I hate for my very first Husky blog post in over two years to be one so sad and tragic, but it is imperative to get the word out there so that something will be done.
For those of you who are not already familiar with Bear-Bear's story, go to the following website for all the news: http://justiceforbearbear.wordpress.com/
In short, Bear-Bear was a beautiful, 3 year-old Siberian who belonged to Ryan and Rachel Rettaliata, was a regular at the community dog park, and was shot and killed by an off-duty federal officer who claims that the dog was attacking his dog and that he feared for himself, his dog, and his wife. I call Husky crap on his story.
First -- This "officer" was walking his dog on leash in an off-leash dog park. Any idiot should know better.
Secondly -- He says his wife was holding the leash and it sounds like she freaked out when her dog pulled her forward. If she could not control herself or the dog, why did she have the leash? She went into panic-mode, and that is never good for a dog owner.
Third -- Huskies are not an aggressive breed. In fact, a recent Ivy League study shows that they are the LEAST AGGRESSIVE breed. http://publicintellectual.wordpress.com/2010/03/17/ivy-league-study-huskies-safest-breed/
They cannot even be trained to be watch dogs because they are so friendly. They do like to play rough, however. I don't know how many times I will look to see my Huskies playing, and they will have each other pinned down, will be pulling on each others' fur, and will be getting mouthy with each other.
Fourth -- Even if the dogs were getting too rough, there are ways to break up fights, rough play, etc. without using lethal force. Most people I know carry water bottles with them when they walk their dogs or take them to a dog park. A blast of water is usually pretty good incentive to get dogs to break apart from each other.
Finally, Gandhi once said "The greatness of a nation can be judged by the way its animals are treated." How Bear-Bear and the Rettaliatas receive justice in this case will say a lot.
Sunday, August 15, 2010
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Tales of the Pack...We Have Returned!
Below this post, the entries consist of things I wrote in a previous blog about the dogs. I switched over and re-posted them here.
I noticed the date of my last piece....holy flying crap monkeys, Batman! It was two years ago! So many things have happened with the pack since then...where to start?!
As you might imagine, the Pack is still up to their antics. What group of Siberians don't find their share of trouble to make?! The a-rooooo-ing, yodeling, howling, and ya-ya-ya-ing are still filling the air, and we humans are pretty sure that there is plotting among the furry residents to see which one can come up with the most outrageous prank!
So, sit back and enjoy the Siberian Express....
I noticed the date of my last piece....holy flying crap monkeys, Batman! It was two years ago! So many things have happened with the pack since then...where to start?!
As you might imagine, the Pack is still up to their antics. What group of Siberians don't find their share of trouble to make?! The a-rooooo-ing, yodeling, howling, and ya-ya-ya-ing are still filling the air, and we humans are pretty sure that there is plotting among the furry residents to see which one can come up with the most outrageous prank!
So, sit back and enjoy the Siberian Express....
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Walk Softly and Carry a Big Stick
(originally written 7-18-2008)
This could almost be the Huskies' motto, minus the "walk softly" part, of course. It's more like, "Run like your furry tail is on fire and carry a big stick" for them! And the bigger the stick, the better. In fact, I have spied the occasional Husky with a stick longer than he is! That is a big stick. One day, I drove into my mother's driveway, and when I glanced over into her back yard, I spied Demon running like the wind, Jade close behind him, a stick nearly as long as the driveway itself clutched in his grinning Siberian mouth.
Unlike a Lab or other retriever type breed, your average Husky will not run after a stick and return it to you for you to throw again. Huskies have an entirely different agenda when it comes to their toys, sticks included. I have yet to figure out exactly what that agenda is, and I suspect that no other human out there has figured it, either. Huskies live and behave according to a different set of rules than most dogs.
Dougal, the Great White Fuzzy Butt, collected a whole stack of sticks from our back yard. We used to have several pine trees, most of which are gone now, but there are remains. One day, we noticed that there was a pile of sticks gathered in one spot. Apparently, Dougal collected them from around the yard and placed them all in one general area. We're not sure if he was trying to build a log cabin with them, collect them for fire wood, or put all of his "toys" in one stack away from the other dogs. With Dougal, you never know.
