Mugs
by Owner Shawn Hurst
I met my dog/best friend on August 9, 2009, at the Kootenai County Humane Society. He had been there for a year or more and in a kennel by himself. His name was McGee but he is now Mugs. My daughter was 12 and volunteering at the KHS when she met Mugs (McGee). He was a 2 year old Red Heeler mix. He was shut down, afraid of just about everything and on anxiety meds. I went to find out if I could foster him as I was unable to come up with his adoption fee.
I was told that adult animals could not be fostered. I said I was interested in adopting him.
Upon our first meeting McGee didn’t seem very impressed with me; as a matter of fact he only took about 20 steps into the walking park before putting on the brakes. So I did what any mom who sees a hurting baby would do, I sat in the grass and talked to him for about 2 to 3 hours; he listened. I went back the next day because, darn it, we needed each other he just didn’t know it yet. It was another great bonding session. He got up a little faster and we made it about halfway around the yard before he balked. So then I sat down with him again and “we” talked for another few hours and I was awarded with a kiss.
We didn’t have money for his adoption fee so my wonderful daughter created a flyer and set up a cool aid stand at Sunset park. She raised $3, not quite the $42.50 we needed for his adoption. Then she went to the little coffee stand in front of Inland Fence to ask about putting a donation box out. She was sent into Inland Fence. Darin, the owner, is an animal lover who even in a slow economy couldn’t resist helping out. In a call I made to Darin expressing my gratitude, he told me he’d had to put his dog down recently. Soon after Mugs adoption, I started taking him to visit at Inland Fence, and I know Darin and his crew have loved seeing the growth in Mugs and they are all aware that Darin’s help with the adoption fee has made all the difference in Mugs’ life. 
- Mugs and Friends at Cherry Hill Dog Park
More to come!
Inland Fence at 1295 E. Best Ave, Coeur D Alene, ID 83814
(208) 664-4050
Coeur d’ Alene dog parks: http://www.kcdogpark.com/
Finding missing persons and saving lives are all in a day’s work for the pooches of Idaho Disaster Dogs.
“Pete had that find,” Sells said. He said that accomplishing what they do is a team effort, from the canines to the humans. “What makes all that happen is all the work the entire team puts into it.”
The IDD recovery and cadaver specialist on the team is Dax, a 6-year-old Australian shepherd/ Border collie mix. As well as completing all necessary tests to be a Disaster Dog, Dax had to perform a search to be certified in recovery. She had a limited amount of time to search a 10,000 square foot rubble pile and find all the human remains on it.
Love to walk your dog, but feel confined by the snow? Well, you don’t have to resign yourself to getting all of your exercise on the indoor treadmill during the winter months. You can strap on the snowshoes, grab the pooch, and go! It’s pretty simple, really. If you can walk, you can snowshoe, and, these days, snowshoes have come a long way from your grandfather’s snowshoes that resembled tennis racquets. Now they are made of materials such as lightweight aluminum, composite plastic, even titanium; they are high-tech and are well designed.
Another outdoor exercise option for you and the pup is skijoring. Skijoring is simply connecting the skier and dog or dogs in harness together via a specially designed belt and tugline and dog harness(s). If you are a competent cross-country skier, consider bringing your pup along. It’s another great way to commune with nature and your four-legged friend. Generally, any breed of dog (35 lbs. and up) that loves to run can be trained. Oh, and it helps if the dog likes snow! Now you may think that the dog pulls the skier… ummm, no. Dogs are not supposed to drag the skier, just increase his speed. A skier can ski faster and/or farther with a dog, but it takes additional skill and effort to maintain control and balance when skiing with a dog or dogs. If you are new at cross-country, become competent before you invite Fido along. For more information on skijoring with your dog: www.sleddogcentral.com/skijoring.htm. (There may be a dog-friendly cross-country skiing class in your area; see below.)
Is your dog up to these kinds of workouts? Well, as with any new exercise, it’s always best to check in with your veterinarian. Most trim and fit dogs should do fine, but, remember, walking through deep snow is physically demanding for your dog, so be sure to start out with a short outing and gradually build up to longer ones. (You don’t want to end up with an exhausted pet that you have to carry back!) Also, take a daypack and carry plenty of water and snacks for you both. Don’t forget to check your dog’s paws for ice and snow that can clump between your dog’s pads, resulting in painful ice balls. You might consider getting protective booties. In addition, if your dog is not dressed in a heavy fur coat, like a Husky or Malamute, he might benefit from a man-made coat.
Don’t let the winter weather keep you on the couch. Get out of the house and into open spaces filled with nature’s beauty. Whether you choose to snow shoe or cross-country ski with your dog, you will be spending quality time together that will, no doubt, result in happy tails and tales. Have fun out there!
