Today is a happy day, Puppies. Today is the anniversary of my adoption day! In celebration of joining my family, I will share with you all the story of Magnum.
Long, long ago (three years ago) in a far off land (a two minute drive from here) I completed my Roads Scholarship and joined my foster family at MaPaw. Siberians are an adaptable breed and we do not have long memories, so I cannot tell you how I ended up on the road, but I can tell you it is not easy to find a comfy couch out there. I stayed with my foster mama and papa for two years waiting for someone to want me, but nobody did. I guess I was too big or too slow moving or too easy going. It is true I am not a typical Siberian. At MaPaw events, the junior volunteers helped me demonstrate how cuddly I am, but it was to no avail.
Meanwhile, Mama and Papa wanted to foster homeless dogs and they heard about MaPaw from a neighbor who volunteers. Papa and Bailey had lived with a roommate who had a Siberian. Mama had lived with two Cairn Terriers, a Golden Retriever, a Rottweiler, and a Newfoundland, but never a Siberian. After Ananya turned one-year-old, Mama talked to the vet to get her thoughts about fostering. The vet advised Mama to get Bordatella vaccines for Bailey and Ananya and keep an eye out to make sure they did not get too stressed by all the foster dogs arriving and leaving.
After they began fostering, Mama and Papa kept hearing about a giant Husky. Other volunteers would learn that they live with two giant dogs and say, “Oh, you should meet our giant Husky, Magnum. He’s been with MaPaw for two years.” Of course they could not wait to meet me. They called my foster mama and papa and asked to meet the giant Husky. At first, they were not thinking about adopting me, they just wanted to take me for walks in the park with their foster dog, Chena, but then they got to know me for the fuzzy, cuddly boy that I am.
On May 12th, 2006, Mama and Papa walked to my foster home and took me for a walk that led to my new home. During my first week as a part of the family, we took a trip to the beach to celebrate. I bounced and played with my new big brother Bailey, who takes care of all the dogs here
and my new baby sister Ananya, who is sweet and fluffy.
Mama and Papa saw my potential to be a wonderful representative of MaPaw success and took me to training class, where I learned Sit, Down, Stay, Come, and Heel. At the end of class I had an exam and earned a Canine Good Citizen title, making me Magnum, CGC.
After all that fun and hard work, I decided I wanted to help other dogs looking for homes and began volunteering for the rescue that once took care of me. Now I foster other homeless Huskies and help socialize them. Sometimes I go to events to educate people about my breed and about all the wonderful dogs of every breed who are looking for homes.
I am glad I hung around waiting for the right family. My foster mama said she almost decided to keep me for herself, especially since no one else wanted me, but she is glad I have found a family with whom I can thrive and who lives close enough that she can visit often.
Happy day for me!