Where to start?
Our journey to choosing a Chinook started long before we ever got really serious. About two years before we brought Truckee into our family, Chet and I had discussed getting another dog. Madison, our Shepard mix was getting older and slowing down and struggling more and more during long runs with Chet.
I started researching on the internet different varieties of dogs. Somewhere, somehow, I found information on Chinooks. It was love at first sight. Everything about the breed appealed to us. They were very family oriented. Chinooks were breed to run. Chinooks were handsome dogs. But, we ultimately decided the time was not right to bring a new dog into the family and put the pursuit of a Chinook on the back burner.
Fast forward two years. Madison crossed the rainbow bridge in the summer of 2005 and my heart yearned for another dog in the house. And we wanted to raise our son, who was born in 2004, with dogs. But, we decided we needed to wait a few months between dogs. Ultimately, it was time to start the pursuit. And by the grace of God, we were blessed to bring Truckee (Forever Greene Bering) into our home.
It has been an adventure, but a wonderful adventure at that thus far. Truckee has fulfilled our every expectation about the Chinook dog, and thrown a couple surprises into the mix as well. His personality is something extraordinary. I could not have ever imagined a better fit for a family with a young child. Gabriel was 15 months when we brought Truckee home at 9 weeks. The two quickly became best friends. And well beyond even our wildest expectations, Truckee has the most amazing degree of patience with Gabriel. He tolerates belly flops, ear pulls, tail tug-o-wars, and makes a most wonderful off-road track for the giant Tonka trucks. Truckee just soaks up all the attention and simply responds with kisses upon kisses.
Not only has Truckee just moved right into Gabriel’s heart, but he’s become a member of the family. Chet and Truckee are running buddies. Chet runs ultra marathons and the long runs are often lonely. Now, Chet has a wonderful training partner that doesn’t complain and is always eager for more. Truckee and Chet will take off for 20 mile, 30 mile or longer runs this summer and just enjoy each others company.
Truckee’s enthusiasm for his runs is immeasurable. As soon as either Chet or I break out running shoes, he starts to pace throughout the house vocalizing his anxiousness to go go go. Once you get him on the leash outside and have him settle down, he’ll lay there howling, just yearning to go run. Once he’s running, he is beautiful to watch. He is so graceful, so agile, so awesome.
Truckee is my friend. Always happy to give hugs and kisses, no matter how grumpy you are and compassionate regardless of how bad of a day you’ve had. He cannot be close enough, and admittedly, that is sometimes tiresome when he’s constantly under foot. But the unconditional love is unreal.
Looking back at our decision to get a Chinook, we do not regret a thing. A few things we wish we had known ahead of time was the shedding. I thought it was something that only happened twice a year. My living room rug testifies otherwise. Also, Chinooks are vocal, not barking vocal, but a different type of vocal. They talk a lot – especially when excited, and it’s sometimes difficult to hold a conversation over their vocalization.
We have been more than happy with our choice to bring Truckee into our family. We look forward to bringing more Chinooks into our family in the future. They are beautiful dogs, from their hearts to the tips of their eye lashes. And full of love, endless love and compassion!