Not too long ago, Xena made the move from sticks to snakes. Okay, to be fair, the snake DID encroach upon her territory. It seems that a black snake decided to make a visit to her kennel one day. I'm not sure if it was trying to stage a repeat of the Garden of Eden story and tempt Xena to fall from grace or if it was simply looking for some water, considering that we have been living in extremely dry conditions lately, but it soon learned that it picked the wrong dog. Xena's practice with sticks had trained her well. She picked that snake up and was whipping it around like Indiana Jones works his whip. I think that perhaps she's been sneaking up to my mom's window and watching movies when nobody suspects, and she has picked up a few tricks. At any rate, the snake didn't stand a chance. Sticks are sturdier. I believe it is now out on the Reptile Rumor Mill that Xena's kennel is a Stay Away Zone for all cold-blooded, apodal types.
So, the snakes are gone, but the sticks will always be there!
This could almost be the Huskies' motto, minus the "walk softly" part, of course. It's more like, "Run like your furry tail is on fire and carry a big stick" for them! And the bigger the stick, the better. In fact, I have spied the occasional Husky with a stick longer than he is! That is a big stick. One day, I drove into my mother's driveway, and when I glanced over into her back yard, I spied Demon running like the wind, Jade close behind him, a stick nearly as long as the driveway itself clutched in his grinning Siberian mouth.
Unlike a Lab or other retriever type breed, your average Husky will not run after a stick and return it to you for you to throw again. Huskies have an entirely different agenda when it comes to their toys, sticks included. I have yet to figure out exactly what that agenda is, and I suspect that no other human out there has figured it, either. Huskies live and behave according to a different set of rules than most dogs.
Dougal, the Great White Fuzzy Butt, collected a whole stack of sticks from our back yard. We used to have several pine trees, most of which are gone now, but there are remains. One day, we noticed that there was a pile of sticks gathered in one spot. Apparently, Dougal collected them from around the yard and placed them all in one general area. We're not sure if he was trying to build a log cabin with them, collect them for fire wood, or put all of his "toys" in one stack away from the other dogs. With Dougal, you never know.
Not too long ago, Xena made the move from sticks to snakes. Okay, to be fair, the snake DID encroach upon her territory. It seems that a black snake decided to make a visit to her kennel one day. I'm not sure if it was trying to stage a repeat of the Garden of Eden story and tempt Xena to fall from grace or if it was simply looking for some water, considering that we have been living in extremely dry conditions lately, but it soon learned that it picked the wrong dog. Xena's practice with sticks had trained her well. She picked that snake up and was whipping it around like Indiana Jones works his whip. I think that perhaps she's been sneaking up to my mom's window and watching movies when nobody suspects, and she has picked up a few tricks. At any rate, the snake didn't stand a chance. Sticks are sturdier. I believe it is now out on the Reptile Rumor Mill that Xena's kennel is a Stay Away Zone for all cold-blooded, apodal types.
So, the snakes are gone, but the sticks will always be there!
Let Them Eat Bread!
(originally written 5-1-2008)
What delicious edibles do your dogs go crazy over? Milk bones? Hot dogs? Greenies? Left over roast or steak? All of the above?
What about BREAD? Yes, bread. Any kind of bread. Sunbeam. Wonderbread. Bagels--with or without cream cheese. Garlic bread. Toasted. Straight out of the bag. My dogs, Huskies and Shih Tzus, are carbohydrate crazed canines.
Let me tell you how bad it is. There have been many mornings that we have gotten up to find bags of half-eaten bagels in our bedroom, the incriminating crumbs still dusting the muzzles of our food thieves. Many have been the moments that I have heard the rustle of a bread bag, only to see a dog trotting jauntily around the corner seconds later, a loaf lodged securely in his or her mouth, seeking out a safe corner to enjoy the loot.
Making a sandwich in my house is not a safe endeavor with a dog in the vicinity. A Husky will boldly place front paws on the counter, insisting on her share. A Shih Tzu will either hop madly on back legs, wishing for the same power as his bigger canine cousin or gaze in forlorn entreaty, hoping for some benevolence from his human companion. It is the bread that they are after.
It used to be a trick to disguise pills for the dogs. Not anymore. All I have to do now is wrap them up in some bread, and the dogs will practically inhale them.
So, if there is ever a shortage on kibble, I can always reply: Well, then, let them eat bread!
What delicious edibles do your dogs go crazy over? Milk bones? Hot dogs? Greenies? Left over roast or steak? All of the above?
What about BREAD? Yes, bread. Any kind of bread. Sunbeam. Wonderbread. Bagels--with or without cream cheese. Garlic bread. Toasted. Straight out of the bag. My dogs, Huskies and Shih Tzus, are carbohydrate crazed canines.
Let me tell you how bad it is. There have been many mornings that we have gotten up to find bags of half-eaten bagels in our bedroom, the incriminating crumbs still dusting the muzzles of our food thieves. Many have been the moments that I have heard the rustle of a bread bag, only to see a dog trotting jauntily around the corner seconds later, a loaf lodged securely in his or her mouth, seeking out a safe corner to enjoy the loot.
Making a sandwich in my house is not a safe endeavor with a dog in the vicinity. A Husky will boldly place front paws on the counter, insisting on her share. A Shih Tzu will either hop madly on back legs, wishing for the same power as his bigger canine cousin or gaze in forlorn entreaty, hoping for some benevolence from his human companion. It is the bread that they are after.
It used to be a trick to disguise pills for the dogs. Not anymore. All I have to do now is wrap them up in some bread, and the dogs will practically inhale them.
So, if there is ever a shortage on kibble, I can always reply: Well, then, let them eat bread!
The Honeymoon is Over!
(originally written 4-25-2008)
In any Husky pack, there will emerge an Alpha, a leader, the Head Honcho of the Husky Haven. Often, an Alpha Pair, consisting of the Alpha Male and Alpha Female, will join forces and become Lords of the Lair, prowling around the homestead in lupine fashion, nipping at the young ones to keep them in line, reminding the peasantry of the canine worlds that they are the King and Queen of the Sibes and Don't Ever Forget It!
My mom's Alpha male is clearly Prancer, the big handsome red and white boy who rules the ranch, strutting around in his fur-clad glory. Tasha is clearly this sultan's favorite wife. The two of them are inseparable. Now, there are times when Xena would like to challenge Tasha for the position of Alpha Female, not because she wants to co-rule with Prancer--see my blog entry, Husky Reality TV, Praying the Rosary with Sister Xena for an explanation--but because she simply wants to rule as Alpha Female in her own right.
At my house, the Alpha Leaders are Dougal, the big white woolly man, and Maia, the small black and white Ritalin dog. The Dynamic Duo rule the roost here, making rounds to ensure that the gang is behaving to their standards. I've seen the two of them standing up on the hill behind my house, each one perched on a tree stump, surveying their domain. I've observed the two of them lying lazily on the back deck, guarding the back door from....whatever...while the rest of the pack rested in various places around the kennels and the yard.
This Canine Couple does not always live in peace and harmony, however. Just as all newlyweds eventually learn, the honeymoon ends at some point, and arguments erupt. For humans, the arguments may be over money, who is supposed to wash the dishes, who left the toilet seat up, or who farted under the bed covers. For Huskies, the sources of the arguments may be harder to discover, at least for those of us humans trying to learn about canine behaviour.
Imagine, though, that all is quiet and peaceful, then all of a sudden, the growls and ya-ya-yas erupt. Anyone who is familiar with Husky talk knows that these dogs do not merely bark and growl and howl. They yodel and ya-ya and aaa-roooo. They are very melodramatic animals and could easily win awards for their performance on a stage, if just given the chance. When Dougal and Maia argue, they really ARGUE. They don't fight, as in a knock-down, dog fight. They get in each other's face, and they Husky yodel and ya-ya-ya-ya at each other. They may argue over a dog toy or a treat or sardines. Sometimes, there is no apparent reason for the argument. Like a human couple, maybe they sometimes just get on each other's nerves. Perhaps Dougal is growling at Maia to calm the heck down or Maia is yipping at Dougal to stop being such a hog and for Dog's sake, does he have to fart every time he stands up?
In any Husky pack, there will emerge an Alpha, a leader, the Head Honcho of the Husky Haven. Often, an Alpha Pair, consisting of the Alpha Male and Alpha Female, will join forces and become Lords of the Lair, prowling around the homestead in lupine fashion, nipping at the young ones to keep them in line, reminding the peasantry of the canine worlds that they are the King and Queen of the Sibes and Don't Ever Forget It!
My mom's Alpha male is clearly Prancer, the big handsome red and white boy who rules the ranch, strutting around in his fur-clad glory. Tasha is clearly this sultan's favorite wife. The two of them are inseparable. Now, there are times when Xena would like to challenge Tasha for the position of Alpha Female, not because she wants to co-rule with Prancer--see my blog entry, Husky Reality TV, Praying the Rosary with Sister Xena for an explanation--but because she simply wants to rule as Alpha Female in her own right.
At my house, the Alpha Leaders are Dougal, the big white woolly man, and Maia, the small black and white Ritalin dog. The Dynamic Duo rule the roost here, making rounds to ensure that the gang is behaving to their standards. I've seen the two of them standing up on the hill behind my house, each one perched on a tree stump, surveying their domain. I've observed the two of them lying lazily on the back deck, guarding the back door from....whatever...while the rest of the pack rested in various places around the kennels and the yard.
This Canine Couple does not always live in peace and harmony, however. Just as all newlyweds eventually learn, the honeymoon ends at some point, and arguments erupt. For humans, the arguments may be over money, who is supposed to wash the dishes, who left the toilet seat up, or who farted under the bed covers. For Huskies, the sources of the arguments may be harder to discover, at least for those of us humans trying to learn about canine behaviour.
Imagine, though, that all is quiet and peaceful, then all of a sudden, the growls and ya-ya-yas erupt. Anyone who is familiar with Husky talk knows that these dogs do not merely bark and growl and howl. They yodel and ya-ya and aaa-roooo. They are very melodramatic animals and could easily win awards for their performance on a stage, if just given the chance. When Dougal and Maia argue, they really ARGUE. They don't fight, as in a knock-down, dog fight. They get in each other's face, and they Husky yodel and ya-ya-ya-ya at each other. They may argue over a dog toy or a treat or sardines. Sometimes, there is no apparent reason for the argument. Like a human couple, maybe they sometimes just get on each other's nerves. Perhaps Dougal is growling at Maia to calm the heck down or Maia is yipping at Dougal to stop being such a hog and for Dog's sake, does he have to fart every time he stands up?
Toy Raid!
(originally written 3-13-2008)
Dougal has a new hobby, and I finally figured it out today. I call it, "Toy Raid." It took me a little while to work out what he was trying to do when he would sneak past me into the house, run through to the upstairs, stay a moment, then run back down, and straight back out the back door. I put it all together, though, when I realized that every single time he does this, he has a toy in his mouth.
He doesn't pick up just any toy, however. It has to be a soft, squeaky toy. Those are his favorites. And it does not take him long to chew them into an unrecognizable mass of dead former squeakiness. Dougal does not abandon it then. Far from it. Oh no...he is just getting to the good part then. He will carry the "dead" squeaky toy around after that for weeks. He has a secret cache of such items, and beware the dog that goes near it! He is quite protective of his "kill."
The amusing part is seeing the looks on people's faces when they see this large, white, wolf-looking dog trotting up carrying one of these "dead" items in his mouth. The look of disgust and horror is priceless because it is obvious that they think he has truly killed a bird or squirrel! I generally take pity on them, and after assuring them that no, he does not bite, and yes, he is all dog, not part-wolf (well, I think he does have a bit of wolf in him, but don't tell anyone!), I tell them that he is carrying a "dead" tennis ball or "dead" squeaky toy. Many go away not looking fully convinced.
Dougal went on another Toy Raid today. He zoomed out the back door with TWO toys this time! I bet he feels like it was a bonus hunting day. I've been hearing the squeak, squeak of his ministrations as he goes about de-squeaking the toys and going in for the kill on the back deck. All is quiet now...time for a another squeaky toy funeral, I bet!
Dougal has a new hobby, and I finally figured it out today. I call it, "Toy Raid." It took me a little while to work out what he was trying to do when he would sneak past me into the house, run through to the upstairs, stay a moment, then run back down, and straight back out the back door. I put it all together, though, when I realized that every single time he does this, he has a toy in his mouth.
He doesn't pick up just any toy, however. It has to be a soft, squeaky toy. Those are his favorites. And it does not take him long to chew them into an unrecognizable mass of dead former squeakiness. Dougal does not abandon it then. Far from it. Oh no...he is just getting to the good part then. He will carry the "dead" squeaky toy around after that for weeks. He has a secret cache of such items, and beware the dog that goes near it! He is quite protective of his "kill."
The amusing part is seeing the looks on people's faces when they see this large, white, wolf-looking dog trotting up carrying one of these "dead" items in his mouth. The look of disgust and horror is priceless because it is obvious that they think he has truly killed a bird or squirrel! I generally take pity on them, and after assuring them that no, he does not bite, and yes, he is all dog, not part-wolf (well, I think he does have a bit of wolf in him, but don't tell anyone!), I tell them that he is carrying a "dead" tennis ball or "dead" squeaky toy. Many go away not looking fully convinced.
Dougal went on another Toy Raid today. He zoomed out the back door with TWO toys this time! I bet he feels like it was a bonus hunting day. I've been hearing the squeak, squeak of his ministrations as he goes about de-squeaking the toys and going in for the kill on the back deck. All is quiet now...time for a another squeaky toy funeral, I bet!
Husky Reality TV, Anyone?
(originally written 2-28-2008)
With all of the reality television shows that are on the boob tube these days, my mom and I were talking about the dogs and how they would be infinitely more interesting and amusing than most of what passes for entertainment. Consider some of the following possible episodes:
Pilot episode, Planning Under the Tree: The dogs hold secretive meetings away from their humans under a tree in the corner of the yard. What do they do there as they gather in a circle around the tree? Are they plotting against the people, planning to take over the ranch? Is there an escape plot they are hatching? Are they simply discussing last night's game or exchanging gossip?
Home Improvement Episode: The dogs are ready to spruce up the place! Follow them around as they make plans and put them into action. Skyy evidently has a building project in mind since she is walking from room to room with a hammer in her mouth. She puts the hammer down, surveys each room with a critical eye, and before leaving that room, takes up the hammer again.
Landscaping is also part of the Huskies' plans for their living quarters. They are especially enthusiastic in this endeavor, adding decorative holes in various strategic location all over the yard. The humans expect to look out and see a Chinese family emerge from one of the holes any day now.
The pups are getting in on the home improvement action, too, trotting around with small pieces of wood and tree limbs in their mouths. They need to get together with Skyy and her hammer.
The Cooking with Huskies Episode: Hey y'all! The Huskies have decided to join Stacey in the kitchen. Well, not ALL of them...that would be a disaster. Skyy and Mojo, however, have decided to take cooking lessons, and are watching closely as their human dices up garlic, fresh herbs, onions, etc. At one point, Skyy decides to sample the garlic. The vampires will be leaving her alone this evening! Perhaps she was going for the chicken with tarragon instead. Maybe we shouldn't mention here the time Prancer stole Robert's corn dogs...
The Mating Game! This episode will follow the dogs around as they engage in their high spirited romantic hijinks. Will Prancer choose Cheyenne, Maya, or Tasha. Oh, we know this boy. He'll choose ALL of them! They don't call him Studly for nothing! Watch as he ingeniously finds a way to enter the girls' kennels, Houdini style, at all hours of the day and night.
Tensions rise, however, as Prancer and Loki vie for the attentions of the affectionate Angel and her vivacious sister, Scarlett, and there will even be a few nail-biting moments when Miley actually tries to flirt with Prancer...her very own father!
Praying the Rosary with Xena Episode: Well, it appears that Xena has seen the image of Jesus in her kibble, and now she is taking a vow of chastity. After three heat cycles, she STILL refuses to mate with any of the males. Sister Xena remains adamant in her choice to "take the veil," and she's happy to leave motherhood to the other females.
