When my children were young, we moved from a town home in Aldershot to Brant Hills, a new subdivision in North Burlington. Through a government grant incentive, we bought a semi-detached house to be built by Armstrong Homes...on gently rolling lands, as yet an unsettled area with no houses. Its streets had not yet been carved. Manchester Drive, a winding street, was my selected location...a narrow lot but of 181 feet depth. I envisioned that from this 2-storey home, a view of Lake Ontario might be possible!
In the late 70's my children were 14 and 7, attending new schools in September of the year we moved. Andrew, in High School, became a paper-carrier for the Hamilton Spectator. Daily he walked several blocks to obtain his bundle to deliver to the scattered homes in this new survey. Marcia, still in Public School, quickly made friends...and occasionally assisted her brother with his paper route.
Catharine, a petite attractive secretary in my Real Estate Office, became an interesting friend; she and Reg, who had not long been married, lived in cosy small home on Crosby Street. He, through diligence, learned and developed skills necessary to improve their home and property. They had a pair of Siberian Huskies...Silver and Logan. She cordially invited us one Saturday afternoon to visit their new litter of three puppies. Marcia and I, so delighted with this invitation, were ecstatic about these adorable pups. “Mommy, can we have a puppy?”, she asked. Explaining to Reg and Catharine the impossibility ...no fence, no dog house...he offered to build the wood fence for us if I purchased the materials. This generous offer I could not reject. Marcia selected a cute black and white rambunctious puppy with black mask, surrounding ice-blue eyes, and extending down to her nose...a very raccoon-looking face! Clients of my Real Estate, designed scalloped-edged shrubbery gardens along the deep lot with lilac bushes and Russian olive trees across the rear property line (which I was told would be higher than the fence within two years).
We travelled to the Library to research a name appropriate for out “puppy”. The name, “Kiska” was chosen. The breed is known first for its temperament and suitability in a family environment. They are gentle in character...are strong and compact in size with a variety of eye colours from shades of coppery brown , icy blue or bi-coloured (1 brown, 1 blue). Their weather-resistant double coat is a soft downy undercoat protected by a longer stiffer guard coat...which may include black, red, gray, sable and white. The Siberian Husky weight varies from 35 to 60 pounds; their lifespan from 11-13 years.
Originally from the Tundra region of Siberia in Russia, they were imported into Alaska during the Nome Gold Rush. The Siberian Huskies gained worldwide recognition when they rushed needed medications to ill people during the diphtheria epidemic in Nome Their popularity spread from there into Canada and the northern parts of United States...initially as sled dogs. They love and need company...should not be left alone for long periods of time...becoming easily bored...then destructive.
Although they don't bark much, Siberians are vocal and can howl. Digging is also natural with this dog...his ancestors dug holes in the snow as nests...this instinct still remains strong. Given their downy undercoat sheds in the early to late spring...a weekly brushing is recommended. They are a very active breed with high stamina...and therefore, require a considerable amount of exercise. Today, sled racing is very popular as an exhilarating winter recreation or sled racing with the personal challenge to compete, to endure, to care for the dogs while en route, to overcome ever-changing terrain and weather conditions.
Our choice of breed was of significant importance: Huskies live outdoors and thrive in the cold weather which is healthy for their coats. They curl into a ball with nose upon their front paws and tail wrapped around their bodies..They bark seldom...yet on cold winter nights, will “howl at the moon”. Their shedding in spring is outdoors...the undercoat often coming out in tufts and clumps...easily removed by hand and brush. They love the human touch.
Our yard, ready for Kiska, required a doghouse. Reg had a special design which we commissioned him to build. First, wood-constructed with a shingled roof overhang on the sides. The entry to the house was sufficiently sized to accommodate an open-end barrel attached to the house-front with the barrel's length lying on the ground. (We used concrete slabs for the base of the entire dog house). This outer end of the barrel was also open which provided a dry and clean interior, protected from weather elements of rain,snow and wind. How marvellous! This was like a Dog Palace! Marcia and her friend, Heather enjoyed the task of painting Kiska's house. We now welcomed our puppy to her new
environment.
From our patio door which opened to a sizeable deck, we could view her activity. Each morning we called her to join us for breakfast...she would scamper gleefully from her safe abode to be with us...and again for the dinner hour. When Andrew and Marcia returned from their afternoon classes, they spent time playing with her. Kiska grew, not only in size, but also in strength. She was extremely rough with Marcia...jumping and pushing, almost knocking her down. Kiska certainly needed discipline!
