Five charming stories about Yaroslavl dogs
Stories from Yaroslavl dog owners reveal everyday companionship, adventures, and endearing canine mischief.
It’s a joy to come home and be greeted by a fluffy, tail-wagging wonder. However bad the day has been, a smile comes on at the sight of a dog. In a new installment of the column «How I Got a Dog», we’ve gathered five amusing stories about pets from Yaroslavl dog owners.
Fidgety Prada
Prada, adopted from a shelter as a puppy, is now a calm ten-year-old companion.
This is Alexandra and her dog named Prada, who is already 10 years old. She joined the family quite simply.
«We had a dog who died of old age. Without a dog, the house felt sad and empty. We’ve always had animals in our family. So we went to a shelter, where Prada caught our eye. She went straight to our hearts. We took her when she was six months old. We call her — “blue-blooded ovchelaika,” because she looks like a mix of a Laika-type and a shepherd», — said Alexandra.
The pet gives most of her attention to Alexandra. Prada sleeps with her owner, goes for walks, and is more likely to obey. The little dog knows basic commands: «sit», «give paw». And in general she is very obedient.
«She’s very calm, but when we go into the city, she’s suddenly interested in everything. She fusses, wants to sniff and look at everything. Her favorite toys are sticks. She’s crazy about them. Just ask for a stick — she’ll bring it right away. She’d give anything for them», — the Yaroslavl resident said.
Gaya the Huntress
Gaya the beagle has been with Ksenia since puppyhood, traveling on countless trips.
This long-eared beauty is named Gaya. Breed — beagle. Gaya is already eight years old. Her owner Ksenia had long dreamed of getting such a dog.
«I found her on a classifieds site. She was in Moscow and cost a lot of money — unaffordable at the time. But I wrote anyway, hoping they might lower the price. It so happened I was on a business trip in the capital, and they messaged that we could discuss it. I wrote back that I was in Moscow, but there was no reply. And when I was already approaching Pereslavl, a message came saying I could pick her up. I got off the official transport, hitched a ride, and went back for her», — Ksenia shared.
Ksenia and Gaya are inseparable. The Yaroslavl resident always takes her pet with her on trips.
«When I worked in Moscow — she was with me. Any trip, hotels or rentals — together. We’ve traveled to Belarus with her. I drive, and she sits in the passenger seat like a navigator», — said Ksenia.
The beagle is a hunting breed, so Ksenia takes Gaya out into nature, into the forest, where she can really run.
«We often go to the Prusovsky quarries (Yaroslavl Oblast). One spring she got lost: picked up a trail and bolted. I looked for her for a day and a half; in the end she came out on her own. We recently saw moose, and she nearly lost her mind. Gaya ran around them barking, and they didn’t so much as flinch», — the Yaroslavl resident said.
Little Asya
Asya is a small mixed-breed, spirited and protective despite her tiny size.
This little one is Asya. There’s no exact breed; her parents are mixed, so her genetics are a strong blend.
«She’s got four breeds in her. Dogs like that are very fierce. She doesn’t care which dog she’s barking at — the main thing is to protect Mom. Everyone in the courtyard already knows her. If someone’s barking loudly — it means Asenka has gone out for a walk», — said Olga.
Because of family problems, Olga felt a need for a friend, so she decided to get a pet.
«I wanted a small dog. I went on a classifieds site because it was hard to find one in kennels. I happened to find her, drove over during my lunch break, paid 6,000 rubles (about $62 at current rates), and brought home this palm-sized wonder. The breed didn’t matter to me. I just wanted to give my love to a little dog», — Olga shared.
Asya has lots of toys. She loves soft ones, especially tearing them apart. Asya can’t do without treats either. As Olga noted, without a snuffle ball or a treat, she won’t let her owner leave the house. But her favorite thing is eating.
«Asya loves to eat. The last time at the dacha she disappeared. I thought she was with my daughter, and my daughter thought she was with me. We started calling, but the dog didn’t come. It turned out she was at the neighbors’. She had slipped into their house, gorged on dry kibble, swelled up like a balloon and couldn’t squeeze through any gap. We had to dig underneath to get her out», — Olga said.
Leon the Companion
Leon, an exuberant young Labrador, loves long walks and swimming in local rivers.
Leon is a Labrador; he’s just one year and two months old. He’s exactly the kind of pet Viktor’s family wanted.
«We’d wanted a dog for a long time, and my wife chose this pet. Why a Labrador? Because it’s a companion dog. Wonderful temperament. He’s very kind to people. And overall he’s big — that’s what we wanted», — said Viktor.
Leon can’t live without walks. And if he gets to swim on a walk, the day is made.
«He loves to swim. Sometimes we go with him to the Kotorosl and the Volga. Sometimes in a single walk he manages to swim in both rivers», — Viktor shared.
Quiet Ghost
Ghost, a White Swiss Shepherd, resembles a wolf but has a gentle, reserved temperament.
Konstantin first came up with a name for his future dog — Ghost, inspired by the TV series «Game of Thrones» (18+), which had an albino wolf with that name. Only after that did a dog appear in the Yaroslavl family.
«We came up with the name first, and only then bought the dog. We were looking for a white dog and went to a kennel, where we met him. He’s a White Swiss Shepherd. He’ll turn nine in December. We took him two months after he was born», — said Konstantin.
As Konstantin noted, Ghost learned to be calm thanks to his housemates.
«He grew up with two cats, so he’s very quiet. He’s big — 45 kilos (about 99 lb) — but at home he curls up and sleeps like a cat. He can’t understand why the street cats won’t play with him. He wants to, and they absolutely won’t», — the Yaroslavl resident shared.
Ghost is already an old dog and, as Konstantin noted, has become more picky and sometimes shows character. He has dog friends at the dacha and is calm with them. In the city he may bark out of contrariness to show he’s the boss here.
«The breed isn’t aggressive. They’re more of a herding type. As a guard he’s so-so, although he does watch over the apartment. He only barks; he’s never bitten anyone in his life. Although he looks formidable and big, he’s obsessed with balls. When we arrive at the dacha, he immediately runs to look for them. He’s got five or six balls on the property. At home there are constant tantrums when a ball rolls under the sofa — I fetch the ball, five minutes later another tantrum, and so on in circles. His best friend is the robot vacuum, which retrieves the balls», — Konstantin shared.
Earlier we also showed funny photos of Yaroslavl cats.
