September 5, 2013

White Dog, leader of the White Dog Army, proudly introduces our newest recruit and family member...Taiko the Tender...Oh YES!!!!Another White Dog (OY!AWD).

Taiko is guessed to be about 6 years old, is an Eskie/Samoyed mix, and comes from deathrow in a proudly high-kill shelter in Kentucky. He was surrendered by an owner who kept him chained outdoors and who no longer wanted to deal with him. We owe a HUGE debt of gratitude to our friend, Kevin, who pulled Ty and nursed him through kennel cough before arrange his transport to ABQ.

Our boy, despite Kevin and his wife's efforts, is still heavily matted and will be visiting the WDA groomer, Scot, on Saturday. Taiko will visit Dr. Julia tomorrow to discuss his badly needed dental work (poor boy has obviously never been to a vet or received oral hygiene care and will need several tooth extractions). He will also need a new dosing of the antibiotics he was on since the airline would not allow the drugs to be shipped along with him for TSA reasons.

The WDA greeted Taiko as if they had been expecting him and his arrival was no big deal. Even YoYoMa, who I feared might strut out a bit of alpha maleness has been gentle and accepting.

But how could he not? OY!AWD is CLEARLY a gift from Quinn with his deep wise eyes and tenderness of ways. When our new boy followed Steve into the kitchen and stuck his head between his legs to peer together into the refrigerator (a trait of Quinn's) Steve broke down and cried. Taiko even calmly accepted Nuka's greeting of wobbling over and then falling against him without so much as a flinch. He nuzzled her ear.  

Enough words, for there will be many to come. Here are what it looked like and if you look closely beyond the shapes and colors, you will see what it LOOKED like...a celebration, a new connection of love a  WDA made once again richer for its individuals.

Nuka comes to meet her new brother.

Momma! He DOESN'T know about duck jerky! Boy do I have work to do

Dad? What is duck jerky?

The day Ty was saved.

His first night of freedom at Kevin's house.

A bath and a little brush helped with the stinkiness. How could you  not love this face.

T'y's got a ticket to fly! And he is coming home!

Leaving his first peemail in ABQ...at the airport

When I Fall in Love It Will Be Forever!

A blessing from Quinn for Steve and Nuka.

Hi! I am Oso the Fearless, Taiko. White Dog says you are to be Taiko the Tender...congratulations.

Puff was calm but a bit shy. She did allow Taiko to sniff her ears later.

Exploring the backyard and the start of dog door training