-leash, of course, but this is a pretty dog friendly area, so a lot of people have their dogs off-leash and she's been great so far. Oh yes, and she met Quentin yesterday - she did great with him. She had to put him in his place just a little, but a short growl took care of that and now they're good buddies.
Ok... here's my one complaint about Stella... she's an early riser!!! No one warned me about the nose in my face at 6am! Just kidding... well, not about the nose, but about it being a complaint.
Stella is doing GREAT! As you can imagine, she's already the darling of the neighborhood. I took her in to work the other day and my roomate took her in to his office today. She did great in both situations, but I think she's just as happy to stay at home and hang out in the house or the yard. Especially with this heat we're getting here (pushing 100 today). I'm going to fill up the kiddie pool this evening and see how she likes that - considering her love for mud and mud puddles, I'm guessing it'll be a hit.
later....
It's SO funny... she gets in and wades around and then does this kind of dip like she's going to lay down, but as soon as the water gets to her tummy, she pops back up. So, it works something like: wade, dip, pop, repeat.
I live just a few blocks from one of Portland's largest parks - it has a ton of trails both in the trees and in the open, grassy areas - that's where we take our morning and evening walks. This is where I first noticed Stella's "interest" in small dogs. She seems to size them up and I can almost hear her say, "Hmm... that one would be one bite... the other might take two." Oops. But as long as she's on the extend-a-leash, she does great!
I wish you could see the doghouse in person. My mom and her husband built it and I think it's better built than my house! Stella likes it, but her favorite location is still in the kitchen, with the back door
open - it lets her see everything that's going on in the house as well as everything going on in the yard. And, of course, it's close to food!

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.

05/29/03
Everything is great with the dogs; Juneau has discovered the joys of a "stuffed Kong" and a couple of little biscuits broken into pieces and pushed into the Kong lasts her for hours. I'm going to have to get Rory a new pad for his doghouse, though - she apparently loves chewing up foam, so I'll get something stuffed with cedar chips like the one (unchewed) in her doghouse. She's a wonderful little character :-)
I've attached a photo of her in the backyard. I couldn't get the two of them to pose together, unfortunately...

04/30/03
Hello Malamute Fans,
I am happy to announce that Shasta, a "fostered" WAMAL Rescue out of Pierce Co; who has been with me since July 3rd, has been delivered to her new "Dad & Mom"! Mom & Dad anxiously awaited Shasta's delivery to them Sunday afternoon. Her new kennel system was all set up and awaiting her arrival.
Dad is a contractor and is looking forward to Shasta (who travels VERY well) join him in his truck to job sites. During her last two months with me, Shasta enjoyed being tied out where she never tired of watching me work on projects throughout the day.
Mom & Dad  are former malamute "parents", but lost Kelah to old age about 6 months ago. They couldn't be happier to get Shasta, and I know she has found a great home and a new "family" lifestyle!  In spite of earlier years of neglect and abuse by prior owners, Shasta has never lost her sweet disposition and aim to please!  She took some time and effort, but she was a pleasure to be "Fostered" in my kennel. I especially enjoyed our rides together. It was hard saying "goodbye for now" to her - but it's good knowing she is now in excellent care!
Her ever present "big smile" will hang with me for a long time. Overall, my Fostering tenure was a great experience - it was unlike looking after any other dog that has been a part of my family. I have a greater appreciation for those of you who have donated your efforts to save a malamute on a one by one basis. Thanks everybody, and Congratulations to Dad, Mom & Shasta!
Call of the Wild Huskies

04/15/03
Just thought I'd attach a picture of my two handsome dogs. Olaf (the red and white malamute, is doing GREAT! He is so fun and has a wonderful happy go lucky attitude. He is sure clutzy though. We love Him!