When Amanda Killen and her partner, Phil, decided to add an older dog to their family, they had no idea what awaited them.
Their journey led them to Sakari, a husky who had spent most of her life in a cramped kennel with 40 other dogs, sold to a notorious breeder as a puppy.
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Sakari’s days of playing and enjoying the outdoors were a distant memory.
During their visit in December 2021, the breeder was under investigation by the New Brunswick SPCA.
Fortunately, the remaining dogs at the mill, including Sakari, were soon rescued.
“When we arrived, the first dog she brought out for us to see was Sakari,” Killen recalled.
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“Sakari immediately laid down at our feet on her back in a submissive state. We knew in the back of our minds that this was the girl for us.”
Despite her shyness and fear, Sakari showed immediate affection towards Killen.
“We decided we’d take Sakari home with us,” Killen said.
“I opened the back hatch to my vehicle, and she immediately jumped in.”
Killen added, “We knew Sakari was our soulmate as soon as we brought her home because she showed us so much love and trust so quickly.”
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At her new home, Sakari was initially nervous.
But once she realized she was safe, her personality blossomed, and she became much happier.
She still gets scared by small changes in the house and is not a fan of loud noises or fast movements.
However, she’s great with kids and other animals and loves taking care of her new baby.
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Sakari’s two favorite things are her dad Phil and snow.
She bonded with Phil from the start and finds comfort in him.
Their shared love for playing in the snow brought them even closer.
“Phil just kind of started putting snow on her one day. She just laid there, so he kept burying her!” Killen said.
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“I think she would have laid there all day.”
Unfortunately, the last winter in New Brunswick was too mild for much snowfall, but Sakari still enjoyed rolling in what little snow they had.
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Sakari is now spoiled with cuddles, treats, a cozy bed, and the freedom to run in her fenced-in yard.
Her favorite spot is snuggled up in her bed behind the couch, close to her humans but away from foot traffic.
Killen acknowledges the challenges of rescuing dogs, noting that they can be destructive or suffer from severe separation anxiety.
“Once you overcome the issues, the love you get from them is so incredible,” she said.
“It’s so rewarding to watch rescues open up and realize that they don’t have to be scared or worried anymore.”
Sakari is finally living the life she deserves, filled with family, love, and lots of snow.
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It’s a heartwarming reminder of the joy and fulfillment that comes from rescuing and loving a pet.
Watch Sakari enjoying her snow fort in the video below!
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