And they flunked!

About 2 weeks ago, we tried to have our two huskies evaluated to qualify for temporary lodging at a doggie hotel. We did not want them home alone while we were at an important wedding, we thought that was being too mean. The doggie hotel was too cool, you can see your dogs the entire day because they have a live webcam, not that we're going to have our laptop to watch the webcam during the wedding.

First day of evaluation, Lobo did ok. Alert and curious he was exploring the new place, which was expected. Layla, on the other hand, was scared. She did not want anything to do with the stange man that was evaluating her. His methods were quite like the dog whisperer's way on the discovery channel. He said that Layla's reaction may be due to stress and unfamiliar surroundings. The huskies were probably unsure because there were a lot of dogs already in the kennel. He suggested that we take them back the next day. So we did.

Day two, he suggested that we leave the dogs for a couple of hours. Two hours is the maximum time before they notice that "mom and dad" are gone and become antsy. Sounds like a 5 year old on his first day of kindergarten? Definitely! Sure enough, after two hours of playing with other dogs, they wanted OUT! He then suggested that we leave them there the next day for half a day.

Day three, Lobo and Layla wanted NOTHING to do with the doggie hotel or the possible play time they may have had. That was a bummer! You have to understand, these dogs, especially Lobo, are mellow dogs. They are very social and friendly with people and other dogs and yet THEY FLUNKED!

This is just my opinion, I think our huskies are too attached to us and have developed an affinity to a certain routine and familiar places that any deviation from it will lead to anxiety. I guess our lives are pretty routine (work/home) and we're comfortable with it, hence, our puppies are too. Hmmm, in the end...this reflects badly on our lives. It's routine!

This is our male husky, Lobo. He is a natural athlete with all the keen senses of a wolf but the disposition of a puppy. He just turned 3 years old earlier this month.

This picture was taken during our recent trip to Donner Pass, Lake Tahoe. He absolutely loves the winter. We indulge him with a few minutes of freedom to just run around the snow unleashed and wild. It's amazing how this 50-lb. pooch, who has never seen snow until last winter season, taken in the surrounding white powder of snow like he has lived in it all his life. Agile and graceful even in the thickest and deepest of this white fluff.

The biggest misconception about huskies is that they are mean dogs. On the contrary, Siberian Huskies are sweet and affection dogs. If entered in a contest for best guard dog, huskies would score the least...better yet, flunk. I do believe though that they could become protective when necessary be it out of loyalty or in defense of their humans.

Although they strongly resemble their ancestor, the wolf, they are not at all vicious. I always say that if there was a burglar in the house, the huskies would gladly welcome the company and even show the burglar around if it means the human will stick around.

This other husky here is our female, Layla. She's our little princess...in every sense of the word. I would like to believe that this "attitude" is due to the reason that she just turned 1 and still considered a pup. She is such a cutie and boy does she know how to work it. Traumatized from the mistreatment of her previous owner left her a bit skittish and aloof, mistrusting the smallest of hand gestures. Despite these, she is extremely sweet and affectionate once she has warmed up to you. I say, time heals everything and Layla's condition is no exception.