Matron Of The Dogpak
Elkhound/Husky mix
Photo by David Jensen
Copyright Alaska Pet-ography 1998
All Rights Reserved
Used with permission

My daughter, Emilee, was riding her horse, Jake, along the Trans-Alaska Pipeline right-of-way one summer day in 1988, when a scrawny black and white dog started following her on the way home. Try as she might, Emilee could not shoo that dog off. It followed her right into the yard and ran gleefully up to me and my airedale, Lady. Lady was defensive at first, holding her at bay as a rural guard dog should.

The stray displayed a young dog's body language, and being hardly more than a pup herself, Lady soon was playing with this stranger. After all, there not many stray dogs in this rural area and not many chances to play came along. The other pack members were too old to want to play much.

I tried calling the dog with many names and "Missy" made her spin around and put one ear up in recognition of that name. From that day on she would be Missy to us. Emilee and I tried to locate her owner by posting pictures of her in all the laundry facilities, Post Offices, and country stores from Valdez to Glennallen to Slana. That covered an area larger than Rode Island! Nobody claimed her.



Photo by David Jensen
Copyright Alaska Pet-ography 1998
All Rights Reserved
Used with permission

She had apparently recently had a litter since her teats were full of milk. Emilee searched for a week and a half, with Missy along, miles from the house in all directions, but never located the pups. She was also quite obviously underfed. She enjoyed getting regular meals and ate as though she had been starved for a while.

After two months, nobody had claimed her. We all got very attached to Missy, especially her perpetually smiling face. Missy was always happy and very sociable with other people and dogs. She and Lady were inseparable. They would go out in the yard and chase bunnies and play with Jake the horse for hours on end. She never attempted to leave our company. Missy had found a new home!


When we adopted Jason in 1989, Missy took over the role of surrogate mother cleaning him up when he was dirty and acting very protective of him. She did the same when our Silky Terriers, Bud, then Amy when she came to stay with us, even after being spayed for nearly six years.

Not knowing her true genetic heritage, I assumed by her markings and physical traits that she is an Elkhound/Husky mix. She has a thick undercoat that makes it all but impossible to see her skin, almost hollow guard hair, and incredibly soft to the touch. She prefers to be outdoors no matter how cold or wet, and has a sharp eye for big game like an Elkhound. She is prone to shed beginning January 1st and continue through December 31st of each year!



Missy & Amy
Photo by David Jensen
Copyright Alaska Pet-ography 1998
All Rights Reserved
Used with permission



Missy is an inspiration for me. I can always depend on her to look after Amy when I am forced to put the pack in a boarding kennel for my winter time medical trips. When we adopted Ziggy this spring, she once again took on the role of matron to comfort him on his arrival and introduction to the pack.

Missy always makes my visiting friends feel comfortable with a warm welcome and a sweet disposition. She has an exceptional memory remembering people that have been away for long time.

Missy is a very special girl, God smiled at us when he brought her into our lives.







































This Magic Moment