KAREN LAND

Everyone kept asking me, “Do you think Goat will recognize you?”

As I was walking through the Bozeman airport with a dog leash in hand, I couldn’t help but imagine our soon-to-be reunion unfolding like a dramatic scene from a “Lassie Come Home” movie.

In 2004, I gave Goat, one of my retired sled dogs, to what I thought was a good, life-long home. Three weeks ago a friend stumbled across his picture on a Portland, Oregon dog pound website.

Unfortunately, since we parted ways, Goat has lived with many “masters.” I had no idea if he’d remember me or not, but I hoped he would.

I knew Goat to be a dog with a huge personality. He was a talker, always cocking his head to the side, puckering his lips together, and talking straight at me with a low “woo, woo, wooing.” His speech seemed just one bizarre step away from real human language. After a rough few years, I hoped Goat would still be attempting to communicate with his people friends.

Last week when I found out that Goat, one of my retired sled dogs, was in the Portland, Oregon pound, many emotions flooded my mind. I was stunned and thankful that Vanessa, a friend, had stumbled across Goat’s photograph (with a different name) on an adoption website and actually recognized his goofy headshot.

I was heartbroken thinking of my boy in a big city kennel scared and all alone. I was terrified hoping the pound didn’t euthanize him before I could reach them on the phone. And, to put it bluntly, I was also fuming mad - this didn’t have to happen.I became a musher because I love dogs.

And, ironically, I got out of mushing because I love dogs.One of the most difficult and stressful parts of owning a kennel was facing the fact that not every dog makes the team. And then what do you do?

When the time came, I preferred to find good pet homes for all of my huskies - even some of the better athletes. I wanted to know my dogs were safe and happy for the rest of their lives.With each one I placed, I told the new owners, “If this doesn’t work for you and the dog, I want the dog back.”My request was direct and sincere.

The majority of my dogs scored the perfect setup; I receive fun, reassuring e-mails and photos from their owners often. Over the years, I have taken back a handful of dogs who needed different situations; I was thankful the owners were honest about their difficult life changes and called me. Goat’s story is one of happenstance.