Guessing breeds:
Hard to tell how big he is in the photo of him lying on the floor --- he looks a little wolf-hybrid-ish. Coat's pretty short and smooth though. The color, the shading, the super long bones make me think of hybrids I have seen. Maybe it's just the husky.... What happened to him?

Hey, back to the P+P: maybe different shoes and slacks left at the clinic would be an idea to keep from bringing Mr. Parvo home to the new angel....

You must be so excited Phaedra. I would probably get a butterfly net to try and get those darn things under control and a nice soothing CD for the drive home. Congratulations… the wait is almost over!!

As far as that picture goes, the coat would suggest that of a young grey, late spring, early summer. Tear drop eye, long legs, brush tail, thick inner ear fur. The facial markings would suggest Husky. I would say Alaskan. The Siberian’s have more of a mask, but you often see these high forehead marking on the Alaskans. Not to mention the Siberian are much shorter and stockier whereas the Alaskan has the longer legs and body structure.

Yup, to me that looks like a leggy Alaskan husky. A recent genetic analysis of sled dogs found that Alaskans (huskies that is) have enough of a unique genotype to be considered a breed unto themselves. There's a whole lot of village dog in them, mixed with siberian husky, sighthound (that's probably the saluki you see), pointer, and oddly, some anatolian shepherd. If anyone's a sled dog enthusiast, the study can be found here: http://www.biomedcentral.com/content/pdf/1471-2156-11-71.pdf

Congratulations on your new pup!

 Quote: phaedra rieff

TWO MORE SLEEPS. I'm losing it a little bit. I keep reminding myself, "it's just a dog"... but then, most of us wouldn't be here if we really felt that way, now would we!

It's "Just" a dog

Just a Dog

From time to time, people tell me, "lighten up, it's just a dog," or, "that's a lot of money for just a dog." They don't understand the distance traveled, the time spent, or the costs involved for "just a dog."

Some of my proudest moments have come about with "just a dog." Many hours have passed and my only company was "just a dog," but I did not once feel slighted.

Some of my saddest moments have been brought about by "just a dog," and in those days of darkness, the gentle touch of "just a dog" gave me comfort and reason to overcome the day.

If you, too, think it's "just a dog," then you will probably understand phases like "just a friend," "just a sunrise," or "just a promise." "Just a dog" brings into my life the very essence of friendship, trust, and pure unbridled joy. "Just a dog" brings out the compassion and patience that make me a better person.

Because of "just a dog" I will rise early, take long walks and look longingly to the future. So for me and folks like me, it's not "just a dog" but an embodiment of all the hopes and dreams of the future, the fond memories of the past, and the pure joy of the moment.

"Just a dog" brings out what's good in me and diverts my thoughts away from myself and the worries of the day.

I hope that someday they can understand that it's not "just a dog" but the thing that gives me humanity and keeps me from being "just a human."

So the next time you hear the phrase "just a dog." just smile, because they "just don't understand."

Written by Richard A. Biby





There is also a "just" a horse version floating around somewhere.

 Quote: Betty Landercasp

Guessing breeds:
What happened to him?

Well, he lived with me for about a year. A very long year. I lived in the city, and although he was almost never without me, he really needed to be outside doing something. So, he is now living with a lady in Ontario, about 10 minutes from where he was found. She has 2 kids and a big property and he lives mostly outside in an enclosure (his choice, he is allowed inside if he wants), and she does mushing with him and he pulls the kids around as well. In the photo of him on the floor, he was probably almost 18 months and almost 90lbs! just very slim and tall. A very striking and beautiful dog, but like I said, really more of a wild forest creature.

A couple more photos -
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-ash1/v66/241/34/801970098/n801970098_161866_352.jpg
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-sf2p/v66/241/34/801970098/n801970098_150501_1122.jpg
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-sf2p/v66/241/34/801970098/n801970098_150500_893.jpg
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-sf2p/v66/241/34/801970098/n801970098_161861_8585.jpg

The one important thing I got for the ride home was a dog tag with my pup's name on it and my name and cell phone number. If anything should happen at least they can get in touch with you.

Congratulations! Enjoy your new little bundle of joy and teeth.

 Quote: Debbie Martin

The one important thing I got for the ride home was a dog tag with my pup's name on it and my name and cell phone number. If anything should happen at least they can get in touch with you.

Congratulations! Enjoy your new little bundle of joy and teeth.

I actually have one ordered, but I was planning on putting my old dog's tag on him... just in case he should escape his collar, harness, crate, and my clutches!

Is this THE day? This weekend?

We get to see LOTS of pictures soon?!?!?! Yay!