I'm trying to understand something that happened and maybe writing about it will help unboggle my mind. I now have three, yes, three Siberian Huskies. Their my own little "wolfpack" and all females. Their names are Sinda, Tasha, and my baby,Star. they have their order of hierarchy just as the wild dogs do.

Yesterday,before I left for work at 6 A.M. I let Sinda and Star out for the day and Tasha was out and came in because no one would be here to let her in through the day. Where she goes out is at the back of the house and theres no protection from the rain like the side entrance where Star goes and can lay under the porch roof. I dont worry about my big "bear" Sinda because she just goes and visits everyone in the village or finds a spot she likes and naps. I went to work,knowing that Tasha would be safe and dry inside,even though it would be a very long day for her.

Now, in explanation of who Tasha is,I took her on as a foster caretaker for a girl who couldnt keep her with the intent that the girl would get on her feet and come get her in time. She is 5 years old and very gentle and calm.Her disposition is sweet, her only downside is she is spoiled. One end of my sofa is now her private property, though she also climbs into bed with my son until he goes to sleep.When you talk to her,she smiles as the tail arcs in time to the rythem of your words.

I drove the 2 hours it takes me to get to work and tryed to not think too much about the mess I would come home to in 12 hours. I expected some little "gifts" on the floor after that amount of time and was alright with the prospect. I myself cant go an hour,without peeing,so I knew she would leave something.As I drove home,I braced myself for what I thought I would find and steeled myself to be the "Honeydumper." As I drove up,Star howled her greeting to me and I spoke to her as we walked to the door. I unhooked her chain as I opened the door to let her in.As I hung up the chain on its nail, the door flew open and Tasha shot past me to freedom. Stunned, I stood there calling her,of course she had other plans. Now,Siberians are full of energy. Tasha was no exception. After I got star settled in the house and reconnoitered for little presents, which by the way there were none, I took a ride to find her.

Heart sinking, I drove to where I thought she would run.Down by the river, along the road where we walk her. No Tasha. I drove home with my head out the window calling her name to no avail. Since we've had her only a short time, I thought she was gone. I was angry at her for running off and wondering what I would say when I talked to her owner next time. Finally, I just thought let her go. I sat up and read my emails and played solitaire until bedtime.Star must have felt my anger, because she did'nt come up on the bed and sleep at my feet like usual.

Around 3:30, 4:00a.m. Star jumped up on the bed and woke me, pestering me to let her out as she sometimes does to pee in the night.As I opened the door and held Star's collar to hook her on the chain,Tasha raced in the door and made a beeline for her spot on the sofa.Now,to say I was relieved to see her is an understatement. I closed the door and went into the livingroom. There she was, curled up in a ball,tail covering her nose in the classic Husky pose,pretending to be sound alseep.My anger? vanished as though it was all a dream. In it's place was a thought that I am going to remember at moments like that. "If you love something, set it free. If it comes back to you it is yours. If not it was never meant to be!"

Last night, a dog taught a man more about love and truth than he ever knew. Now, the bond I thought existed between my dogs extends to me also. They stay because they are loved!