Unfortunately, our first "Husky," Corey, had a heart defect. He was a cute little guy, but it was hard for me to love him immediately. I think I could sense that something was wrong with him, so I unconsciously distanced myself from him from the beginning--something very characteristic of me, a defense-mechanism. Lethargically, he lay at the foot of our bed on the ground, and rarely moved. I felt very sad for him, and you did, too.
We almost didn't even end up getting Venus. Remember how difficult it was to find the ranch and how much trouble I had understanding the man on the phone? It makes you wonder what things you miss out on in life when you aren't able to follow-through completely.
Finally, we found the ranch. Three little Huskies ran around with their mama in the kennel. I don't know if the other sisters did the same, but I do remember that little furry Husk putting her snow paws up against the chain-link fence to greet us from the inside before running back off to mama and sisters to play. Although you were debating between the blue-eyed sister and the long-haired, fiercely-countenanced Husk, my mind was already made up; I had been watching Venus Husky in the kennel the most, but didn't consciously realize this at that moment. In decisions that do not involve pragmatism, I often sit back and let you make the decision with little input from me, b/c you need to feel in power of your own choices sometimes. You chose Venus, and, immediately, I knew it was the right decision. (Or perhaps my memory is skewed by hindsight bias--Venus-Husky turned out to be the cutest, most gentle, well-behaved Husky, after all.)
I couldn't believe that you, Princess Cute Cute, so willingly embraced that dirty girl, but looking over at you holding that stinky on your lap on the drive home made me love you even more that day. I hope one day we will be able to have a couple Huskies and a big yard for them. I just want them to jump on me and kiss me all over while I'm on my back in the grass (while you sit on the outdoor furniture playing "punch" with a pomer).
And, although it may make me a little jealous, I love how Kuma is your best friend. There's something about her that brought out a certain something in you, something that I can only describe in abstract terms: a small life spark, I would call it. We could all use as many "small life sparks" as we can collect throughout our lives.
In the end, although the baby animal enhances our lives with her Husky magic, she (and Kuma) improved our relationship, too. They proved that we can argue about responsibilities, which then results in an adult sense of equilibrium instead of stagnation of a continuing problem. To me, you continue to do this in other realms of our life. We are becoming adults, and this small Spitz-human family is our first major step into our journey forward.
and ever since the first day to this day, she prefers to sleep squashed in her crate. I just want to kiss her snow paws right now.
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