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Blind Churchill sled dog delivered hope, inspiration

By: Jennifer Pawluk

25/11/2009 1:00 AM | Comments: 5

Isobel (left) is finally retiring after going blind five years ago.

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Isobel (left) is finally retiring after going blind five years ago. (JENAFOR OLLANDER PHOTO)

The end of the trail is near for Isobel the blind sled dog. The nine-year-old Siberian husky-malamute cross will retire in January, five years after she lost her sight.

Some might think a blind sled dog is of no use in the North. Those people haven't met Isobel.

In January 2005, veterinarians told her owners, Gerald Azure and Jenofar Ollander of Churchill, that given her blindness, Isobel couldn't work as a sled dog ever again. Isobel, however, had other ideas.

"Isobel went absolutely wild, she wanted to run," recalled Ollander.

She triumphed over adversity and her story is one of incredible heart that has caught international attention.

NBC will air a feature about Isobel during its prime-time coverage of the 2010 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games. Crews filmed the segment in Churchill two weeks ago.

People constantly put cameras in Isobel's face, said Ollander.

Tourists come to Churchill from all over the world to see sled dogs in action and Isobel has become the star attraction.

"She has touched the hearts of a lot of people."

Against all odds, Isobel refused to be marginalized, said Ollander. Isobel's story is an inspiration to people living with disabilities and those adjusting to change, she added.

"If a blind sled dog can run, just think of what the rest of the world can do."

Isobel, who is named after a young Italian girl who visited her as a newborn pup, became ill in the midst of a storm almost five years ago. The owners knew something was seriously wrong with her so they flew down to Winnipeg, where they took Isobel to see Dr. Evan Fisk. There are no veterinarians in Churchill.

Dr. Fisk determined that despite vaccination, Isobel had contracted a virus that was attacking her brain, said Ollander.

Medical treatment saved Isobel's life, but the damage to her eyes was done. Her retinas had detached and her optic nerves were shot.

While recovering, Isobel faced many highs and lows, said Ollander. She gorged on expensive leather shoes, which later needed to be surgically removed from her stomach. At one point, she stopped eating altogether, depressed from being cooped up inside. But soon after, she was happily reunited with her friend, Thunder, the lead sled dog. And she started running again, learning to use sound and smell as beacons. "She absolutely loves it," said Ollander. "She runs better now than she did with her eyesight."

Before her illness, Isobel ran in the middle of the pack or at point position, behind the lead dog. Now she and Thunder take turns running in the lead.

"In the North, everyone is expected to carry their own weight," said Azure. "Isobel does that and more."

The end of this season marks a sad one for the couple.

After her retirement in January, Isobel will be adopted by a family in Alberta. Her ophthalmology specialist, Dr. Cheryl Cullen, works in Calgary at Western Veterinary Specialist and Emergency Centre.

"Gerald and I derive a lot of strength from our sled dogs, but from Isobel in particular," said Ollander.

"She doesn't know she's blind anymore."

jennifer.pawluk@freepress.mb.ca

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition November 25, 2009 A7

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5 Commentscomment icon

I loved this story! And those northern Spitz dogs... nothing beats them, they have so many wonderful characteristics and qualities.

All my dogs have more determination and ambition than most people I know !!!

Fabulous good news story. Not enough of these around. I'm looking forward to the TV feature. I wish her all the best in her new home. I hope her new family loves her as much as Azur and Ollander do.

I love this story! Animals are incredible, she may have lost her sight but her sense of smell and hearing would be magnified! Great job Isobel!

And people say pets are just pets and they are somewhat stupid. Isobel seems to smarter and have a lot more determination than a lot of human beings. To some, pets are pets but to some of us, our pets are family members. It's a tough decision for Jenafor and Gerald to send their friend to Calgary but I commend them on doing the right thing for Isobel and not themselves. Maybe doctor Cullen can do something for Isobels sight. They fix alot of things with human beings so why not with Isobel or any other animal. I believe Isobel sees alot more than she is given credit for and will one day, see for real again. Good luck to everyone.

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