Darrell Greer
Northern News Services

Rankin Inlet (Oct 24/01) - It was an experience a wandering little puppy in Rankin Inlet would just as soon forget.

The three-month-old pup was left outside tied to its doghouse while its owner, Ben Fredlund, went to the Chesterfield Inlet Music Festival earlier this month.

Rankin Inlet finance officer Rob Hedley ended up with an unannounced house guest when this little guy was let loose while his owner was out of town. The dog and his owner have since been reunited. - Darrell Greer/NNSL photo

Bad weather extended Fredlund's stay and it's believed mischievous kids were behind the pup's adventures.

RCMP Const. James Peck was coming out of the Northern store when a group of local kids got his attention.

"They pointed this little pup out to me that was left in one of the small garbage boxes by the store," says Peck.

"It was very sad. This was one of the cutest little pups I had ever seen. The dog was visibly upset and acting very timid as a result of the experience."

Peck took the pup, which is part-Alaskan husky, to the hamlet office.

Hamlet finance officer and dog lover, Rob Hedley, decided to take care of the little fellow until his owner could be found.

"I took the pup home with me for the night and I would have kept it if the owner hadn't been found," says Hedley.

"At first my own dog, Spirit, was kind of jealous, but then the two of them started to hit it off. They were running around the house until about 3 a.m."

Fredlund's co-workers told him Hedley had the dog when he returned to work this past Wednesday.

He says he had just purchased the dog for $20 and was glad to get him back.

"I bought the dog on Thursday (Oct. 11) and left for the Chester music festival the very next day," says Fredlund.

"I left the dog outside in its little pen, but I guess kids around the neighbourhood must have let it get loose.

"I'm happy to have him back. I haven't even had time to name him yet."