Story by Bree Derker
In 2021, my husband and I had been searching for a dog for some time. With COVID-19 restrictions in place, adoptable dogs were hard to come by in our area. Eventually, we started looking beyond Canada and came across a photo of a young dog named Doky at a rescue in Mexico. We learned that he was born on the streets, malnourished, and was suffering from mange. Thankfully, a local rescue took him in and got him the care he needed.
Right around the time he was ready to come home, Canada put flight restrictions in place for travelers from Mexico, delaying his arrival by four months. When the time finally came, he flew from Mexico City to Seattle, then took a bus to Vancouver, BC, where we met him for the first time. He was just about a year old at the time. Watching him adjust to his new life and experience so many firsts was incredibly rewarding.
I stayed involved with the rescue for a few years, fostering a few dogs along the way. We had no plans to adopt a second dog, but then we met Alma. Her original foster placement fell through the day she arrived in Canada, so we took her, and the foster dog we already had planned to take on, home temporarily. Within a few days, our first foster was adopted, and Alma stayed with us longer term while we searched for her forever home.
She was very shy and not used to living in a home setting at first, but Doky helped her settle in. The two of them got along so well together, and it didn't take long before we realized she belonged with us. My husband joked that if we didn’t adopt Alma, he’d run away with her, which made it all the more perfect when I surprised him with the adoption papers on his birthday.
Alma is, without a doubt, one of the funniest dogs I’ve ever met. She’s carefree, full of energy, and always ready for her next adventure. At home, she’s usually snuggled up in one of her beds with a toy close by. Life with Alma is never boring. She keeps us laughing and on our toes every day, and we’re so lucky to have her in our lives.
Doky, on the other hand, is our more serious soul. He’s my constant companion, always close by no matter where I go. Doky lives with environmental anxiety, which can make the outside world feel overwhelming at times. But behind his cautious nature is the sweetest heart. It might take him a little while to warm up to new people, but once he trusts you, especially if you have snacks, he’ll be your friend for life.
Both Alma and Doky are what’s known as American Village Dogs. They are free-roaming dogs with no specific, modernized breed. Each village dog is completely unique in appearance and personality, shaped by their environment and individual experiences. It’s part of what makes Doky and Alma so special and we wouldn’t have it any other way.
I’ve worked with animals for most of my life, and I always knew that when the time came, we would adopt. Knowing that both of our dogs had such difficult beginnings only deepened our commitment to giving them every opportunity to experience the good the world has to offer. It’s incredibly meaningful to watch them thrive, grow, and discover joy in the little things. It has been a privilege to be part of that journey with them.
My husband is an avid mountain biker, and when we adopted Doky, we hoped he might enjoy going along for adventures with him. As it turned out, he was a natural. From the very beginning, he took to mountain biking with ease and excitement. It was clear he found something he truly loved.
When Alma came into our lives, we weren’t sure how she’d take to it. We introduced her to the idea gradually, letting her build confidence at her own pace. Thanks to Doky’s example and guidance, she caught on quickly and now joins on rides like she’s been doing it her whole life.
Sharing this passion with our dogs has made mountain biking even more special. It’s something we truly love doing together as a family.
We started introducing Doky to nosework as a way to boost his confidence in new environments and give him a safe space to interact with unfamiliar people and objects. It’s one of the best decisions we’ve made for his well-being. Now, both dogs are participating in nosework trials and have earned titles along the way!
I was recently diagnosed with chronic migraines, and as I focus on treatment, I’ve had to step back from work. Throughout this difficult period, Doky has been a constant source of comfort for me. He rarely leaves my side, offering quiet companionship and emotional support on the hardest days. I’m pretty sure he thinks it’s the greatest thing ever that I’ve been home so much.
Living with a chronic illness can be incredibly challenging, both physically and emotionally. But having my dogs with me every day has brought a sense of stability and comfort that’s played a meaningful role in my recovery.
A few years ago, I was involved in a serious car accident. It was only by chance that the dogs were not in the vehicle with me that day. After that experience, I started researching the safest travel options for dogs and came across GUNNER Kennels.
We purchased our G1™ Medium Kennels as soon as we could. From the moment we started using them, I felt an overwhelming sense of relief knowing our dogs would be protected in the event of an accident.
Another motivation for investing in a GUNNER was Doky’s anxiety in the car. He was often uneasy during rides, especially when heading to unfamiliar places. In his kennel, he feels much more secure, which has made travel way less stressful for him, and for us.
We love taking our dogs everywhere we go, and having the peace of mind that they’re safe and comfortable in their kennels is something I’ll always be grateful for.
