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It’s no secret that rescue dogs often end up rescuing their adoptive humans, as the adage that love can heal the deepest of wounds rings true.
Sharon Stiteler, known as the blogger “Birdchick,” is one of the thousands of federal workers who lost their jobs this year to sweeping cuts by the Trump administration, and that wound is still healing.
Stiteler had been employed by the U.S. Forest Service in Minnesota, but before that she worked in communications for Denali National Park and Preserve in Alaska.
“So I would joke that if you fell off the mountain or got mauled by a bear, I was the one who wrote the press release,” Stiteler said. “I got to do fun things — like puppy announcements, giving interviews with our biologists — but I also had to do some really hard stuff, like one of my co-workers died in the park.”
Denali has long used sled dogs to carry park management across its 2 million acres of wilderness. The pups help with scientific research, clearing trails, transporting supplies and getting rangers to-and-fro.
When Stiteler had a hard day, she’d pay a visit to the kennels. She signed up to be a volunteer dog walker. And that’s where she met Party Pants — a 55-pound, inquisitive female husky. The pair bonded but were separated when Stiteler took the job in Minnesota last spring.
Then came April, and talk of mass federal layoffs. A friend in Washington, D.C., called and warned Stiteler that her job would evaporate. Just a few hours later, Denali called to say Party Pants was retiring and “she's yours if you want her.”
“So I had this very emotional day of like, I don't know what to do about my job, and I don't know if it's responsible enough for me to take on a dog right now,” Stiteler said.
Ultimately, though, she opted to rehome Party Pants.
According to the National Park Service, Party Pants was born in July 2016. During her tenure at Denali, she patrolled more than 12,000 miles and was the most likely to “Rooo Roo Rooooooooo for attention!” Park visitors got to see her in style during summer sled dog demonstrations. Stiteler said Party Pants was also part of Iditarod opening ceremonies and a cover model for USA Today.
“I just love this dog who has given so much of her life to government service, and I just want to spoil her rotten in retirement,” Stiteler said.
That’s meant some lifestyle adjustments for both ladies. Stiteler is navigating a career outside of civil service work.
“I've been very lucky in that I've done a bazillion different things for the federal government, and I miss it. Well, I miss government work as I used to know it,” she said. “The last couple of months, you didn't know if you were being fired or not. I worked in communications, so we weren't allowed to communicate. And that was frustrating, because you want to be open and honest with the public and the media, and we just weren't allowed to talk.”
Party Pants, meanwhile, is learning to relax and to play. Balls and toys are still new and unfamiliar; ceiling fans and televisions were a tad scary at first encounter.
As they grow together, Stiteler acknowledges her new best friend is a balm for the soul.
“It's very depressing not to have a regular job right now, so she's the reason to get up in the morning and get out walking. She keeps me on my toes, and she keeps me from feeling sorry for myself,” Stiteler said.
While birding is still prominent, Stiteler’s blog now features her and Party Pants’ journey together, too.
“I lost a government job, but gained a government dog. Good trade,” she said.
English (US) ·