Another brick in the HHR wall

THE WHY? November is my birthday month.

THE MOTIVATION: Husky Heaven Rescue (for the love of the Husky breed) https://huskyheavenrescue.com/

THE PLAN: Go AnyWear Adventure Clothing has a brand new Siberian Husky T-shirt range. For each T-shirt that you order I will donate 10% to HHR. This amounts to 3 bricks (R30) to assist HHR with their brick project.

THE STORY ...

Not surprisingly my Celtic Zodiac sign is that of the WOLF!

My husband has often said that if ever we lived on a big property, like a plot or a farm, the rate at which I would accumulate animals would probably be something for the record books.

My entire life I have had a passionate love for animals and a fascination with wolves: it’s in the way that they move, it’s the haunting yellow eyes; their beautiful furry coats and even though man has hunted them almost to extinction they persevere and survive. They remain true to themselves … staying WILD and FREE … also: they sing to the moon.

Since having any wild animal as a pet is wrong on ALL levels the next best thing would be the domesticated dog – and since they are all decedent from the gray wolf (Canis Lupus) – then this is who I would choose to share my life with.

I do remember that while I was in high school, I often saw a young boy walking his husky. I on the other hand fell in love with a husky when we bought our first house, and this is our story …

Some years ago, on the East Rand of Johannesburg lived a young couple, they decided that they would like to own a house, a place that they could call home and a place that would give them a bit more space than that of a townhouse in a complex. Once said house with big open garden was purchased, the young couple thought that they would be able to give a dog a home, because who else would enjoy the big garden with them?

Out on a dog acquiring adventure, the couple went to their local SPCA, to find a dog to enjoy the fast expanse of their suburban lawn. The first SPCA they went to, on the second last row, in the last kennel they found a soulmate … he was approximately eighteen months old at the time, and he was beautiful! The young women said that she knew that this was the dog for her, but the young man said that he thought they should visit some more shelters just to make sure.

At the end of the day the young women said that she had made up her mind and the young man agreed that the beautiful husky should become their pet. They named him Cuzak and he lived a long and very loved life to the ripe old age of 98.

Years after he passed another husky came to join our family, her name is Frankie … she is the “luna wolf” meaning alpha female of the house … she rules her underlings with howls when she demands food and constant reminders that it is time to take her out in suburbia for a run or a walk. Frankie was adopted from HHR (Husky Heaven Rescue).

Please be aware that although I am fascinated with wolves and I love huskies - and I mention them in the same sentences - Siberian Huskies; Alaskan Malamutes or any other Nordic/Sled dog breeds are NOT wolves. Dogs including these breeds have been domesticated for thousands of years.

And … VERY IMPORTANT to keep in mind: One should ALWAYS do extensive research before you get a new dog – you need to make sure that your new family member will fit into your lifestyle. If you are someone that is not fond of outdoor activities and you would rather stay home and relax, then a highly active breed is not for you, but with some research you will find a match made in heaven. Siberian Huskies, Alaskan Malamutes and sled dog breeds are bred to be working dogs, it is in their blood to run vast distances. Siberian huskies are high endurance, energetic, resilient dogs and without much training can easily run 30 kilometers in a day. Huskies that are in training can run around a 150 kilometers per day and they can do that for 10 days in a row.

Many people acquire Siberian Husky puppies because of their stunning looks and maybe because they seem exotic. Once the puppies grow up to be energetic teenagers many sadly end up in shelters because they are “naughty”, but they are not! They are misunderstood and mistreated. This is not be the type of dog that you can expect to lazily lay around the house all day – they may become frustrated and destructive – you will need to spend much time with them to get rid of the extra (LOTS OF EXTRA) energy. But ... once you have shared your life with a husky, perhaps then you will understand the love for the breed. They are exceptional dogs (soulmates).