Post by tenebria on Sept 7, 2024 13:19:52 GMT -8
Name: Frodr
Age: 9 and 4 months
Gender: Male
Breed: Chinook
Rank/Place number: Dog 4, Swing Dog
Personality: Frodr is a calm dog, wise in his years and experienced. He has no fear to admonish any, as most are younger than him at this point, but he is not harsh. He speaks what is needed to be spoken, and corrects what needs to be corrected. Despite his older more steady outlook on life, he retains a soft spot for some dogs, especially the young dog that runs beside him. He is well rounded in his patience, but some dogs try it most terribly, such as that wheel dog Skoren. He also has a golden outlook on life at times, especially on days he remembers his mate. Sunrises and Sunsets he loves to watch, and he loves to see beautiful sceenery, how the light turns the snow to crystals, how the pines shadows meld in the sunset, stretching over the ground. How the snow plumes up around them when they chart a path through the wilderness. And how he loves to run still, his life blood, his work.
Backstory: Frodr was born near his current home, the first in his litter of 5 puppies. His mother was a search and rescue dog, brought in from her home in Alaska to breed with his father, a well known racer at the time. Sadly, the last in the litter (who would have been number 6) died at birth, but he himself did not learn this until a few months, when he and his siblings were actually able to retain any information. It was hard to feel sadness over something so deep, and his siblings seemed to take it as facts and continued with their life. For Frodr, it was an eye opener to life. He began to think beyond the play and the food, which was not usual for such a young pup of course. He still romped about with them, but he was gentler than all the others, and much more alert. For in his heart, he now felt a responsibility towards them all. To keeping them safe from harm. He became so overprotective in their second month, that if anyone ever came to look over the puppies, he'd herd them all into a corner and growl at that looming hand. Not that he was very menacing, but it still was off-putting for many who were considering adoption. Finally his mother sat him down for a gentle talk. She explained that she felt the same way, but that this was how life went. They would all go their separate ways to grow up and do what they were meant to do in serving their own master. She told him of her life as a search and rescue, and of his fathers life of racing. Slowly he began to see the reason, and although it was difficult, he began to let his siblings run more wild, as they had to learn for themselves in actions what he had already learned through observation. It helped to go to his mother while they played and to hear her tell more tales of her and his fathers past adventures in their owrk. He rarely saw his father, but hearing such tales of speed and the team he could feel his heart speed up in exhilaration. A few days after, his father was brought in for a visit, and he immediately bombarded him with questions, begging him to share all the stories he could. His father was a gentle yet stern type, one who did not take fiddle faddle from anyone. But he was more than willing to spend the entire day telling the enthralled pups of his days of racing. The more Frodr heard, the more he wanted to hear, and then the more he wanted to experience it. Finally in his fourth month, when most of his siblings had already left to their new homes, he was lifted from the kennel, and taken away. Despite the yearning ache for his mother and siblings, he swiftly acclimated to his new surroundings. And what joy filled his heart when he found that he was placed in a sled dog home! With all the tales his father and mother had told him, he still wasn't totally prepared for the training process however. The long days of work, both mental and physical, would have him worn out by the end. Two months of this training passed, of him running alongside the dogs, and of observing keenly. He watched the way they communicated with their ears and tails, the way they listened to the musher, and the times when they didn't listen to him, using their own instincts to avoid breaking ice or a bear making its way towards them. Along with his mind growing, his muscles did too. At the age of 8 months he was placed in the harness for the first time, running as a swing dog beside an older veteran racer. It was harder than it had looked, but after a few tumbles and being dragged along heedlessly by the team, he found the rhythm and threw his whole heart into it. He did so well that by the age of 1 he had never moved from that position of swing dog. The next years were when he truly settled into his maturity, getting serious, and yet never seeming to lose that protective gentle