Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunter's Campfire Zuma the Camo Dog

She lives out in one of the village s- Pt. Hope I think. Her teacher owners are Outside, so my landloard is taking care of her - or would be if he was here and not out funning around up river. So I get to take care of her and walk her for a few days. She is a sweetheart!

We found a parka-squirrel at the far end of Bridge 2, only the squirrel's home was at the other end. It took off, with Zuma right beside him , nose within inches, the full length of the bridge- she just wanted to make friends with it. Squirrel isn't ever going to be that lucky again!

Love that third pic.

Pretty gal, sure looks sweet.

Pretty lil pooch!

Neat looking lil gal.

Great looking dog.

Beautiful dog. Doesn't deserve to be chained up tho.

While I agree that a dog needs to run, in the villages, there's not much of an option.

A loose dog will be shot on sight and fences are pretty much useless 8 months out of the year due to snow depths, not to mention high winds that will take them down, nor the extreme expense of fencing and the difficulty in setting fence posts and keeping them set.

As the OP said, the dog gets to go out and run, so it's not like it never gets exercise. Poor substitute, I know, but it's the only way to do it and keep the dog safe.

Ed

Maybe someday you can move.

Why is it a poor substitute? As long as the dog has adequate shelter to get away from direct heat in the summer and cold in the winter, has access to water, and is exercised regularly, what's the problem? The dog gets to be a dog......dig holes, lay in the shade when warm, soak up the sun when cool, in short, they get to be happy being a dog. As opposed to Princess the neurotic house dog that barks at everything that breathes or has to be confined to a pen when the owners leave so she doesn't chew the house apart. But hey she's in the A/C in the summer, and heat in the winter, and gets her biscuit every evening and gets called baby and honey, so she's well taken care of.

Why the hell would one want to move from there.

I have owned dogs that have been restricted in their movement by small yards, chains, enclosures, etc, just because of where I lived at that time. I now live in a place where my dogs can be dogs. They get to run when they want to run, exercise their noses, lungs, legs, and curiosity as a dog was made to.

To see dogs really being dogs, and to know you've done something right to earn it's respect and loyalty when they come back to you to "check in" every so often (usually within 30-45 minutes) is to really know how happy they can be.

The little ankle-biter you referenced is an inbred, neurotic mess because it isn't being allowed to live like dogs do. They are pack animals and respect the Alpha. They are happiest when they have a job to do and the opportunity to do that job, be it hunt for food for the pack, pull a sled, pack a load, point & retrieve birds, hunt varmints, run rabbits, hunt other predators, or find dead bodies.

Zuma appears to be a sled dog. They are bred to run & pull a sled. If you haven't, take a look at some of the videos of the Iditarod or World Championship sled dog races in Anchorage. Look as the handlers/racers pull each dog out of the box and put it into harness. They have to hold the dog up so it can't get all four feet on the ground for if it does, there is no way they can hold it. Those dogs are so jazzed about going on a run that they can't control themselves. Once in harness, they settle down (a little bit) as they know what's about to happen. The instant they are given the "go" signal, they take off like Satan himself is poking them in the ass with his pitchfork. They run because that's what they do.

A bit long-winded, but that's why I say it's a poor substitute.

Ed

Jeff, I love Alaska. If I never lived in Point Hope it would be too soon. Kotzebue, yes. Barrow, yes. Point Hope (aka Point Dope) no.

I'd live in any number of villages in far NW Alaska but there are a few I have been in that I'll stay out of.

Ed

Yeah I get all that, and that dog appears to be on a short chain would be my gripe. But I keep dogs on chains all the time. 12-15' long attached to the box they got lots of room to roam around on all 4 sides and can go under the trees for shade or lay out in the sun, grass, or dig if they want. Of course their favorite time is the daily exercise but the vast majority of people can no longer just let their yard dog or farm dog run loose all day like they used to, and I contend that dogs are much more content on a good chain setup outside than they are in a concrete kennel.

One lousy walk, and this is what I get when I come out!

It didn't take her long to start working me! Effectively....




Her chain is 10-12 feet long - This lets her lay in the sun, in the dog house, or beside the dog house in the bushes and defend her dishes from the ravens. It does get wrapped around the post and shortened at times. a swivel set up would be better, but this isn't our dog. she will be heading north in a few weeks.

She was limping a little from her tundra romp, so yesterday it was just a few blocks around town for her to catch up on the goings on at every sign post.

Then a couple hours in the house watching television with me, getting pets and belly rubs until she become hot/bored. You are NOT to tell my wife, finks!

She comes when called (usually), but pulls on the leash and doesn't know "heel", sit, or lie down, tho she can be coaxed on the latter. Offer to rub her belly.....

I think she is a lot smarter than her (not) trainer.

Absolutely no argument about that!

Ed

Not our dog. My Lab (inside the Kotzebue winter entry, mostly, when we were not home) died 2 years ago come late October, and we won't replace while in the village. Besides the inconvenience of village living, the airfare is a bit prohibitive if traveling in and out of the village much. $100 for the airline, $65 vet health certificate from Anc to Kotz. No vet here, so that is waived going out. Used to be no health certificate (good for 10 days) was required within the state, but AKAir uniformed it across the board a couple years ago. The Lab had enough air miles over 6 years to qualify for a pilot's certificate.....

When we move back to our permanent home on the Kenai, the first two things on the agenda are a Dachshund or mix, and a Lab, or Lab mix. Probably rescue dogs, at least for the big one. Damned energy levels on the young ones are off the scale for an old fart like me. . Or maybe not..... probably be good for me. That would be my excuse anyway!

I've an acre and half yard down there, with an underground yard containment system around the perimeter That under-the-surface wire is handy , not having to repair it when moose, caribou, or bear come through the yard. They do keep the dog entertained.... . Dogs on chains sometimes get wolf-et, or moose stomped.

I find it ironic that down there in "civilized" country, I frequently have game in my yard, while up here in the Bush, I have to go out and find it.

So, with all that woods area in the yard, why do the dogs insist on crapping on the lawn????? Might have to work some training on that.

And why is there dog poop on my lawn with no dog? Rhetorical question. Besides neighborhood dogs, we also have wolves and coyotes around. Hence the big dog/little dog plan..... Worked last time. We had the Dachshund for 11 years, spanning two Labs. We all knew who was boss, tho with the second Lab gotten as a 10 week old puppy, the Weasel spent most of his inside time under the recliner for the first year.

Served him right, after what he put the first Lab through when the Weasel was a pup.

So, do you think my wife will spot her?

She's a pretty, sweet pup. I'm glad you two can keep each other company.

What about invisible fencing mated to a collar? Just curious.


DMc : I