Adsense promotes Puppy Mills!

As I was posting information about the road trip with Tuva, I noticed a Google AdSense ad on my blog that reads:
"Selling your puppies? Comunicate with other people that sell dogs"
I will not dignify the website by posting it here.
Hmm - a website for backyard breeders.
Very nice.
I will probably have to pull AdSense off of my blogs ASAP.

Road Trip with Tuva (formerly known as Mikasa)

Tuva and I set out last Sunday for a road trip to Maryland. Tuva is going blind and an Eye Vet in Maryland offered to donate his aftercare following surgery to correct the problem.
With my Ipaq loaded with TomTom Navigator 5, we set out from Tennessee to Hagerstown, MD.
Tuva was a fantastic travel companion. One small problem... His collar was on a little loose and he pulled away from his collar at the first rest area. I guess it was a minor blessing that his vision was impaired. He didn't run. I just picked him up and put him back in the car.
He had a plain Jr. Whopper somewhere in Virginia and seemed content to just lay in the back area of my Toyota Matrix. We reached Hagerstown around 5:00 and I dropped him off at Megan's house (Vet Technician).
I then proceeded to the suburbs of Philadelphia to visit friends. After lunch with a good friend the next day, I started to head back and I received a call from my wife.
Bad News.
It appears Tuva's eye problems are a little more severe than orginally diagnosed. They would not be able to do the surgery. It would cause him to be completely blind within a few weeks to one month.
Well, I had to go to the Vet office in Gaithersburg (north of DC) to pick him up to take him home. Again TomTom on the Ipaq to the rescue. Megan really wanted to adopt him, but he already has a couple from Knoxville waiting for him. Even without the surgery, Tuva has a new home.
Tuva seemed happy to (kind of) see me when I got there and happily jumped in the back of my car for the drive home.
He had another burger on the way home and enjoyed his return trip.
I had won some beer from a basketball bet so that case of Yuengling next to Tuva was for me not him. I did check the case when I arrived home to make sure he didn't snag a few.
Anyway - it was sad to bring him back without the surgery but I think Tuva will be fine in his new home. No cats please.

Our Kitchen around dinner time

These Dogs are all rescues and they pretty well set up their pack in this setting.
Must have been Fried Chicken night!!

Howling Husky...

A low key Husky Howl from YouTube.

Jack is trying to relax

Jack is obviously stressed in his new surroundings.

New dishwasher saves energy and water

Our new method of cleaning dishes really saves on electricity and water. Just trying to do our best to conserve.

Just do it in the correct order

If you are going to feed your sled team table food, just make sure you do it in the correct pack order. Things go smoothly that way. Believe me.

Jack has returned!

Jack is back! After being gone for a while, Jack has returned. As you can see, he hasn't missed a beat.

Worries about the movie "Eight Below"

Examples of emails received since the newspaper articles:

