Twin Pups in Desperate Need of Rescue
-by Janet Yeager

June 18, 2005-a plea for help
The story begins with a call to an animal control office in Northern California from a man reporting two puppies hanging out in his back yard. When he attempted to approach the dogs they ran away. Animal control investigated and was able to trap them. They estimated the dogs to be between 6-8 months old, alert and healthy but not socialized with humans. It wasn't long before these two young shy dogs captured the hearts of shelter workers and volunteers. They called them "the twins".

Alan Doyle, an experienced Siberian Husky rescue volunteer, was called in to evaluate the pups. While in the kennel, he observed the dogs cowering in the corner next to each other. They showed no aggression, only fear and kept as close together as possible. When he stepped out the kennel and watched them through a window, they played and behaved like normal, happy, husky puppies.  Alan believed the dogs could be rehabilitated and he was committed to saving them. He knew they would need a very special environment. He hoped to find an experienced foster home that would provide minimal exposure to strangers and maximum exposure to socialized Siberians, where they could gradually learn by example. He knew they would need to stay together during their rehabilitation and perhaps permanently. On June 18, 2005, he sent a plea for help to numerous rescue groups including Siberians Needing Owners. As soon as I heard about the pups I wanted to help. I felt I had the the perfect environment for these dogs but was located some eleven hundred miles north in Washington State (20 miles below the Canadian border). After many unsuccessful attempts to find an appropriate foster home in California, Alan realized that transporting the pups up to me in Washington may be their only hope. How and When was now the biggest challenge Alan and I faced.

See the next installment of this series to find out how the daunting task of bringing these dogs 1,100 miles to their new home was accomplished.