Until Tehya's arrival Mac and Ozzy were my babies..the youngest dogs in the yard by several years. They turn four today!
Mac and Ozzy arrived here just a few days before their first birthday. Scared of their own shadows, unsocialized, sickly, scrawny little shells of dogs. They had parvo as very young puppies and were then dumped by their musher who said they could never be sled dogs after having parvo. The shelter overwhelmed them. They could not cope physically, mentally or emotionally with the place and it got worse as they spent month after month there.
This was taken when they first arrived. They ran and ran and ran that night. I think they figured they were going back to the shelter so they better run while they could. I didn't see them sleep for days!
Ozzy was the braver one at this point. He was touchable, although he didn't enjoy it much and didn't seek attention.
Mac was not touchable and when cornered he came out biting. Stuart and I both a few scars from Mac's early days with us!
This was taken this morning when Mac was out for a hike with me! He's grown into a leggy, lean, muscled lovebug. He is still shy with strangers, but he loves to cuddle with humans he trusts. He's a goofy boy who still acts like a puppy somedays. He likes to chew things he shouldn't--like the windshield wipers off the car, the seat off the snowmachine! He's never met a fence he couldn't beat if he really wants out. He's still a little shy about initiating play with people. He doesn't bite anymore although occasionally when he wants to play, he will nip my butt! He only does it to me though!
His favorite spot to hang out! He loves surveying his territory from the deck table!
Ozzy is actually substantially smaller than Mac now! He's very, very lean and lightening fast when he runs! He's also funny when he's itchy, like in this pic!Ozzy is a great watch dog. No one gets near the yard without Ozzy telling me about it. He just hasn't learned that he doesn't need to bark at the people I let through the gate!
Ozzy would really like to be a lap dog these days. He's a great snuggler!
Oh and they are fine little sled dogs! That's Mac up front with Pingo. He's becoming quite a confident lead dog. When he's not in harness, he runs loose with the team and keeps loose dogs away from Franklin. Ozzy is in the middle of this team, beside Pacer. He can't lead, can't handle the pressure, but in swing he'll run all day and do it with great joy!
Happy birthday my boys!
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Huney, Bon & Simba-missed so very much
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