Good afternoon, everyone!!!
Something that has been on my mind lately with the weather here in Indiana as it has been is good hearted people trying to be loving and caring, but sadly, uninformed.
Every year I see so many posts on social media about animals being outdoors in the winter. So many people don't understand what it means to be a husky momma or daddy. So, today, I thought I would give you the downlow on what being the momma or daddy to a husky or husky mix means.
First and foremost, own a good for pets vacuum. Huskies don't just shed twice a year, they shed 24/7 356 days a year. We're not talking a little hair here and there. No, we're talking make a whole grown dog amount of hair every day, all day, all the time. I personally have a large area rug in my living room that is like velcro to this magickal hair, LOL. I could vacuum hourly and still have to empty the container 4 times just for this one area rug.
Huskies have a lot of energy. Now of course my boys are older now, 10 and 7, but in their younger days, they had their moments. If not secured they can and will run until their hearts desire has been squelched and they decide to come home. They can jump fences, slip collars, and wiggle out of harnesses. They can get into places you just have to say, "How???" or "Why???"
Unless you live somewhere cold, summer is not a husky's friend. They don't like the heat. Mine love camping because there is swimming and air conditioning in the camper LOL. We live in a very old house and don't do air conditioning in our house. We are outdoor people, so our the boys.
Wintertime, now that's a different story and what has brought me to this blog. My nephew has 2 huskies that every year people report him having them outdoors. Fortunately, my nephew doesn't mind educating people on the breed and doesn't get upset by people posting his dogs are outside again.
It has become a joke in our household as well, when I let the boys out in the winter months. "Hurry up before someone drives down the alley and takes pictures of you being outside."
See, huskies love winter. The colder it gets, the more they want outside. 12 inches of snow, no problem, they love it. The door in your house becomes a revolving one, when your huskies are inside/outside dogs. They are relentless in their demands of being let out. They will paw you, bark at you, howl at you, go back and forth to the door, it is never ending. You let them out, bring them back in, five minutes later they want out again.
Around here I leave them out for approximately a half hour to 45 minutes. What I would do when my kids were young. But, that is never enough for a husky. If they know it's cold, they want to take in that cool air. They thrive in it. This is their time of the year for sure.
I'm not saying if you see someone's small dog, or short haired dog, freezing outside, by all means say something. Cats, they need heat as well even if they are outside cats. My sister and her husband have some really cool heat lamps they use for their outside animals each winter. And, have them spread all over in different shelters for their outdoor animals. You'd be surprised at how many people in town let their cats run outdoors in this weather. I see it all the time on our outdoor cameras. It makes me sad, people will complain about a husky being out in this weather, but the same people will let their cat stay out in all sorts of weather without proper shelter. If they are going to be outside, give them a place where they can be warm. Heat lamps work great :)
Please be mindful. If you have huskies in your neighborhood and see them outdoors in the winter. Please know your neighbor isn't being cruel letting their babies enjoy this time of year. This is their time to shine. They love laying in the snow or rain. Their undercoats are so thick it takes a lot to get to a husky's skin, trust me, even our vet can't find Shadow's skin through all his hair.
The next time you are wondering what it feels like to be a husky, be indoors, layer your clothes, put on a heavy winter coat, gloves, hat, and scarf. Then sit down in your favorite easy chair and see how long it takes you to get hot. This is how they feel when we force them to remain inside all the time without any relief.
Every breed of dog is different. Huskies are very rewarding furbies to have around. They are probably one of the most loving and loyal breeds you will ever have. They adore their people. They are smart as a whip. Easy to house train. They sense your mood and try to help if you are sad or upset. They will give you a lifetime of unconditional love. They take their pack seriously and watch over it with passion. They understand the rules of a pack. Knowing who the alpha is at all times. So, you need to establish alpha status when they are young. They have to walk in front of you when taking walks on leads. They are after all, sled dogs by trade, a tiny fact I learned when I could not get my boys to walk on a leash at my side. Research said they need to walk in front of you to walk on a leash.
They love 'their' children. My grandchildren have to deal with these big boys all up in their faces whenever they come to visit, because the boys love their kids. Since they're not here all the time, they have to inspect them each time they come to the house, LOL. The youngest granddaughter is very good about this. She pets them while they lick and smell her. Then she lays down with them and curls up with them. She's one of their pack as far as they are concerned. If she sleeps over, I have to put her somewhere they can lay next to her when she sleeps. They have to be right next to their kids at night, watching over them.
I have to say, once again, please, unless you see a husky being mistreated, no food, no water, no human contact ever. Then please, please, just know winter is their time of the year. We're not being cruel by letting them enjoy this time. We are just giving back to them what they give to us all throughout the year. Love and appreciation.
Everyone have a lovely day!!!
