Monday, March 19, 2007

Critter Cribbin'


I got my annual e-mail today from the US Humane Society about preventing the annual seal hunts in Canada. I think this is apalling. If you've got the time, please let Canada know that we want this practice stopped.

Yesterday, I fell in love. With a dog.

I awoke to the sound of barking in front of the house. This was unusual, so I peered out the window. Our neighbor's basset, Abby, appeared to be getting attacked by a coyote!!!

Then I put my glasses on.

The coyote actually turned out to be a Siberian husky, and a playful one at that. The spousal unit suggested we check her for tags, having gone through the agony ourselves of losing a pet. I opened the door to go do so but turned back around, realizing that shoes would be a good idea. Apparently sensing our intentions, the husky saved us the effort by trotting into the house through the open front door.

A quick examination revealed a collar but no tags. She was somewhat thin, but very friendly, so we figured she hadn't been on her own long. We decided to drop her at the shelter so her owners might have a chance at retrieving her.

While we gathered ourselves to do so, Roscoe swooped in to establish pack dominance. Ripley took the opposite approach and retired to our bedroom closet.

The husky, who we determined to be a female, was quite skittish initially but did warm to the spousal unit and me. She also initiated play with Roscoe using an arrestingly cute yodling sound. And after getting her into the car to go to the shelter, she promptly slurped the spousal unit's ear.

I sent 3 emails to possible owners I found on PetHarbor. And her people have until Friday to get their act together and pick her up from the shelter. If they haven't by then...well, our 2 kerpupples just may become 3.

Are we ready for a 3rd dog? Probably not. Did we consider getting a siberian husky? No, never have, and they can be difficult to train. But...what can you do when you fall in love?

7 comments:

Tanya Espanya said...

First, regarding the seal hunt...I participate wholeheartedly in the clubbing every season...I usually miss the seals and end up smacking Paul McCartney and Heather Mills instead...In fact, last year I used Heather's leg to do the beating...

Secondly, how cute is that dog?! I've never been owned by a dog, but I'm intrigued by the idea, although now that a small human is moving in, we're not getting a dog any time soon.

chelene said...

My friend and I signed the petition against the seal clubbing last week. A group was out in front of Rockefeller Center. They had a guy dressed up as a bloody seal. That didn't really help matters but I signed anyway. :)

Also, Huskies are my favorite dogs. So beautiful, but yeah they're a bitch to train and they'll jump any fence and dig up the yard in a second.

Slave to the dogs said...

Tanya - how long is the line of people that want to club Heather Mills? And...once a dog owns you, they never relinquish you! I bet Alexander will want a puppy at some point though!

Chel - protesters always seem to go a little too far over the top, don't they?

I'll keep you all posted on the pooch. If she comes home with us, we're naming her Sasha.

Malnurtured Snay said...

Oh! Huskies! When I get a dog, I want a husky, or something similar.

Anonymous said...

They are beautiful mal, but I think I would opt for a beagle, they are cute and remind me of snoopy.
The main time we see stray dogs roaming around is after thunderstorms. Wild-eyed and panting like lunatics after jumping fences and running aimlessly for miles. They just can't bear the noise of thunder I think.
They still clubbing seals up there? Is it 'scientific' clubbing like the japanese whaling?

Slave to the dogs said...

Mur, beagles are adorable, but I don't think I could have one because they just never shut up. They bay constantly.

I live across the street from an open field, a big draw for loose dogs and the reason I first thought she was a coyote.

Sarah said...

What a beautiful dog! How lucky (fate?) that she popped into your life.

On the seal note - my dad is a marine biologist and made me contribute my allowance money to the WWF when I was little. We researched together and I became obsessed with Harp seals. I donated all of my money to their cause and, during the time of my obsession, acquired about 30 seal stuffed animals and a litany of posters, t-shirts and coffee mugs.

Thanks, dad!