The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
When you go out to Stillwater, you'll find Fairbanks in his pen; a nice looking cross husky who might bark a little when he sees you or maybe wag his tail a little, but not too much. Like me in the beginning, you probably won't pay too much attention to him; he hasn't got that "please take me home" look, and he won't paw at the gate begging you to take him. See 'Family' P.# Con't from P.# It's not that he doesn't want you to, I think more than any of the SPCA dogs Fairbanks would love a home and to be part of a family. It took me a little while to realize that Fairbanks is actually very shy, and it's not until you get to know him, that you find out how adorable and funny he really is. He loves to play and swim and gets on well with other dogs. I've noticed that when he does something that makes me laugh (which is quite often), he'll wag his tail and do that same thing a few minutes later, I'm sure just to make me laugh again. Most of the time, I'll walk Fairbanks without his leash because he's so well behaved and will come back when I call him; he's never too far away even though there's plenty of places where he can run off. I guess he just likes the feeling of being around someone. I find my walks with Fairbanks a real pleasure now, and I know that whoever adopts him will love him to bits. It may take a little while to get through his shyness, but he truly is worth the wait. The saddest part of my time with Fairbanks is having to take him back to his pen. Just before we get there he usually stops dead in his tracks, just to let me know he doesn't really want to go. I walk over, give him a little hug and slowly he makes his way back to his kennel. Until he's adopted, I know Fairbanks is in the best care with the SPCA, and all the wonderful people that support its cause, but hopefully someone will read this and think to themselves, "that's just the kind of dog I'm looking for" and Fairbanks will get the kind of love and home he so deserves. My fingers are crossed. SPCA volunteer dog walker.
