Mike W. Bryant
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Oct 31/01) - One woman's love for her pooch has also become the source of constant heartache.

Gina Sydenham has found herself between a rock and a hard place ever since taking a job at Diavik Diamond Mine five months ago.

Karen Stephenson has been taking care of Cuddles the cockapoo for the last several months while Gina Sydenham works at Diavik, but says she would like to find another dogsitter for him, so she can continue providing foster care for other dogs. - Mike W. Bryant/NNSL photo

She says the job is great. The only problem she has had thus far is finding a home for her 10-year-old male cockapoo Cuddles while she's away.

"I will leave my job if I can't find anyone to take care of him," says Sydenham.

"People might find that kind of crazy, but Cuddles is the most important thing to me."

"If I could have my dog here I would never leave the site."

The mine accounting clerk first encountered Cuddles while taking a stroll through the local animal shelter nine years ago.

The poodle-spaniel cross had been abandoned by his original owners, but Sydenham immediately took to the dog, and the two have been together ever since.

Although she was able to find foster care for the dog after taking the Diavik job last summer, it was only meant to be a temporary situation.

Karen Stephenson, a volunteer with the NWT SPCA who has taken between 10 and 15 small dogs into her home over the last two years, says she would never leave Cuddles hanging high and dry but it would be better if someone else could take care of Cuddles while Sydenham works her four weeks in, two weeks out shift at Diavik.

Besides, Stephenson already has a dog of her own at home.

"It's a lot of work taking care of two dogs, and that doesn't allow me time to be able to look after foster dogs for the SPCA," Stephenson explains.

Sydenham says she will gladly pay all expenses to anyone interested in being Cuddles' dogsitter. She also notes that he has personality that would easily endear him to just about anyone.

"He's a low maintenance dog," says Sydenham. "He's kind of quirky in the sense that he needs to be around people."

"I could easily have him in a kennel, but that would break his heart. He's use to having a sofa and watching TV, and have someone tell him he's a good guy."

Anybody wishing to give Sydenham and Cuddles a break, should contact the local SPCA for more information.