Eight Below should be Six Feet Under.>> Disney's new movie, Eight Below, features a group of huskies that make> Lassie and Benji look like pikers. These dogs are loyal, dedicated,> sympathetic, and loving to a point beyond humanity. In other words,> they are not real. Actually, little in this 'inspired by true events'> movie is. In the real event in 1957, a Japanese expedition left 8> huskies for six months. Only two managed to survive. The Disney> version of unreality allows for six to come out virtually unscathed> after half a year in the Antarctic winter. The Disney version offers> lots of sunlight and other opportunities that do not exist in reality. > The audience is lead to believe that huskies can survive without food> and water for extended periods, fending for themselves in the most> amazing ways. In reality those are long months of unbelievable cold,> massive storms and near total darkness.>> And truly, darkness is the reality for such heartstring tugging> fantasies like this. Films of this nature paint unrealistic portraits> and expectations. It is grossly irresponsible to promote such a false> image of huskies, knowing what the consequences will be. The result is> that every such feature brings a scramble to obtain the darling or> heroic animal heralded.>> Granted, the producers obtained the services of two Iditarod race> legends and other experts, but still the end result portends creatures> far removed from the husky that one finds at the breeder, pet store or> the pound.>> It is estimated that ten thousand Dalmatians were bred, purchased,> abandoned and died after the latest spate of successful Disney movies> featuring them. Adorable puppies grow into dogs. Responsibility of> ownership takes over after the cuteness and excitement wears off. And> the suffering is tremendous.>> Huskies are a very dynamic looking, but an exceedingly challenging> breed to own. Thus, this same cycle of desire and discarding will> follow in the unreality presented by 'Eight Below.' No attempt was> made to show huskies as they truly are or educate the public as to> their traits.>> The disclaimer at the end of the movie says that no animals were> harmed in the making of the film. Sadly, the reality is thousands of> huskies will probably suffer abuse and die as a result of this film's> popularity and the public misguided expectations.>> No matter how entertaining a movie may be, when it presents an ureal> image of an animal, thus launching a widespread frenzy to obtain such> animals by an unknowing public, under uninformed owners and leading to> the loss of life that has been shown time and again resulting from such> films...please consider boycotting it.>> Scott Ringwelski>> Five things you should know before considering owning a husky:>> They RUN! Consider them a 100 mile a day dog. If you do not know how> to handle that kind of energy, then please do not get a husky. They> will destroy your home. You can never trust a husky off leash. They> WILL run and do not consider cars or buses. They will cover an> unbelievable amount of ground before slowing or stopping.>> They THINK! There is a big difference between intelligence and> obedience. A Golden Retriever is obedient and wants to please. Huskies> were bred for thousands of years to survive in the harshest environment> on the planet. They are clever, innovative and resourceful. They> WILL out-think and out-smart you if you do not stay several steps ahead> of them. They rarely win obedience trials. They are all escape> artists and can figure out how to get out of almost anything. Once they> get out, refer to #1.>> They have a PREY INSTINCT. Cats are considered a snack food. Yes,> they will eliminate any vermin you may have, but they will also make> quick work of Fluffy the rabbit or Cuddles the cat or even take out> Taco the Chihuahua on occasion.>> Fur becomes a condiment in your house. From floor to ceiling fan,> you will always have fur everywhere. Get used to it.>> These are just a few items to consider. We usually suggest checking> out The Homeless Husky (http://www.homelesshusky.com/), an excellent> website, for more information before you consider getting a husky. And> remember, a dog is not a possession, it is a companion. You are> committing 10 or 12 years to a fellow creature. It will be part of> your family.>> Thank you for reading and telling others

Mikasa Update

Mikasa has been adopted - So far so good. We will update as it goes....

Sierra

From the front page of the Johnson City Press this morning.
Featuring our dog Sierra, a story about Husky's, the rescue and the move Eight Below.
Not sure how long this link will be good but here is the story:
http://www.johnsoncitypress.com/default.asp?SectionID=DETAIL&ID=55188

Troika

Troika aka Shadow from the movie Eight Below - read his story here http://www.wayeh.com/sleddogrescue/hollywood.htm

Courtesy of siberianhuskyassist.com

So, you want a Siberian Husky? www.shca.org/index.shtml
Advantages & Disadvantages www.siberianhuskyclub.com/abouthuskies
Two or more dogs? www.Boxer-rescue-la.com/trainingtips/two_or_more_dogs.htm
Other Siberian Rescues www.siberianrescue.com
Cost involved www.huskycolors.com/cost.html
ALPHA Dogs-Who's in charge? www.Sonic.net/%7Ecdlcruz/GPCC/library/alpha.htm
There have been times a Siberian Husky has been bred with a wolf/dog. The breeders try to tell you that you have a wolf; wrong, you have a DOG. If a wolf/dog goes into most shelters, they are immediately euthanized. We get calls from people wanting to breed one of our huskies to sell. However, we spay and neuter our rescues. These people are all backyard breeders, and don't care or know the quality of the dogs they are breeding. For more information on husky/wolfdogs: www.fullmoonfarm.org

