Farewell to a Princess...

Fearful and cautious, the first few days...

Dear Lara,

This is the letter that I have dreamed about writing and had nightmares about writing.

Our time together is coming to an end and we both now must learn to live without each other.  All around us people will help us adapt.  For many weeks there will be doubt and uncertainties, but ultimately we will both grow and thrive in our separate lives.

Before you, there was another.  The boy husky that you see in your dreams used to live amongst us.  He was a very special boy that taught me so much.  He prepared me for you and how I could help you learn to love and trust humans after such a sad start in your young life.

Nearly one year ago today I held this special boy husky in my arms as he fell asleep forever.  I made a promise to him that I would save others like him and send them out into the world as happy, healthy and adaptable huskies ready for a new and forever life.

When you leave us to live with your forever family my promise to this special boy will have been fulfilled.  Thank you for allowing me to fulfil that promise.

Snake games with Sally....

I am fearful of the future as I can no longer protect you, but I know in my heart that you no longer need me and need something else that your new family will give you.  With them you will have all the attention that you desire.  You will not have to push boy huskies out the way or squawk at older boy huskies when you are jealous of human attention bestowed to them.

I so wish that I could tell you what to do in the forthcoming weeks as you adjust to new people and a new life.  I know you will sometimes be scared and will look for boy huskies and all the other things that have become familiar to you in your time with us.  But tell you I cannot, you will need to learn and will need to be big and strong – just like you were when that scary dog tried to hurt you yesterday.

When I met you for the first time I knew that your time with us would not be long.  Although you looked unsure and fearful, you were curious and determined.  A mind of your own some might say, or perhaps a strong sense of self survival derived from a previous life full of sadness and neglect.

We were worried for a while with the little “love triangle”… Kez loved you, you loved Kroi and Kroi just wanted to be with his human “mum”.  There was tension for a while between the two brothers, but not long and soon they were best friends again and you accepted that perhaps young Kroi was not yet ready for Lady Huskies….

Chasing the love of your life...

You were curious right from the start.  You wanted to see and experience all that was happening around you, wanted to know and to understand.  You became my shadow as I took you on a whirlwind tour of life, assisted by a Man Human and three amazing boy huskies.

Together we ran for miles, we played for hours and we ate so many exciting foods.  We were not supposed to eat Garmins, but I guess you just wanted to understand why the Man Human was so obsessed with this little gadget and all that it did….

You brought light and humour into our lives.  Watching you collect underwear, toys, cushions and tea towels and hide you treasures in muddy holes was funny and yet sad at the same time.  We knew what was driving your appetite for such behaviour that was the sad part, but you did look like you were having so much fun at the same time!

Your fascination with wooden spoons was another little quirk that we loved.  I know now just how much you love oatmeal and as most spoons were used to create a bowlful, I guess I understand why they were so attractive….

There were so many things that you did that brought tears to my eyes.  Your first wagging tail in recognition of my voice; the way you leaped around when I said “Ladee Husky”; the first time you “whoo, whoo’ed” - a noise that once echoed around our house when a certain boy husky was in residence; the way you always followed me into the bathroom and was fascinated by the bubbles in the bath; the excitement you showed the first time you sneaked onto our bed…. The list goes on and on, so many things to remember and cherish forever.  And thanks to the Man Human we have so many photographic memories to remember you by…

Our first parkrun & my love of pink about to commence....

You amazed me with your aptitude for running.  Like a true husky you took to it immediately and the smiles upon your face were a delight to see.  With each week you became stronger and faster and able to run further.  Last week together with the boy huskies and Man Human we ran faster than I have ever run in my life.  15:06 for 5k is rather fast and I know given more time we could have gone even faster…

The photo of a lifetime..
1,024 likes & 166 shares so far...

In two decades of living with huskies you were the first lady husky that I ever lived with.  Any eye opener you certainly were, your intelligence and ability to achieve your objectives were quite simply awe inspiring.  I think I may try the bum wagging technique next time I want to steal a chip from Man Human’s dinner plate….

I went on a quest to find you a home worthy of the princess that you are.  I wrote and I created and I shared, and it worked.  There were a great many people that fell in love with you, just like I did.  But there can only be one home for you and I believe that the one chosen for you will give you all that you need, and a little bit more….

Help them understand you and learn about Siberian Huskies.  Your breed is very special and so many people fail to understand what you need to live in contentment.  The life blood that pulses through your veins needs to belong to a pack, needs to run and needs to hunt - well at least pursue the act of hunting if not the actual “killing”.  Given time your new family will give this to you, always remember that and when they drop your lead or open the car door before you are secured to them.  The outside world is scary and threatening place for huskies that love to run, stay with your family and let them protect you from it.  Remember your beautiful sister Vanya and how she now watches over you from above.  Remember that you belong in our world for many years to come……

Bed for a Princess

I made you a special bed to take to your new home and remember us by.  They very bed that you now love and scolded Krofti about for daring to sleep upon…

And so as the tears free flow I ask only one thing of you.  Remember all that I have taught you and never forget.  Look to your new “mum” as you once looked to me, she may not have my Scottish accent but she wants for you all that I wanted for you.

Thank you for all that you have given me and our pack.  We believe again thanks to you.

I will never forget you and will remember you, forever and a day…….

The Lady Human xx

(Photos courtesy of Stuart March, Ian J Berry & Sandra Bowers)