And Then There Was One

Hey all. I know it's been a good few months since our last post (October -- whooo) and I thought it might be nice to take a minute to apologize for that. 

Forgive us?

And also, to explain why we fell off the face of the earth for a while. 

Those of you who know me via other social media sites (DogForum, Tumblr, and Facebook are my other main networks) know that I'm in the foster care system, and that I've been living with a foster parent for the last few years. Her attitude toward me was less than desirable, but we'll not get into that now. We've steadily clashed on a number of things since I moved in, and a few months ago, those tensions reached an all-time high. I interfered in something I probably shouldn't have, got pissed off when she disregarded what I had to say  (which is an ongoing issue) and the night ended with her promising to give seven-day notice on me. 

For anyone not familiar with the foster system, this meant I had seven days to find somewhere for the dogs, find somewhere for myself, pack, and be out of the house. Seven days is not a lot of time, as anyone who's ever been evicted from a house could tell you, and when you have two dogs, it's even less time. I spent a week frantically calling rescues, local pet funds, dog sitters whose ads I'd picked off bulletin boards, friends, acquaintances, and anyone else who might be able to help. Within a couple days I had somewhere for Ghost to stay; he went to hang out with a family I had house- and dog-sat for over summer (featured in our "Catch Up - Dog Sitting!" post). I know the family well, and they adore their two existing dogs. The only concern was how the dogs would get along, but they quickly took to each other.

Throwback photo of Madi and Diesel, the family's existing dogs, from when we dog-sat over summer. Look, there's me!

I had somewhere for myself, too. My choir director had offered to let me stay with her for a while until I could get on my feet again. However, her rules were no dogs (allergies, landlord) and I wouldn't expect anyone to take me and one of my dogs into their home. 

That left me with Grem. Finding a temporary placement for a well-behaved, trained puppy is one thing. Finding a temporary placement for a fearful, reactive five-year-old dog is another thing entirely. We met with a woman who works for the social system who had mentioned possibly being able to take him for a while, and Grem and her existing dog got along great. But I had no solid answer.

Still not sure why nobody volunteered to foster me immediately. I mean, I'm adorable, right?

I was out a day early for ridiculous reasons and luckily, the foster system paid for a dog-friendly hotel for a few nights. I arranged for Ghost to go with his fosters that Sunday, along with all his belongings, and continued to frantically search out places and people who might take Grem. I called up a local group who's known for funding care and vet visits for impoverished pet owners, and through luck and the miracle of people, the group approved a request to fund two weeks of boarding for Grem. That would give me a bit of extra time to get something together for him, and might be just enough time. 

Sunday morning, the woman who we had previously met with (Mary) called to offer to take Grem. She had taken stock of her situation and would be happy to help. He went to her Sunday afternoon, and then I went with a social worker to pack up the very last of my items. That was a very crowded hotel room for a night.

This was my bestie at Mary's house. His name is Bear.

Fast forward three months. Ghost was officially rehomed two months ago. After being turned down from one house and finding nothing else, I realized it would be hard enough finding a place. I'm eighteen with no credit, no references, and still in high school...and I have a dog. Not the best odds for house-hunting. The family watching Ghost texted me after having him for a month. After a discussion between the whole family, they decided that they'd love to keep him permanently. The mother texted me to ask if I'd be willing to rehome Ghost to them. I already knew the answer was "yes" and the emotional response was to that definitive answer. 

With only one dog, it became slightly easier to find housing... but not easy enough. I had been looking for a place with a friend who would be happy to split rent with me, but between the two of us (both working barely-adults with pets, my dog and her cat) we still didn't have enough money to find something.

Two weeks ago, my choir director's husband put me in contact with a man he knew who rented out rooms in his house, and a week later, I moved it. I had a full week to myself before Grem came home, and now that he is home, we've been trying to get back to where we were. His cues are shot, his reactivity is back tenfold, and he's a bundle of nerves. It feels like all my hard work was for nothing. But I have him back, and that's what matters.

Home at last with Mom. What an ordeal.

Admire from Afar!

I know, I know -- I'm adorable.

Oh boy. Here we go.

Ignore her. She's rude. As I was saying, I know I'm adorable. And so are a ton of other doggies! Like some of our DF buddies (DogForum.com... if you've never checked it out, I highly recommend doing so. Lots of dogs. And lots of resources!). We know we're super-cute, and we know we're awesome. We just prefer that you know that we're awesome from a distance!

I know, I know -- "What dog doesn't love being mauled with attention?!" And, for the most part, you're right. Your average taken-everywhere, super-socialized, straight-A-puppy-kindergarten Labrador pooch is going to love everybody; big, small, tall, short, cane, hat, glasses, whatever! But just because a lot of dogs really, really love attention, it doesn't mean that all dogs do.

I'm a cute pooch. I know it, Mom knows it, the screeching children down the street know it. 

Look at me. I'm adorable.

Come on, who wouldn't want to give me scritches and love on me? 

