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.
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.
(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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
Happy Gotcha day, big fella. I'm looking forward to many more years with you!
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Wow...where does time go. Awesome tribute thread to an awesome dog!
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