Links
The Story of Links:
Our family adopted Links on June 27th, 2009, when he was approximately one year old. While the details of Link’s life in his first year are not known, what is known paints a very difficult picture.
Links arrived at Canmore Veterinary Hospital approximately two months before we adopted him. He had been hit by a car out in Kananaskis, near the golf courses (hence his name, “Links,” after a type of golf course), and some big-hearted people drove him back to Canmore so that he could undergo emergency surgery. During the surgery and subsequent examinations, Links was found to have several BB shots embedded in his skin, along his left front leg and left flank. They were old wounds and the skin had grown over them. Someone had evidently used Links for target practice. The care that he received at the vet clinic is why even today, Links gets excited every time we have to make a visit to the clinic.
When we first met Links, he was listed under the “Special Adoption” section, as having “little or no human contact.” The hair was still growing in on Links’ leg and flank. Despite the lack of contact with people, Links was very friendly, and when we took him out back of the Bow Valley SPCA, he just loved to run.
After we brought Links home, he did display some “quirky” but understandable tendencies. He did not like enclosed places or rooms: he didn’t come into a bedroom for almost a year. He did not like to walk or stand on the linoleum tile in the kitchen. He also demonstrated a fear of crossing roads. He also does not enjoy being out in the rain, and does not like getting his feet wet in puddles, but strangely he enjoys going into streams or ponds to get a drink of water. Links has worked past many of his early challenges, but still does not like the rain or getting his feet wet.
Now that Links has found his “forever” home, his life is much different. Whenever someone heads out for a jog, Links is right there, ready to lead the way. He is an avid hiker and carries his own pack, with doggie snacks and water. This makes him a source of much admiration on the trail by other hikers. We have nicknamed Links the “peak bagger,” because he enjoys going uphill and always expresses a look of disappointment when we head back down. Links enjoys camping and has been to many campgrounds around Alberta and British Columbia. He has also camped in the backcountry, once at Floe Lake and once at Hermit Meadows. When we purchased our backcountry tent, we had to make sure that there was room for the two people, plus Links and his sleeping pad, which he carries on his pack.
Links has an excellent and friendly demeanour. He greets every dog and person he meets as if they are his best friend. Links enjoys playing tug of war, he has a small rope for when we go for a walk, but his preferred toy is any stick that he can find.
Links’ daytime routine is usually chasing the warm patches of sun to lie in, in between his two meals, breakfast and dinner, and don’t be late feeding him dinner, as he has an excellent internal clock.
We all feel very blessed to have found Links and made him a member of our family.