Unfortunately, the honest-to-Dog truth is this: I really don't want everyone to love on me. I love attention, don't get me wrong. Whenever we run into someone I know, you can bet I'll be all over them! (paws first trying to give hugs, too! ... Mom doesn't really appreciate that.) But to random people on the street? Hell no! If I don't know you, I don't want you to touch me. I think that's pretty reasonable.

Honestly, he's got a point here. I'd be a little creeped out if some random stranger tried to hug me. 

It's the same thing for me. Most of you non-furry, upright-walking types would be pretty weirded out if a random person ruffled your hair or ran up to you screaming about how cute you are, right? It's the same thing for me!

A lot of dogs are like this, and a lot, like me, don't look actively disturbed by strangers until you start coming at us with grabby hands. 

On top of all this, I'm actually really scared of people. Once I warm up to someone I'm their best buddy forever (and it happens quicker if you have food... mmm... food...) but it takes a while. For me, looking at me, talking to me, looming over me, and trying to touch me all send off a red-alert danger siren that "OMG! YOU'RE TRYING TO KILL ME!" 

If you really want to say hello, that's okay... but ask Mom first, and be prepared to follow instructions! If you don't wanna follow directions, we understand --and we're fine with it!-- but that means you have to just walk away. Please don't give me any attention without Mom's permission, because she knows me a lot better than you do, and she knows what pushes my buttons.

Make sure to always ask the human holding the leash if you can say hello, and please, please be okay with it if they decline. When Grem and I are out walking, we're working. He's reactive, meaning he barks and puts on a lot of fake bluster to scare people off -- he's gotten much, much better, but every time someone looms or sticks their hands in his face, it's a setback. 

If someone asks you to respect their dog's space, listen! Grem wouldn't bite, but someone else's dog might, and it'd be your fault for not listening to the person who said, "Thanks, but not today."

Be considerate of dogs who need space -- they aren't bad, they just need things to be a little different for them.

The Big Bad Wolf-Dog Problem

Today's post is a bit different from the usual. Don't worry, it still relates to dogs. And dog behavior. Sort of.

I never felt confident enough to speak on this matter before, but having now owned a dog who is frequently mislabeled as a "wolfdog," I feel that I can put out a message to others. 

What is this matter, you ask?

Misrepresentation.

I don't mean accidentally mistaking one thing for something else. I mean the deliberate, systematic mislabeling of a dog as a wolf. It happens a lot. It happens to me a lot. And misrepresentation is a thing that kills many, many Nordic breed --and GSD-- mixes each year. It probably kills many that simply have upright ears, just because someone thought having a wolfdog made them "cool."

In no particular order, these are some of the biggest contributors to wolfdog misrepresentation:

1. The media using wolfy-looking, full-bred dogs to act the part of wolves.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with this, aside from the fact that it is never stated that the dogs in question are, in fact, dogs, and that wolves do not make good pets whatsoever. Dogs acting as wolves is great -- they're easier to train, more social, and less likely to be a bite risk and, therefore, less liability.

But the media never mentions that their wolves are not wolves. Misrepresentation is simply allowed to happen and run free, with nothing done to keep it in check.

Take the "dire wolves" in Game of Thrones, for example.

This is Zunni... or, as she's better known, Lady. Zunni plays a dire wolf character (Lady) on the show Game of Thrones. However, Zunni is no wolf. In fact, she's not even a wolf mix. She is, in fact, simply a Northern Inuit Dog which bears some resemblance to the coloring and coat of a wolf. 

From Mahlek Kennels

The other five "dire wolves" are also Northern Inuit dogs.

Nymeria

Ghost (Ghost's namesake! See the resemblance? ;)

Grey Wind

Shaggydog

Summer

If you look, and know what you're looking for, it's very easy to tell that none of these dogs are wolves. The ears are too large, the markings are off, the paws are too small, the fur is wrong, the muzzles are too thick, and the stop is too pronounced. They also do not have the signature "mane" of fur that true wolves and high-content wolfdogs have. There are no good, up close photos of feet, but I'm sure some, at least, have white nails.

However, unless you do a deliberate search for the wolves' actors, there is no disclaimer that these aren't actual wolves. As obvious as it may be to some people that wolves aren't actually acting as themselves, many people are led to believe that's the case inadvertently.

2. People don't know what a wolf looks like.
This one may seem hard to believe, but a lot of people don't actually seem to know what a wolf, or a wolf-dog, really looks like. Because of how often we see them in media, many people are desensitized to the "wolf" traits that are actually just dog traits. This is why real wolves seem so much more exotic -- we just aren't used to seeing them.

If you mentioned in passing that the Game of Thrones direwolf actors are wolf hybrids, it's likely that nobody would bat an eye and would instead nod complacently. But if you told them, instead, that the "direwolves" were 100% dog, you may get a few odd looks. Their ears are upright, they're wolfy colors, they have yellow or brown eyes... what do you mean those aren't wolfdogs?

