I would like to give you an update on Lily, whom I adopted this
November
(2012). She has been with me for about three months now, and I am
happy
to say she is doing just great. It was a bit rough at the beginning
because she was still getting over a bout of diarrhea. After blood
tests she was diagnosed with SIBO (small intestine bacterial
overgrowth) - apparently this is common in sled dogs and can be caused
by stress or by food sensitivities. She has been steadily improving
with a course of antibiotics and a special diet (temporary), and she
has put on some weight and is feeling much better. You asked me to
let you know if she ever started pooping normally! Well, now I can
proudly say that she is!
Lily is now about thirteen months old and is still a sweet, playful
pup. She is so affectionate and wakes me up in the morning by
jumping on top of me and licking my face. She also loves people
and other dogs. When we are out on our walks she will howl at them as
they pass by and try to engage them in play (or lick their faces).
She is a natural at playing ball and of course she loves to run,
especially in the snow. This summer I think we will enroll in
Flyball. Next winter we might also try skijoring, although that could
be interesting because she loves to chase squirrels.
Being still a young pup, she can sometimes be a brat and will get into
things if she is not kept busy. She especially likes electronics (?)
and one day I came home to find she fixed my alarm clock. It was only
displaying the channel but not the time; now it is displaying the time
again! (She did change it from FM to AM, however.) She also figured
out how to get in the cupboards, and ate a box of bran flakes (which
didn't help her diarrhea much). So she is teaching me to be more
"Zen-like" -- I now make sure I put away everything (and duct tape the
kitchen cupboards
shut) before I leave her alone in the house. But she is learning that
I am the alpha dog and she is good when I am around. She is very easy
to train because she is super intelligent and will do anything for
food. She loves to lie on her back and get a belly scratch. Lily
also likes to watch TV and especially enjoys nature shows with
animals. One day we watched a show on dog sled racing in the Yukon.
She was glued to the set for the entire hour. I think she even
identified a few relatives. We have to be careful though,
because sometimes she gets too excited and tries to run after them.
When I switch the TV off she can't figure out where they went and gets
all confused.
I would like to thank you for rescuing Lily. She is the perfect dog
for me and I love her to bits. I am very, very happy with her. She
is a wonderful girl who brings so much joy to my life. I am attaching
a few photos.
Update
April '14
Yes, Lily is still keeping me both
entertained and exercised. I must say she did start to calm down a
bit around February (she turned 2 in December). Right now she's
entertained by all the critters that are coming out of their holes
after the long winter. At dusk she goes out on the deck and
hides behind the BBQ and stalks them. I have to drag her back in
the house.
Here's a photo of Lily with her new toy
(looks like evil twins).
Update
May '15
Lily
is continuing to amaze me. She is now nearly 4, but still very much
an energetic husky. She loved the -40C weather we had this winter. We
have taken up skijoring, turns out she is a natural (not really a
surprise). We have gone on a few road trips together this past year,
and she seemed to enjoy it. I found out that she likes swimming and
being in the water. She dives right in and tries to get at the fish
at the bottom of the lake. Her favorite pastimes are playing ball and
cuddling up beside me on the couch watching TV. She is loyal and
affectionate as ever. I can't imagine life without her.
Here
are a few recent photos.
All
the best.
Update November '16
Lily
is doing great! In the past year her personality has really come
out. She absolutely loves people, and sure knows how to suck up to
them to get attention. On our daily walks she howls out a big hello
to everyone we meet. If they acknowledge her (which mostly they do),
then she is so happy. She goes right up to them and tells them a big
story, and licks their face. There are several construction workers
building houses on our street and they all wait for her to come by
each day. As soon as they see her, they start howling at her; she
howls back and goes over to greet them, and then there is a big love
fest! One of her special friends is a school bus driver who gave her
a paw towel that his wife made especially for her. I am so thankful
to have Lily in my life.
Update June '20
I
cannot believe Lily is 8 years old. She is my pup and I am her human
for 7 1/2 years now, and I am so thankful to you for saving her. Lily
has brought me so much joy and purpose. My girl is doing great and is
true to her husky heritage: extremely loyal and affectionate, smart,
brave (and also a bit pushy and stubborn). She is a social butterfly
and has a whole fan club of people in the neighbourhood who wave to
her and wait for her to go by on our daily walks. Lily especially
loves construction crews and gives them all a big howl-lo. We have
been going camping for the past few years and she just loves it. This
year, she is going to try kayaking -- in a flat bottom inflatable
kayak. It could go either way but she always surprises me and I am
guessing she will enjoy it with a bit of encouragement. (I'll send a
photo of that for sure.)
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