Wild ride leaves pups looking for a home

PALMER -- They had a tumultuous start in life, but a local rescue group is hoping that will change when it finds solid homes for two 4-month-old husky mix pups.

The two pups, not yet named, were saved after a woman driving south to Wasilla saw a person in an older red and white pickup ahead of her on the Parks Highway throw several dogs out the window of the vehicle. The woman contacted Angie Lewis with Alaska Dog and Puppy Rescue after finding two of the pups alive and apparently unharmed, but wished no further involvement in the case. Lewis said the story related by the woman was grisly -- the traffic was flowing at 55 mph and the first dog ejected from the vehicle was hit by a car following the pickup. A second dog also died, reportedly from severe spinal or neck injuries. The last two dogs were apparently unhurt, and show no signs of injury or harm nearly one month later.

Lewis said she got as much information from the woman as she could, including a partial license plate, and Alaska State Troopers reportedly searched for the vehicle between Wasilla and Talkeetna but didn't find any vehicle matching that description.

Although the dogs showed no signs of being hurt after being recovered from the ditch, Lewis said there are other signs they've been through trauma. It's difficult to tell after a month of regular feeding, but the dogs, Lewis said, were very thin when she took them in. And despite being very friendly, curious pups, they're wary of human contact, something Lewis said she has been working diligently on for the past few weeks.

"Who knows what they've endured," Lewis said. "I don't think you are a kind person, and then, overnight, go out and toss your dogs out the window."

The dogs aren't aggressive or prone to biting, Lewis said, and have never made an attempt to nip, despite being vaccinated twice and dewormed. They approach people readily, but back away when any hand comes toward them, although one pup does allow occasional petting and even belly-rubs.

"They're trusting, but it takes a while," Lewis said. Although the best adoptive person or family would have animal training experience, Lewis said, the biggest need the dogs have may be more simple. "Mainly, I think, patience -- just to meet the dogs where they're at."

Lewis said AKDPR's adoption fee is generally $80, but may be partially waived in this case. Anyone interested in adopting the dogs may contact Lewis at 746-0864.

Contact Rindi White at rindi.white@frontiersman.com.