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Andy and I are fostering a Siberian Husky named Geronimo. We were gifted with him because a woman who had been Geronimo’s human for 9 years, was caught on the horns of a life-dilemma. I had no time to ponder my decision–I just said ‘yes’ without thinking about it, as it seemed like what my heart was prompting.
Geronimo was presented to me as a service dog. He may have been a stalwart companion…but he’s not a typical service dog. He doesn’t know (or at least doesn’t respond!) to his name. He knows no typical obedience commands. He doesn’t even seem to know the usual words or signals that elicit joy in our dog friends: picking up his lead or putting on shoes that may mean ‘walk’.
The first 2 weeks of his time with us, Geronimo was understandably skitterish and anxious. His appetite was poor. He didn’t seem to know how to connect with humans. However, he is not human or dog aggressive and is clearly housebroken. He’s in wonderful health, and very vigorous. He needs a lot of exercise, even at 9 years old.
Apparently, many of these traits are Husky traits: poor appetite, sturdy disposition, independence, intelligence, not prone to pleasing humans for no reason…
And, of course, he loves to get on the couch and the bed! He’s beginning to give our hands light licks in the morning. He loves his walks–really comes to life while outside and he’s beginning to bury bones and dig them up in the backyard. He’s slowly coming to life.
I’ve never been around Huskys and don’t understand them–and they are different than most domestic dogs. But I’m working on listening intently to Geronimo (G-dog or DamnDog as we’re calling him). I’ve not had much time to talk to local people about finding him a home of people who understand and love Huskies, but I will be doing that.
NEW NOTE TO THIS POST: We think that G-dog is deaf or almost deaf. This could explain some of the odd things about him–like not knowing his name, etc. Somehow his deafness is endearing him even more.
G-dog is teaching important lessons:
- how to love-and-let-go-in-the-same-breath;
- listen with my heart to this being who has been traumatized and cannot tell us about it;
- how to be the top dogs in a pack structure that we don’t understand.
It’s really sweet to see him beginning to socialize with us, to allow us to love on him.
If any of you are Husky fans and can help us help him, OR if you would love to be the human for a very sweet Husky dog, let me know.
Meanwhile, we’re connecting, loving it when we see him enlivened by being around children and teens, and our everyday life.
More lessons from G-dog to come, I’m sure!
Beth, VTH Host
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This was sent to me by my friend Richard by email after he read this post about Geronimo:
"About 14 years ago L. was volunteering at the…Animal Rescue League. She had adopted a Lab/Cocker mix there the year before. One day she came home and said we had to adopt a dog there. Libby was a 4 or 5 year old Shepard/Husky mix who had been given up by a family and had been at the shelter for quite a few months. She had not been adopted and was about to be put down. I went down to look at her and found her totally depressed and listless. She would not even look at me, let alone come to me. I decided at that point I did not want to adopt her as there was no connection between us. I went back home but L. insisted we needed to adopt her before she was put down. Although I didn’t want to do it, I got back in the car and went to the shelter, underwent the mandatory interrogation ( Do you really believe you are worthy of this dog?) paid the $65 fee and brought her home. I guess because I took her home by myself, Libby ended up being emotionally attached to me in particular. She eventually warmed up and became full of life, energy and affection. Being a Shepard/Husky mix, she had the best traits of a German Shepard (intelligence, loyalty and bravery) and the worst traits of a Husky (poor appetite, hunts and kills little creatures, loves to PULL,PULL,PULL). A few years ago we had to put her down due to old age and infirmity. I loved her dearly and still have a soft spot in my heart for anything Husky. I hope Geronimo brings as much joy to you as Libby brought to me."
Thanks, Richard–your story warmed my heart so much to see that patience and kindness will probably continue to warm G-dog’s heart…I hope so. He’s very sweet and becoming dearer each day…oy vey!
From an blog post last week, we’re fostering a Siberian Husky+?? mix named Geronimo, according to the
Technorati Tags: rescue dog , rest , Shabbos , psychodrama , whining   Geronimo, also known as 
" Somebody’s going to emergency, somebody’s going to jail. You find somebody to love in this world, you
Freak hail/snow storm June 9th, 2009 here in Bend, Oregon.  Did severe damage to my little