Charlies story
For fourteen years we lived blissfully in our Siberian bubble. Two boys,
Cheyenne and Storm, half brothers from the Alascotia line. Fourteen fabulous
years. In October 2006 our bubble burst. Cheyenne died leaving us devastated.
Obviously we were concerned about Storm’s future. Thirteen years old and now on
his own. Bearing in mind his age and personality we contacted siberian husky
welfare to explore the possibility of introducing him to a female as a
companion. Imagine our delight when we were told that not one but two girls,
sisters, were currently in need of a new home.
After a home check Sabaka and Charlie joined us. Slowly we introduced the girls
to Storm. The dogs worked hard. We worked hard and the results were better than
we could have ever imagined. Things felt comfortable and settled. We were a
happy pack again. Everyone was a winner. Perfect.
On the 3rd of January 2007 Charlie died in our arms. She was only two and a half
years old. There goes that bubble again!
Charlie’s death did not just effect us. It effected everyone who had cared for
her while she and Sabaka were waiting to find a new home. The girls were found
in a rescue centre in the borders. Heavily stained with urine and covered in
their own faeces. Once safely in the care of Siberian Welfare they began their
journey to us.
You may think our story is tragic. God knows we have asked ourselves what on
earth we are meant to learn from this experience. But within the sadness there
is a clear positive message. Charlie’s message.....
To those who dedicate their time and energy to fostering and re-homing huskies
like Charlie and Sabaka. Thank God for you. Your work behind the scenes and
commitment to helping the breed produces wonderful results.
To those who are new to the breed. If you have done your research and decided
the siberian husky with all its characteristics is the dog for you. Please
consider a welfare dog. We didn’t care that we had no puppy memories of Charlie
and Sabaka, or cute photographs to ooww and ahh over once in a while. It was
more exciting to think of the future we would have. If you are serious about
owning this life-changing breed give it some thought. There are unlimited
advantages to giving a home to an older dog.
Finally, and for us the most important of all. To those who are already
experiencing a blissful existence with sibes her request is simple. Have a good
look at your own bubble. Ask yourself if there is room for expansion? A place
for one more pack member. Sit down and think about it, when you have finished,
sit down and think about it some more!
Charlie’s case is not the norm. A post mortem examination found that at some
point in her two and a half years she had eaten a corn on the cob . Our vet
revealed the husk had "lay inside her for a long time" until it finally caused
her stomach to rupture. She truly was a character. Full of life and affection.
Charlie deserved river walks on summer mornings. Hill hikes and tit bits.
Playtime with her sister and love and affection back from her family. Quite
simply, a future!
There are ‘Charlie’s’ out there. Other siberian huskies that through no fault of
their own find themselves in foster homes. Sabaka for one can look forward to a
future with us. She is adjusting well to life without Charlie, as is Storm to
life without Cheyenne. Things are settling down again.
But we are not getting back into our comfortable bubble just yet. Ohh no! Storm
is thirteen. Although my pre war mother reminds me often ‘a creakin gate hings a
lange time’! Our reality is Sabaka is only two and a half. With every confidence
we will live with huskies until we can no longer stay upright! We will again and
again commit to fitting in a welfare dog.
Charlie’s ashes now sit with Cheyenne’s. Her tiny casket is a powerful reminder
that as our own dogs doze at our feet. There is another husky out there, that
given the opportunity, would love to be doing the same.
Seoniad & Rab
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