Ruby Tuesday – Who Do You Believe?

Would I cause problems?

Sibernet-L is an information list for humans to share facts about us fascinating Siberian Huskies.  Facts.  Sometimes, the humans also tell entertaining stories about how helpful we are as a breed and how we can always be counted on to do the right thing.  You know, like how we could have been Lassie or Rin-Tin-Tin, but they chose other breeds because we are so well behaved that humans would not believe it.  Shrug.  But we are perusing the site Sunday morning and we found the following shocking story:

I’ve been chastised for not sharing this story on Sibernet – something about, “if you can’t laugh at yourself…..,”  Well, I had to first get beyond the fright and begin to restore my faith in my ability to handle 2 Siberians on a walk before I could find the humor.

Tokki and I have made our 2 mile walk around our graveled mountain road for 3 years.  Ruby joined us a year ago.  In that time, we have successfully passed several squirrels, rabbits, chipmunks, turkeys, a ground hog, countless dogs (even off-leash dogs, a subject that ignites my anger), and a few cats.

This time we rounded a curve to see a cat not 10 yards in front of us and strolling toward us.  It moved to the side of the road and sat at the edge of the grass.  I said a firm “leave it” and was reaching to pull them by my side when the cat bolted down the side of the mountain.  Both dogs jumped together and headed after it.  I managed to grab some tall weeds and some remnants of the erosion-control cloth fencing and apparently one has more traction on gravel when sprawled flat on one’s belly.  When I realized that I’d stopped before going over the edge, I told the 2 brats to get their backsides back up on the road, then got to my feet and, of course, looked around hoping no one saw me make this dive.

We’ve now made the walk 5 times since that eventful day.  The gravel-burns are scabbed over and my confidence is returning.  That cat must have given them a challenging, “yah, yah, yah, can’t catch me,” before running, because Ruby and Tokki  continue to watch that place in the grass each time we pass it.

Patricia

Who has lived to tell another story!

My name is Tartok. I don't know who this Tokkie fellow is.

Can you believe she called us, er, them brats?   We, er, they had just chased off a house cat, uh, a vicious attacking mountain lion.  And this whole thing about saying, “Leave it.”  We, wait, they clearly heard, “Chase it.  It is scaring me.”

P.S. – Many of you have noted The Herd and Herd Annex are walked using High Sierra Walk-A-Belts physically attaching the Siberians to the Humans.  You have also asked what happens if a rabbit or cat or whatever runs in front of the Sibes.  Now you know the answer.  The first rule of dog sledding is Never Let Go of the Sled.  Didn’t say it is without consequences.

25 Comments

  1. Corgi Country Crew on July 17, 2010 at 2:47 am

    OF COURSE it was a Mountain Lion! Nothing else would cause you to hurt someone you love, unless you were saving them!

    Reminds us of the “Brilliant” servant of the Queen of England who decided to take NINE corgis on leashes for a walk, starting at the TOP of the STAIRS!! He quit after he got out of the hospital!

  2. Mochi on July 15, 2010 at 1:27 pm

    We had fun trying out the belt on Saturday! There are no pictures of me walking the trail on the way to the beach because I was helping mom jog along! 🙂 I saw some chickens that I wanted to play with! 🙂

    Mochi

  3. The OP Pack on July 14, 2010 at 7:59 pm

    Ha, Mom saw that tale on Sibernet too and said that is why she is afraid to wear a walking belt too. She can’t afford to break her bones, but she also vows she will never let go of our leashes – she thinks she is SuperWoman.

    Woos – Phantom, Thunder, and Ciara

  4. Lisa on July 14, 2010 at 6:36 am

    Ooh great story glad the hu-mom is ok though!

    Reminds me of when I was out mushing with mom and took a sudden dive into a trench and nearly pulled mom and the scooter in with me. Ooops. Sadly there was no cat to blame 🙁
    Kodi x

  5. Lorenza on July 13, 2010 at 10:58 pm

    Yes! I have the whole episode in my mind!
    Sibes rule!
    Kisses and hugs
    Lorenza

  6. Life With Dogs on July 13, 2010 at 10:42 pm

    I have this image of you streaking by, floating in the air behind the dogs. I hope for your sake that image remains a figment of my imagination. The belt does not leave much margin for error!

  7. Kari on July 13, 2010 at 9:57 pm

    hee hee I know Mesa would do that to me in a heartbeat

  8. Roxanne @ Champion of My Heart on July 13, 2010 at 7:58 pm

    Oh, dear. I once fell during an agility class, and Lilly came back out of the tunnel to look at me like, “Momma, what you doing on the ground?”

    I thought it was funny, but afterward NO ONE would make eye contact with me, so I guess they were all mortified on my behalf.

  9. Huffle Mawson on July 13, 2010 at 7:54 pm

    My mum laughed and laughed when she read that on Sibernet the other day 🙂

  10. Honey the Great Dane on July 13, 2010 at 7:34 pm

    Ha! Ha! I could almost picture that story unfolding in my head!! 😀

  11. siku marie on July 13, 2010 at 6:32 pm

    Well, they WERE protecting her from a vicious CAT attack, right? She should be GRATEFUL!

