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I learned from Ginger Corley that Topper, a five year old Chinook male, was in need of a new home and that he had a few "problems" in 1998. My friend encouraged me to adopt an older dog and arrangements were made. On the way to the airport, I picked up dog food and a box of biscuits. What better way to make a new friend than a pocket full of biscuits? The skinny, trembling dog in front of me wanted nothing to do with a dog biscuit. I coaxed him into the back of the pickup cab where he promptly curled into a tight little ball. At this point, I was still not sure if he had a tail or eyes. He never showed me either. After two days, he finally ate his first bowl of food. Forty minutes later, he threw it up.

As time went by, he started to eat more and throw up less. After three weeks, his tail made occasional appearances. As we went about the business of living, I found out more about my new friend. He trembled terribly going through narrow doorways and shivered uncontrollably if he went under overhanging roofs. Three months went by and a Chinook gathering was taking place in Colorado. Much to my delight he politely sniffed and accepted pats but stuck very close to me. Apparently, he liked me after all. A few months later, Topper snarled and protected me when my brother mockingly attacked. He exhibited good judgment without overreacting and I now looked at him in a new light. Topper was, and still is, my guardian. That was the only time he has acted aggressively and the only time it was justified.

We soon dabbled in skijoring, snowshoeing, and backcountry skiing. When I broke my ankle, Topper was at my side the whole time. He prefers to be next to me rather than anywhere else. Summer brings mountain biking, rollerblading and disc golf, which is his favorite as he gets to wander in the woods for hours at his leisure.

It has been over a year since Topper has come into my life. He is no longer afraid of narrow doorways or overhangs. He jumps for joy when I return home from work. He is still skinny but his coat shines and is a pleasure to touch. Now, he's just like the Chinook in the brochure.

(Exerpted from Chinook Quarterly, Volume XI, Number 3, "The Dog in the Brochure" by Kelly Haverals)

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