Catching up with the dogs America’s Olympians saved from Sochi

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Social Links for Rebecca White
Published May 25, 2014, 8:18 a.m. ET
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Kenworthy brought home twice the love: Jake (left) and Mishka. His mom even adopted the pups’ mother.
Skier Gus Kenworthy brought home twice the love: Jake (left) and Mishka. Robin Macdonald
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Jake the pup proudly wears the silver medal owner Gus Kenworthy won in Sochi.
Jake the pup proudly wears the silver medal Kenworthy won in Sochi. Robin Macdonald
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Jake, at home with Kenworthy in Colorado, sports his owner's silver medal.
Jake, at home with Kenworthy in Colorado, sports his owner’s silver medal. Robin Macdonald
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Kenworthy's friend found the canines taking shelter under a tent near an Olympic venue. “They were literally the cutest puppies I’ve ever seen," Kenworthy says.
Kenworthy’s friend found the canines taking shelter under a tent near an Olympic venue. “They were literally the cutest puppies I’ve ever seen,” Kenworthy says. Robin Macdonald
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Not only did skier Gus Kenworthy rescue his pups Mishka (center) and Jake (right) — the dogs' mom, Mama, was adopted by Kenworthy's own mother.
Not only did Kenworthy rescue his pups Mishka (center) and Jake (right) — the dogs’ mom, Mama, was adopted by Kenworthy’s own mother. Robin Macdonald
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Kenworthy competed in the freestyle event.
Kenworthy competed in the freestyle event.
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Snowboarder Lindsey Jacobellis fell in love with her Russian pup, Sochi, when the dog jumped into her equipment bag as she was wheeling it into her hotel.
Snowboarder Lindsey Jacobellis fell in love with her Russian pup, Sochi, when the dog jumped onto her equipment bag as she was wheeling it into her hotel. Douglas Healey
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Snowboarder Lindsey Jacobellis fell in love with her Russian pup, Sochi, when the dog jumped into her equipment bag as she was wheeling it into her hotel.
U.S. 2006 Olympic Silver Medalist for women’s snow boarding Lindsey Jacobellis poses with her new friend named “Sochi” Wednesday May 14, 2014 at her home in Roxbury, Conn. Jacobellis adopted… Douglas Healey
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Jacobellis, who won silver in the 2006 games, lives with Sochi in Connecticut.
Jacobellis, who won silver in the 2006 games, lives with Sochi in Connecticut. Douglas Healey
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Jacobellis's pup Sochi has formed a close bond with the snowboarder's parent's dog, Bayer.
Sochi has formed a close bond with Jacobellis’ parents’ dog, Bayer. Douglas Healey
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Jacobellis competed, but did not place, at the Sochi games.
Jacobellis competed, but did not place, at the Sochi games. Cameron Spencer/Getty Images
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Hockey player Kelli Stack didn't just take home a silver medal in Sochi. She also brought a pup named Shayba back to Massachusetts.
Hockey player Kelli Stack didn’t just take home a silver medal from Sochi. She also brought a pup named Shayba back to Massachusetts. Winslow Townson
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“Shayba only knew Russian,” says Stack, 25. “I would constantly say ‘shake’ or ‘paw’ and she would just sit there.” The dog is slowly learning English but training has been a slow process. “We taught her how to give paw; it took probably a week,” Stack says.
“Shayba only knew Russian,” says Stack. “I would constantly say ‘shake’ or ‘paw’ and she would just sit there.” The dog is slowly learning English but training has been a slow process. “We taught her how to give paw; it took probably a week,” Stack says. Winslow Townson
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Shayba wears the silver medal won by new owner Kelli Stack of the US Women’s hockey team.
Shayba wears Stack’s silver medal. Winslow Townson
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Stack is a forward on the US women's hockey team.
Stack is a forward on the US women’s hockey team. Martin Rose/Getty Images
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Amanda Bird, a former competitive bobsledder who is now the director of marketing and communications for the U.S. Bobsled and Skeleton Federation, adopted her pup Sochi at last winter's Olympic games with the help of actress Katherine Heigl.
Amanda Bird, a former competitive bobsledder who is now the director of marketing and communications for the US Bobsled and Skeleton Federation, adopted her pup, Sochi, at last winter’s Olympic games with the help of actress Katherine Heigl. Amanda Bird
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David and Kelly Backes helped bring Jake back to the US before the pup was adopted by New York Ranger Derek Stepan.
David and Kelly Backes helped bring Jake back to the US before the pup was adopted by the New York Rangers’ Derek Stepan. David and Kelly Backes
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New York Rangers' forward Derek Stepan also adopted a Sochi dog, named Jake, through the organization Athletes for Animals.
Rangers forward Stepan adopted Jake through the organization Athletes for Animals. Kostas Lymperopoulos/CSM