A Siberian Husky huh? Hope you know what you're getting in for!

The first thing people ask me when I tell them about our upcoming pup is.....why in the world a husky??
(My brother-in-law especially thinks we are off our rocker because he owned one!; (more on this later)

Well firstly (and quite frankly & honestly).....I would have to say it is their aesthetic value. (Is that bad??)They are so beautiful, majestic, and regal looking. Their gorgeous piercing ice blue eyes (some are bi-eyed which means one blue eye and one brown eye, and some are even parti-eyed which means that part of one eye has two colors in it, very rare and unique). Their pricked up fuzzy ears. Their super thick doublecoat fur. In rich, deep colors such as black & white, or the red & copper (brown) varieties. Or the pure grey or silver tipped coats. Gorgeous! I have met many huskies in my day and every time I met one and was lucky enough to pet one, I made a little mental note that someday I would love to own one (and would name it Starbucks, but that is again, another post!).  My oldest daughter Madi also has a special affinity for huskies......maybe partially by osmosis, but she is super excited we are finally getting a husky! My youngest two don't really seem to care, they are just happy we are getting a puppy of any kind! (My hubby was slightly pushing for an English Bulldog, but when he found out how much they are due to needing to be delivered by c-section due to their large heads, and their predisposition to snorting and wheezing and snoring....he quickly changed his mind! Lucky us!) Ok.....sidetracking....(warning: I will do that a lot....so stay with me......)
Anyway...back to the Siberian Husky..... in regards to their coats. There is another "type" or, variety if you will, of the husky and that is one with a "wooly" coat. The "Wooly Coat" simply means a slightly longer, thicker, much fluffier coat than the average coat for a Siberian. It is absolutely breathtaking, when it is the right length and thickness, though this type coat may not be considered "desirable" by "show" judges, and is not recognized by the AKC breed standards; they call this a fault. ( SAD!)  I personally find this type of husky to be the most gorgeous, but they are extremely difficult to find, with just a few breeders across the country, but I was against shipping a 8 week old pup in a crate across United States.
The breeder we found here locally breeds some pups with a longer coat, but not as long as the "wooly" variety. But he/she will still be quite a fluff ball!

I know that the most important quality that draws me to a husky is it's unflappable loyalty to it's family or pack, and it's reputation as being one of the most friendliest and most people-oriented breeds around. So no guard dog for us! (Not that I was looking for one anyway). But if an intruder would ever (God forbid) happen to find his way into our home, the worst our lovely husky would ever to is lick him to death! And then he (our sweet friendly dog) would probably invite him to help himself to anything he desired as long as there was some playtime involved! A husky's even & friendly temperament, and ability to get along with anyone, has to do with their background and history. Way back in time, several thousand years ago, the women and children of the Chuchki tribe; a primitive Eskimo-like tribe in Siberia, raised the dogs and were responsible for their daily care, and the children were encouraged to play with the dogs often. So, the breed adapted quickly to family life and became accustomed to much interaction with humans & most especially children.  They make one of the best breeds to have around kids!

They are also one of the most intelligent breeds around. This can be a good thing, but can also be a bad thing; depending on how you look at it and how ready you are to outsmart them and be always be one step ahead. They are easily trained unless you show them that you are the weaker link. Then they will definitely try to take over the roost. You HAVE to show them that you are the leader of the pack! So...I will be the ALPHA! ( That's kinda funny to me....can't really explain why) but I will make sure he/she knows that without question!

So then why....do you ask....do people have such a shocked reaction when we tell them we have chosen a husky pup.
Well....it's probably because they know that as sled dogs, the breed has a strong desire for speed! Yep...to run. And to run and run and run. Run 1000's of miles before even glancing back. It is therefore strongly advised that you NEVER take your husky dog off-leash....EVER! Even if you think you have trained the best, most well-mannered, most command- following dog ever, you should not let a husky off it's leash!! So.....we won't! Better to know and be prepared, than to be chasing our pup to Alaska!

They apparently also have an attraction to ....yes you guessed it......DIGGING! ( Much to my husband's dismay....but hey....the deposit is non-refundable! Lucky me again!) I however am going to make it my mission in life to curb this particular habit or hobby, and replace it with a more acceptable form of releasing that natural dog energy. Not yet quite sure how.....but I will research and experiment till I find something that works, both in the best interest of our yard and our pups needs. (Some books suggest setting up a sandbox that is strictly for the dog to dig in.) (and Zoe of course!) ( What a cute picture that makes in my mind!)

And lastly.....all that gorgeous fluffy double-coat fur has to go somewhere in the summer right? Yes...they shed! It is warned that they will drop their undercoat at least once, sometimes twice a year. And when I say drop....I mean DUMP!! (Not sure my hubby knows about this one yet, but he will now!) So....it is suggested that to keep up with it, and to alleviate wearing it....that you brush your dog daily during these shedding seasons! I figure between the 5 of us....we can easily accomplish this. Besides...I have always loved brushing our dogs...it's a very calming activity and notice that the dogs love it too! And think of all the local backyard bird nests we will be providing warmth for! ( See....there's a bright side to everything!!)
However...they are also one of the most meticulous dogs on the planet. Much like cats do, they clean themselves, and naturally desire to be clean and free of debris. They very rarely need baths, and apparently have surprisingly little "doggy" smell. (which isn't always THAT bad)

After all is said and done...I definitely feel that the more desirable traits in a husky, far outweigh the lesser ones! And there is almost always a solution to any issue!

We are very much looking forward to the bond we will form with our new little pup, and look forward to any challenges he will present us with, knowing that whatever we face together will only brings us closer, and the experiences will only make us stronger and all the more wiser! And I'm banking on the fact that on the way I will learn a lot about myself! Dogs have a naturally uncanny way of teaching humans a lesson or two.