    Please tell hu-dad thanks for his thoughts on Michael’s situation. It helped to hear how others reacted and would handle the indignity. Steve is going to mention (on the side) what happened to the volunteer supervisor and we are encouraging Michael to nicely bring up what happened to the usual coordinator as well. Meantime the White Dogs still want to at least have the opportunity to bear teeth and growl menacingly.

  12. gus, louie and callie on July 13, 2010 at 5:32 pm

    What a great story Mom. We are sure glad you had something to grab onto..
    Mom had a similar face plant while herding. Callie saw the sheep and bolted, yepper you got it Mom went face first into the dirt. You wouldn’t think a 30 pound Pest could uproot Mom.. Dad thought it was funny, Mom was NOT impressed…

    Big Sloppy Kisses
    Gus, Louie and Callie

  13. Sierra Rose on July 13, 2010 at 4:34 pm

    Oh goodness!!! Are you ok? Such power when our fine furrie pals need to GO! I’ve toppled mom a few times, as she often hooks me to her fanny pak. And, that’s just one me. So sorry this happened!
    Pals, we have to behave better for our hoomans, ok? 🙂

    Hugs and snaggle-tooth kisses,
    Sierra Rose

  14. Houndstooth on July 13, 2010 at 12:27 pm

    I thought Tokki was the good Sibe! *snort* We have a story for Thursday that might make them, er, those misguided Sibes in that story, feel a little better. I had a feeling I knew what would happen if they took off with those belts on, and I was right! Perhaps wearing rollerblades or grass skis would be easier!

  15. Cheryl, Indiana, Shingo & Molly on July 13, 2010 at 12:13 pm

    Let’s just say that you all may the walk memorable!!

    Woofs and Kisses!
    The Fiesty Three

  16. Khyra on July 13, 2010 at 11:20 am

    We smiled then
    AND
    We are smiling now

    We khonkhur with KB about the mountain lion – nice work!

    Hugz&Khysses,
    Khyra
    PeeEssWoo: I knew what Ruby would do – and if Mom hadn’t been there watching me……

  17. The Army of Four on July 13, 2010 at 11:10 am

    Hmm… wow. What an unusual story. Wonder why the Hu-Dad posted it here? And on Ruby Tuesday, no less. Curious. And of course we’ve never heard of this “Tokki” fella. No sir.
    Play bows,
    Zim
    PS: Did our mom ever tell you the story of two Sibes called “nononoboysnononono” taking her down the side of a hill like she was on water skis? Not that I know anything about that!

  18. Stella on July 13, 2010 at 10:21 am

    I can’t even imagine what would happen to me if I did that to my Mom. Pulled her down and scabbed up her knees. . .whooo, its a scary thought! It makes a mountain lion sound like a kitty kat to me.

    Of course, I am a town dog, so its not likely to happen is it?

    Kisses,
    Stella

  19. jack & moo on July 13, 2010 at 10:11 am

    Oh Ruby & Tartok, what heroic Sibes those must have been, chasing off a mountain cat! We’ve heard that those cats can attack humans and kill them, so we say “give those pups an extra big treat”…that is, if woo ever see them again.

    jack a-roo & miss moo

  20. Emma Rose and the Duchess on July 13, 2010 at 10:06 am

    That was a great story! But – ouch!

  21. Jeanine on July 13, 2010 at 10:05 am

    I wear one of those when Max and I run! He has only tripped me once and was because a stupid car thought he would save five seconds by inching into the crosswalk and scared Max into me. We both went flying. Now the other Sibes at my house, I would not tether to me!!! Haha

  22. Huskys Rule on July 13, 2010 at 9:54 am

    We love you guys!!!! We sibes only try to protect our humans!!!!!!!
    Licks & Nibbles,
    Kody & Nia

  23. KB on July 13, 2010 at 9:22 am

    That is not a story about you, Tartok or Ruby! And, those wonderful dogs saved their human from a mountain lion!

    That kind of scenario is exactly why I never physically attach myself to the dogs. I’d be in VERY big trouble if that happened to me!

    Now, be sure that you don’t imitate the dogs who that story was about!

  24. Khumbu on July 13, 2010 at 6:29 am

    When will the humans realise how dangerous those cats are, all we try to do is save the lives of our beloved humans 🙂

    Khumbu
    PS I did the same thing to my Hu’mum today!

  25. Lexi and Jasper the Danes on July 13, 2010 at 4:30 am

    Wow you two…umm…them two were brave enough to chase a cat! Don’t they turn around and slap you on the nose with their paws?

    Licks and lots of slobber,
    Lexi and Jasper the Danes

Leave a Comment





Read Another Story

← Back One Story ◊ OR ◊ Forward One Story →

Hu-Dad's Novels

His books pay for our food!