Makita's long journey home

A majestic malemute/husky was often seen laying along Highway 1 West when I was enroute to work at Red Lake. She looked like she was just resting there. I often wondered about her.

A few months passed and in March, 2010, I got a phone call from Kristy who lived in the neighborhood. She said she had a dog to bring to the shelter. She said the dog had been hit by a car some time ago, and that she had been feeding her. I agreed to take her and they brought her to the shelter. I immediately recognized her as the dog I had seen laying alongside the road, and all this time the poor girl had been injured.

I called her Makita and soon she became one of my favorites. Makita had her kennel with the door open. She would go out to relieve herself and would eagerly go back to her space where she always had food, water, and straw to bed herself in. She walked with a slight limp.

Makita was spayed, vaccinated and heartworm tested. We discovered she had heartworm, so she was treated for that as well. She spent four months at the Red Lake Rosie's Rescue.

Tricounty Humane Society agreed to take her. It was discovered there that she would need leg surgery for TPLO. The orthopedic surgeon would do the surgery and we would pay for it. However, on further X-rays, it was discovered she had a broken femur and also a broken pelvis. The surgery was postponed and it was recommended that she have an amputation sometime in the future, however, she was still using the leg and the vet felt it should not be amputated now.

RLRR adopted her back as we did not think that she was very adoptable with her orthopedic issues. Makita spent three more months at the RLRR shelter and loved her kennel and was nestled in the straw once again. It was good to have her back, but our hopes dwindled for her forever home.

Then, in Dec, 2010, Terresa found a place for her. Makita left for a foster-to-adopt home with Hercules, a male dog of her breed.

MAKITA'S FOSTER FAMILY REPORTS:
It seems like Makita has been with us a long time – I was startled to look at the calendar and see it is only been 2 weeks!

Her new sleeping place at night is on the carpet at the foot of our bed. She moves around to her kennel, our bedroom and basically the entire lower level. Just enjoying the freedom and movement I think. She has found cool or comforting spots she enjoys so just moves as the spirit or need moves her.

Makita and Hercules have taken to lying within three feet of each other on the entry area of the family room after supper. Looks like people do after Thanksgiving dinner, just sitting back after enjoying the meal and the company, but instead of falling asleep on the couch they are sprawled out on the floor. Really laughed the first time we noticed it!

We had dog visitors over again yesterday. Makita met them when she first came to our house. Makita was interested in them but wasn’t bothered by any of them and wasn’t interested in play on their first visit. When they came yesterday, we did the meeting thing for dogs and Makita immediately declared territory. Since she was barking and upset I took her back inside.

She didn’t like that so after a few minutes when she was calm and asked, I took her out again. Hercules had been playing with his friends but when she came out, he went to her and talked. She was able to meet one of the dogs (male). She wasn’t happy but she wasn’t upset either. Then she wanted in and I took her in. She asked to go out again, so out we went and she met the other dog (female). That was more interesting. She tolerated being sniffed, and she sniffed back a little. You could just hear Makita think “mmmm that isn’t as ok” but I might like her. When both dogs were satisfied (slight talking between them) Makita wanted back in. So in she went. She was satisfied to be in the rest of their playtime with Hercules. When they left, out she went and investigated the yard.

It has been very interesting watching Hercules guide and be protective of her. I think it has been established that he is the resident dog. He told her those dogs were his friends and they were playing. He watched when she came out and made it clear his friends could meet her, but he was there so nothing would happen to her. All of the dogs understood that. When Makita is out by herself she does her business then goes back to the door looking for Hercules. Making it clear she wants him out too.

She reminds us regularly how accepting, adaptable and tough she is and that she knows we are too. Gotta Love her - Go Makita! ;)

Gus & Gang

In spite of the uncertainty of her orthopedic future, Makita's family wants to adopt her:

"We still want to adopt Makita. It is love all the way around! We will face the surgery when it is necessary, just like any family does."

So- Makita finally made it home.

Karen