And in regards to my brother-in-law's views on it...I know he's just giving us a head's up warning, but I am up to the challenge of disproving his theory! With great attention, and positive and consistent training, lots of physical and mental exercise, we will have the perfect husky dog! ( Don't make me eat those words pup!)

I also believe each dog is different, regardless of breed characteristics,......... just like all of us.

A Pet's Ten Commandments

A friend, and fellow dog & serious animal lover sent me this in an e-mail yesterday....and I thought it'd make a perfect post for today! I absolutely LOVED it ......and it came with this story (see below).....enjoy!

I know it isn't really MY post....and that I am probably breaking all the blogging rules.....but are there rules.....really? And don't you think that there are too many rules in life already? And aren't rules sometimes meant to be broken?? (Don't tell my kids ....or my dogs that!)

A PET'S TEN COMMANDMENTS.........


1. My life is likely to last 10-15 years. Any separation from you is likely to be painful.


2. Give me time to understand what you want of me.


3. Place your trust in me. It is crucial for my well-being..


4. Don't be angry with me for long and don't lock me up as punishment. You have your work, your friends, your entertainment, but I have only you.


5. Talk to me. Even if I don't understand your words, I do understand your voice when speaking to me.


6. Be aware that however you treat me, I will never forget it.


7. Before you hit me, before you strike me, remember that I could hurt you, and yet, I choose not to bite you.


8. Before you scold me for being lazy or uncooperative, ask yourself if something might be bothering me. Perhaps I'm not getting the right food, I have been in the sun too long, or my heart might be getting old or weak.


9. Please take care of me when I grow old. You too, will grow old.


10. On the ultimate difficult journey, go with me please. Never say you can't bear to watch. Don't make me face this alone. Everything is easier for me if you are there, because I love you so.


~Take a moment today to thank God for your pets. Enjoy and take good care of them. Life would be a much duller, less joyful experience without God's critters.


~Now please pass this on to other pet owners. We do not have to wait for Heaven, to be surrounded by hope, love, and joyfulness. It is here on earth and has four legs!

The K9 above is Brutus, a military K9 at McChord. He's huge - part Boxer and part British Bull Mastiff and tops the scales at 200 lbs. His handler took the picture. Brutus is running toward me because he knows I have some Milk Bone treats, so he's slobbering away! I had to duck around a tree just before he got to me in case he couldn't stop, but he did. Brutus won the Congressional Medal of Honor last year from his tour in Iraq .. His handler and four other soldiers were taken hostage by insurgents. Brutus and his handler communicate by sign language and he gave Brutus the signal that meant 'go away but come back and find me'. The Iraqis paid no attention to Brutus. He came back later and quietly tore the throat out of one guard at one door and another guard at another door. He then jumped against one of the doors repeatedly (the guys were being held in an old warehouse) until it opened. He went in and untied his handler and they all escaped. He's the first K9 to receive this honor. If he knows you're ok, he's a big old lug and wants to sit in your lap. Enjoys the company of cats. K-9 Congressional Medal of Honor Winner !
 
 Talk about animal intelligence and bonding with humans!
 
Remember that they can't do a lot of things for themselves and that they depend on you to make their life a quality life!

Are we crazy??

Many feel that we are crazy! I suppose possibly.....we are! Puppy crazy! Pet Crazy! Adding another dog to our already large family of 3 kids, two dogs, and a cat! CRAZY! Right??
Well yes......it will certainly add to the happy chaos that we call our family! (I'll probably be questioning myself at 3 am, when the pup has to go out for a tinkle!)
But we sure do love our pets! A Lot! They bring us such immense joy, and teach us so many invaluable lessons! Our youngest, Zoe, is ABSOLUTELY dog crazy! She spends a good 80% of her day at home playing with our dogs. No need for toys here! She'll carefully carry around our little Boomer, a pomeranian-chihuahua mix. She playfully drags our 10 year old chocolate lab Fudge around the house by his collar. She often lays on the floor snuggling them, hugging them, reading to them, and singing to them. And the highlight of the day is treat time. But they have taught her patience, and gentle kindness, and friendship. And through observing every one of their interactions, our dogs have taught me to really appreciate the simple things!

"A dog is the greatest gift a parent can get a child. Ok...a good education, then a dog"
John Grogan, An interview with John Grogan,2008

It's Official! We're expecting a puppy!!

Yes, yes......I know what you're all thinking.......(that post comes tomorrow!)

It's official! We have decided to add another member to our happy, busy, chaotic, loving family! As a family, we have decided upon a siberian husky puppy! (Pics to be posted soon!)
We are all very very excited, and anxiously awaiting delivery day. Well, that is, coming home day. He/She is currently 4 weeks old. Every Sunday is visiting day, and my how fast they grow in a week. We have spent two Sundays with him/her now. They are from a breeder in Snohomish, with 7 other brothers & sisters! They are all so handsome and beautiful, it was really hard to pick! Well.....we haven't actually picked ONE yet...we have two reserved. One is a male and one is a female. Which to pick. Is a girl dog better, or a male dog? My husband definitely prefers male dogs over female dogs. Something about the broad depth of their faces, shoulders, larger body, etc. We've really only ever had male dogs. They seem to always be more loving, attentive, loyal, goofy, more playful, and less aloof. Plus the male aggresion situation is definitely curbed by neutering early! But I have heard lately that a female husky tends to be better around a family with young children as the natural nurturing instincts kick in with kids.
Will you all please respond with comments in regards to your dog experiences....male or female....and why.
Thanks for your help & insight! We have to make our final decision by next visiting day!