Wolf on left, Siberian Husky on right. Note the small, rounded, well-furred ears, wedge-shaped face, and lack of "mask" on the wolf. Also note that the colors are blended, in contrast to the Husky's sharply defined markings. Husky has blue eyes, which is biologically impossible for wolves and high-content wolfdogs.

Ignoring me and my mother, meet Rosie. Rosie was a dog my mom had when I was about two, and for as long as I can remember, she swore up and down that Rosie was a "Akita/Wolf" mix.

Hmm... sure looks an awful lot like this German Shepherd/Lab mix...

Photo not mine. Random Google result for "Lab/German Shepherd mix."

3. Backyard Breeders looking to make money will deliberately advertise all-dog mixes as "wolfdogs", hoping to make a profit.
There's some strange allure to the concept of owning or keeping a wild animal as a pet. I think it's an ego thing -- "Only I can contain this beast because it has chosen me as its trusted confidant and friend." Humans are big on ego-boosters and status-symbols, and what better for that than the wild relative of our own domesticated buddies? Sadly, many backyard breeders jump on the opportunity to make a profit or seem "cool" for selling these "wild" animals, when in reality, they're just Nordic-mix dogs. Every ad I've every seen for a wolfdog was actually just a mix of Husky, German Shepherd, Malamute, and sometimes Akita.

One Example: "Wolf Dog" Pups being sold for $700

I believe this is the "85% Artic (yes, Artic, not Arctic)-Timber 15% German Shepherd" the ad talks about. Pups between him and the "50% Timber Wolf 50% Belgium (not Belgian) Shepherd" are being sold at $700 with a $200 pup deposit. For mutts? Ouch. I could find that at a shelter for $150.

4. Owners don't want to lose face by admitting that their "wolf hybrid" is actually a dog.
I've never met a "wolf dog" owner who didn't prickle and puff up when told that their dog was, in fact, a dog. I also haven't met many who don't believe their "wolf hybrid" is somehow superior to any domestic dog. It gives some sort of serious ego-boost. Anyone who's owned or worked with true wolfdogs, even low-contents, can tell you that they're no walk in the park, most of them suck, they don't listen, and you'll constantly be repairing torn-up things. 

So why does misrepresentation hurt other animals?
In a nutshell? People get complacent about animals that are very much wild. Your average Joe is not the slightest bit equipped to care for a cunning, swift-thinking, independent, stubborn canine Houdini who cowers and flees from strangers. The brain of Einstein and Houdini combined into one produces the equivalent of Cujo in an inexperienced owners' hands... and really, how many people do you know could handle a wolf mix? These are intelligent, prey-driven, instinctual, I-don't-give-a-shit-what-you-want Houdini escape artists. 

But when someone claims that their bonefide Shepherd-Husky mix is "50% wolfdog", and it's a friendly, well-socialized, eager-to-please dog, you run into problems. People think that all real wolfdogs behave just like the "wolfdog" they met on the street, and suddenly you've got a boom in backyard-bred dogs that look like they could sort of resemble wolves, if you squint.

On the off chance that someone find a legit wolfdog breeder and buys a pup, they quickly realize they're in way over their head, and the dog is dumped in a sanctuary, at best, and at worst, euthanized. All because somebody didn't know what a real wolf looks like and thought they could handle something they couldn't.

It would be like me, an eighteen-year-old high school student juggling work and two dogs, went out and bought a working-line Belgian Malinios. I'd have a ticking time bomb on my hands. And that is what most of the real wolf dogs turn into.

The ones who don't buy actual wolfdogs, and get what the only think is a wolfdog, contribute to the misrepresentation of wolfdogs as easygoing, sociable family pets, when nothing could be further from the truth.

It backfires the opposite direction, too. Because of the misconception of what a wolfdog looks like (when it's really just a Nordic breed) Nordic breeds mistaken as wolves are killed.

That's right. Innocent dogs are killed, because people mistakenly call their own all-dog mixes "wolfdogs." Police and hunters alike can't tell the difference, because the "wolfdog" discrepancy is everywhere.

So whenever someone asks me if Ghost is a wolfdog, my immediate response is "no." I don't own a wolfdog. I don't pretend to. I wouldn't be able to handle one, I don't have the space or money, and I don't want to contribute to the misrepresentation of wolfdogs.

And part of the reason is this: what if it were my dog who had been shot? What if someone mistook Ghost, in his all-white, short-furred, bat-ears, small-pawed glory, as a wolf, and shot him?

What good would all my boasting do then?

The all-dog, supermutt, German Shepherd/Lab/Pit/Border Collie mix, Ghost. Affectionately nicknamed Batdog for those crazy ears. 

Ghost asks you to please take a few minutes to really look and scrutinize what you think a "wolfdog" is. Because chances are, you're just looking at a good ol' domestic-dog mutt.

Black & White Sunday - The Nose Knows

In this case, the nose knows pathetic puppy eyes will get him a treat.

Black & White Sunday - Faux Adoration

He'll love anyone for a biscuit.

Black & White Sunday - Wood Sprite

Among the woods of Johnson's Park; Grem must've seen something of interest.

Black & White Sunday