Bug

Our oldest sled dog, Bug is 13 years old. She was my part-time leader last winter but this winter she is more the keep-the-puppies-in-line dog when we go for walks. I think that she has had a harness on her twice this winter and both times it was pretty clear that she is enjoying her retirement.

Jenn tried to make a house pet of her this summer, but it didn't really work. Bug is a very friendly and obedient dog; she stays around the yard when she is off her chain and comes when she is called and for the most part stays out of trouble. We thought that maybe Hudson would like a buddy, so we put the two of them together, under some trees with a house each and tie-outs close enough to interact with each other. Hudson was indifferent to Bug unless she was in heat and throughout the course of the summer, Bug began to withdraw and become more afraid of things that never bothered her before. She missed the security of the dog yard, I think. We put her back in the yard with the rest of the dogs and within a week, she was Bug again.

We got Bug when we bought our dogs from Brian McDougall. It is a shame that she is as old as she is because I think she was a stellar lead dog in her day. I would have liked to have her in my yard then! I expect that this summer, Jenn will again try to make a pet of Bug but she knows that Bug will have to sleep with the other dogs and only accompany us on our travels or walks. She is still super healthy and can keep up with the puppies on walks so we will still have her around for a while I hope.