Next Hatch

Judith snapped this candid and moving photo of a very young puppy sleeping in an egg carton under the steps of a house. It is probably the lone survivor of a litter.

Tired Old Girl

To see a dog live to this old age on the rez is unusual. She had obviously birthed many times; her mammary glands were hairless, pendulous and dried up. Infected with worms and mites, she was emaciated and even hairless in places. Her eyes had cataracts and her joints were painful with arthritis. We were unable to touch her.

Playful Pup

Try as we might, we couldn't keep this playful pup occupied and out of the way. Well socialized by local children, this young female was begging for our attention while we worked on the other dogs.

Identity Crisis

A kind resident has taken in many stray cats and dogs and fed and sheltered them. Well socialized and well fed dogs tolerate the cats and vice versa. This puppy seems to be wondering how he fits in with this crowd.

Dishwasher Dog

Another very telling photo of Judith's. Having no other means of escape this dreadlocked feral dog tried desperately to disappear into an old dishwasher. After being held and implanted, vaccinated, de-wormed and fed, she couldn't get away from us fast enough.

Scavenging

Rez dogs are always on the lookout for a morsel or two. Ever the opportunists, they will eat most garbage and sometimes catch rodents and insects to keep starvation at bay. Fortunately, volunteers and donations help to provide food to these dogs.

Waiting for Spring

The biggest challenge that rez dogs face are the cold winter months. Finding shelter, and enough food and water to survive is difficult. It is even worse for lactating females and their young pups. Snow is not enough for hydration or milk production and a water source may be distant or unavailable.

Apathy Puppy

This puppy survived while several of his littermates were found frozen in a snow bank. Only five weeks old, cold and starving with a belly full of worms, he was much too depressed and apathetic to be fearful of being caught. Judith took this photo at the clinic after a few days of TLC.

Dumpster Dog

This shot of a dog peeking out of a garbage dumspter is one of our favorite photos and made the cover of our book! This is the rez dog's idea of "fast food" and a popular spot for dogs that are willing and able. Of course, the very young and the very old are unable to take advantage of this opportunity.

A Life of Repetition

Like mother, like daughter …without a contraceptive implant this female pup is capable of producing two litters averaging 8 pups each - before the age of two years. A Deslorelin implant prevents pregnancy for about 16 months. At a cost of about $70, it is the most inexpensive and least stressful method of reducing the feral dog population.

The Untouchables

The truly feral rez dog is nearly impossible to catch to contracept or vaccinate. These canines have learned to keep a good distance away from humans and they teach their offspring the same.

Another Dog

A First Nations child gently holds up a pup born in a makeshift dog house near his home. Puppies that are socialized by children on the rez make good candidates for adoption. But it is difficult to take care of so many of them; better to keep them from being born in the first place.

Room With a View

The view may be pretty, but it's the worst winter in years. Another dog is curled up on the back seat of this abandoned car. They are the lucky ones - at least they have shelter.

Bush Litter

A feral female denned under some brush to give birth. When we found these puppies in the woods near a home, someone had kindly placed a tarp over the branches to protect the pups from the elements.

Very Feral Female

We have been unable to catch this female in order to implant a contraceptive. Sometimes, the best we can do is to rescue the pups before they become as wild as their mother.

Danger Construction Zone!

To be a bitch with no name can be a deadly fate. Extra demands are placed upon a female dog's body throughout her reproductive life placing the odds against her long term survival.

Peekaboo Pups

A considerate family fed and sheltered these youngsters on their deck to keep them alive in the worst of winter conditions. They were placed in foster care to await forever homes.

Rescued

These unwanted pups have an uncertain future if left on the reserve. Those that survive will only continue the cycle of misery by breeding.

Pack of Dogs

Dogs roam the reserve in search of food, water and shelter. The food we spread on the ground for them was quickly gulped down.

Her Again

This is the memorable dog shown peeking out of a garbage dumpster. Fortunately, we were finally able to catch her for an implant, which should make her life a little easier.

Indian and Proud of it

That is what the plate on the bumper reads. This dog makes his home under this derelict truck. Fortunately, a sympathetic resident provides food, water and shelter to these animals that wander onto his land.

Homeless

On occasion we encounter dogs - like this one - that do not fit the typical rez dog profile. Their less diluted lineage is obvious and we wonder about their origin.

Three of a Kind (we love cats too!)

Feral cats are as much a part of the reserve landscape as dogs - with one notable difference. Cats are able to live in the absence of humans.