For all of you who have followed this Blog since it’s creation in 2009 thank you. You have born witness to the horrors inflicted upon so many innocent dogs here in the NWT. You have learned much I hope, and you have shared in the sorrow, the outrage, the feelings of helplessness and likely the anger as well.
You have also shared in the ongoing struggle to have legislation enacted to protect animals here, and you have shared in the first Victory for the Dogs of the NWT…that being the new NWT Dog Act. You also know that a great deal of hard work is needed and will continue to be done to get the Comprehensive Animal Protection Act that is desperately needed.
You are aware that we have no real shelters, no resident vets elsewhere than at the ONE veterinary hospital in Yellowknife. We do have only three smaller shelter facilities where dedicated volunteers take in the sick, the hurting and the abandoned.
When this Blog first came to be, I named it Gift of Loki, after a magnificent wolf spoken of in mythology. The story goes that Loki has two brothers, one which is chained to the moon, and which Loki and his other brother guard. Should the chained brother break free, all manner of horror will descend upon the Earth and Mankind. Loki and his one brother chase the moon to prevent their evil brother from breaking free of his chains thereby protecting mankind.
Loki has also been a companion of my dreams for as long as I can remember, together he has taken me to places that can only live in dreams and in ones inner self and soul. Along this journey he taught me a great deal, about myself, about what it is to be free in spirit, to face the impossible and to survive.
So it was most befitting that I should name this free spirit which you are about to meet for the first time:
LOKI
His story needs to and will be told.
He is a survivor.
He remains a free spirit and he is my friend. He has not known the gentle and kind touch of a human hand, yet I know his gentle touch; I have felt his warm breath on my face during those long frigid winter nights and gazed into those beautiful clear amber eyes. I have watched him dance at the sound of my voice, watched him stretch and yawn, prance and play and lounge silently as he listened to our song.
I hope he knows of my great love and respect for him. I think he does.
Our daily time together is precious, it is magical and as his trust continues to build it is my hope that he may choose to join my family. Realistically I know that may never happen, but the dream and hope remains alive. I will continue to work with him, we have already come a very long way and God willing…someday…..
This gentle magnificent spirit will make his own choices and hopefully will continue to survive.
LOKI does really exist.
WINTER 2010
SUMMER 2011
(NOW) HE HAS SHED HIS WINTER COAT
Loki and Friend
LOKI is the sole surviving youngster out of the 23 puppies that were seized in the Hay River Hoarding case of May 29, 2010. He escaped the town shelter prior to the order by Town Officials to remove and destroy all of the pups that had been rescued, held and cared for by volunteers at the Municpally owned shelter for 2 1/2 months.
He continues to live on the land, play gently and joyfully with so many family pets, to walk eagerly along with you when you take your own dog for walks and to regularly pay me honored visits……he continues to survive.
Just one of LOKI's many friends
He is a gentle giant, remaining nervous of people, except myself, yet is totally non aggressive…unfortunately he may also fall victim to local Animal Control.
He is smart and weary, cautious and cunning…
HE is a SURVIVOR….and he deserves to LIVE
God Willing and with our relationship growing and the trust building, he will.
LOKI’s story will be told here and updates will be frequent, it is hoped that going Public with his story he may remain safe.
When we look into the eyes of an animal with love and respect we prove our connection to God…and truly show ourselves to be brothers and sisters to Jesus.
What a beautiful tale. You are so lucky. I live on a sizzling Mediterranean island so I can only dream of tales like yours. Enjoy your Loki, he looks so beautiful.
I read your story of Loki in the Hub while visiting Hay River last week. My best wishes go to you and Loki as you grow in your friendship and his trust. Loki is very beautiful and seems oh, so smart. My wish for you is that one day he will let you touch him so he understands loving human touch, not to say that he does not already understand your love for him.
Thank you so much. I will not give up on him. I was out to him again this evening, Aug 30, and it is heavy rain, he looked soggy and forlorn. Loki enjoyed his large warm dinner and stood there solemn with his soup bone in his mouth afterwards. We were in one of his fave spots and as I began to leave, he stood and watched, feeling that he wanted me to stay with him, I did despite the downpour. I am hoping that once his manger type shelter is built and in my backyard that he will choose to use it.