Izzy and her foster brother Howie
Vet visit re-check | Duncan, BC | April 22, 2014
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Izzy's Story: L'il Izzy B (a.k.a. Nosey Rosie, L'il Muffin) is currently in foster care with the Victoria Humane Society. She was surrendered back in February with what was believed to be severe allergies. She was not well. We fostered her at our house for one week. We were "inbetweeners" until the guardian angel who had experience and success treating skin issues like hers was back in town.  It was one of the longest weeks we've had with a foster. Her condition seemed to change daily and there was always something new and seemingly uncomfortable for her. She could barely walk and her sores started to bleed. (see Feb 17 post) Other medicines had been tried, but nothing was working...  Two months later and she's a different dog! I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw her and I couldn't believe how soft she was when I held her and snuggled her. She has come such a long way. Gone is the mange and the scabs and open sores on her skin. Gone are the hamburger feet - pads that were so raw they resembled ground meat. Gone is the pain. However, during one of her vet visits it was discovered that she's blind in her left eye - she has no iris - so her left eye goes a wee bit wobbly sometimes, but that's ok... it just adds to her cuteness. That and the discovery of a HEART MARKING found on her left side! Her team is still working on getting her immune system stabilized, but it's now known that she doesn't have food allergies which is a very positive discovery. This little muffin will remain in foster care until everyone on her team is confident that she can be adopted. Until then, she will bask in the love that is her foster home, because it's one VERY special place.
(Just a note: I know Izzy's tail is down in most of the photos, but she only did that when I had the camera pointed at her... trust me, it was held high when the camera was off!)
Howie's Story: Howie, the little hairless Pom, is a palliative foster through another rescue. This little man continues to show a zest for life and wanders around with his curly tail held high. And even though he's a regular at the vet, he makes the most of his visits.... greeting all who come in. These two make up quite the dynamically, adorable  duo.

Thanks to the staff at Central Cowichan Vet Hospital as well as foster mom Lynn for their amazing care of these guys... and to Izzy and Howie, thank you for letting me photograph you - until next time my friends.
xo

Just a beautiful hike around Matheson Lake with some of my retired sleddie buddies, their humans, and an 8-pound shih-tzu/yorkie on loan from my parents.
Shrek and Chichi were partners in crime, actually, they were more like partners in fun, because they had SO MUCH FUN together! These two were hilarious - crashing through the underbrush, running along the paths, rolling in... well, stuff, and dipping down to the water's edge to rehydrate -  probably travelling about 10x farther than the rest of us. For those of us who stuck to the path, Sonny Boy kept a good pace up front and Pique stayed in the middle to make sure little Miss Coco was coming along and bringing up the rear. And of course there were a couple stops along the way to take in the beautiful view, have a drink and some treats before moving on.
When we got back to the car, Shrek and Chichi were ready to do it again, until the treat bag came out... and then they realized their priorities! Even the littlest Coco got in there with the big dogs, and then made a new friend with Barb... and I almost made off with a new friend myself, in Shrek... until his parents called him out of my car... ah, well... maybe next time Shrekkie! 
Thanks gang for having us along!

[PART SEVEN of a series chronicling the re-homing of Whistler sled tour dogs.]


I don't know how many parts there will be to this story really.  I've been asked many times but my answer is always the same... "until I'm done". 
There are only three dogs left who need homes, but they are with incredibly caring foster families right now, so we'll see what happens. But in the meantime, I will go with this feeling inside me, the one that is compelling me to continue to photograph these dogs and share their stories. of the next chapters in their lives wherever it may lead.

It was March 21, 2012  when I photographed my first retired sled dogs at the Victoria SPCA. Now, more than two years and thousands of photos later I am still at it as they continue to inspire me.  And I still get that feeling of calm when I'm around them - no matter if it's one dog or 20... or 43, like when I was up at their kennels in Whistler last September. Just watching them run, interact, or get snuggles is a beautiful thing so I will continue to  photograph them as long as they (and their humans) will let me. 

Which leads me to today. Me and my little Mr C went along with Chichi + Lola, Grey Grey, Question + Daffy and their people for a walk/hike/adventure in East Sooke. As per usual Chichi ran... and ran... and ran... and even had us all searching for her for what seemed like an eternity, but was probably more like five minutes. Turns out she was waiting for us at the car - so thanks Question & Daffy for finding her! There was mud, there were other dogs, there was sunshine and time for a pit stop with some snuggles and treats in the forest. It was a pretty magical afternoon... until me and the Mister had to leave them, and they all wandered away with their tails held high to go meet up with some more dog friends. 
And then the Mister, who had spent the walk trundling along at a snail's pace, decided to let loose and show me he can (almost) run as fast as the big dogs! 
Until next time my furry friends...
(and if you want a play by play, then feel free to read the captions under the photos when you click on them!)