Blessings to all!!!
Something that has been on my mind lately with the weather here in Indiana as it has been is good hearted people trying to be loving and caring, but sadly, uninformed.
Every year I see so many posts on social media about animals being outdoors in the winter. So many people don't understand what it means to be a husky momma or daddy. So, today, I thought I would give you the downlow on what being the momma or daddy to a husky or husky mix means.
First and foremost, own a good for pets vacuum. Huskies don't just shed twice a year, they shed 24/7 356 days a year. We're not talking a little hair here and there. No, we're talking make a whole grown dog amount of hair every day, all day, all the time. I personally have a large area rug in my living room that is like velcro to this magickal hair, LOL. I could vacuum hourly and still have to empty the container 4 times just for this one area rug.
Huskies have a lot of energy. Now of course my boys are older now, 10 and 7, but in their younger days, they had their moments. If not secured they can and will run until their hearts desire has been squelched and they decide to come home. They can jump fences, slip collars, and wiggle out of harnesses. They can get into places you just have to say, "How???" or "Why???"
Unless you live somewhere cold, summer is not a husky's friend. They don't like the heat. Mine love camping because there is swimming and air conditioning in the camper LOL. We live in a very old house and don't do air conditioning in our house. We are outdoor people, so our the boys.
Wintertime, now that's a different story and what has brought me to this blog. My nephew has 2 huskies that every year people report him having them outdoors. Fortunately, my nephew doesn't mind educating people on the breed and doesn't get upset by people posting his dogs are outside again.
It has become a joke in our household as well, when I let the boys out in the winter months. "Hurry up before someone drives down the alley and takes pictures of you being outside."
See, huskies love winter. The colder it gets, the more they want outside. 12 inches of snow, no problem, they love it. The door in your house becomes a revolving one, when your huskies are inside/outside dogs. They are relentless in their demands of being let out. They will paw you, bark at you, howl at you, go back and forth to the door, it is never ending. You let them out, bring them back in, five minutes later they want out again.
Around here I leave them out for approximately a half hour to 45 minutes. What I would do when my kids were young. But, that is never enough for a husky. If they know it's cold, they want to take in that cool air. They thrive in it. This is their time of the year for sure.
I'm not saying if you see someone's small dog, or short haired dog, freezing outside, by all means say something. Cats, they need heat as well even if they are outside cats. My sister and her husband have some really cool heat lamps they use for their outside animals each winter. And, have them spread all over in different shelters for their outdoor animals. You'd be surprised at how many people in town let their cats run outdoors in this weather. I see it all the time on our outdoor cameras. It makes me sad, people will complain about a husky being out in this weather, but the same people will let their cat stay out in all sorts of weather without proper shelter. If they are going to be outside, give them a place where they can be warm. Heat lamps work great :)
Please be mindful. If you have huskies in your neighborhood and see them outdoors in the winter. Please know your neighbor isn't being cruel letting their babies enjoy this time of year. This is their time to shine. They love laying in the snow or rain. Their undercoats are so thick it takes a lot to get to a husky's skin, trust me, even our vet can't find Shadow's skin through all his hair.
The next time you are wondering what it feels like to be a husky, be indoors, layer your clothes, put on a heavy winter coat, gloves, hat, and scarf. Then sit down in your favorite easy chair and see how long it takes you to get hot. This is how they feel when we force them to remain inside all the time without any relief.
Every breed of dog is different. Huskies are very rewarding furbies to have around. They are probably one of the most loving and loyal breeds you will ever have. They adore their people. They are smart as a whip. Easy to house train. They sense your mood and try to help if you are sad or upset. They will give you a lifetime of unconditional love. They take their pack seriously and watch over it with passion. They understand the rules of a pack. Knowing who the alpha is at all times. So, you need to establish alpha status when they are young. They have to walk in front of you when taking walks on leads. They are after all, sled dogs by trade, a tiny fact I learned when I could not get my boys to walk on a leash at my side. Research said they need to walk in front of you to walk on a leash.
They love 'their' children. My grandchildren have to deal with these big boys all up in their faces whenever they come to visit, because the boys love their kids. Since they're not here all the time, they have to inspect them each time they come to the house, LOL. The youngest granddaughter is very good about this. She pets them while they lick and smell her. Then she lays down with them and curls up with them. She's one of their pack as far as they are concerned. If she sleeps over, I have to put her somewhere they can lay next to her when she sleeps. They have to be right next to their kids at night, watching over them.
I have to say, once again, please, unless you see a husky being mistreated, no food, no water, no human contact ever. Then please, please, just know winter is their time of the year. We're not being cruel by letting them enjoy this time. We are just giving back to them what they give to us all throughout the year. Love and appreciation.
Everyone have a lovely day!!!
Blessings to all!!!