nature, or his quiet wisdom. He watched most of his team retire, and then pass peacefully as the cycle of life continued onwards. When his teacher, his fellow swing dog passed, his heart ached the most. But still he forged onwards. His next partner was a female. Her name was Viska, and she was only a year younger than him, but newer to sled racing. Like him, she was a Chinook. Unlike him, her personality was fiery, energetic, and she always had a joke or quip on her tongue. Despite their almost opposite personalities, he immediately took a liking to her. Before he knew it they were staying up late howling at the moon together, talking together, running free in the forest together... (her influence helped lighten him up considerably, making him more willing to drop the rules now and then to have fun) and it was his joy to realize his masters intention of her and him being mates. He was five at the time, Viska was 4. When the pups arrived, he was filled with joy and pride. Four beautiful pups to love for a few months at least. Despite him still having to work, he was able to visit much more regularly than his own father. He watched them grow, marveling at their characteristics and personalities so visible at such young ages. The first born took after her mother in looks and temperament, but seemed to be more thoughtful at times. The second took after her father completely. The third, a strapping male, took after his father in looks, but his fiery temperament was just like his mothers. And the last was a carbon copy of his mother. Every night he could Frodr would enthrall them all with tales of his racing, and when he seemed to run out of those, he would tell tales of their grandparents. Gulina, the eldest, seemed most interested in these tales, especially of her grandmother. The others seemed to love anything that had the word speed in it. But all too soon those months were gone. The pups were sold, some close, and some far, and Viska returned to her place at the sled. But only 6 months after her return, her hip dysplasia, which had always been a concern, flared up terribly. It caused her such pain she could no longer run. She was removed from the team, and treated as much as could be, with the hope of at least saving her life and letting her live out her retirement. But it was not to be. At the age of 6, only a year after her litter was born, she passed away. Frodr was by her side to the last breath. The whole team mourned the loss of their teammate, but Frodr keened for his mate. He took to the woods for an entire month. When he returned, he was calmed, at peace. She was not in pain any longer, she had had a purpose and love filled life, and she had lived long enough to leave a legacy of pups behind. That was as much as he could have ever wished for her. Returning to his team, he put his heart into his work once more. He was quieter now, and spent less time conversing with the pack. That is... until a young whippersnapper of a pup by the name of Bear joined the team. To his beginning relief, the pup began at the back of the pack. But with impressive swiftness he made it clear through is body language that swing was his place in the line. And so, the cycle of a sled dog turning once again, Frodr found himself using the same teachings that his own mentor had. Sometimes it felt like he was watching himself run through the eyes of his old teacher. Those days of learning helped him immensely now. And a new purpose suited him well. He knew he was coming on in years, and he wished to leave a legacy himself, at least as a good teacher if nothing more. For this pup he could tell had the fire in his veins that would make him a glorious runner. If he could help him unlock his full potential, he would. And with a race looming, most likely his last race, all the teaching and guidance would be necessary... for them all.
Strengths:
Strong despite his age
Wise
Experienced
Calm under pressure
Is not easily duped
Patience
Likes:
Scenery, landscapes
Pups (surprisingly)
Running with the team
Spending time alone in the wilderness to align his thoughts
Teaching
Observing
Sleeping under the snow
Weaknesses:
Is not as strong or swift as he used to be
Sometimes overthinks
Sometimes slips on ice
Will do anything to speak with his pups when he sees them
Sometimes goes off into his own world as he reminisces
Dislikes:
Being shoved around by younger pups
Being ignored
Bullies
Impatience
Rain
The time when the ice melts
Overcast days
Mate: Her name was Viska but she passed before him. She had Hip Dysplasia, a sadly most common disease. She ran for a few years, but it got to be too much. After giving him one litter of pups, she had to be put down due to the severe agony of the pain. Despite this, Frodr has retained his warm outlook on life, and thinks of her with a warm aching love.
