Huskies are special.

Huskies are special. Leche is the second Husky we’ve fostered. The last one was equally special. Special dogs require special adopters.

Which is why so many Huskies land in shelters. The combined intelligence, athleticism, curiosity, and drive is both a joy and a challenge to live with. In the five days we’ve had Leche with us, I’ve already heard from multiple Husky owners and met several when we’ve taken Leche out with us. They all tell me how much they love the breed, how special they are, how beautiful Leche is, and then I hear stories of the Huskies they’ve loved. It’s like a club.

In the early days with each foster dog, I watch for clues as to their history. Leche definitely grew up loved by people and probably in a home with children. Faces light up at the sight of her, and her face lights up at the sight of everyone she meets—especially children. She is drawn to them. At our Farmer’s Market, while visiting Lowe’s and again while walking in our state park, she nearly dragged me off my feet in her eagerness to reach children. She was happy to greet any of the adults who approached, but she was thrilled by the attention of children.

Leche is recovering from heartworm treatment, and every day she is with us, her energy has increased. It’s tricky balancing the need for her body to stay calm with her need to move. I think forced stillness is more stressful for her than going for long walks.

Leche loves riding in the car. She eagerly jumps right in and even when we drove her up to Woodstock Tower (a long, swithback-filled, mostly dirt road to the top of the Massanutten mountains overlooking our town), she was fine and bounded out of the car ready for adventure when we arrived. She even wanted to climb the tower despite the narrow metal stairs. I didn’t let her, mostly because those stairs make me nervous and I was worried, in her eagerness to follow my son and husband up, she’d pull me over.

We took her for a short walk along the ridgeline and stopped for a photo shoot with my talented son.

On another adventure, we went to Seven Bends State Park, and instead of climbing up the mountains, we explored the river. Leche walked right into the river and watched with wonder as Ian and Nick skipped and threw rocks.

In the pictures Nick took of her at the river, she looks like a stuffed dog to me….

She’s just so gorgeous with crystal blue eyes and the classic Husky soft, thick fur. She weighs about forty-five pounds and is one and a half years old. So far, she seems to be housebroken, goes in her crate for treats or meals (but isn’t thrilled about being left alone in it), and is living peaceably with the cat. When she gets too close, Hazel hisses at her, and Leche responds by howling back. Other than those vocalizations, she’s quiet for a Husky. Ian tried to get her to ‘talk’ with him but didn’t have much luck.

Leche needs an active adopter who is looking for a running, hiking, and/or adventuring buddy. She’s been wonderful everywhere we’ve taken her and happily met friends with two and four legs. She travels great, and her leash manners are improving. She is crazy smart, so she’ll thrive best with someone who knows how to train a dog. I’ve heard Husky’s are stubborn, but haven’t really seen that with her. She does have the prey drive, at least when it comes to squirrels and birds, but as mentioned, so far she’s been quite respectful of the cat.

Leche is the total package – friendly and loving and beautiful. She makes friends easily and is more curious than startled by new sights and sounds. I’m sure she’s going to be someone’s ‘heart dog.’ Special doesn’t begin to describe this pup.

Leche is available for adoption through Operation Paws for Homes. If you’re interested in adopting this beauty, click here to learn more.

Until Each One Has a Home,

Cara

For information on my writing and books, visit CaraWrites.com.

If you’d like regular updates of all our foster dogs past and present, plus occasional dog care/training tips, and occasional foster cat updates (!) be sure to join the Facebook group, Another Good Dog.

And if you’d like to know where all these dogs come from and how you can help solve the crisis of too many unwanted dogs in our shelters, visit WhoWillLetTheDogsOut.org and subscribe to our blog where we share stories of our travels to shelters, rescues, and dog pounds.

If you can’t get enough foster dog stories, check out my book: Another Good Dog: One Family and Fifty Foster Dogs. Or its follow up that takes you to the shelters in the south One Hundred Dogs & Counting: One Woman, Ten Thousand Miles, and a Journey Into the Heart of Shelters and Rescues.

I love to hear from readers and dog-hearted people! Email me at carasueachterberg@gmail.com.

If you’d like to support the work we do (and save the rescue and me some money), shop our Amazon wishlist. We are currently in need of chicken and chicken-byproduct-free, high-quality food and treats, and chew toys for Diamond. Oh, and large bed cover replacements (any size – we can cut the memory foam pieces I have to fit).