Now, if you were to look out your patio door, and saw this image…..would you panic? Likely some of you would. Especially when it is in mid evening and you don’t expect to see a pair of eyes glinting at you.
On this particular evening, Loki along with Sarg gifted me with their presence. Both arrived together, and this picture was taken through the patio door of them on my deck.
Of course, time was needed to clothe myself warmly before I would spend time outside with them. Sno-suit, boots, hat, gloves and of course a plate of food and a pocketful of treats is all a mandatory requirement on such an occasion.
Having seen me get dressed, Loki waited patiently at the bottom of the steps of my deck..
That beautiful face covered in frost from the cold night air.
Visits like this are welcome, so very much so. Often I must go out to look for him in the evenings. Calling his name and using our special whistle code that let’s him know it is me and that it is safe. Loki continues to spook at the sound of unknown vehicles, headlights, sounds and strangers to him. Having him come to my property is the ideal situation, here he knows he is safe and will be undisturbed to enjoy his meals and our quiet time together. Often times we will spend up to an hour together, no matter the frigid temperature or weather conditions. He laying silently and close to me, speaking with his eyes and little throaty expressions or whimpers.
Just as he is seen here on my property, Loki can sometimes be seen, lounging quietly in the driveways of some of my neighbors. He watches passively the comings and goings of passerbys, and often plays with neighbor dogs, seeking out their company. I can never be sure which buddy of his will accompany him to my home.
This beautiful, gentle and unassuming boy remains a target of the Town’s By-Law Officer. Thus far Loki has eluded capture. His fate if captured is questionable. I continue to wait for a response to a registered letter and signed deposition of many neighbors concerning Loki and his gentle disposition and how we all care for him, that I know was received by the Town’s Senior Administrative Officer in November 2011; and being witness to the numerous times the By-Law Officer will cruise past my home and up and down my street (often 3-4 times within a 15 minute period some days)….due diligence to keep Loki safe, fed and cared for is this writers ongoing priority.
This is our second winter together, and God willing we will get through it together.
Look into the eyes of a gentle spirit….
and feel Blessed.
He is so beautiful. It’s so mean that they want to catch him when he’s doing no harm.
Yes he is beautiful and he does no harm to anyone or anything. Loki’s beginnings were nothing but hardship, one of 23 pups seized in a hoarding case involving 109 dogs. He escaped the shelter where the pups were taken prior to the other 22 being slaughtered 2 1/2 months later. He remains feral and I’ve been working with him since October 2010. He has never known the gentle touch of a human hand, but he and I share a mutual trust and bond that has taken time to grow. He will bump me, and take treats from my hand now, a big step for him, yet he still will not allow me to touch him. We often lay together close on the ground or in the snow. He has never shown any aggression to myself, anyone else or other dogs that I have witnessed. So close that I will feel his breath on my face….he is a gentle spirit and I am privileged and very blessed to be on this journey with him.