The Fan Hitch Volume 3, Number 2, March 2001

Newsletter of the Inuit Sled Dog

Table of Contents

From the Editor

Thanks to our Sponsors
 
Featured Inuit Dog Owner: Tim Socha
 
Nunavut Quest 2001
 
Inuit Dogs in New Hampshire, Part I
 
Uummannaq: A Special Dog Sledge Expedition
 
Remembrances of a Spent Life: "Chimo"
 
Dog News from Iqaluit
 
The Homecoming, Part III
 
Fan Hitch Wins Writing Contest Recognition
 
Product Review: Seeing the Light
 
Media Review: The Last Husky
 
Tip for the Trail: A Do-it Yourself Alcohol Heater
 
IMHO: Looking Forward


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              Editor: Sue Hamilton
              Webmaster: Mark Hamilton
The Fan Hitch Website and Publications of the Inuit Sled Dog– the quarterly Journal (retired in 2018) and PostScript – are dedicated to the aboriginal landrace traditional Inuit Sled Dog as well as related Inuit culture and traditions. 

PostScript is published intermittently as material becomes available. Online access is free at: https://thefanhitch.org  PostScript welcomes your letters, stories, comments and The editorial staff reserves the right to edit submissions used for publication.

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Editor -  In volume 2, number 4, the August 2000 issue of The Fan Hitch,you read about the return of Apijuq to her breeder from an unhappy situation.  There were anxious moments regarding her prospects for survival, but Apijuq did indeed recover, or so it was thought as you read in Part 2 (November 2000) of the Homecoming.  It turned out, however, that the insult to Apijuq's health during the important months of her growing puppyhood were more damaging than first apparent.  It was clear that she could not be restored to the level of a working dog and, in fact, needed a life other than in a large kennel for her emotional and physical well being.  Luck was with little Apijuq for she is now in a loving companion home.  This is her story....


                                                                                                         Corel photo
The Homecoming, Part 3

by Joan Lewin

On a cold, crisp day in Jan/01, a flight from Winnipeg landed at Pearson Airport (Toronto, Canada). Within less than half-hour a little bundle of dark red fur attached to a leash bounded toward me. I was so excited. There was the lovely Inuit Sled Dog who was coming to live with me... as my companion. 

Apijuq, who had been rescued from a bad situation, had in all appearances recovered for her ordeal. However, when the snow came and she began training on the sled, it became obvious that the damage went deeper and she could not do the work. 

Could Apijuq adapt to life other than that of a kennel dog? Inuit Sled Dogs are not pets. They have an inborn desire to work pulling a sled, or a cart, or a bicycle, or someone at the end of a rope. They are tough, don't take no for an answer and because of that strong will, refuse to learn what they don't consider necessary. In other words, they fail Traditional Obedience 101. But put them on the trail, and they score a perfect ten on commands. 

Her breeder and I, were counting on the high intelligence of the breed in the hope that Apijuq would adapt to spending most of her life inside my house as my friend.  It seemed as if Apijuq understood that she could be happy with her new life with me. Don't ask me why or how she knew. But she did and still does. Apijuq is proving it everyday. House trained on the first day, making herself at home as if she had always been meant to live in a house, she is the picture of contentment. 

Apijuq has brought me great happiness and I think in turn I am providing her happiness.  Now retired, I am past the age of running with dogs, but there is room in my heart for an ISD who couldn't make it in the pack. 

Joan Lewin at Goosak.

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