Alaska: the 49th addition to the United States. Known for its breathtaking northern lights. Home to 17 of North America’s tallest mountains—and the Alaskan malamute husky breed.
“Kenai is an 8-year-old Alaskan malamute who was born in Barrow, Alaska. For his first year and a half there, he was a sled dog,” Christopher Love, Kenai’s owner, said. “I rescued him in November of 2016 when he became our household pet. He has lived in Fairbanks, Alaska; Vancouver, Canada and now here [in Huntingdon, Pa.].”
Love and Kenai are a recent addition to the therapy dog visits taking place on Thursdays in the library. Their journey began when Love spotted a Facebook post about Kenai from a local rescue in Fairbanks, Alaska.
“I wanted to learn more about this dog and met him at the rescue. I think he was only there for about an hour before I adopted him because I just fell in love with this dog. There was something about him,” Love said. “So I signed the paperwork and rescued him that day.”
I’ve never had a dog that has so much personality. He is a goofball at heart. — Christopher Love
Junior Abigail Rudy experienced a similar sentiment when she interacted with Kenai in the library.
“He made my day brighter because he was such a cute, fluffy husky,” Rudy said with a smile.
Alaskan malamutes were bred to be both a family and working dog. For Love, Kenai has become a sweet addition to his household.
“I’ve never had a dog that has so much personality. He is a goofball at heart,” Love said. “[He] always gets into some type of mischief. That’s his nickname: Mischievous Malamute. He likes to open up refrigerators and steal your food, kick you out of bed and steal all the treats.”
Love is proud to have an entire malamute family. Kenai has a brother and two sisters at home, but Kenai was Love’s first malamute rescue.
“[Kenai] was my first husky in November of 2016. I have another Sled Dog Rescue and two puppies, both survivor rescues, from Gettysburg,” Love said.
Love found out about the therapy dog visits at the high school through a news article. He had already certified Kenai as a therapy dog and was visiting the VA hospital, but he reached out to PawZone to learn more about the high school’s events.
“[My experience has been] amazing. Seeing everybody’s smile and faces light up,” Love said. “It’s the best thing in the world.”
