I’ve been blessed to know a lot of cool dogs in my life. When I married Andy, I lucked into having Quinn-dog in my life as well.
Quinn, deep in the lush green foliage of Valdez, Alaska, 2002.
Quinn was purebred Siberian Husky, but seemed more cat than dog, sometimes.
Quinn relaxes next to my green fitness ball - Gabriola Island, Canada, 2003.
Quinn moved with us from Denali, to Canada, where we spent the summer of 2003.
Quinn waits while I work at Good Earth Farm, Gabriola Island, British Columbia, 2003.
And he made the cross-country move to our new home here in New Hampshire.
The Mighty Quinn & our old-growth rhubarb patch, Canaan, New Hampshire, 2004.
Quinn lived to be nearly 13 years old, which is a good, long life for a large, purebred dog.
Quinn-dog enjoying the sun on our front porch in Canaan, New Hampshire, 2005.
We missed Quinn so much after he passed, we couldn’t think about getting another dog.
Five years passed and we were still dog-less. Until, at last, our friend, Carmen, needed a home for one of the Denali Park huskies in her care.
Cinder, Andy & Me (in my green jacket) sledding in New Boston, New Hampshire, January 2011.
Cinder is 100% Alaskan husky, which isn’t an officially recognized breed.
Rather, it’s a term for a northern working dog, adapted to pulling sleds through deep snow. Hence the long legs:
Cinder & his green tennis ball, Canaan, New Hampshire, 2010.
Cinder is amazing! He’s the only sled dog I know who plays fetch. He also plays soccer. And he’s coming along as a hockey player, too.
Cinder under the apple trees, Canaan, New Hampshire, 2010.
Cinder is unusually friendly and willing to please his humans. If he didn’t suffer from seizures, he would have made an amazing lead dog. I just know it.
Cinder & Andy amongst the evergreens along the Bold Coast, near Cutler, Maine, September 2011.
We are so grateful to have Cinder in our lives. He brings us boundless joy (despite his penchant for chasing skunks)!
Me & Cinder at the Dartmouth Skiway in Lyme, New Hampshire, 2010.
What about you? Do you have a special dog (or two) in your life?
Carrie Cahill Mulligan 
You have and have had beautiful dogs. I have Mikaya and Grizzly. I found Mikaya as a puppy eight years ago and she has been my hiking, running, biking and roommate up until last year when Josh and I moved in together. We just adopted Grizzly a month ago and they are cherishing the companionship together.
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Thanks, Kait!
I love that your Mikaya now has a dog-buddy. Cinder came from a kennel of 30 dogs, and while he really loves us, when another dog is near, it’s all about the canine-love!
Sometimes I feel like we owe him a dog-buddy of his own…
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I love dogs, I’m just too much of a fan of quiet and personal space to live with a dog. Which makes me sad sometimes, because i really do love dogs. I’m just a better dog “aunt” than a dog parent! Instead, i have three cats who are big babies and trip me down the stairs all the time because the are always rubbing on my ankles!
Gorgeous, gorgeous dogs.
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Thanks, Somer!
I know what you mean. Cinder definitely adds a lot of dirt and fur to our daily lives. No denying it. And recently, the stink of skunk spray, besides. Ick. But he’s so worth it! We don’t have kids, so Cinder is it for us.
I grew up with both a dog and a cat, and I love both, too. Cinder would LOVE a little kitty, but for all the wrong reasons. Heh.
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