My name is GINA. I'm a lovable puppy; half Siberian Husky and half Golden Lab, with an interesting story to tell. Born in the spring of 1998, my early days as a puppy were no fun. My first masters had no idea what was involved in raising a puppy and their training efforts sucked. Fortunately, some neighbours advised the SPCA and I was rescued. After a couple months in recovery I was placed for adoption.
One autumn day the Craven family of Burns Lake visited the shelter looking for a puppy. I couldn't get out of that cage and into their car fast enough. They took me home where I spent my first winter. Unfortunately, they lived right next to a main highway and the only dogs I could play with were on the other side. I had to run the traffic guantlette daily. So, with the very real possibility of me ending up on as roadkill, I was once again placed for adoption.
In March of 1999 I came home with Ann Sandercott. Now I live with Ann and Alan in a rural area of central British Columbia, Canada with a beautiful view overlooking Francois Lake. I have a huge 4000 sq. foot fenced compound. Shortly after I arrived, my masters built me a big insulated doghouse with windows and it even has a mailbox and Christmas lights, but I'm still waiting for electric heating. I get just as much junk mail as my masters. Hey, I received a letter from the Royal Bank one day with an application for a platinum credit card. If any of you other dogs out there want to know how to get your own credit card, contact me.
My compound has wild saskatoon berry bushes, a crabapple tree, an apple tree, strawberries and peas, all mine! There's also a few big cottonwood trees, some poplar and spruce trees. I also have a gazeebo where I can lay and watch the world go by. I get to go for 2 - 3 walks a day, even in the rain. I eat regularily and there's an extra bag of dogfood stored in my house (my security blanket).
I spent the first summer getting to know my new masters and marking my new territory. For some reason they took me to Obediance School. I didn't care much for all that 'sit' and 'stay' stuff - pretty boring. The agility test, however, now that was fun! I achieved 138 points out of 140 - took the blue ribbon for first place. My master was very pleased.
Summers are great here at the lake. My masters work in the yard while I keep the bears away. Lots of black bears here. They're well trained, I bark and they climb trees. Lots of fun. Plenty of deer around here too. They come in mostly at night to eat my master's flowers. I bark, but they know I'm locked in my compound so they keep on eating. There's not too many dogs around here but there is a fat cat next door by the name of "Kacey" that actually likes me. Then there's the fox den back in the bush near my compound. I can hear the pups each spring. One fox named "Tawney" came around the compound all the time to visit. I had to watch my food.
Summer is also a great time for wading in the lake and fishing. I love smoked rainbow trout. I really like riding in the car and get to go on all the shopping trips to Prince George. Staying in the motel is pretty neat, and boy, do I love MacDonald's drive-through!
Being a husky, the winters up here are great. Lots of snow but I don't like the real cold weather. The rule of thumb of -10C to get indoors has laxed somewhat. I don't think they have the heart to disturb me when I'm curled up on the loveseat in the living room (I hope, I hope). Now let me think, where would I rather sleep on a wintery night . . . outside in the cold or indoors by the fireplace??? I wonder???
Winter also means Santa Claus. During my first Christmas my master sent a letter to Santa for me. A while later I received a reply from Santa signed, "Santa, (ruff - ruff)." I guess that meant I was on his list! (and I was). That Christmas morning I had my own stocking stuffed with goodies. Now I'll never bark at his reindeer again.
Now that I've been here a few years I'm feeling right at home. I have the run of the house when I'm indoors and the run of the yard when I'm outdoors, almost. I hear rumours that I'm getting a new deck this year and a teeter-totter, what ever that is.
Time passes fast when you're having fun. I'm getting on in years now and a touch of the 'ol rheumatism, while painfull at times, earns me a bed indoors now on the cool nights. Fortunately I have lots of windows to keep an eye on the wildlife.
It's a tough life but I'm not complaining, too much.
