Boy did we have an astonishing experience with our husky! Exactly the opposite of what we expected, and both funny and touching.
It's been about six weeks since our huskador Molly went to heaven. Kinli, our husky, accepted her passing with such relief we realized he had been suffering right along with her.
But we feel bad because he seems to be missing the companionship. Quietly, and in subtle ways, he lets us know there's a hole in his life, just as there is one in ours. So we decided he needed a friend, and took a trip to a pet store just to see how he reacted.
No, I won't buy from a pet store. Adoption only, I promise.
We assumed Kinli would like another dog, and that like all (or most) huskies, he would be inclined to hate cats. Even though unlike most huskies he doesn't show an ounce of prey drive. He can even go out in the backyard when it's full of wild turkeys and ignore them while he does his business. (After a moment, the turkeys ignore him, too.)
Well, the pet store people were reluctant to bring out a kitten (we were curious because we suspected Kinli might not feel that notorious cat hatred, and we like cats). They said huskies were "too close to wolves" and we explained Kinli had no prey drive whatever. So they decided to risk it.
Out comes the kitten. Kinli's ears prick, his eyes brighten. Ever so cautiously he approaches to sniff. The kitten play-batted at his nose (no claws out) and Kinli immediately backed up a step. Then he sat. Then he laid down. Then he put his head on the floor. Clearly he was trying to make himself as small as he could so as not to scare the kitten. And all the while he looked interested in a good way. The kitten, undistressed by his presence, played a bit right in front of his nose. Kinli simply watched with fascination.
Then on to the puppies. Oh, my goodness! What a difference. The pet store people had a husky and thought we'd be suckers for another one. Well, that pup came out, took one look at Kinli and went into attack mode. Our dog backed up, the people quickly dragged the puppy into the back room, all the while apologizing, "She's never acted that way before!"
Well, even dogs can take instant dislikes. We weren't bothered by it. Out comes another puppy, a labradoodle. Now I'm a sucker for labradoodles, but not Kinli. Oh no. He watched that frantic pup for all of 30 seconds before he decided he was out of there. He backed up, he tried to get away. And when we went into one of those little rooms they have so you can spend time with a puppy, he climbed up on the bench to get away from that irritating, frazzled, frantic dog.
So this time they bring a chocolate lab. "Much calmer," the lady says. Well, slightly. Kinli decided to hide behind us on the bench rather than let "little frantic" near him. And when I picked the pup up, thinking that would send a message, Kinli literally jumped the gate to get away.
So we went home having learned that a kitten is possible, but a puppy never. He doesn't like the energy. How funny!
We're going to a pet adoption today to see if he's interested in a dog older than a puppy. I'll let you know. But somehow I think my always-different husky would like a cat.
Wow!
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