DAY 158

August 19, 1999

I waited all day for a response, man I really felt like a parent adopting a child.  I was nervous and didn't want to get my hopes up, so that I won’t get disappointed if I didn’t get approved for adopting her. It was driving me crazy just sitting in the motel room waiting for the phone to ring. So I decided to call Nina and see if she had the opportunity to call the references yet. She had not had the chance to call yet :(

Waiting, waiting and more waiting. I took my chances and went out to get some food to eat after I was already starving. Soon after I returned to the motel, the phone rang. YES! Great! I’m now a daddy :)

She said that she won’t be home until later but I could go pick her up anytime. I decided now to take the discount flight I found out about earlier in the week. It is only $385.00 and leaves on Friday night at 11:15pm. All other flights have always been qouted around $900.00 even with 21 day advance notice.

I picked up Chena and drove to a pet store looking for a padded collar and a leash. Then we went for a little walk before going back to Nina and Dean’s home.  While there was still some decent light out, I went around photographing their dogs and got a couple shots of them too :)

The rest of the evening was spent with Nina and Dean while eating one of my favorite foods to indulge in.... PIZZA. We talked about my new dog, Chena. I liked that name, it is after the Chena River and Chena Hotsprings near Faribanks. Nina told me about skijoring, that is where I would put Chena’s harness on her and then attach a line that connects to a waist belt. Then with snow skis on she could pull me on cross-country ski trails. We talked a lot about the dogs of theirs and I remember her telling me that everynight at 11pm they all would start howling.  She said it was like music.

They have a website for "Homes for Huskies". It is definitely a not for profit business. For example they paid $100.00 to rescue Chena from the pound. Have had her since April and on top of taking care of her and feeding her; they even paid vet bills on her. But they always ask $100.00 for each dog, regardless what they had to spend. So it actually costs them money to do this. But I can tell it is a passion of theirs and I would probably do the same thing. They will however accept donations if anyone wants to help the cause.

"Homes for Huskies is dedicated to rescuing quality Huskies who have reached the end of the line at Animal Control. We place them in loving stable homes, incorporating ideals for good animal ownership and care."

 

Their website:

http://www.alaska.net/~husky4u/

 

And here is something I borrowed from their website since I liked it :)

"Pet's Bill of Rights"

  1. We have the right to be full members of your family. We thrive on social interaction, praise, and love.
  2. We have the right to stimulation. We need new games, new toys, new experiences, and new smells to be happy.
  3. We have the right to regular exercise. Without it, we could become hyper, sluggish ... or fat.
  4. We have the right to have fun. We enjoy acting like clowns now and then; don't expect us to be predictable all the time.
  5. We have the right to quality health care. Please stay good friends with our vet!
  6. We have the right to a good diet. Like some people, we don't know what's best for us. We depend on you.
  7. We have the right not to be rejected because of your expectations that we be great show dogs, watchdogs, skijoring dogs, sled dogs, or baby sitters.
  8. We have the right to receive proper training. Otherwise, our good relationship could be marred by confusion and strife - and we could become dangerous to ourselves and others.
  9. We have the right to guidance and correction based on understanding and compassion rather than abuse.
  10. We have the right to live with dignity ... and die with dignity when the time comes.

(I borrowed this from the "Homes from Huskies" website, which was posted there with permission from: " PETS: part of the family")

I had to leave Chena here since I was staying in a motel. Tomorrow morning I will pick her up and take her to the vet and make sure I can get everything ready for the flight tomorrow night.

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