Andrew suggested he'd be thrilled with the challenge of taking her to Obedience Classes. Thus began a great relationship between Dog and Master! During these training weeks, only Andrew was the Master, working with her daily using a leash and command words. Praise was given only when she obeyed and performed well. (Whilst intelligent, they have minds of their own. They are happy to obey, but always on their own terms). To teach this breed, consistency and patience play an integral part. He was pleased with her learning progress...always walking on his left...never with her head beyond his left knee...would Sit when he stopped...would Stay when told to do so... and Remain until a new command was given her. Eventually, he would exercise her without the leash...she would still follow his commands.
Near our home was a wooded area, so he attempted this exercise routine there to test her. Kiska performed extremely well UNTIL she saw a rabbit...and was GONE! Her Master could not regain her attention and control...she was “deaf to his command”! She disappeared for a couple hours before returning home. For the next few days, back to the leash again! She was quickly learning house and people manners...not jumping and pushing...now constantly trying to gain our approval and acceptance of her learned behaviour.
Among the class of about 20 dogs of medium size were Labrador Retrievers, German Shepherds Doberman Pincers, a Dalmatian, even Silver (Kiska's mother) and another Husky. When the final test day arrived, Andrew was most apprehensive and anxious about Kiska's behaviour, yet he felt confident about her training and what “they had accomplished”. Anything might disrupt her attention! The usual routines were tested with all dogs and Masters in the spacious room. When told to Sit, an instructor...bouncing a colourful ball tried to incite one or more to move. A couple dogs couldn't resist the temptation to “play”. Kiska remained in Sit position!
On a final test, all dogs were told to Lie and Stay in a row along the wall. The Masters were instructed to leave their dogs and walk to the far side and wait for further direction. The Stay was for several minutes...maybe five. A few dogs became restless...even Silver arose from her paws and wandered around...and a few dogs followed her. Kiska, with nose on her paws, whimpered a few times, attempting to “inch forward”. Andrew told me that with hands behind his back, he didn't look at her and secretly prayed she would Stay! The complete test was marked out of 200...a German Shepherd scored highest ...my son was ecstatic that Kiska placed Second with a 197 score and thoroughly thrilled with the success that they together achieved!
These practices, learned by her, were daily carried out...occasionally Marcia or I would walk her for exercise and maintain the lessons taught her. When Andrew left for the University of Windsor, the routines fell to the two of us... we agreed upon the times of handling and exercise for all three of us! Naturally, Kiska welcomed Andrew's return for his November birthday...Christmas week, Easter weekend...then the end of May when classes ceased. Her Master was home for the summer!
Kiska was a delightful pet, quickly becoming a loved family member...even though mischievous at times. Marcia was an equestrian rider...at Bertin Stables in north Oakville...4 to 5 days a week....riding and taking lessons. Kiska enjoyed riding in the car with us to and from the farm...with her window open a few inches, she loved the fresh air and the wind upon her face. One time when Andrew was home on a Friday evening, we drove Marcia from the Stables to Barr's Tack Shop in Milton to purchase a “bit” for a new bridle. That completed, we went to McDonald's for Big Macs and French fries...parking along the windows so we could watch Kiska while we munched on this “fast food”. About 20 minutes later, upon returning to the car, we realized Kiska had been busy! She chewed most of the black velvet, covering her riding helmet! So, expenditure on a new one!
It was midwinter one day. We went to Glen Eden to ski for a few hours. Andrew had created a make-shift harness for Kiska. With great elation and thrill, he encouraged her to pull him on his skis. Huskies are acclimatized to cold weather, so she thrived on this new winter activity.
In early June, Andrew called Kiska for her “breakfast meeting with us”; at first, she did not respond...stepping onto the deck, he again summoned her...to his surprise, a big burly looking and heavy-coated dog, larger than she, dashed out from below the deck; he jumped the gate-entry into the yard and disappeared. We knew she was “in heat” so now we suspect she may have been impregnated. When we observed her roundness of tummy a few weeks later, the Veterinarian gave us confirmation that these puppies would be born in 58 to 65 days (early to mid November). Her appetite for food increased, yet was still full of energy and requiring her daily exercise. In early November, I noted that her behaviour was abnormal...she had been occasionally upstairs, but never to remain. This particular day she had claimed my bed to rest on...I asked her about it, but she was determined to stay there. I coaxed her downstairs and put her outside.
