Mike Dillingham - Alaska Dogs and Iditarod Mushers - The Adventures of Balto, Back of the Pack, Honor Bound, Rivers

“We will never know,” Doc answered. “At the time Mike made that decision it was a good one. There is no need to kill or destroy something unless you really have to, and at that time, the wolf was not a threat. Most wolves will not come near a kennel or bother a Husky since we are related. However, this wolf was unusual. Let’s not judge all wolves by the actions of this bad one.” Doc said, “I am very sure that, if Mike knew that wolf would dig into the kennel, he would have shot it back then. But none of us knows what will happen tomorrow, do we?”

The noise in the workshop stopped and I heard Mike walk out of the workshop and Doc told me Mike headed toward the warming shed. Lakota told me he had a medium size box in his hands. I bet it was a coffin for Sandy.

We followed Mike to the warming shed and Lakota described what was happening. The box was a nice wooden box with Sandy’s name on it. Mike fetched Sandy’s blanket from the house and placed it in the box.

Then Mike brushed Sandy’s coat and made it shine. He placed Sandy in the box, wrapping her in her blanket. Mike put in Sandy’s house toys and I heard him drop in a few biscuits in there. “So you do not get hungry on your trip across the Bridge, my Sandy Girl.”

Lakota told me that Mike just stood there looking down at Sandy resting in the coffin. It was very quiet. I heard Christmas walk in and sit down. Soon Mike placed the top on the coffin. He carried it outside and placed it in the basket area of the wheeled sled. Lakota told me that the lines were still hooked to the wheeled sled. I just noticed that I still had my harness on. I guess in all of the excitement and sorrow Randy forgot to take them off us.

Lakota told me that Mike put a harness on Christmas. “Christmas, you will be the lead dog.” Mike then hooked the rest of us up. Mike said, “Sandy always liked riding in the basket so let’s give her one last ride, Team.” Then Mike said, “Okay, look sharp, let’s go.” We trotted down the trail, made a turn, and came back. We circled the house and Mike halted us by a flower garden on the sunny hill across from the big house. Lakota told me that you could not see this garden from the kennel. We had never been here before.

Lakota told me that the garden had many pretty flowers in it and a nice path that went by all around the garden beds. Behind the garden beds were some trees that blocked the wind and added shade from the afternoon sun. There was a bench or two. While I could not see it, I felt the peacefulness and beauty of this garden. It felt like a very special place.

We stopped by a garden bed that did not have any flowers in it. Doc told us this was what the humans call a gravesite. After Mike dug the grave, and placed Sandy’s coffin in it, he said, “Sandy, you gave your life to save another. You may never have run a race, but you were true champion, a real hero. See ya, my Sandy Girl.” Mike was still for a moment or two.

Then Lakota told me that Mike turned to the rest of us in the team and said. “This is my special garden where all of you, my special dogs, will rest when it is time for you to cross over the Bridge.”

Mike then got on the runners of the wheeled sled and said, “Christmas, lead us home.” Lakota told me that Christmas turned to Mike, barked once, and led us back to our yard.

Rivers’ Christmas Story, 2002

Christmas time was fast approaching and I was reflecting on the past Christmases that I had spent with Mike, Mary, and the team here at our home. I remembered the first one where we saved a puppy on Christmas Eve and Mike named her Christmas. She is now a part of our family. Then last year, I was able to see for one day. It was Mike’s wish. That is when I met the little blind girl at the orphanage.

We have gone back to the orphanage often this past year. My buddies played with the kids, but the little blind girl just sat by me, talking. She treated me like her best friend. I guess the other kids just do not play with her. I can understand that. For many years, I was alone also.

While many of the kids in the orphanage have left, new ones arrived to fill their beds. Mike explained to me that the kids who left were adopted. They went to new homes with new parents. Sounds like what Mike did for me several years ago. However, Mike told me that he was very sad because the little blind girl may never find a forever home. People want well kids, not those with problems.

That made me sad also. Wait a minute, I know. I will give my Christmas wish up for the little blind girl and hope that a nice family will adopt her. That would be awesome if that happened. Oh yes, the little blind girl would be very happy and so would Mike. What did he tell me, “It is better to give than to receive.” So that is it: I will give the little blind girl my Christmas wish.

Whenever I really need something, my Guardian Angel Dog, Aurora Gooddog, shows up. Today was no exception.

“Hi Rivers,” she said. ”What is this I hear about your giving your Christmas wish to the little blind girl at the orphanage?” I told her what I wanted. While I cannot see Aurora, I know what she looks like since I can see her in my mind’s eye. Aurora sounded like she was not looking too happy.

“Rivers, I cannot give you your wish,” she said. “I can only help dogs and only those that I am a Guardian Angel Dog for, like you. I am sorry.”

Wow, was I disappointed. “There must be a way for that little blind girl to get a new home for Christmas,” I said.

“Rivers, it would take a miracle to get that little girl into a home by Christmas. Christmas is only a few days away. Rivers, Guardian Angel Dogs do have limits. I am very sorry, Rivers. I cannot do this for you. Maybe you should wish for something else.”

“No!” I said, “I have everything I want, I just want that little blind girl to be happy.”

“Tell you what,” Aurora said. “Let me do come checking on that and get back to you. No promises. I do not know when I will find the time. You know this is my busy season. However, I will try. I have to go.”

I said goodbye to Aurora and she was gone. Well, if I cannot get my wish for the little blind girl, then the best I can do is give her some extra TLC when I see her next.

When we got up the next morning, Mike told us it was Christmas Eve and we were going to deliver our gifts to the orphanage today. Mike told us we were going a day early since we have many guests visiting us on Christmas Day and it would be impossible to get away then.

After morning chow, Mike got the sled out and harnessed us up. Lakota told me that Mike had on his red Santa suit and packages wrapped in colorful paper filled our sled. I hoped there was something special for the little blind girl in the sled. She really deserved it.

I could not believe how fast the time went. It seemed like a very short time from when we left our home until we returned. “Santa Mike” gave out all of the presents. My buddies played with the kids and the little blind girl sat with me and talked and talked. She was hoping she would find a nice home with nice people to live with. She said she had been an orphan for as long as she could remember. Hmmm, was it me, or was the hug she gave me longer and tighter? I licked her face and it was wet with salty tears. Please do not cry little girl. There is a family out there for you. I know there is. I felt so sad for her.

Christmas morning came and Mike came out to feed us and spend some time with us before the guests arrived. He gave each of us a new tennis ball. Of all the things that Mike gave to us, he learned very quickly that tennis balls were our favorites. The team loves it when Mike plays catch and fetch with them. Mike taught me also and I can find a tennis ball on the second bounce. That is unless Lakota or Christmas catches it on the first bounce and holds it. Yes, we play a lot together.