Eight Below

An interesting tidbit;
2 Dogs from the Disney movie "Eight Below" are actual rescues from the Spring City, TN rescue.
http://disney.go.com/disneypictures/8below/index.html

Mikasa

New arrival - Mikasa. Thanks to the wonderful person near Asheville, NC that paid for his shots, neutering and heart worm check.
He spent 8 years tied to tree - what a way to spend your life.
Anyhow, it will take a little time for him to relax. He is sharing the barn with Kobi but they are separated by a baby gate. Kobi can be a little territorial.
Our goal is to get him up to speed on life away from a tie out. Walks, socializing and some house training and he will be a great adoption candidate.

The Woodlands, TX

Recent trip to the Woodlands, Tx. Wonderful place to be - even with the guy on that freakin' skooter in the picture. Recent visit pictures - damn it was 75 degrees - makes you want to go back. Dogs stayed home.
Thank You

Kodi & Meko

Kodi and Meko strike a pose for the camera.

Kodi

Our first - Kodi
Not a rescue but he is probably the reason we have turned our residence into the Husky Hotel.

Jack Update

Jack made a television appearance today - promoting an adoptathon scheduled this weekend.
The group is going to be appearing at Movie Theatres where "Eight Below" is premiering.
Movies about specific dog breeds (101 Dalmations, Snow Dogs, Eight Below etc) although entertaining, tend to increase interest in the breed and yes, we get more Kodiaks, Jacks and Terra's.
Stay Tuned

Jack

Jack is a new arrival. He is about 2 years old. He has an eye condition. He has been to specialists but apparently this poor guy is going blind and it can't be reversed.
A rare juvenile cataract and glaucoma condition that can happen to younger dogs.
Anyway - he is up for adoption - a real sweet dog, still a puppy in many ways.
I'll keep you posted.

Syrus

Sorry about the eye color in this photo - this is Syrus. This guy is one of the most "needy" dogs I have ever seen. He is also a loud mouth. By looking at his jackrabbit ears, you can tell he isn't all Husky. When Syrus was a puppy one of his back legs was broken. It was never fixed by his owner so it stays straight. When he pees on a tree he can raise his whole back end. Unusual - he almost looks like a gymnast on a pommel horse.
We have taken this guy in.

Kodiak

Kodiak was acquired about 10 years ago as a puppy by a girl who was dating a dog lover. Well, the boyfriend went away and Kodiak was sent to her mothers house.
Her mother put Kodiak in a kennel in the back and that is where he spent 10 long years.
I might be a little irritable if that was me. Not this guy - he has the best personality. In fact he was adopted by a family in North Carolina and gets along with their two Husky's. We hear that he enjoys sleeping in bed...
A success story.

Kobi

Kobi was on his death bed one year ago - he has made a full recovery. He is about 12 years old, partially blind and hard of hearing. Add that to a great personality and you have a fantastic dog.

Terra

When we acquired this girl - she wouldn't go near any human. She was skittish and probably not socialized real well. Not sure if she was beaten or just scared. You can probably tell she isn't all Husky. Over the last year and a half she has made a tremendous turnaround. She is now a certified bed sleeper. She loves to play with her adopted sister Sierra. We tried to adopt her out but it didn't work. She ran away. She was given back and she has been here ever since.

Walk Team

If we only had a sled and a little snow!

Meko

Finally - a little snow
We rescued Meko from a local shelter 7 years ago. Our dog Kodi was not a rescue. I'll put in photos of Mr. Kodi later. Kodi is 12 and despite thyroid issues is doing great. Meko was really our first shelter rescue. He had a terrible skin infection and was dumped by a backyard breeder. He was about 2 days away from being euthanized. Nobody wanted him because of the infection and he has a tendency to grumble when petted. Not a great first impression I guess.
He has recovered nicely and as you can see is quite handsome and has that classic Husky look - eyes - one brown and one blue.
Oh... and he still likes to grumble.