Happy Gotcha Day, Deuce!

May 9th is one year since Deuce joined our pack. What a year it's been! He has driven me to tears, pushed the limits of my patience, made me laugh and stolen a piece of my heart.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...6/deucetow.jpg
Deuce and two of his buddies had been brought in from a small community a few hundred kilometres from Whitehorse. His buddies were adopted almost immediately. They were clearly unclaimed pets who had been well cared for at some point. The man who brought Deuce in reported that he had been roaming the community for at least two years. He had a route where he got food, but no one claimed to own him. Eventually, he started causing trouble--getting in garbage cans, jumping on kids ect and the village council decided Deuce should be shot. Instead, a young man put him on a chain and kept him safe until there was an opening at the shelter.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...ogs/newguy.jpg
(First picture of him at our house)
At the time, Stuart was admininstrator of the local shelter. He asked me to meet Deuce as his staff felt Deuce was aggressive and unadoptable. One even told him that all dogs with bumps on their noses are dangerous. (she no longer works there and the bump has been biopsied and is nothing) Stuart disagreed. What I saw in that tiny kennel was not an aggressive dog, but one with absolutely no manners and more energy than he could possibly burn off in a shelter setting. He had in a few short weeks gone from total freedom, to a chain to a 6x4 kennel. He was going nuts. I met Deuce on my lunch hour and brought him home that evening.

Deuce was beyond hyper and knew nothing, not even the most basic of commands, not even his name. He thought he was alpha of the universe. He was an unusual dog for us. Usually we get timid males. Deuce is not timid, not afraid of anything, certainly not afraid of humans. He just thought he was the boss. Then Deuce met Raven.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...0dogs/game.jpg
Ten seconds after they met!

After a brief honeymoon, he challenged her position as alpha dog in her pen. Deuce lost and lost badly. Once the major injury to his back leg was healed, he rejoined Raven's pack. He's never questioned her authority over him again and they are the best of friends now. We actually seperate them at night so the neighbors don't have to listen to them wrestle at 3am.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...02006/duet.jpg
Deuce has changed dramatically over this year. He's gone from a skinny, scruffy looking stray to a well muscled, beautiful dog with a remarkable coat. He really likes not having to worry about where his next meal is coming from! He's learned his name and some basic commands. It used to be very difficult to get into his pen as he bounced and carried on by the gate. Now I tell him to "Use your manners" and he lays down and waits patiently for me to come in. He's affectionate and friendly. He's still beyond hyper most of the time, but his energy makes him a pretty good sled dog.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...frostyboys.jpg
He can't lead, but he'll follow all day long. When I need to break trail or climb alot of hills, I always take Deuce along! A tired Deuce is a very good boy!
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3.../deucetong.jpg
We have never seen any sign of aggression from Deuce. He has a strong prey drive, but as long as you aren't a cat or a squirrell, he's a sweet, somewhat rambunctious, dog! He's met several young children and been very good with them.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...uce_beauty.jpg
Happy Gotcha day, big fella. I'm looking forward to many more years with you!

Yay, Deuce! An awesome tribute to an awesome dog, as always. He's such an incredibly handsome animal. And, we are also looking forward to many more years with him! :)

Happy Gotcha Day Deuce! Wow, hard to believe it's been a year already! He's obviously thriving in his new home with his new girlfriend, I love seeing pictures of Deuce & Raven - that one of them howling together is priceless! Yup, all he needed was the right home, and he got it!

What a wonderful tribute to a very special boy. It doesn't seem like a year to me since you brought home that little wild man. And I must admit that I held my breath the first couple of months as he tried to settle in. But, I should have known that the Glacier touch can win out over everything. Deuce is now one of my favorites among your dogs. He is big beautiful boy.

Yay for Deuce!!! I, too am looking forward to many more years and pics of him. :D

What an awesome tribute. Deuce is so special. HAPPY GOTCHa DAY! :)

happy gotcha day, handsome! :)

Happy Gotcha day, Deuce! :D Enjoy your special day, sweetie!
What a beautiful tribute to him... :) I really enjoyed reading it...

Happy Gotcha Day, Deuce!!! :D
I loved reading his tribute, I never knew about his past before this. :)

Happy Gotcha Day Deuce!!! I can't believe it's a year already! I hope you're having a great day handsome boy! :D

happy gotcha day!!! :D

Deuce, your story is very touching and you sound like a great boy. Happy Gotcha Day, Deuce!

Wow, what a story. I'm glad Deuce was able to find such a great home. Happy Gotcha Day!

Happy Gotcha Day Deuce!! Its been a year...already!? :eek: Wow...where does time go. Awesome tribute thread to an awesome dog!

What a beautiful, beautiful story.
Happy Gotcha Day Darlin!!

Love, Love Love this pic. Could you get it on video :D????

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...02006/duet.jpg

Congrats! A year went fast! :D

Happy Gotcha Day Deuce!!!

HAPPY GOTCHA DAY DEUCE!!

What a magnificent story, of course for such a magnificent family & magnificent dog.

I wish you many more gotcha days sweet boy. Hope your day is filled with lots of goodies! :D

HAPPY GOTCH DAY DEUCE!!! My how time flies, a year already. Another chapter in the Glacier Book of Success!!!!

Congratulations to you both. :D

Happy gotcha day big boy Deuce :D. Wow one year already, that time has flown. Heres to many more fun filled years together. Love the photos aswell :).

I swear... he looks like a wolf.. :)

:)

Hap, HAPP, H A P P I E :)
Gotcha Day, Deuce!!

:D

Boy, I bet they day you went to Tamara and Stewart's house was the best day in your life. You hit the doggie jackpot!

Happy Gotcha Day, Deuce! I hope your day is/was extra special.