Jimmy the wandering sled dog...
A few days ago my buddy called to ask if I'd had any strange dogs show up in my yard. He's a musher too and had been out on a training run. As a reward for their hard work, he sometimes busts a few dogs loose when they get close to home, so they can play a bit. Well, three of his dogs headed for their old home--he recently moved--his old house is pretty close to me. He used to own Pingo and she headed for his house for a long time too--untill she discovered the couch here! Two of them were back where they belong in a couple hours, but there was no sign of Jimmy. Jimmy is a black and tan alaskan husky, skinny, sweet, shy. Very nice little dog and the best dang leader you've ever seen. He's a great dog. No sign of Jimmy, but I've been keeping my eyes open and calling for him whenever my dogs bark at stuff in the forest that I can't see.
Tonight a woman from down the road who is a wee bit nutty and who we try to avoid called me. Skinny little black and tan sled dog, still in his harness, is in her yard and bugging her dogs, who are miserable, nasty dogs. She thinks this is one of my dogs. I didn't bother correcting. I ran down there and sure enough it's Jimmy!!! He was pretty happy to hear someone who knew his name, despite the fact that he really doesn't know me. I knew his name though so I must be alright and he willing trotted along home with me.
He's been on his own for five days! He's a bone rack!! He's a skinny dog to start with and had nothing to loose. I've been feeding him little bits at a time. Don't want to make him sick. He'd eat a whole bag of kibble if he could right now. But other than being hungry, he appears to be uninjured! Phew!
Course, now I can't get my friend or his handler to answer their phones!! Course it is Saturday night, she's young and single and is probably out playing. He only has a cell phone so if he's not in exactly the right area, it won't work. Cells are not very reliable up here! So Jimmy the wandering sled dog is spending the night in the porch. He seems pretty happy there. I've left messages everywhere and I'm sure he will be going home tomorrow. I'd deliver him myself, but B.(my buddy) has been trying to give me one of Pingo's sons lately and my resistance is weakening! ;)
I will get some pics of Jimmy in the morning.
