This week has been a mixed back of tricks weather wise. Needed rain came in short bursts, causing humidity which is normally unheard of this far North. Hot temperatures in the high 20′s celcius, and also sun showers and yesterday morning heavy fog. Thankfully the bug issues were improved somewhat and time spent with Loki was more comfortable..no need to wear the infamous bug suit (netting) to protect myself. Loki does not like the bug suit as he is then unable to really look into my eyes. Eye contact is very much a part of our communication process, usually a dog will avert their eyes from a human, and as experts will tell you, eye contact can be interpreted as a threatening gesture to some animals. Not with this boy however, we will gaze into each others eyes forever during our quiet sit together/lay together moments. Seeing the pictures below, I still envision him within my home, lounging in the living room or stretched out on my bed.
I realize and have had to accept that this may never happen, that Loki may remain feral, that he may choose to remain free and proud, and that is his absolute right….but I hang onto the hope that he will make the choice to join my family. Whatever his choice, I plan to ensure that he is well fed, that his health issues are taken care of the best way that I can, and to spend as much time with him for as long as we are allowed to share our time together.
Living in the wild as he does presents many dangers to him, bears, cougars, wolves as well as the ever present human factor. The NWT has a reputation that a bullet solves everything, feral dogs are shot as are loose roaming dogs in many communities, and if he is caught I will not be notified and he will be destroyed. Thankfully he is smart, his intelligence, his will to survive has kept him alive.
I feel a great privilege that he has chosen me, that he trusts me and responds to my call, that he shares special moments with me, time together is so very important. When I began this, rather we began this journey last October, he was skittish all the time we were together, however over time we have come a very long way. He is far more relaxed, more trusting, and more responsive. His body language and gentle bumps and nudges of me as I sit with him are gifts I continue to treasure.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3YqU_Yum-tY
A Beautiful Evening with Loki and His Friend ‘Henry’
Bonnie, have you tried putting dog treats in your lap and sitting quietly so that Loki will be encouraged to come and sit really close to get doggy treats. Sometimes (at least with cats they give the signal that they don’t want you to come near, but if you watch the look in their eyes you will know the moment when they will allow you to pick them up. I put Shane’s dish eve closer to me each day and of course he came closer each day to eat his food….after about a month I checked his eyes and knew I had the moment that would tame him.
Loki will take treats off my lap, yes. I sit very still and he maintains full eye contact with me.