Pups: Gulina (a search and rescue dog in Alaska)
Hrada (Sledding dog, sometimes they meet at races, and it is always a joful reunion)
Styrk (Carting dog in the US)
Trur (Sledding dog, rarely seen)
Appearance:
Age: 9 and 4 months
Gender: Male
Breed: Chinook
Rank/Place number: Dog 4, Swing Dog
Personality: Frodr is a calm dog, wise in his years and experienced. He has no fear to admonish any, as most are younger than him at this point, but he is not harsh. He speaks what is needed to be spoken, and corrects what needs to be corrected. Despite his older more steady outlook on life, he retains a soft spot for some dogs, especially the young dog that runs beside him. He is well rounded in his patience, but some dogs try it most terribly, such as that wheel dog Skoren. He also has a golden outlook on life at times, especially on days he remembers his mate. Sunrises and Sunsets he loves to watch, and he loves to see beautiful sceenery, how the light turns the snow to crystals, how the pines shadows meld in the sunset, stretching over the ground. How the snow plumes up around them when they chart a path through the wilderness. And how he loves to run still, his life blood, his work.
Backstory: Frodr was born near his current home, the first in his litter of 5 puppies. His mother was a search and rescue dog, brought in from her home in Alaska to breed with his father, a well known racer at the time. Sadly, the last in the litter (who would have been number 6) died at birth, but he himself did not learn this until a few months, when he and his siblings were actually able to retain any information. It was hard to feel sadness over something so deep, and his siblings seemed to take it as facts and continued with their life. For Frodr, it was an eye opener to life. He began to think beyond the play and the food, which was not usual for such a young pup of course. He still romped about with them, but he was gentler than all the others, and much more alert. For in his heart, he now felt a responsibility towards them all. To keeping them safe from harm. He became so overprotective in their second month, that if anyone ever came to look over the puppies, he'd herd them all into a corner and growl at that looming hand. Not that he was very menacing, but it still was off-putting for many who were considering adoption. Finally his mother sat him down for a gentle talk. She explained that she felt the same way, but that this was how life went. They would all go their separate ways to grow up and do what they were meant to do in serving their own master. She told him of her life as a search and rescue, and of his fathers life of racing. Slowly he began to see the reason, and although it was difficult, he began to let his siblings run more wild, as they had to learn for themselves in actions what he had already learned through observation. It helped to go to his mother while they played and to hear her tell more tales of her and his fathers past adventures in their owrk. He rarely saw his father, but hearing such tales of speed and the team he could feel his heart speed up in exhilaration. A few days after, his father was brought in for a visit, and he immediately bombarded him with questions, begging him to share all the stories he could. His father was a gentle yet stern type, one who did not take fiddle faddle from anyone. But he was more than willing to spend the entire day telling the enthralled pups of his days of racing. The more Frodr heard, the more he wanted to hear, and then the more he wanted to experience it. Finally in his fourth month, when most of his siblings had already left to their new homes, he was lifted from the kennel, and taken away. Despite the yearning ache for his mother and siblings, he swiftly acclimated to his new surroundings. And what joy filled his heart when he found that he was placed in a sled dog home! With all the tales his father and mother had told him, he still wasn't totally prepared for the training process however. The long days of work, both mental and physical, would have him worn out by the end. Two months of this training passed, of him running alongside the dogs, and of observing keenly. He watched the way they communicated with their ears and tails, the way they listened to the musher, and the times when they didn't listen to him, using their own instincts to avoid breaking ice or a bear making its way towards them. Along with his mind growing, his muscles did too. At the age of 8 months he was placed in the harness for the first time, running as a swing dog beside an older veteran racer. It was harder than it had looked, but after a few tumbles and being dragged along heedlessly by the team, he found the rhythm and threw his whole heart into it. He did so well that by the age of 1 he had never moved from that position of swing dog. The next years were when he truly settled into his maturity, getting serious, and yet never seeming to lose that protective gentle nature, or his quiet wisdom. He