I wanted to write about a certain special mutt here in the Arctic. Meet Raven, the 5 month old husky+black lab pup! This dog came into my life unexpectedly, but she's made the second half of my Alaskan adventure even more enjoyable.
Raven was found by one of my roommates one weeknight evening. She was alone, dirty, tiny, and starving. She also accidentally wandered into the middle of a yard of sled dogs—and they were not happy. Barking and protecting their turf, they tried to chase baby Raven away with nips and growls. Panicking, Raven ran straight to my roommate and cowered in her legs.
After a bath and some food, the pup slept for hours. At the time, I doubt my roommate knew what to do—she wasn't sure if she wanted a dog, let alone a random puppy she found in this new town. How would she take care of her? How would she travel with her, if she had to?
In the end, things fell into place and this pup was welcomed. She went without a name for a week or so, but her deep black fur and curious nature led to Raven, like the intelligent, huge, iridescent birds that live here year-round. Can you believe that? Ravens are one of the few birds that have learned to live in the freezing and food-scarce winter. We're not sure how old she is, but we think 5 months is a good guess. She's still teething and figuring out how to play gently, but she's already grown so fast. I'm shocked by how small she was when she first arrived!
Unfortunately, dogs in this rural community can be challenging to manage. After speaking with some friends and acquaintances, finding a puppy alone in Kotzebue is not completely uncommon. There's no vet here, just vet clinics that visit a couple times a year and an experienced vet tech who can offer basic vaccinations and some advice in emergencies. It's not easy to think about, but it's real. I don't know if Raven is considered a rescue, or what, but she's adorable, friendly, and very happy to be here. I love dogs, so I’m happy that I can share my time, space, and love with such an energetic, excited pup.