SIERRA
He had seen the men in uniforms before. They usually came after the humans he lived with argued and fought. As he stood trembling in the back of the car with the wire mesh enclosure, the cinnamon husky knew that this time changes were about to come. Little did the gentle, apprehensive giant know how trying and significant the next few months would be. He did not yet know that his very life was on trial, or that there were to be some painful experiences that would test his temperament to the fullest. Nor was he aware that caring humans were already coming together to champion his cause. That the combined efforts of three Siberian Husky Rescue Organizations would be brought to bear to deliver him to safety. Or that he had been unjustly accused of the worst crime that a canine can commit……………..harming a human. And worst of all, he did not know that the one human who had shown him some kindness in his life, had through ignorance, signed a euthanasia consent form. All his senses told him was that something was terribly wrong.
The next 10 days were probably the worst in Sierra's life. After being transported to a metropolitan shelter, and crated in a room with many other dogs, he waited sadly for his fate. While a volunteer attorney from a rescue group presented proof to the authorities that the charges against him were false, Sierra battled for his very life. He was subjected to “temperament testing” that even well-adjusted canines often fail, never mind those who are highly stressed and in a strange place often smelling of death. His gentle personality, and stoic nature carried him to success in the testing. The truth exonerated him from the charges, and reluctantly the shelter granted custody to a local Siberian Husky Rescue group. That group in turn would transfer him safely to another hundreds of miles
away from his old home. But not before the shelter exacted one last indignity………..a botched neutering procedure
that would nearly cost him his life and volunteers nearly $1000 in emergency medical expenses. But the important thing was that he was free. Rescuers wasted no time in whisking him away to peaceful safety in a rural retreat.
In the next two months, Sierra healed and met new humans. He was allowed to show his sense of humor, and enjoyed inter-acting with other dogs. He excelled in obedience training and basked in the affection and attention offered by everyone who met him. He was able to run and play on grass, and no longer spent his days locked in a bathroom. And on obedience class graduation day Sierra received the greatest gift a rescue dog could possibly get.
He went to his new home with loving, caring humans who respect him and cherish his companionship.
Later that night, in the Land of the Silver Harness, a Husky Spirit rested it's chin on outstretched paws, closed it's icy blue eyes and breathed a deep sigh.
We extend our heartfelt thanks to the rescues who helped Sierra find his new life. For obvious reasons neither they, the shelter or the city can be identified. We stand ready to return the help in the future.
Tundra Spirits is proud to have been a part of this story with a happy ending; to have been there when all hope appeared to be lost.