watched most of his team retire, and then pass peacefully as the cycle of life continued onwards. When his teacher, his fellow swing dog passed, his heart ached the most. But still he forged onwards. His next partner was a female. Her name was Viska, and she was only a year younger than him, but newer to sled racing. Like him, she was a Chinook. Unlike him, her personality was fiery, energetic, and she always had a joke or quip on her tongue. Despite their almost opposite personalities, he immediately took a liking to her. Before he knew it they were staying up late howling at the moon together, talking together, running free in the forest together... (her influence helped lighten him up considerably, making him more willing to drop the rules now and then to have fun) and it was his joy to realize his masters intention of her and him being mates. He was five at the time, Viska was 4. When the pups arrived, he was filled with joy and pride. Four beautiful pups to love for a few months at least. Despite him still having to work, he was able to visit much more regularly than his own father. He watched them grow, marveling at their characteristics and personalities so visible at such young ages. The first born took after her mother in looks and temperament, but seemed to be more thoughtful at times. The second took after her father completely. The third, a strapping male, took after his father in looks, but his fiery temperament was just like his mothers. And the last was a carbon copy of his mother. Every night he could Frodr would enthrall them all with tales of his racing, and when he seemed to run out of those, he would tell tales of their grandparents. Gulina, the eldest, seemed most interested in these tales, especially of her grandmother. The others seemed to love anything that had the word speed in it. But all too soon those months were gone. The pups were sold, some close, and some far, and Viska returned to her place at the sled. But only 6 months after her return, her hip dysplasia, which had always been a concern, flared up terribly. It caused her such pain she could no longer run. She was removed from the team, and treated as much as could be, with the hope of at least saving her life and letting her live out her retirement. But it was not to be. At the age of 6, only a year after her litter was born, she passed away. Frodr was by her side to the last breath. The whole team mourned the loss of their teammate, but Frodr keened for his mate. He took to the woods for an entire month. When he returned, he was calmed, at peace. She was not in pain any longer, she had had a purpose and love filled life, and she had lived long enough to leave a legacy of pups behind. That was as much as he could have ever wished for her. Returning to his team, he put his heart into his work once more. He was quieter now, and spent less time conversing with the pack. That is... until a young whippersnapper of a pup by the name of Bear joined the team. To his beginning relief, the pup began at the back of the pack. But with impressive swiftness he made it clear through is body language that swing was his place in the line. And so, the cycle of a sled dog turning once again, Frodr found himself using the same teachings that his own mentor had. Sometimes it felt like he was watching himself run through the eyes of his old teacher. Those days of learning helped him immensely now. And a new purpose suited him well. He knew he was coming on in years, and he wished to leave a legacy himself, at least as a good teacher if nothing more. For this pup he could tell had the fire in his veins that would make him a glorious runner. If he could help him unlock his full potential, he would. And with a race looming, most likely his last race, all the teaching and guidance would be necessary... for them all.
Strengths:
Strong despite his age
Wise
Experienced
Calm under pressure
Is not easily duped
Patience
Likes:
Scenery, landscapes
Pups (surprisingly)
Running with the team
Spending time alone in the wilderness to align his thoughts
Teaching
Observing
Sleeping under the snow
Weaknesses:
Is not as strong or swift as he used to be
Sometimes overthinks
Sometimes slips on ice
Will do anything to speak with his pups when he sees them
Sometimes goes off into his own world as he reminisces
Dislikes:
Being shoved around by younger pups
Being ignored
Bullies
Impatience
Rain
The time when the ice melts
Overcast days
Mate: Her name was Viska but she passed before him. She had Hip Dysplasia, a sadly most common disease. She ran for a few years, but it got to be too much. After giving him one litter of pups, she had to be put down due to the severe agony of the pain. Despite this, Frodr has retained his warm outlook on life, and thinks of her with a warm aching love.
Pups: Gulina (a search and rescue dog in Alaska)
Hrada (Sledding dog, sometimes they meet at races, and it is always a joful reunion)
Styrk (Carting dog in the US)
Trur (Sledding dog, rarely seen)
Appearance:
