As stunning as

It has been a long time since I've seen a dog as stunning as Brut, until we saw a Malamute/maybe Husky male that was strutting his stuff the other day and man, was he a beauty.

He was rather tall, with silvery-white coat, highlighted with black markings around his face, back and tail.  Absolutely stunning.

He didn't walk, but strutted with every step.  He had a confidence and a pride about him that was so much like Brut.  He had it all.

That's the kind of dog I want.  That's the dog I miss.

I didn't think I could get another Husky/Malamute dog again. 

I felt Brut was my "ultimate."  

And I didn't want another Husky/Malamute like Brut.  I have struggled looking at any Northern breeds since losing Brut. 

I've actually been considering a different breed of dog to get when that times comes but honestly, everything about this dog I saw made me fall in love all over again with a Malamute/ Husky dog.  

Like Brut whispering in my ear.

And when the time is right, I will fall in love all over again with Brut in my heart.  

Dance Zappa, Dance!

Zappa doing his Husky snow dance.

Celebrating all the new snow we've gotten over the last 3 days.

Only a Husky...

Watch here or on YouTube.

That would be heaven to me

I never know where my words will take me and the discoveries I will make when I write.  Sometimes it is my own personal revelations, but most of the time it is about that symbiotic relationship with the dogs and I.  It becomes mind opening and mind blowing all at the same time.

The last couple of days we have gotten a foot of snow for the dogs to play in.  There is nothing like watching Huskies in their element.  Their entire being just comes to life.  Their blood just vibrates with sheer excitement as all their senses are awakened.

I too feel the same way about the snow and cold.  I feel I can breathe deeper and reach further.  I feel my blood pump with ice and relish in the quiet serenity that surrounds me.

The dogs want to run instead of walk.  And I would give anything to shed this crappy human body and be transformed into a dog, so we could run together.  The closest I can come to that is when we dog sled.  But that too, is limited.  I want to suck in that freedom that comes when running like a Husky dog in the snow.  I don't know what Heaven will be like, but that would be heaven to me.

 

Part-time Huskies are still Arctic dogs, right?

Huskies are Arctic dogs that thrive in the snow and cold.

They take on the frigid temperatures willingly and with great ease

There coats have a thick undercoat that protects them from the Arctic air.

And watch out when you get two or more together they will chase each other through the snow all day long.

Huskies rarely like to come in from the cold and prefer to stay outside.

Don't these pictures just make you shiver?

This has been a public service announcement brought to you by the

24 Paws of Love

Calling all Husky and Dog Owners!

There's a rumor going round...

Happy Spring??

Up here we have a different kind of spring!

(On YouTube)

Happy Springtime!

Love, the 24 Paws of Love

How I know when my world is alright.

I don't know about anyone else, but the winter blues having been getting me down.  When my world feels off  each dog shares something with me that makes it feel alright again.  With Silver it playing tag or fetch with her, just watching her play is a joy.  Special kisses from Zappa because Daddy's dog.  With Fiona it is her laying on my feet at night for that sense of security.  Blaze will plop down in front of me waiting for kisses on the forehead and Chance makes everything better by letting me snuggle and hold him when I'm feeling down.  And while everyone played their part today it was my walk with Brut that settled my soul and brought peace to my little world.  

We went around my favorite time, just before dusk.  I hooked Brut up to pull a small log (maybe 10 pounds) because in the winter this snow dog has too much energy for me to handle.  :)  And we headed off.  And I felt the weight of my sorrows and troubles begin to just melt away as we jogged along.  I let him decide most of the path and I just followed.  It will always blow my mind how deeply in sync we can be.  There have been more than enough walks that we push and pull against each other, even if it is in fun, it can be exhausting.  With Brut pulling he had to think about what he was doing, plus he was using different muscles and pulling weight was wearing himself out.  I felt like we were in our own little world.  It was so perfect.  And as my depression worked itself out with each footprint and the cold put a freeze on all of the bad and worthless thoughts, I felt the rippling between us of two being one.

And it was just that simple.  Just Brut and I and the perfect walk.  The need to be alone in our solitude together.  Understanding each other's need and the equality that this was our walk.  For both of us, hidden in our fortress of the waning sky where we can just be.  

What does your dog give you for that peace of mind when your world feels astray?    

Born to Be

Mel over at No Dog About It Blog sparked this post with her post:  What do you find most beautiful in a dog?  Answering her own question with that she loves to watch dogs do what they were meant to do.    Having a family of almost Huskies lead me to answer her question with the natural ability our dogs have when they are doing what they were born to do, dog sled.

Which got my wheels turning about what exactly that means.

Brut's side of the family comes from racing lines.  That is all the info I have.  Before I even knew that much, the first time I saw Brut pull a sled, I knew instantly that something was different.  There was something more sophisticated in what I was witnessing, even though I didn't know what it was.  I 'd never seen a sled dog in action, but there was more to Brut than just a dog running with a sled behind him.

The lines in his body, his build, the structure of his bones and muscles were held in perfect alignment for his task, as if Brut and the sled were one unit.  It was if they were made for each other, like a key to lock.  Brut was the part that was missing from the sled and it's function.

As I dug further into this thought, my brain began exploding with light bulbs.  Their body, mind and spirit are specifically designed and tailored for sledding.  It isn't just the muscle or speed they can exert, it is a total engagement of their being.  They have been bred for thousands of years to be a well oiled and finely crafted machine with a heart and soul to match.

And Brut is only half Husky.  His children are three-quarter.  More specifically Blaze.

 When Blaze runs she looks like she is flying.  She becomes very streamline, yet with such strength, power and grace it will take your breath away.  Her design is expertly tailored for lightning speed, quick thinking and agile reflexes that are demanded of the position of a fantastic lead sled dog.  She just soars even when carrying more than twice her own weight with flawless effort.  It is exquisite just to part of such majesty.

The thought that struck me most flipping through my memory files is how it is the entirety of the whole dog that is encompassed in the breed.  Bloodhounds, don't just use their extreme scent glands to track, their entire body, mind and spirit is engaged during the process.  It is the same logic that I struggle so hard with the dogs not pulling on a walk, they were born to pull.  They are designed by all fathoms of their nature to pull.  And since I never taught them any different, they continue to be who they are.  Pull Dogs.  Simple.  I am fighting up against years and years of selective breeding and it never really occurred to me that this isn't just their bodies I'm wrestling with, but the entire nature of who they are.  Any other way is against the grain.

It certainly gives me a greater appreciation for purebred dogs.

Blaze is by far our most Husky-like dog, with Zappa and Brut following close behind.  And there has always been something about them when they are pulling that I could never put my finger on that just stood out so differently.  They were just being who they were born to be.

     

Monday Memories-Brut Makes the First Move

If you've ever owned a Husky puppy, you know the sounds they can make can scare the bejeezes out of you.  They sound like they are being strangled.  Well, every night I put Brut in his child's playpen (my husband's idea, don't ask) and then he would carry on with these gut wrenching screams and screeches that I would swear to the heavens he was hurt.  I knew he was trying to get my attention but his voice was so wrangle that I would end up getting up and checking on him, which of course only lead me to a wagging tail and a smiling face.

It became so intense that I was stayed up all night growling at him every time he started to make a sound.  A book I'd read that insisted that acting like a mother dog who was disciplining her kids was the trick to correcting your dog on their bad behaviors.  Yeah, right.  Not this pup!  What I didn't know through this whole mothering process, was that Brut was taken from his mother before she would have begun to discipline him.  So not only was it not working, my throat was wearing out from growling all night, I was getting delirious from lack of sleep, and highly frustrated with no progress.

So after being up half of the night growling, I finally gave up and went to bed.  Brut shrieked and screamed as I tried to ignore the horror that sounded like he was dying.  Then suddenly, dead silence.  QUIET!  I was so exhausted, I passed out in seconds flat.  When I awoke, I heart melted, there was Brut, laying next to my side of the bed, curled up on a pile of my clothes.  I just laid there in amazement at this little puffball sleeping so peacefully next to me.  I never heard Brut get out of the play pen, I thought he had finally given up and fallen asleep in it.  There was something so precious about the way this little puppy sought me out and wanting to be so close.  He never tried to wake me and make any fuss, he just needed to be nearby.    

After that night he would wait for me to lay down and then he would crawl out and cuddle in my clothes and fall asleep.  Why I kept putting him in that playpen was beyond me, but it was like a game to see how long it would take him to get out of it before we would both be snoozing into a quiet slumber.

I can never really describe that morning when I awoke to find him next to me, just that it touched me deep down in my soul.   Brut was such a difficult puppy and there were so many things I didn't know about him yet that would determine so much of his behavior, but this one little step held many keys to the bond we have and has helped him to become the dog he is today.  It is more than a memory, it is the foundation for our relationship that I hold so dear to my heart. Brut made the first move to bond.  A bond that will last forever and stand the test of time.  Who says a dog is just a dog?

                   

Water Walks with Daddy

Come rain, sleet, hail and snow, that's the way our Huskies must go.  I have to say, of all my walks with the dogs, today was the best so far.  It was pouring rain and I was going to wait until it stopped before taking the dogs for their walks, but I decided to go spontaneously.

I started with the Front Dogs because the Back Dogs were just chilling out and didn't want to go outside because of the rain.  So I first took Blaze and at first she didn't know what to think, but when I opened the gate she had no problem and away we went.  Of course as we left the house it started to rain harder, but that didn't phase Blaze a bit.  She wasn't paying any attention to the fact that she was getting soaked.  Her mission was to search and sniff out anything she can find in a short period of time.  Needless to say the rain had no effect on her and it actually helped when she stopped to dig a couple of holes because the ground was so soft.

Well, by the time Blaze and I finished our walk, I was half soaked.  After taking Chance for his walk, I can say I was totally wet, except for my top half that was covered by my raincoat.  I still had four more dogs to walk and there was no getting out of being completely drenched before it was all over with.

As I was walking Brut, Zappa, Fiona and Silver, I decided the best way and easiest game plan to deal was the rain was to "act like a dog" and follow their lead.  The dogs were really enjoying themselves and so was I as I walked in their "paw steps."  It was a blast and I knew before it was all over that I was going to feel great regardless of the downpour.   Each dog got their own shower and it is too bad I didn't bring some shampoo!  I couldn't have killed two birds with one stone.  Maybe next time!

I was really glad I started with the Front Dogs first because that meant Silver was going to go last and she is the easiest one to walk.  The last walk was the hardest because let me tell you, my pants and boots where so heavy that my legs felt like lead weights.  I imagine the dogs were also carrying around a couple extra pounds of heavy fur as well!  When I finally changed into some dry clothes I looked around and I saw all six dogs crashed out with spiky wet fur and content looks on their faces, making our water walk one of the best walks we've had.

Sounds of the Hounds

I think the 'puppies' are part hound.  No, really.  It is more than the fact that their noses are on 24/7, especially Chance and Fiona.  I figured out that Silver's father wasn't a purebred Black Lab.  He was not built like a Lab, he had a much slimmer and sleeker body structure.  Silver was built the same way and we had always attributed it to the Husky in her.  Until one day Zappa got on a barking spiel and wouldn't quit, then Silver wrangled in with her Indian War Cry, which then set off Chance's belting from the other side, until all of the dogs had joined in and we had a regular Howling Choir going on.

That's when I began to realize those were not Husky cries or howls, those were the sounds of the hounds!

The Howling Choir is a daily tradition.  We can even start them on cue, although it is nowhere as good when it is their idea!!   Darn independent thinkers!!

Here's a clip from the Front Dogs side singing at the door of separation from the Back Dogs:  Please excuse the sideways glance, we weren't able to upright it.

Listen to Chance get down!!

Now you be the judge.  Are these Husky cries?  Or are they the call of the Hounds?

Or could it be a little of both?

