Would I cause problems?
Sibernet-L is an information list for humans to share facts about us fascinating Siberian Huskies. Facts. Sometimes, the humans also tell entertaining stories about how helpful we are as a breed and how we can always be counted on to do the right thing. You know, like how we could have been Lassie or Rin-Tin-Tin, but they chose other breeds because we are so well behaved that humans would not believe it. Shrug. But we are perusing the site Sunday morning and we found the following shocking story:
I’ve been chastised for not sharing this story on Sibernet – something about, “if you can’t laugh at yourself…..,” Well, I had to first get beyond the fright and begin to restore my faith in my ability to handle 2 Siberians on a walk before I could find the humor.
Tokki and I have made our 2 mile walk around our graveled mountain road for 3 years. Ruby joined us a year ago. In that time, we have successfully passed several squirrels, rabbits, chipmunks, turkeys, a ground hog, countless dogs (even off-leash dogs, a subject that ignites my anger), and a few cats.
This time we rounded a curve to see a cat not 10 yards in front of us and strolling toward us. It moved to the side of the road and sat at the edge of the grass. I said a firm “leave it” and was reaching to pull them by my side when the cat bolted down the side of the mountain. Both dogs jumped together and headed after it. I managed to grab some tall weeds and some remnants of the erosion-control cloth fencing and apparently one has more traction on gravel when sprawled flat on one’s belly. When I realized that I’d stopped before going over the edge, I told the 2 brats to get their backsides back up on the road, then got to my feet and, of course, looked around hoping no one saw me make this dive.
We’ve now made the walk 5 times since that eventful day. The gravel-burns are scabbed over and my confidence is returning. That cat must have given them a challenging, “yah, yah, yah, can’t catch me,” before running, because Ruby and Tokki continue to watch that place in the grass each time we pass it.
Patricia
Who has lived to tell another story!
My name is Tartok. I don't know who this Tokkie fellow is.
Can you believe she called us, er, them brats? We, er, they had just chased off a house cat, uh, a vicious attacking mountain lion. And this whole thing about saying, “Leave it.” We, wait, they clearly heard, “Chase it. It is scaring me.”
P.S. – Many of you have noted The Herd and Herd Annex are walked using High Sierra Walk-A-Belts physically attaching the Siberians to the Humans. You have also asked what happens if a rabbit or cat or whatever runs in front of the Sibes. Now you know the answer. The first rule of dog sledding is Never Let Go of the Sled. Didn’t say it is without consequences.
