Sunday, December 12, 2010

Boomer of the Vermilon River-Post to Pet Pride.


He's in the masthead too. Boom is my companion, friend and co-publisher of the blog. He's an Alaskan Malamute, a very different type of dog in that they're pack oriented, not territorial as most dogs are. That likely comes from years and of selective breeding in a hostile environment. They pulled the sleds when the Inuit hunters went out on the ice floes to hunt seal. They are ice dogs and will not cross unsafe ice and in fact will turn a sled automatically. They are fastidious about their coats and tails, and share wolf traits other than the pack. Males will raise pups like an uncle wolf, they are devoted to the pack which includes their human, and human's children.They're not for the non-active, because they'll pull your sled, pull you on skis, or in line skates. But don't get one if you can't take shedding or just want to chain one up out back, because they crave human contact.
Boom was a rescue dog. He had been bought by a couple who divorced and gave him to their parents who chained him out back. He was picked up by the SPCA,where the breeder reclaimed him. She could not put him back in the kennel because he would have had to fight his way through the pack to earn a spot. A responsible breeder she had other dogs like him, and kept them to-gether. I had lost a dog and she wanted to give me one, and I ended up with Boom. He was about 14 months old. Shortly after I had a terrible accident and broke my hip, shoulder, and almost my jaw. In short Boom's lifestyle was in danger again.A friend took him and trained him to the haltie leash which Boomer took to, and Boomer began to work with me after a brief discussion he and I had. In short Boomer learned to walk according to my needs and to this day, if he spots wheelchairs or canes he becomes incrediblely gentle. Now we're both retired and he loves it.
So if you can get one read up on them to see if they fit your lifestyle and you theirs.
 

36 comments:

  1. What an amazing and beautiful dog!

    Herding Cats


    http://seathreepeeo.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  2. What a beautiful dog and a very special story. The two of you must be very close.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Thanks Julian. Boom is the first dog that I'm around all the time because I'm retired and it's really different from squeezing a little time in. Boom & Gary.

    ReplyDelete
  4. To Paw Relations:His personality matches his looks. Thanks for the visit.

    ReplyDelete
  5. A paean to Boomer! What a touching portrait of Boomer, and he is so handsome, too!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Oh,
    questo cane รจ magnifico ed ha uno sguardo molto dolce e pensieroso !
    Grazie della visita :)
    Buona serata.
    Myriam

    ReplyDelete
  7. Hi Hilke: To the breed and Boomer. They're not known for walking etc. but they want to work and help so you can get them to do anything within reason I think. Boom & Gary.

    ReplyDelete
  8. To Rosadimaggio63: Thanks for the visit and kind comments. Gary & Boom.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Boom is beautiful! And we can see the gentleness in his eyes!

    ReplyDelete
  10. To The Chair: Compliments for Boom all the way from Malaysia. Thank you and look after those cats. Boom & Gary.

    ReplyDelete
  11. What a beautiful dog and such a great story. I saw two of these dogs chained up outside a supermarket the other day patiently waiting for their owner, they were gorgeous.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Beautiful dog and a beautiful story. Thanks for sharing, I know you must be so close!

    Sylvia

    ReplyDelete
  13. To Barb:The transcontental train passes through here and Boom literally pulls people off the train, especially Europeans. A women from the UK told me that she had seen Malamutes at the dog show in Charring Cross. They have made a comeback all over the world as have other husky breeds. I heard an Inuit elder on a radio show recently say that one of their mistakes was taking on the snowmobile and getting rid of the dogs because they lost touch with the land. Susan Conant in her WHODUNITS features Rory and a female,both malamutes, in her novels.Another great true story is Oskar a greenlander husky of the Antartic Australian expeditions ( no sad endings). Thanks for the visit Boom & Gary.

    ReplyDelete
  14. To Sylvia: We are close as he's a great companion. Thanks for the visit. Boom & Gary.

    ReplyDelete
  15. hey guys!! so good to cya!!


    Woof woof
    from Bozo
    Pet Pride

    ReplyDelete
  16. What a handsome companion. Thanks for sharing the story Gary.

    ReplyDelete
  17. To Magiceye: Thanks for the visit. And hello to Bozo. From Boom & Gary.

    ReplyDelete
  18. To Early Birder: Thanks for the kind words and visit. Boom & Gary.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Thanks for the books info, will go check them out.

    ReplyDelete
  20. Hey Gary,
    The thought of you and Boom out there on your photographic forays into Northern Ontario is heart warming! I join you in honoring your wonderful dogs contribution to your life and your great photoblog!

    ReplyDelete
  21. Not today, it isn't at all heart warming we just returned from a short walk in the blizzard we're having. 10-20 cm of snow, storm warning, wind chill temp -25C (about -10F). No birds or animals all just hiding out until its over. Exactly what we're going to do. Boom & Gary.

    ReplyDelete
  22. Gary, Boomer is one handsome dog, and the best companion anyone could have.
    A lovely story.

    ReplyDelete
  23. Thanks Keith. Boom & I appreciate your visit and kind words.

    ReplyDelete
  24. Beautiful dog and beautiful story, the human animal bond is special.

    ReplyDelete
  25. Rescue dogs are the best! Glad to hear the two of you enjoy each others company, dogs are the best gift one and give oneself.

    ReplyDelete
  26. Some nice shots, I enjoyed going through your blog. I rescued some pups that were from a malamut male and full size poodle female, and the poodle owner was going to destroy. The one male had wavy hair, and looked like his dad. The 4 females had black straight hair and appeared almost like a sheep dog. I found homes for all, but had the male the longest, and he could get in trouble easy.

    ReplyDelete
  27. I loved Boomer at first sight and just knew there was a great story behind your relationship. Thanks for sharing it. Hugs to you both!:)

    ReplyDelete
  28. Hi Jean: Consider the hugs sent.

    ReplyDelete
  29. Out On The Praire: Thanks for the visit and rescueing the Malamutes. Boom & Gary.

    ReplyDelete
  30. Hi Trish: Thanks for the visit and sentiment.

    ReplyDelete
  31. To IGW. Thanks again for the visit and great comments.

    ReplyDelete
  32. Just beautiful! The expression in his eyes is so kindly and it's so good the two of you can spend each day together.

    ReplyDelete
  33. Thanks Jabblog. Boom is a pretty laid back guy and includes in his pack small dogs and of all things cats, and he will look after them.

    ReplyDelete
  34. Like Jean..... after reading along for awhile....I knew there had to be a story behind Boomer...... and you......... how wonderful it is....

    ReplyDelete
  35. Had to search your blog for Boomer's story. how wonderful that you found each other! He is a beautiful dog!

    ReplyDelete