It’s rare for me to share a story that feels incomplete, but here I am, with a tale only half-told. Normally, I wait until a story has fully formed in my mind before putting pen to page. Yet today, after weeks of hesitating, I find myself here, seeking your help to write the ending.
As I type this, just a few sentences in, my stomach is in knots, and tears threaten to spill. Why is that?
The Fluff.
And so, here’s where the story actually begins:
It was mid-September—an ordinary day, yet I felt unusually joyful. The Chief and I (mostly me, if I’m being honest) were blasting Lizzo, sipping on coffee, and preparing for our day. He set off for his tasks, and I danced into mine, breaking out my best moves as I got Ollie ready for Storytime at the library. We were in our new home in Anchorage, and everything felt especially bright. Leto and Ollie finally seemed to be living in harmony; Leto’s frustration with Ollie’s exuberance had lessened in recent weeks, allowing me to feel more at ease with their interactions.
As I tidied up the dishes, I heard a familiar little growl (a regular occurrence in our home), and I rushed to grab Ollie to give Leto a moment of peace.
I was too slow.
Leto bit Ollie.
To address the most pressing question first: Ollie is okay. He is not traumatized by Leto or dogs, and he healed well.
Now, onto the hardest question: yes, we are seeking to rehome Leto.
Does my stomach churn as I type that? Absolutely.
Do I believe it’s the best choice for everyone involved, even though it feels incredibly difficult?
Yes.
It has been a long time since I’ve avoided the sound of my keyboard and the truth it spills forth. Here’s the truth:
We need your help.
We’re looking for assistance in finding a new home for Leto. Although we have had interested leads, none have been quite right. That’s why I’m reaching out to you. I acknowledge that my earlier descriptions may not evoke the warm, fuzzy feelings typically associated with saying, “I want that dog!” but I would never consider placing him with someone without being completely honest. Outside of this unfortunate incident, Leto has been a fantastic joy in our lives, and there’s so much more to him than what I’ve shared here.
So, here are some highlights about Leto:
The Pros:
– Leto is a complete gem. Everyone who meets him falls in love. The Chief walks him at the park every morning, and both the boys’ and girls’ cross country teams stop mid-run just to take a “Let’s pet Leto!” break—they call to him from a distance. It’s truly the highlight of everyone’s day.
– He’s quiet. Occasionally, he lets out a silly howl, but aside from a few protective barks (“Mom! There’s a bear!”), he remains calm.
– He’s very tidy. He consistently chooses the same spot for his bathroom breaks, be it in our yard or on walks. Malamutes are notoriously tidy.
– He travels well. He simply lays his head down and waits until we’ve reached our destination (and we’ve driven quite a bit with him, even to California and back). He’s chill and doesn’t try to jump in the front seat or bug you.
– He’s hilarious. Leto has a truly unique personality.
– He gets along well with everyone, including older children (except for Ollie!).
– He adores vet visits. His last vet relocated to Hawaii but still sends him Christmas cards every year!
– He’s calm. Even when a barking dog approaches him at the park, he simply carries on walking.
– He skijors (though I can’t vouch for his current skill level after a two-year hiatus due to pregnancy, he previously maintained a nice, steady pace).
– He’s great off-leash. He needs to be leashed when cars are nearby, but he anticipates forks in the road by either waiting or circling back to me.
– Grooming is pretty easy. His thick undercoat means we usually have him groomed, then brush him (which he loves) and clip his nails (which he tolerates) in between appointments.
– He’s a road dog. He’s always ready for an adventure but is perfectly fine staying home and never rummages through the trash or makes messes inside. What can I say? He’s a tidy boy.
– He’s smart and eager to learn new tricks. He’s so quiet that we even taught him to bark on command just to hear it (and he gives a delicate little “woof”).
– He’s very gentle, delicately taking treats from your hand.
– He’s handsome: any time you go outside with him, someone will want to take his picture. A friend jokes that I should make him a dog model to ease our financial burdens (after all, his mama was once a show dog).
The Cons:
– He’s handsome: I list this as a con only if it feels like a burden to you since it brings attention to him when we’re out.
– Being a Malamute, he can be a bit stubborn, but treats quickly change that. I discovered he could jump into the Subaru if I tossed him a tiny piece of Havarti cheese!
– He sheds. As mentioned before, he’s a Malamute, so it’s to be expected. A Roomba can help with clean-up, I hear.
– He’s great on a leash but may pull if he gets startled (I just learned he’s afraid of trains—who would have thought?).
– He doesn’t seem to understand cars, having grown up in an area where cars stop for him. He must be leashed around vehicles.
– He dislikes being humped and has shown aggression towards dogs that persist in this behavior. While no bites have occurred, there’s been growling and teeth-baring from both sides. He’s a dominant dog, and I usually anticipate these encounters and leave the situation before it escalates. This last happened over a year ago.
– If you have a couch, be aware he’ll want to join you on it. This isn’t an issue for us, but it could be for you.
– He loves kids but shouldn’t live with small children, as outlined before.
Stats:
Age: 4 years old (born on Valentine’s Day 2019)
Breed: Malamute
Gender: Male (neutered)
Weight: 85 pounds
Vaccinations: Up to date
Microchipped: Yes
Gets along with other dogs? Yes, but prefers to be solo.
Does well with cats? He’s curious about them. He’s been swiped by a few but hasn’t shown intent to hurt, so a home without cats or with separation options would be ideal.
Leto comes with his bed, travel kennel, and a promise: if it doesn’t work out for any reason, we will gladly take him back.
So, who would be the perfect match for Leto?
Someone who wants to love and indulge him, allowing him to be the baby again. Families with older children or those who don’t plan to have kids are a great fit. Ideally, he would thrive in a home without other pets, where outdoor excursions and cozy couch snuggles are regular delights. We believe finding a family outside of our town would be best; Anchorage is acceptable, but we feel that living in MXY might be challenging for everyone.
Thank you for taking the time to read this and for sharing it with anyone who might be interested. Please reach out if you have any leads.
With much love (and many tears),
from Alaska
P.S. Thank you for allowing me the time to process this and gather my thoughts before sharing. I appreciate you following along with our adventures, both joyful and challenging.
