Siberian Utility Vehicle

As all good Sibes know, quality transportation is very important. We have had many vehicles over the years, but have recently traded in our Nissan Xterra. Absolutely great vehicle, but at around 140,000 miles, it was beginning to show its wear. I am sure transporting Sibes in it had nothing to do with the wear. Amazingly, Sibe hair does not reduce the trade-in value (but I do feel sorry for the guy who has to do the detailing before resale).

Rusty is on the left (looking out the window), then Kiska, Kodi (hanging out in his usual goofy fashion), and Natasha in the far right.
Riding down the road and Kodi discovers Kiska makes a great pillow.
And everyone wonders why we refer to Kiska and Kodiak as Girlfriend and Boyfriend

So we finally broke down and replaced the Xterra.  Years ago, as a teenager, I was able to drive a Toyota Land Cruiser (the old style, not the fancy new things) for several summers in a summer job.  It was, hands down, the coolest vehicle I have ever owned.  Maybe it is a midlife crisis, but I have wanted very badly to own a Jeep Wrangler.  With the new longer wheelbase (and, thus, cargo area) on the Unlimited, I finally had a Jeep to play in that could also transport The Thundering Herd. And, so, we unveil the Herd in their new ride.

Kodiak, Rusty, Natasha, and Kiska in the driveway
Errrr – Needing to add Qannik. Picture at Craggy Gardens.

Safety note for those who are curious

Yes, the dogs are all wearing harnesses which are connected to the frame of the Jeep (and was to the Xterra).  These are dog seat belts that keep the dog from leaping out of the car, but also, very importantly, protect the dog in the event of an accident. Please use either a harness like this or a crate when transporting dogs.  A dog leash to a collar will NOT work in an accident.

10 Comments

  1. Debbie & Miss Ruby on August 3, 2022 at 5:59 pm

    My Xterra has 175,000+ miles and at least that many hairs!! Good thing I love my wooly girl.

  2. Belinda Hulen on August 3, 2022 at 12:44 pm

    Love seeing your red huskies from the past. We have one red and one black and white. Always enjoy your stories and Monday musings.

    • The Thundering Herd on August 3, 2022 at 2:03 pm

      Thank you. Yes, it’s quite weird to not have any red in the Herd right now.

  3. Max and Maya's momma on August 3, 2022 at 12:06 pm

    Alright Hu-Dad do each of them jump into the Jeep? Do they use the hatch or the side door? I so wanted the Razzleberry Wrangler but our 2 were not having anything to do with jumping in although they jump in our pickup truck. Silly puppies!

    • The Thundering Herd on August 3, 2022 at 2:05 pm

      Yes, back when we had the Jeeps (alas, no Jeeps today), we all jumped in until we hit a certain older age and needed a little boost (but the humans were discrete with the help so no one knew). And we would all jump out when given the okay EXCEPT for Typhoon who insists to this day on being lifted out of the vehicle and gently placed on the ground. Royalty may jump up, but never down.

      • Padma Bending on August 3, 2022 at 9:05 pm

        So royalty may be touched under limited circumstances then.

        • The Thundering Herd on August 4, 2022 at 8:44 am

          As long as the human is probably serving the royal’s needs, as determined solely by the royal, yes. In fact, Royalty will yell if his assistance is slow in coming.

  4. Juno's mom on August 3, 2022 at 11:55 am

    Such fond memories!

  5. HokiePack on August 3, 2022 at 11:19 am

    Ahhh the Jeep! It is how I met/found the Herd in Asheville tooling around town!!

    • The Thundering Herd on August 3, 2022 at 2:06 pm

      We lost count of the number of times we were flagged down in traffic. The best, however, was the kid who got all excited when he saw the Jeep pull up beside them at a traffic light, only to loudly express his disappointment that we weren’t there. We try to tell the humans not to go into public without us.

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