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SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
Last Christmas, Todd Brownrigg saved a dog. On a Sunday drive through Dettah he noticed the skinny white stray wandering.

Ten-year-old Mahala Walters hugs her dog Bear beside mother Violet Walters. Mahala experienced a traumatic event when she was eight, changing her mood and behaviour dramatically. Since receiving Bear as a Christmas present, her parents say she is becoming more like her old self. The family was being evicted by the Yellowknife Housing Authority which has rules against having dogs. - Galit Rodan/NNSL photo

The next day, while his wife Violet Walters was at work, he returned by taxi to find the dog and bring him home. Bear, as he is now called, has returned the favour.

Several years ago, Brownrigg's stepdaughter Mahala changed. The cheerful, co-operative girl became angry and argumentative. She no longer did her chores. Her grades dropped and she misbehaved at school. Her mother Violet was often called to come pick her up in the middle of the day.

Eventually, Mahala opened up to her school counsellor. While away from home, the little girl experienced a traumatic event.

Violet debated putting her daughter on medication but Bear, who Brownrigg brought home last December while his daughter was away, turned out to be the best therapy of all.

"It's like night and day," said Brownrigg about the change in his stepdaughter. Mahala is happier, her grades have improved and she is physically healthier.

But now the Yellowknife Housing Authority is evicting the family from their Williams Avenue four-plex unit for breaching the no-pet clause in their lease.

The housing authority has a strict no-pet policy that includes any and all pets from goldfish to large dogs. CEO Jim White said exceptions have been made in the past, in rare and extenuating circumstances, but anyone wishing to keep a pet must be pre-approved and, as for dogs, only small dogs are eligible.

Once made, the exemption is conditional upon the pet's good behaviour. Any complaints can put it in jeopardy. The blanket policy is in place to avert potential complaints and damage-related costs pets can cause, said White.

Brownrigg believes they are being unfairly targeted by the housing authority. Though they did not seek permission to keep a pet, they argue many of their neighbours are keeping pets as well.

Their desire to keep Bear extends far beyond personal attachment. After receiving an eviction notice and a phone call from the sheriff's office Tuesday informing them they had 24 hours to vacate, they obtained letters from Mahala's doctor and school counsellor citing the importance of the dog to their daughter's well-being.

Anneka Westergreen, a counsellor at St. Joseph School, wrote over the past several months she and the school staff "have seen remarkable positive changes ... it appears that the routine and relationships formed with their family pet have had the desired effect of helping Mahala.

"Based on these improvements it would be beneficial for the family to keep this pet."

Dr. Priya Gupta wrote "it seems quite prudent for them to keep the dog and your support in this matter is requested."

Their MLA, Dave Ramsay, managed to get them an extension until last night.

Despite the letters, they were anticipating a hurried packing job on the weekend.

Arriving home after swimming Thursday night, Mahala went straight over to give Bear a hug and lift him up on his hind legs for a dance.

Forty-five minutes later the two were sharing cinnamon toast on the couch and Mahala was demanding kisses. She was sweet and gregarious and, on that night at least, there was no sign that things had ever been any different.

But Brownrigg and Walters are cautious about Mahala's progress and try to insulate her from anything that might cause a setback. They are fortunate to have found a new place to live at a comparable cost but had they not, the consequences could have been devastating.

Though Mahala knows they are moving, she doesn't know the reason. They don't want to upset her.

"It's just nice to have my child coming back," said Brownrigg.

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