PeeS.  Please don't tell Daddy about that his precious Husky/Lab mixes might be part Hound.  It will break his heart!  BOL

 

Our Silver lining

Silver at 7 weeks old

I have always had a fondness for Huskies.  I didn't know very much about them, but loved their wolf-like features.  When Daddy saw the ad for Lab/Husky puppies, we were thinking Silver would be more Husky looking and were rather surprised when she looked like a Black Lab.  Since we were both interested in more of the Husky features, we wanted to breed her with a Husky.  Well, that's where Brut came in and then we had a litter of ten Husky-looking puppies. 

We found that we were hooked.  Their character, wit, and their playful ways were just what we needed.  This all started with Silver and a Husky hope that I don't remember Daddy or I ever speaking of before, she just fell in our lap.  In fact I don't think we ever discussed the breed of dog we wanted or were thinking of, until Daddy saw that ad and everything seemed to fall in place.

Personally, I have always wanted a Bloodhound or a Great Dane, while my husband mentioned later that he was interested in a Newfoundland or a St. Bernard.  Funny how we never mentioned either of these things before to each other.  I remember when he came bursting through the door and told me of the ad he saw for puppies.  We jumped in the car and raced out there, somehow knowing this was just the dog we were looking for.  I remember how we looked to each other with slight disappointment as the entire litter looked like Black Labs and taking a moment with our decision.  Daddy saw something about the little one, staying behind all her brothers and sisters who wasn't begging for our attention.  When he picked her up, we looked at each other and smiled, we knew she was the one.

Silver at 7 years old

And so began our journey with Huskies.  Having no idea what we were getting into, we fell in love with their beautiful and conniving ways.  We think it is simply amazing how we never planned for anything and got everything we needed and then some.  24 Paws of Love.         

Monday Memories-Silver

Silver at 7 weeks old

Silver was a surprise for us.  We'd been casually talking about getting a puppy, as we only had our older dog Alex at the time.  My husband came home one day and said, "They have Lab/Husky puppies for free." We jumped in the car.  All the way there we were thinking HUSKY/lab puppies.  Imagine our surprise when they all looked like black labs!  We were still unable to resist and Marco picked out the shy one of the bunch and we took her home. 

Silver was 7 weeks old, looked like a black lab except for the small white line on her chest.  We've been asked several times why we call her Silver, it is the white line that makes for a Silver lining. 

Look Mom I'm six videos tall!

Somewhere I thought I'd read that you weren't suppose to let new puppies sleep in your bedroom.  It had been 10 years since I'd had a puppy.  So we put Silver just outside our door in the hallway.  Her crying got to me and I ended up going out and sleeping in the hallway with her.  Then when she was sound asleep, I would go back to bed until her crying woke me up again.  I did this for two nights straight, until we were able to let her sleep with Alex.  It wasn't until sometime later that I read the information again and it said to not have them sleep in your bed, but next to it for comfort.  We were new owners, we made mistakes.  :)

After a couple of days she started going to the door to be let out.  There were still plenty of accidents to be made, but it was the fist sign of how smart she really was.  She was so tiny I had to carry her down the deck steps to take her out to potty.  At the time Luigi (our duck) occupied the fenced in area of our yard and Silver's play area.  It didn't take long to figure out that wasn't going to work.  Luigi got the work out of a lifetime those couple of days!!  We secured an area for him and Silver would run up and down the fence line trying to get him to come out.

Pillow Silver?

Silver brought new life into our little home.  Especially for Alex.  This old stubborn dog made sure she knew her place and that her trust was going to have to be earned.  It took weeks of coaxing to get him to play with Silver.  It wasn't long before she's won Alex's heart and they were inseparable.

Silver was hyper.  She had a ton of energy, so we would take walks out in the back field quite often.  Must have been the Husky in her.  Silver is the only one whom I can still let run loose off a leash.  She was such a good puppy but she got into  plenty of trouble. Next Monday Memories we'll find out how Silver learned to work those sad, hungry eyes when Grandma came to visit...lol

Until then take a nap in your shoe!

  
You can read more about Silver by clicking on her tab at the top of the page.


  

Never say never

If there is one thing I have learned having dogs, it is, never say never.  I never thought that until Blaze and Chance came back to us. If you missed yesterday post, here's another look at it. 

