Dog of the Month: September 2016
We’re loving our Dog of the Month program and hope you are too. Here’s how it works: Each staff member provides a nomination for the distinguished honor, and then we vote. The highest vote wins! Any pup who visits us during the prior month is eligible. Our September 2016 winner used to be a famous rock ’n’ roll singer but he is now two US states. Say what?
Dakota
In December 2008, Debbie Carlsen found herself in a rather sad state, and she had no idea that a Rottweiler-Chow mix would be the one to rescue her.
“Dakota is my miracle dog!” Debbie says. “I had just lost my previous dog, and I had parted ways with my partner. I missed my dog so much, and I wanted to get another dog just like her—a standard poodle.” Debbie was looking on a variety of rescue dog sites when she came across a picture of a dog named Elvis. “He looked vicious and aggressive, but the ad said that he had only one day to live, and he needed to be adopted to save his life.”
At the time, Debbie knew nothing about Rottweilers, nor had she ever wanted one. “But I couldn’t let a dog die just because it didn’t fit my ideal scenario,” she says. The rescue organization, based in Eastern Washington, met Debbie at Marymoor Park with then-Elvis. “He was emaciated, shell-shocked, and scared,” Debbie remembers. “We were both at a time in our lives where we were licking our wounds.”
The first thing Debbie did was change his name, because she really didn’t think that Elvis was a good fit. She wanted a name that was different, and she liked the sound of Dakota, which seemed to fit him.
“Over the next several months, Dakota gained weight, adjusted to city living, learned how to ride in an elevator, and gained back his equilibrium,” Debbie says. “And with his kind eyes and gentle spirit, Dakota brought me back to my equilibrium too. He is a healer, and I am so grateful to have him in my life!”
Debbie describes Dakota as very mellow, cuddly, smart, resilient, active, and patient. He also has a flair for the theater—at least the costume department, anyway. Over the years, Dakota has let Debbie dress him in a variety of costumes, and he seems to enjoy it. “Dakota has let me dress him up in everything from Valentine’s Day to Christmas costumes,” she says. “But just like me, his favorite season his Halloween costumes.”
Dakota’s other favorite things include walks (he gets two or three every day) and driving in the car. “Dakota plops himself in the middle of the backseat and actively takes in the sights all around him,” Debbie says. “He’s a traveler by nature and loves to go on walks in strange places after a long car ride.” And Dakota isn’t focused on one food in particular; he loves all food. “In fact, every time he’s about to be fed, even though it’s the same dog food as yesterday, he makes the cutest puppy face and does a jumpy dance.”
Dakota is almost 15 years old, and he was at Rainier Veterinary Hospital for a splenectomy. Debbie is thrilled to report that he is recovering very well—still loves to travel, go on several walks a day, and, of course, eat. “I am so grateful every single day that I have Dakota in my life and as part of my family,” Debbie says.
And we’re grateful to have both of you in the Rainier Vet family!