Treasure Hunt Episode: You just never know what those resourceful canines will find! Dougal proudly shows off the sprinkler that he found...somewhere...that his family had not seen for five years. He keeps it beside his dead tennis ball in his personal treasure cache. Xena's special treasure is a pear from the pear tree down by the fence. She keeps it in her kennel and woe to the dog who tried to sneak in and steal it. Along those same lines, Xena has also been known to pick up the occasional rock to carry back to her kennel.
The Music Hour: Singing with Huskies! The Huskies love to sing, and that's a fact. In fact, Sitka's full name is Song of Sitka. One will start, and within moments, a chorus of Husky voices will join in the concert. The dogs give a short recital of their favorite tunes, and a couple even show off their dancing skills, too.
Stay tuned for these and more exciting episodes of Husky Reality TV! It's guaranteed that there will never be a dull moment while the cameras follow our Siberian friends as they go about their daily lives.
With all of the reality television shows that are on the boob tube these days, my mom and I were talking about the dogs and how they would be infinitely more interesting and amusing than most of what passes for entertainment. Consider some of the following possible episodes:
Pilot episode, Planning Under the Tree: The dogs hold secretive meetings away from their humans under a tree in the corner of the yard. What do they do there as they gather in a circle around the tree? Are they plotting against the people, planning to take over the ranch? Is there an escape plot they are hatching? Are they simply discussing last night's game or exchanging gossip?
Home Improvement Episode: The dogs are ready to spruce up the place! Follow them around as they make plans and put them into action. Skyy evidently has a building project in mind since she is walking from room to room with a hammer in her mouth. She puts the hammer down, surveys each room with a critical eye, and before leaving that room, takes up the hammer again.
Landscaping is also part of the Huskies' plans for their living quarters. They are especially enthusiastic in this endeavor, adding decorative holes in various strategic location all over the yard. The humans expect to look out and see a Chinese family emerge from one of the holes any day now.
The pups are getting in on the home improvement action, too, trotting around with small pieces of wood and tree limbs in their mouths. They need to get together with Skyy and her hammer.
The Cooking with Huskies Episode: Hey y'all! The Huskies have decided to join Stacey in the kitchen. Well, not ALL of them...that would be a disaster. Skyy and Mojo, however, have decided to take cooking lessons, and are watching closely as their human dices up garlic, fresh herbs, onions, etc. At one point, Skyy decides to sample the garlic. The vampires will be leaving her alone this evening! Perhaps she was going for the chicken with tarragon instead. Maybe we shouldn't mention here the time Prancer stole Robert's corn dogs...
The Mating Game! This episode will follow the dogs around as they engage in their high spirited romantic hijinks. Will Prancer choose Cheyenne, Maya, or Tasha. Oh, we know this boy. He'll choose ALL of them! They don't call him Studly for nothing! Watch as he ingeniously finds a way to enter the girls' kennels, Houdini style, at all hours of the day and night.
Tensions rise, however, as Prancer and Loki vie for the attentions of the affectionate Angel and her vivacious sister, Scarlett, and there will even be a few nail-biting moments when Miley actually tries to flirt with Prancer...her very own father!
Praying the Rosary with Xena Episode: Well, it appears that Xena has seen the image of Jesus in her kibble, and now she is taking a vow of chastity. After three heat cycles, she STILL refuses to mate with any of the males. Sister Xena remains adamant in her choice to "take the veil," and she's happy to leave motherhood to the other females.
Treasure Hunt Episode: You just never know what those resourceful canines will find! Dougal proudly shows off the sprinkler that he found...somewhere...that his family had not seen for five years. He keeps it beside his dead tennis ball in his personal treasure cache. Xena's special treasure is a pear from the pear tree down by the fence. She keeps it in her kennel and woe to the dog who tried to sneak in and steal it. Along those same lines, Xena has also been known to pick up the occasional rock to carry back to her kennel.
The Music Hour: Singing with Huskies! The Huskies love to sing, and that's a fact. In fact, Sitka's full name is Song of Sitka. One will start, and within moments, a chorus of Husky voices will join in the concert. The dogs give a short recital of their favorite tunes, and a couple even show off their dancing skills, too.
Stay tuned for these and more exciting episodes of Husky Reality TV! It's guaranteed that there will never be a dull moment while the cameras follow our Siberian friends as they go about their daily lives.
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