Starting small

This is one of those posts that really doesn’t need any words. However, one April these two fellas became a big part of our lives in Greenland. The dark furred fella is Hidalgo, and his white and grey spotted brother is Balto, named by the young daughter of a friend in Denmark.

The mother is Simba, named by her previous owners. Simba ran with the team and despite her small size she kept the boys in order.

When I discovered Simba was pregnant, I kind of panicked. There’s no vet on the island. The closest vet was in Ilulissat and seldom visited Uummannaq. So if there was any health or other issues it was up to me to find someone to help or to learn what to do.

I ordered what must be one of the biggest, thickest books I’ve ever bought. It’s on the bookshelf somewhere, but when we had dogs it wasn’t far from my hand. I can’t remember how many times I read the chapters on puppies and whelping, and then, all of a sudden, Simba presented us with two fat and healthy pups.

I should have known she could take care of herself.

She gave birth inside her doghouse. This was a new one. She ate the one I built with scavenged wood. (When I find the video of her eating the roof, the walls … everything, I’ll post it.) The temperature during that period was in the minus twenties. I did my bit, making sure she had plenty of food, water, seal blubber, and bedding etc. Simba took care of the rest.

You can expect more photos of these guys later. 😉

Chris