Thunder

Back on October 8, 2009, I bought myself an early birthday gift. I bought a dog from Kijiji. A Siberian Husky. At the time, he was named Legand and was 23 months old. At the time, I hated the name. I named him Thunder, because he thundered around my house like a high-energy clutzy idiot. He often made me wonder just what I had gotten myself in to! He taught me almost everything I know about Siberian mind-games – he was the master! He taught me about patience; and having lots of it! He kept me up for many sleepless nights while crate training. He was the crazy red-head husky everyone warned about. He really wasn’t suited as a first dog. Alas, I don’t give up, and we worked through it all.

While he was complete hell in the beginning, he became a fun companion. He loved going places – no matter where it was. Even to the vet was fun. He loved watching big machinery – just like a young human boy. We did many things together, and we enjoyed every minute of it. He loved going anywhere, even to the vet.

We dabbled a little in obedience, but that wasn’t our forte. He just could not master the sit-stay, and even tried leaving the ring during a trial in Midland Michigan in October 2013. We tried dog sledding, but he just physically couldn’t do it despite having a huge drive and passion for doing it! Once I was finally able to get enough of his registration information thanks to Robbyn Gordon, we entered his first dog show at 6.5 years old. It was then I knew what we were supposed to do together, just him and I – we were meant to show!

While he was in no means the top show dog out there, he was without doubt the happiest, goofiest dog entered in the shows and he thoroughly enojoyed every second of it! Dog shows for altered dogs were few and far between, and attaining points was very tricky with little to no competition. We did, however, manage to get 7 points during his 4.5 year show career, including his major win at a multi breed specialty show at the age of 10! His very first time stepping into the ring, he got Best Altered in Show! 6 months later, on his 7th birthday, he got Best Veteran in group his first time in the veterans class! He got another Best Altered in Show in August 2018, then went on to win Best Altered and Best Veteran in the SHCC Regional Specialty dog show on December 1, 2018. Little did I know, that would be his last time ever in the ring. Good thing he had an absolute blast at that show and showed like he owned the place!

But, he was more than just a show dog to me. He was a companion. He was my first dog as an adult. My first Siberian. The one that started it all! The one my kennel eventually became named after. The crazy red-head that could not be trusted for one single second, ever. Even yesterday. If he wasn’t under constant supervision, he was digging out of the yard. If he wasn’t doing that, he was eating anything and everything possible in the house. He once ate an entire box of orange paintballs and shit orange for a week! He had a scar on his face from digging under the fence. He loved to run in the traffic on escapades. Just when you thought you had him trained, hahahhahahaha, no you didn’t. Off he would go. He killed my cat. He drove me absolutely crazy for 9 years, 3 months, and 13 days. What I would give for him to drive me crazy just one more day.

A legend has left this world. He started as a Legand, and has left a legacy. He is Thunder-ing North of the Rainbow Bridge. Rest in Paradise my baby boy. November 8, 2007-January 21, 2019. 

He left known as MBAISS BAIMBSS BVISS BVIMBSS MBAIS MBVIG Okiok's Tukisiwok CGN CGC.

Where to begin with sweet Jack-a-mute... Jack was surrendered to us on May 27 2015. Jack had some adoption interest, but it did not pan out, and ultimately, we decided he wasn't going anywhere on July 4 2015. Weighing in at just 60 pounds on arrival, he was a healthy weight of 85-90 lbs the rest of his life once healthy. Jack had one unfortunate encounter with a spikey squirrel (porcupine) in his first few months with us - and he was such a trooper! It was on this vet trip, that we discovered he was a shotgun rider kind of boy! Good luck stopping a dog with a spikey face full of quills from doing what he wanted on a 2.5 hour drive to the vet!!!

Jack was a VERY loud dog and loved to greet everyone with vocal enthusiasm. Not visiting Jack and paying him attention on arrival was just not going to happen. He knew how to ensure he got ample attention! We know lots of guests snuck him extra snacks, steaks, timbits, etc. as well, in efforts to quiet him down for a peaceful humans visit. None of that worked, but he sure loved the goodies! 

Jack's job at the kennel was coyote alerting/silencing. Every time a pack of coyotes would start up, he would let out one deep WOOF, silencing the pack and they would move on. Good boy Jack! One jack WOOF would end the yipping of a coyote pack for the entire night. He started teaching Loki how to do it 3 years ago, and officially retired from coyote duty 2 years ago. Loki, make Jack PROUD. That was not easy for him to let go of. 

Jack was very skilled at the malamute temper tantrum, which added to his charm. Whether it was the WRONG donut, the WRONG toy, the WRONG dinner menu or an empty water pail, he would certainly let you know in a loud, demanding, and yet adorable way. He had a way of getting what he wanted! 

Despite having cataracts his entire time with us, and kidney/liver medical issues his last 2 years with us, he remain a very happy and enthusiastic boy until close to the end. We knew we had to make the call when he lost mobility. 

The sweetest temperament Malamute ever to walk the soil of earth is now running free. He's now able to yell as loudly as he wishes, as long as he wishes without being asked to stop it. 

There are endless sitting position squirrel stuffies, and no standing position squirrel stuffies, or any of the other unacceptable attempted compromises. There are lots of buried fish and chickens to eat. No fresh fish or chickens. 

But most of all, there is endless love and 24/7/365 attention, and your pack leader, Thunder. Thunder is waiting for you to find him. He will show you the way. Go find thunder, my boy. You are pain free!

WIshaw's Panama Jack - September 16 2006 - July 19 2021