                                                                    Princess Blaze

resting on the throne she created

First of all I need to give credit where credit is due.  Chance also made his contribution to the redesigning of the couch.  This is also the second one they have reconstructed to their liking.  They attacked the first couch  the first day and it wasn't long before it's demise.   

Now I know you are all wondering how these sweet, innocent dogs could be so ruthless and destructive, so let me share.  I have read and seen pictures of these couch massacres and I remember thinking, what were these owners doing or not doing that their dogs would demolish the couch and get away with it.  I have never had any problems with any of my dogs destroying any furniture.  Even with 10 wild puppies I didn't experienced anything like that.  I have seen similar couch mutilation, but never thought it would be in my own home.

When Chance and Blaze came back from their abusive homes they both had high anxiety coupled with their Husky hyperness.  We waited months to put a couch in their room, knowing full well the level of destruction that may occur. Blaze had shredded out our last van and because of this we bought cheap used couches.  The couch destruction would happen when we would leave them alone.  They both had strong abandonment issues and we didn't leave them alone until we felt they were ready in small increments.  This coupled with spending time with the Back Dogs brought on the destruction of the couch.  They were never able to have our full attention and the frustration would built along with their anxiety of trying to get my attention and the jealousy of having to share.

I never thought I would have any of the puppies returned, let alone have them come back abused.  I'm very aware it happens everyday and that we made a commitment to take any of them back.  I think it just blows my mind that it actually happens, all the time.  We were so grateful when we got those two calls to pick up Chance and Blaze.  To actually bring them home and help them heal from the horrible damage that was done and still plagues them sometimes.  If it means losing a couch to have them here with us, it is better than them being hurt and unloved.  A couch is replaceable, Chance and Blaze are not.

Bear-Bear, Husky play and Saturday Blog Hop

Have you ever seen Huskies (or even almost Huskies) play? This is in response to Bear-Bear, a Husky who was shot and killed by an officer. You can read the story here.

Here is an example of how Huskies play.  This is Blaze and Chance just warming up.

After a couple of rounds of this easy play, things really begin to heat up in this next video.

This is their playtime.  Note the open mouths that never touch and the noises they make alone are enough to make us run out to see if everything is OK.

   

SHOOTING AND KILLING THE DOG WAS STEPPING WAY OVER THE LINE.

WE DON'T BELIEVE THERE IS ANYTHING THAT WARRANTS AN OFFICER TO KILL AND SHOOT A DOG WITHOUT USING SOME OTHER METHOD FIRST.   

Our deepest regards and prayers to Bear-Bear and his family. 

Rest in Peace Bear-Bear

24 PAWS OF LOVE

Blaze's beauty

Blaze showing off in her harness. 

Somewhere in Blaze's blood is a natural born sled dog.  She may technically have 1/4 Lab in her, but her temperament and disposition is all Husky.  This goes along with the drive she has to pull.  I have been told that not all Huskies have this drive, but when they do it is all they live for.

When we first got her back, I put on a harness and tie a small log for her to drag, she didn't even notice.  Never once turned around to look at it, just wanted to go faster.  After that I tied her to my 3-wheel bike I use for pulling and she never thought twice about what she was doing.  She was the first dog I never had to teach "how" to pull, she just did it.  I still have to work with her on commands, turning, stopping (very important, lol) and just plain listening to me, but she's smart enough to catch on quick.

Watching her run while she pulls is like watching water flow.  I've never witnessed a dog pull with such fluid and graceful movements.  She moves effortlessly, agile and with strength.  Her body is sleek and smooth and rises and falls like that of a gentle wave.  She becomes very focused, almost a completely different dog, and you can feel the ghosts from the centuries of this old tradition riding along beside you.  It literally takes your breath away.

There is nothing more beautiful than watching a dog do what it was born to to.  There is nothing more amazing than finding and unlocking that gift and watch it come to blossom.  And there is nothing like watching Blaze pull a sled in the middle of snowstorm and the beauty of watching her be the Husky she is.