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...lifespan of a siberian husky?

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Answer by Deborah
Submitted on 3/27/2004
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I recently put my eldest Siberian Husky down, whom I loved with all my heart, he was my best non-speaking friend. I would wrap things around him after he could no longer walk; assisting him outside to try to lay on the grass and do his thing or just to give him the wonderful fresh air. After awhile he could no longer assist even a little in getting him outside. My sibe weighed around 70 lbs. To cut this story short my hubby and I finally decided that it was best for all to put our most loving companion down. That in and of itself was a difficult thing to come to terms with. Pando, our sibe, was always sleeping, and when he wasn't sleeping since he could no longer walk or see, and barely heard anything; he would voice himself instead. I was so afraid that he was afraid, no matter how much we would be there and lay with him' for hours. He would still wake up crying. Finally, we decided that maybe he is telling us that he no longer wishes to be here. One day we called up our vet and asked him to come and put Pando to sleep. It was a very nervous day after realizing in our heart of hearts this was the right thing to do. On February 9th of this year around 6:42pm the doctor gave my best friend a shot that would last forever. Pando lived to be 15 1/2 years old. That is what patience and love will do for you.

Answer by charla
Submitted on 4/12/2004
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With regard to Deborah's note. I too had to heart brokenly put my loyal best friend to sleep at 3:05pm on 16 February 2004. Kara had turned 15 years old on 28 January 2004. Kara was everything to me and when I went through a period of breakdowns and post traumatic stress disorder, leaving me unable to leave my bedroom, it was the unconditional love of my husky who got me back on track. With a nudge of her nose to get me out of the bed through to the vocal songs of her howls. I loved her dearly and when the family sat around her on that dreaded day in February at home it was the last time I would feel such a presence of love so dear. Kara like Pando also needed to be helped outside the house to go to the toilet and watch the stars at night with a towel under her back legs for assistance. Although her sight was still very good she had a growth in her stomach, a cancer which grew quite large and at the end as the vet said, "she was a very tired old lady who needed to sleep". I know that I cannot face having another pet although my boyfriend has a little 8 yr old stray and when we first met last year purchased a 6 wk old female husky called Mischa. She will be 1 yr old on 1 May and it is extremely hard for me to deal with my great loss and at the same time return the affection to this other little thing. I will always treasure Kara for ever and she will always be in our hearts. Love always to my "wolf" Kara I know she wouldn't be missing a beat wherever she is now just like when she was alive. Her ashes live in our loungeroom in a gorgeous china urn with carved roses and pictures adorn her memory throughout our house.

Answer by zonjia
Submitted on 9/16/2004
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hello everyone, i am the proud owner of a howler.....he is definitly more like a man than i can say. he aggravates me one minute, but does something so comical and cute the next second that i can't stay mad. although he is hard headed and VERY independant. he is sooo loyal and sweet. he stays right beside me all day long when i sleep and when i call, he comes running. it took a while, but i have really grown fond of my howler. he is dubbed NANOOK. i couldn't think of any other name, so i took the name from the movie, "THE LOST BOYS". so far every day is an adventure. he is getting to be about a year old now and i think he is loosing some of his puppiness, but his adult maturity hasn't stopped his affection and loyalty and we still play chase sometimes. he is soon to be a proud daddy too. well, just wanted to sound off about my puppy! much love to all others who have discovered this interesting and sometimes exasperating, but all around wonderful form of best friend!

Answer by akopec157
Submitted on 10/2/2004
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I am so happy to hear how all of you loved your siberians. I myself have one, I was doing volenteer work at an animal shelter, and came across a 1 year old He was so adorable with these huge Blue eyes. He gave us these sobby puppy eyes that just said "take me home". As soon as I came home, I talked to my parents and tried my best to convince tem. They knew I really wanted him because I cried on my way home from the shelter thinking of how sad and lonely he was. well, the next day we decited to addopt him and he came home with us. It took him a while to adjust and start eating again. He is now a healthy, wonderful, clever white and black/gray. happy husky, and if you would like to see pictures of him, feel free to e-mail me at akopec157@hotmail.com ..Id love to share my pup with others. Hope that you enjoyed my happy story among these sad ones. I dont want to think about my pup dying and he has some time to go through with me, from college, to first job, to having children and many more memories and adventures in life.