It was a chilly morning the next day when we opened the deck door to announce breakfast. No joyful Kiska came hustling toward us. After a second invitation received no response, I requested Andrew to investigate. He heard a few small yips. We had prepared an enclosure in our basement where Kiska could be with her puppies temporarily “out of the wind” and cold temperatures. Returning with a towel, he crept into the barrel entry and there he discovered two puppies. Kiska trusted him to wrap one puppy in the towel...she followed him out of her “house” and pranced beside him to the deck, into the kitchen then down the stairs. Leaving this puppy, he and she retrieved the second puppy which they brought into the basement. Marcia, now up, delivered Kiska water and dry food. It was amazing that the three of us intently watched as she gave birth to the third puppy and the attention given to it by its mother. What an experience!
Twice a day, we took her outside for exercise, always returning her to her beautiful babies. One was black and white like her, another the colour and markings of a German Shepherd; the third a brindle colour and bi-eyed (one brown, one blue). What are we going to do with three puppies? Marcia was in love with this third puppy...whose birth she had seen.
Advertisement in a local paper read, “Puppies for Christmas”. Three families came forward to view and selected one of choice. When old enough, the Vet gave them the necessary shots and they were now ready to be claimed by their respective families. We spaced the times of “puppy pick-up” so Kiska could adjust to the taking of her little ones.
Happy she was to return to her snow-covered yard and “dog palace”. Twice she escaped! I drove a few blocks until I found her...she was obviously looking for her puppies...then drove her home...she had dug
a hole under the fence (with the ground somewhat frozen) and crawled into the neighbour's yard that was unfenced. The following week, she again escaped...and noticed by Craig, a nearby friend of Andrew's and familiar with Kiska and her pups. He leashed her, bringing her back to the yard. Craig then helped me to repair the “dug area”...as he had previously done.
For several years, my forte in Real Estate was in selling newly constructed homes (or to be built) in new subdivisions. While Andrew was at University, I purchased a home to be built on the last remaining Melissa Crescent lot...a home of silver-gray brick with charcoal shingles; shutters, window trim, front and garage doors were a royal navy...an admired colour combination.
Horse shows, locally,were frequently held on a Sunday for riding students. The trailer would leave early for the Show Stable of the day. We'd be up by 6 AM for a quick breakfast, then drive to Bertin's to prepare her horse grooming, braiding of tail and mane, then loading of horses into the 1 or 2 trailers. Leaving Marcia here, I'd join parents for coffee at a local diner. Depending on the distance, I'd locate the horse farm where the riding event was held to watch a couple of her classes. My Open House hours were usually scheduled from 1 to 4 PM. Nearby friends, Paul and Marjorie, had a son Jean-Paul who competed at these same horse shows. Alternate Sundays we would exchange the driving chores. On one particular Sunday, his parents were away for the day, so as occasionally happened, the children would go the other's home until said parent(s) arrived. When these riders arrived back at the stables, they were ravenously hungry. In the morning I had placed a roast of beef in the oven on a pre-set timer...with remainder of dinner readily to be made. When I left my Open House, it was to the Stables to meet Marcia and Jean-Paul,bringing them to my house for dinner. When we entered my Melissa home, a wonderful aroma of roast beef wafted through the main floor. In less than 45 minutes, I would have dinner ready to serve for the three of us. I gave the children (aged 10 and 11) juice and a few cookies while they went to the yard to play with Kiska. I prepared potatoes and carrots to cook stove top and removed the roast from the oven to make gravy. Ready to slice the roast, I called them along with Kiska into the Family Room for the remaining few minutes.
The doorbell rang...Anita, my neighbour friend, came to advise me of her research in contacting all new home owners on the street re the Assessment notices we had received about our taxes. We were dissatisfied with the fact that our assessments were higher than larger properties downtown close to the lake. Together, we , with a petition signed were representing our area at the next council meeting to address this issue!
When I returned to the kitchen, the roast beef was on the floor...Kiska, enjoying a tasty meal!!! I could have cried! Jean-Paul and Marcia were in tears viewing the almost total loss of our roast beef dinner. I managed to salvage sufficient beef for them. Kiska, smelling the meat, must have followed her nose and with front paws on the counter edge, pulled the roast to the floor.
My Mattwood Homes builder had relocated to Walker's Heights, a new subdivision . Knowledgeable that his homes were a good investment, I selected a lot across from a small park backing on woodland. Clients came to our Cleaver Avenue Sales Office needing a home sooner than we could build one for them here. I told them of my home on Melissa Crescent which suited their needs beautifully. Rick and Nancy purchased it. When Hickory Dickory Decks completed the fencing on my property and built a covered deck, the transactions were closed and finalized within two months. Kiska seemed happy with “her new digs”...and readers, please accept the humour in this!
