As we announced Monday, the Second Annual Valentine’s Hearts for the Herd is underway. To enter our contest, all you have to do is mail a Valentine’s to your favorite member of The Herd (To: Dog’s Name, c/o The Thundering Herd, PO Box 1835, Maggie Valley, NC  28751-1835).

If you chose, you may enclose a check for a donation to Sarge’s Animal Rescue Foundation (who saved 1,231 dogs and cats in 2014 – see this article for details).

One lucky reader will be selected from all of the Valentine’s mailed to win a beautiful gift basket from Smoky Mountain Dog Bakery! The basket last year was overflowing with awesome treats, chews and toys. We get our own freshly baked Pumpkin Treats from them – which they will gladly ship to wherever you are.

To help you decide which dog deserves your Valentine’s, we will be running profiles of each member of The Herd. This year, we will be doing the order from the dog who received the least number of Valentine’s last year to the most.

Since we have already profiled Cheoah and Natasha, now it is time to present Qannik, the recipient of 41 Valentine’s and last year’s top fundraiser with $448.

Vote for me! Vote for me!

It is actually quite fitting that Qannik raised the most dollars for Sarge’s last year since he is a Sarge’s alum. Well, actually, he never quite made it into the Sarge’s program. You see, the Hu-dad was dropping some donations off at Sarge’s and they mentioned that a white Siberian Husky was at the animal shelter. They were going to pick him up early next week, but did the Hu-dad mind stopping by the shelter and making sure he was ok. So, the Hu-dad stopped, Qannik bounded out to say hello, and the fluffy dog promptly was taken to Chez Herd. Seriously, could you resist that face?

I can do the best face when I need it.

Prior to being adopted, his name was Snowflake, but Hu-dad needed something better. A quick check and Qannik is the Inuit word for Snowflake. So, technically, Q did not change names – just languages. And, of course, Q-Tip is just a play on the Q name.

Trying my handsome sled dog look.

Prior to coming to Chez Herd, Q must have had quite a challenging life. His paws still bear the scars of standing on some sort of wire floor, he had rope burns around his neck, naked ears from fly bites, kennel cough, and a really nasty urinary tract infection. He never developed dog socialization skills and, to this day, he has a really bad habit of getting in other’s space.

Somehow, though, his spirit was never damaged. He is a happy, goofy, fun-loving dog who happily greets everyone who will put up with his licking and nibbling. And once you get your hands in that thick, soft fur, you are more than willing to give him all of the scratches and attention he wants.

Lots of fluff to love.

Q lacks a certain level of logic skills. Ok, lacks any logic skills. But he can sure turn those sparkling blue eyes on you, grin that Q-Tip grin, and win your heart in seconds. He will make Hu-dad read each and every Valentine he receives – over and over.

Tomorrow’s profile will be on Miss Kiska!