Answer by Dee
Submitted on 12/21/2004
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This is in response to Nicolette. You must be about 12 years of age considering your lack of proper grammar and English. If you're older than that, you've had a terrible education and you're nothing more than a little spoiled brat. My Sibe is now approaching his 7th year and has considerably "slowed down" in pace. Time is catching up with him. I now regret wishing that he was no longer a hyper "pup". He has, BY FAR, been a dog that people could only dream of having. He's never had a session of "professional obediance", yet has always been a perfect gentleman. Literally! The neighbor kids come over and crawl and roll all over him. He has never shown an ounce of aggression and has always welcomed the extra "company". Nicolette---grow up and come to realization. The world doesn't revolve around you. Pets, whether a Sibe or a Pom are furry gifts that we are to appreciate. You're parents would get a better companion out of a Sibe than they would from you!

Answer by Terry
Submitted on 1/5/2005
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It has just been four days that my Siberian Husky, Nakita passed away. It was approximately 2:10 pm on January 1st, 2005, Nakita took in her last breath of air. This was an untimely, unexpected death. Nakita has been part of the family for the last short eight years. She has brought me much joy, love, and most of all companionship. Prior to her death, I had been bedridden due to the flu. Every cough, sneeze, or aching pain I had, Nakita would be my side to check up on me to make sure I was fine. Such loyalty and love one can not imagine to receive from such an animal. It even feels disrespectful to call her an animal. Although Nakita did not display any immediate illness, other than a slight limp which she was being treated for, the veterinarian said that she may have suffered a mild heart attack. She did not make it in time for the doctor to be able to attend to her, other than check for her vital signs. My only consolation at this time is that Nakita did not suffer a long term illness, of which I have compassion for all the pet owners; as well as your average day to day families that go through such horrific turmoils. For all those that do read this message, enjoy every moment that you have with your loved ones, be it pet or person(s), for life is too short to take for granted. May Nakita's spirit remain in our hearts and lives forever! We love you Nakita!!

Answer by Tammy
Submitted on 2/22/2005
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I also agree with Rachel and Tiffany. I have a total of six dogs, including my 3 year old husky and let me tell you, I would not trade my dogs for anything! When your human friends can be two faced and fake, your dog, your husky will always be there loving you. You are so wrong Nicolette, saying you hate it and want it to die. You probably are not even giving the dog a chance. Don't judge the dog because of breed, get to know the dog, give it a chance, you might just find out how good a friend you got there. And if you get to know and still don't really like it, then find it a home where someone will love it and take care of it. But just remember that when you need a friend and your "friends" are not there, that husky will be! Trust me I know.

Answer by Lucky
Submitted on 7/11/2005
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I had a siberian husky once, my very 1st dog ever... his name was wolfie and he was big and the best dog in the world. I got him when he was 1 and left him when he was 3 and about to turn 4.We would do everything together until me and my family had to move.Of course im only 13 so I had to go along with them.For my last 3 days staying in California, I left him with my coach becuz if not he would go to the pound. so, there he stayed but then my coach gave him away after 3 weeks.I am now in Mexico and it sucks. I miss my baby so much u would all know that becuz it was my first dog ever and i love dogs and cats.my cat however ran away after being with me for 4 years.I miss them both an awful lot and i love them, i cry every night just wishing i could have them back.

Answer by Laura
Submitted on 9/28/2005
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For Charla and Deborah, The love you guys had for your huskies speak for itself. You are awesome souls and your dogs were very lucky to have had you. May I recommend putting a nice memoriam of them on the rainbow bridge or at least put their names on the bridgelist for the candlelight ceremony to remember them? I have a wonderful Siberian that will turn 9 this November, Keiana is her name. I have lost a husky before and words cannot do justice to your breaking hearts, i know. I put my husky on the rainbow bridge, look for her as Dakota Bear's Raven Sky. It did help, knowing that others were praying for her and I. I will do the same for you.. Sweet dreams Pando and Kara, I love you!

Answer by cmsovich
Submitted on 12/14/2005
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as for the person who wrote and said that a 100% siberian husky lives to be around 12 years old...not all and not true. My female siberian husky, Madeline, was 100% full-blooded husky -- AKC registered -- etc. and lived to be older than 17 1/2 years old. She was born May 28, 1988 and we put her to sleep on November 30th of this year (2005). She was THE BEST husky and friend in the world and I miss her DESPERATELY! Having the vet and nurse come to our home to put Madeline down was the hardest thing I have ever had to do in my life..but she was literally starving to death (wasting away) and was only 31 lbs on her last day. She needed to be carried outside (which we didn't mind) and couldn't see very well...she was tired and had given us her unconditional love, life and devotion for 17 1/2 years... I still cry each night (it is 2 weeks today) and he remains are in our room... she is still with us in memory, spirit and love!