We narrowed our list to a Pomeranian or a husky, two very different breeds. The husky was edging out the Pomeranian but we knew very little about the breed and were therefore unsure as to whether a husky was the right breed for us. Then one day I stumbled upon www.dogzonline.com.au, which had rescue dogs of different breeds especially huskies in desperate need of a loving permanent home. Although we would have liked to get a puppy there were so many dogs that had been surrendered and we both decided these dogs deserved a second chance. Hence our journey in search of a husky close to our area that needed a new loving home began.

We found a striking husky named Ice and after about five minutes of discussion we decided to talk to the foster carer, Andrew. Unfortunately, or fortunately as it turned out Ice had already been re-homed. Andrew began to tell me about another rescue husky he currently had called Shelley. I was sad to hear about her ordeal and decided to visit her once she was on the mend, which turned out to be a week after my first call to Andrew. Despite the number of bare patches that showed you what she had just been through she had oodles of energy, bright eyes and a happy expression on her face. That was it I decided she was the right dog and it seems Shelley didn’t disapprove of me too much either. Now we just had to wait till Shelley was well enough to make the transition to her new home.

Shelley’s first night was filled with excitement, new gardens to dig up, new smells and new people. We set up her bed and blankie in the laundry along with toys of all sorts that we had bought, including rope toys, tyre toys, a squeaky soft bone and a Kong toy. Her first week was filled with adventures as we were still trying to figure her out and settle her in. She didn’t like sleeping in the laundry on her own so my first week with her involved me sleeping on the cold tile floor in the laundry for the first couple of nights, then moving out to the cold tile floor outside the laundry door and finally moving myself to the couch in the lounge room adjacent to the laundry door. Let’s just say the doorframe is looking worse for wear.

In her first week I came down with the flu and had to stay at home. We had to leave Shelley at home alone whilst we went to the doctor’s. As we were still unsure of her jumping capacity we decided to keep her in the laundry for the short period while we were away. When we returned I caught a glimpse of Shelley in the backyard running around. I then asked my mother whether she left the laundry door connected to the backyard open, which she didn’t and no one else was home to let her out. So how did she get out of a locked laundry into the yard? When I went to investigate I found the door into the house still closed but the fly screen on the window destroyed.

When I questioned my mother she said she had opened the window to let fresh air in. Just outside the laundry we have a makeshift dog run with a gate to the outside world and another gate to the garden, both locked. It turned out Shelley jumped into the laundry sink below the window, ploughed her way through the window, dug under the garden next to the gate to finally gain access to the yard. What a trooper!

We were still trying to get Shelley used to sleeping in the laundry by herself and our previous strategy wasn’t working so we tried a new one. We placed Shelley’s bed next to the living room and my mother slept on the couch with her. The next night we placed Shelley’s bed next to the laundry whilst my mother slept on the floor of the living room. Then one stormy night Shelley decided she had enough of sleeping inside and ventured outside into her plastic kennel with a roof fixed with gaffer tape. So her bed has now become an outside day lounge for her morning and afternoon naps after her walks and play times. Mark and I decided if she wanted to sleep outside in a kennel then she deserved a nicer wooden one. So we bought her a beautiful wooden kennel raised off the ground, complete with padding, a warm woollen blanket to keep her warm.

Shelley has been with us for almost three months and has settled into her routine nicely. The bare patches, which told the story of her ordeal, have now been covered up with new white fur. Her left ear, which had been damaged by fly strike, is looking a picture of health. She is spoilt beyond all belief, mainly by my mother and admittedly also by myself. She loves her mornings in the dog park where she gets to play with dogs from all walks of life. She loves the endless bones, pigs ears, trotters, Kongs and treats she receives for just being cute. She has her own section of the garden where she’s allowed to dig to her hearts content. By the time we get home Shelley is ready and waiting for her one and a half hour night walk. She’s even managed to learn a few party tricks. As with any other dog it isn’t always fun and games she has school every Monday and homework every day

but I guess the rewards don’t make it too hard to take. Shelley has filled our lives with constant fun and surprises. We now couldn’t imagine life without her. Adopting a husky was the best thing we’ve ever done and we wouldn’t hesitate doing it again when the time is right of course.

We’d like to finish off by saying a big thank you to Andrew for all his help along our journey so far. We would also like to say thank you to all the people involved in husky and malamute rescue who give their time, money, love and devotion to so many deserving animals.