One afternoon, I received a telephone call from Nancy, “Do you know where Kiska is?”Having just returned from my office, “I expect she's in the yard.” Nancy advised me that Kiska was sitting on their front lawn when they returned from work...”waiting”. Fearing she might run off, Nancy called her into the house until they contacted me. Consider that this Husky had many streets to cross plus four lanes of busy traffic on Guelph Line and a busy intersection at Upper Middle Road! Amazing that she arrived alive at her previous Melissa address. Nancy related that Kiska was on their bed in the Master Bedroom and refused to move! I checked our yard...YES! She had dug a large enough space below the gate to escape. With leash in hand, I drove my black Intrepid to their home. Standing in the entry I called, “Kiska, Come”....then down the stairs she came with her tail in full swing and sat before me while I attached the leash to her collar. “Thank you, Rick and Nancy”. Within a week, she succeeded again in escaping to return to Melissa Crescent. Brave Dog, I say,to have manoeuvred through Burlington's busiest commercial intersection totally unscathed! There are Stop and Go Lights!
On cold winter nights, it was common for Kiska to sit at the back of the yard with head and nose pointed to the sky and Howl... with long drawn tones and Howl again and again...perhaps hoping and trusting her vocal message would be carried on the wind to a dorm window in Windsor! One could almost envision this to be a wilderness call in the northland on a cold, cold night. Fearing her howling would disturb the neighbours, I'd call her into the house to spend the night.
When Andrew returned home following graduation, he was fortunate and grateful for the job he could begin immediately as a Computer Analyst in a business firm owned by Tracy and a partner who had studied at Sheridan College. Andrew and she had met in Schelley's Computer Club in High School.
That summer, he bought a Siberian Husky pup to train and enjoy as his own...
well aware that she would be company for Kiska.
He named her Katrina...a silver-gray- coated Husky with brown eyes.
And thus began a True Canine Companionship!
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Traditionally, Dogs have been Man's Best Friend
Only a dog owner could relate to the feeling of being greeted by euphoria after a hard day at work. Every day, regardless of what you've accomplished or where you've been, your dog is elated to see you and that joy can be contagious. Reciprocating your dog's love and happiness can buffer you from stress by helping you to relax. In fact, new research has shown that dog owners are happier and are likely to live longer than people who don't own pets.
In addition, dogs have aided humans in tasks as hunting, livestock herding and guarding. Dogs have helped to locate missing persons, assisted in rescue operations; they have partnered with policemen in criminal cases. Dogs provide comfort and peace to the elderly in nursing homes and long term care centres.
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My original knowledge of Siberian Husky dogs was my intrigue with
The Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race
held annually in Alaska where mushers and teams of typically 16 dogs cover the 1,161 miles (1,868 k) in 9 to 15 days from Willow (near Anchorage) to Nome. The race begins on the first Saturday of March. The Trail is one of the most extreme and beautiful known to man...across mountain ranges, frozen rivers, dense forests, desolate tundra, windswept coastline and often beset with blizzard conditions and frigid temperatures. The might, the determination and the loyalty to their mushers is truly amazing...for these reasons, I salute
The Siberian Husky Dog!
This poem about the 1986 Iditirod Race
which I discovered on the Internet, I share with you.
You conquered the the toughest country
Ever created on earth.
Where you led, man followed your footsteps
And the North was given birth.
Mountains you scaled to the sky-top;
Slippery glaciers crossed.
Muskegs and barren land travelled.
By thousands, your lives were lost.
Trails of the Arctic are dotted
With the bones of your brave race.
No pillars are erected to you.
No stones mark your last resting place.
Brown-eyed, happy and gritty
You slaved and your only pay
Was dry-fish, blubber or muktuk,
Thrown on the snow by your sleigh.
Without you, the Great North Country
Would yet be unknown to man.
There are insurmountable barriers
That only a dog can span.
Who went to the Pole with Perry?
Who carried the serum to Nome?
Who rescued our shipwrecked sailors;
From the ice-pack, brought them home?
Who travelled the creeks to Dawson?
Hauled the mail and packed the ore?
Left crimson tracks along the Bering?
Heard Aleutian lions roar?
Who struggled, helping his master
On traplines barrenand dreary?
Fought polar bears from the caches;
Stood guard over those held dear?
Mankind has suffered persecution
To strengthen the human race.
But never forgot the sled dogs
Who gave...and died...at the trace.
Descendant of wolf ancestors,
Tempered by hardship and pain;
Fighting a raw, tough country.
These... bred the Husky Dog strain.
Most wondrous was God's forethought!
How wondrous was his plan
Developing the Husky Dog...
The ally and friend of man.
You on the creeks and tundra;
You in the squalid igloo
Give thanks to God for the Husky
Who gave the Great North to You!
Merle Baird-Kerr September 20, 2010
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