I took this photo yesterday evening, just as blind Dusty had finished eating dinner in his "dining room." At Widget's House, our main building for disabled dogs, we feed most of the dogs in their crates, then turn them back outside.
We've found that feeding goes more smoothly this way, and almost all of the dogs prefer to eat in the privacy of their own crates. (Some would prefer to wander around and check out what everyone else is eating, of course!) And by dining 'a la crate,' everybody can eat at their own pace.
Dusty had come to us several years ago as a blind and terrified former sled dog. Roughly treated in the past, he cowered and slinked on his belly. From those early days, he has come a long way...but he still isn't sure about people. He's not aggressive at all, but usually he'd prefer just to be left alone. Once you've got him where you can pet him, though, about 10 minutes of lovin' him up will get Dusty to drop his guard and relax.
He also now is interacting a lot more with the other dogs, and at night, he'll line up to come inside Widget's House along with everyone else. It took us two years before he'd come into the cottages on his own, and even then he'd wait in the shadows until the others had gone inside. Now, he's one of the gang.
(Click on photo for larger image.)
Indeed, some sled dogs don't get treated well. Luckily, he's found a real home and is part of the RDR dog pack. ;-)
Posted by: Leilani | July 17, 2006 at 07:24 AM
He is so beautiful, how sad for him to have been mistreated and how lucky he is to have found Rolling Dog.
Posted by: Linda Lee Balkin | July 14, 2006 at 02:52 PM
Dusty, I'm glad you're opening up more as time goes on. I have a special place in my heart for sled dogs. xoxo
Posted by: Roz | July 14, 2006 at 06:35 AM
Awwwwwwww.....Dusty is just a sweetie. It's good to know he feels comfortable where he is now. Please give him a big hug for me.
ginger & Tobias
Posted by: ginger & Tobias (the greythound) | July 13, 2006 at 08:46 PM
Great photo of handsome Dusty! I am saddened that he has had a rough past...but it is wonderful to know that he made great strides in being one of the gang!
Posted by: Nina | July 13, 2006 at 08:34 PM
So glad to hear that Dusty is doing so much better! He is such a pretty dog and should always be enjoying life.
Posted by: Julie | July 13, 2006 at 08:24 PM