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

“My question is this. What do you wish for at Christmas time?”

“Rivers, you think too much. I am in a rush, but the short answer is nothing, since Guardian Angel Dogs need nothing. However, I wish for everything for the dogs that deserve their wishes to come true.”

“See Ya.”

And she was gone.

I will make no bones about it. I truly miss Sandy. I guess humans call it grief when someone you care for leaves you. Dogs grieve also. However, we would rather remember the good times we had with our buddy, and not pay so much attention to the loss. We know that our buddy has gone to a much better place.

I was doing just that, sitting in my favorite corner of the yard, just after the sun settled down for the night. The guys were resting and they were not paying too much attention to what I was doing.

I guess I was laughing aloud at some of my fond memories of Sandy, when I heard a voice say, “So what is so funny, Rivers?”

Then a second voice said, “Yes, Rivers, what is so funny?

I recognized Aurora’s voice and I guess I looked puzzled because the second voice said, “Rivers, you don’t remember me?”

“I am sorry,” I said, “Your voice does sound familiar, but I just can’t place it.”

“Gee Aurora,” the voice said, “live with some bozos, clean the extra biscuits out of their coops and as soon as you are gone, poof, they forget all about you.”

“Sandy!” I said.

“Yes it sure is,” Sandy said.

“But, but…” I tried to speak.

“You know Rivers, you sound like a motor boat, going ‘but but.’”

I heard both of them laughing. I could not be dreaming, I mean, I was sitting here. It could not be Sandy. She crossed the Bridge after she fought the wolf when she protected Christmas and her puppies. I was confused.

“Rivers, Aurora said, remember a while back when I told you we had a shortage of Guardian Angel Dogs?”

“Yes,” I replied.

“Do you remember I told you that special dogs are chosen to be Guardian Angel Dogs?” I nodded.

“Well,” Aurora said, “Sandy was chosen.”

“Sandy, a Guardian Angel Dog?” Yes, I was impressed and very happy for Sandy.

Aurora continued, “Sandy gave up her life to save Christmas and her babies from the wolf. She proved herself unselfish. She definitely earned the right to be a Guardian Angel Dog.”

Aurora said to Sandy, “Seems Rivers is barkless with the news that you are a Guardian Angel Dog, Sandy.”

“Yes, you sure are on a roll here, Aurora, with surprises for Rivers. You may as well tell him the rest of the news,” Sandy replied, chuckling.

“Well Sandy, if you insist. Rivers, Sandy has been assigned as your Guardian Angel Dog.” Before I could utter a sound, Aurora said, “She is also the Guardian Angel Dog for Christmas and her pups, plus all of your teammates.”

I am not used to being barkless, but that sure was the case tonight. Wow, Sandy is our Guardian Angel Dog. The team and especially Christmas would be very surprised when I told them about that.

“Sorry Rivers, you cannot tell them.” It was Sandy. I forgot, Guardian Angel Dogs could read our thoughts. “All of your buddies, including Christmas and her babies, will be visited by us tonight. Our visit with them will be real, but they may think it is a dream. They will need to decide if they want to believe in their Guardian Angel Dog. Just like you did, when you called upon Aurora for help.”

Aurora added. “It is called faith, believing in something you cannot see and your senses tell you does not exists. Your teammates need to make their own decisions, if they want to believe or not.”

Barkless and confused. Yes, I believe in my Guardian Angel Dog and I want my teammates to believe also. It is so comforting to know that when you have that uphill climb and the trail gets tough, you have some extra dog power to help you crest the hill.

“Rivers.” It was Sandy. “You cannot do this for your teammates, they must do this on their own. Understand?”

“Yes,” I said weakly. “But I really want my teammates to believe.”

Aurora said. “That is up to them. We will do our part, but they have to decide. Some already do believe, others do not, and some never will. You are a dog of your bark. Will you give us your bark that you will not tell them?” I nodded yes and then Aurora added, “Good. Come Sandy, we have to get to work.”

“Wait!” I said. “What about Sunny, is Sandy her Guardian Angel Dog?” I asked.

Sandy answered. ”Any dog that joins Mike’s team, or lives in Mike’s home, or stays in your yard is included. That means Sunny, the puppies, and the new dog, who will come to live with you shortly. However, they must decide to believe in their Guardian Angel Dog. Otherwise, we can do nothing special to help them, except to watch over them.”

When Sandy finished, I knew they left to visit my teammates. As I wandered back to my doghouse, I had many mixed feelings, and had no one I could bark to about them. I was very happy that Sandy was our Guardian Angel Dog. However, I was sad because some of my teammates might decide not to believe. I could not help them. I gave my bark and if I went back on my bark, I would have no honor and would disgrace my Husky heritage. I guess this is like choosing between right and wrong. I stopped walking and howled a prayer into the night that all of them would make the right decision.

After morning chow, Christmas and her three puppies, Tundra, Stormy, and Sky, visited with me. Christmas told the pups that since my teammates and I were Christmas’ uncles, we were also the pups’ uncles as well. We would help teach the pups, just as we taught and looked after Christmas.

Uncle Nitro teaches them to be brave and to protect each other. Uncle Brownie teaches them to be honest and to better themselves. Uncle Ugly teaches them to laugh at themselves and not take themselves too seriously. Uncle Doc teaches them to be great lead dogs, and the academic things dogs needs to know. Uncle Lakota teaches them to be respectful towards others, as well as to themselves, and to think before they act. And me? Well, I guess I teach them about life.

“Hi,” I said, as I heard them come near me.

“Uncle Rivers.” It was Christmas and I knew she had something on her mind. “I had this dream that Aunt Sandy and another dog named Aurora were talking to me about Guardian Angel Dogs. They told me that Aunt Sandy was my Guardian Angel Dog. Then this morning, my babies told me they had the same dream. Isn’t that strange?” Christmas asked.

I heard them sit down around me, waiting for my answer. “I don’t know. Do you think it is strange?” I asked.

Before Christmas could answer, Tundra said. “Mama, it was no dream. I saw tears in Aunt Sandy eyes, as she nuzzled me just like she did before she…”

Tundra’s voice trembled, filled with emotions. Sandy played with them as if they were her own babies. I heard that the pups saw the wolf and …

Sky’s words interrupted my thoughts. “Tundra is right, Mama. It was no dream. I felt Aunt Sandy also, and Aurora touched me with her paw as she talked to me. They were real. I believe that Aunt Sandy is right here watching over me.”

“Me too,” said Stormy. “I know that Aunt Sandy will be there protecting me just like she did with the wolf. I believe that Aunt Sandy will always look after us.”

I knew I had not answered Christmas’ questions but her babies were doing a good job telling her about their beliefs. “Christmas,” I said. “I cannot answer your question. However, I do know that things happen in our lives that we can never explain. Who knows, maybe you were being watched over and guided the night we found you.”