Two years ago this week we said goodbye to our wonderful friend and dog,  Juneau The Husky as she passed away at 13. While I’m nowhere near that person that can’t get over this loss,  I do think of her often, and miss her the same.  When I adopted her, she was about 1, and was picked up as a stray.

My on air partner Sarah Kay has stated to me and others that Juneau “saved my life.” While that’s not literally true, there certainly is some truth to it.  Juneau was with me during some very tough times as my constant.  There were a number of years it was just me and her in my big old historic house.  I think she liked it that way, and I am forever thankful for that.

As time passed, I am in awe of her loyalty, friendship, and companionship. As I learned then and now, there as many things awesome about Husky’s, some I knew, some I didn’t.  But what’s awesome is that she was in control of all of them, by instinct, nature, or choice.

For Instance:

They are engineered for temps of 65 below zero with their coat layers

They can run 120 miles a day  – everyday

They are the only animal that can voluntarily adjust their metabolism to meet conditions and food intake

They have their own language and seldom bark

They can run up to 30 MPH  –   and pull a loaded sled 12 MPH

They are descended from a wolf strain that went extinct 27,000 years ago

Their favorite thing are people, as they were bred since centuries ago be friends for humans

In addition, there was Juneau

She never hurt anyone

She never once chewed anything up

She never dug in the garbage – not once

She never got on the furniture – she didn’t want to  (except HER bench in HER room).

She always wanted to sleep in her large crate – her favorite

In 12 years she had about 4 accidents in the house – all my fault

She was seldom more than 10 feet away from me, unless in her crate

She would fall asleep in the car in about 5 minutes

She counter surfed one time  – right as I got her

Her goal everyday,  was to make me happy.

And even late in life when she had nuero issues, she tried very hard to be a great friend

Not only are Husky’s remarkable, SHE was remarkable.  Yes I miss her and I always will.  But today I just wanted to let you know, how really remarkable Juneau was and how incredibly lucky we were to have her.   She earned it.