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.