Wednesday, December 5, 2012

three months of quiet

It's hard to believe the family of dogs has come down to the fabulous four.  It's been three months since we heard Chilly in the house and a little longer since the feet of our Princess Nakita were heard against the tile floor.

Our nights are lonely and with the holidays upon us we can't help but miss the beautiful girls that are at the bridge.

The four of us boys remain, and amongst us we still haven't selected a new Alpha.  Jack and Walter are wowing for the position but so far no one has come out on top.

This holiday season is upon us and we wish you all the merriest of Christmases.  We hope that Santa will be good to you and all of your four legged friends. 

Merry Christmas, and Happy New Year to you,

Lucas, Deuce, Jack and Walter

Thursday, September 6, 2012

TIme for our final dance

On Tuesday, September 4 we shared our last dance with our girl "Chilly Bean"....

It was a night to remember....Jack was keeping her company after what seemed like a pretty normal day.  Chilly was slowing down, and hanging back from the pack a little, but it was our guess that it was an aging woman thing.

On Monday night she was sharing bones and chillin' out with us, but some time in the wee hours of Tuesday morning Mom heard Jack's cries.  Mom checked on all of us and didn't find anything out of the ordinary, but Jack continued to whimper on and off through the night.

Tuesday morning seemed routine for all of us, but by Tuesday afternoon Chilly had to be carried outside.  Dad did the honor and when she came in she took her final breath.

We were all with her, and we know she is in a better place....but miss our older sis greatly.

She will be remembered fondly...coming into the home as a second frenchie and wanting to be the princess she deserved to be....she put me in my place a time or two at the water bowl..nudging my head out of her way.

The weekend before her passing she playing with cousins Tonka and Xander....she enjoyed having company and she loved having Alex and Syd around for their visit. 

Chilly was such a great gal....and we were lucky to call her family.

Deuce, Jack, Walt and Lucas

Saturday, July 28, 2012

Power Outage



Today was a power outage, much like the rest of the thunder and lightening storms lately.  Lucas is pacing the floors, not feelin' this whole thing.  He's never been a fan and he's just gotten a tad bit worse since his buddy Nakita isn't here to soothe him. Dad is trying to do that role for him now...anyway we're all cooped up in side until the storm passes and mom's on the floor helping keep us entertained.

Life is good for us Hutchins in North Carolina!!! :O)

The Frenchies of the house - Deuce, Chilly, Walt and Jack

Thursday, July 12, 2012

Nothing is Quite the Same

Mom cooked one of those cool dinners where the plate is shared...>Tonight was the first night since you've been gone Nakita that mom made that dinner that included one of your favorite egg plates.  I got to have it all by myself instead of just your left overs....let me go on the record as saying I would have enjoyed it much more if I shared it with you.

Since you've been gone I wait at the garage stairs for you to join me out in the pen to pee.  I sit in the fence wondering why you don't come out to join me anymore.

It's been two weeks since we licked the plates clean in the dishwasher while mom loads them all in.

Dad tells me that you're back, right here at home where you belong but I don't hear the pitter patter of your nails agains the tile floor anymore, you don't dance at the door when your bladder is full, your bark is missed at the first noise of the garage door opening.

You may be home to rest, but I don't see you anywhere.  I mope around all day thinking you'll come in the door soon.  This waiting for you sucks!!!

You know girl, we didn't care much about each other when you here by my side each day and I felt like you were taking up space and attention.  They called you the Princess.   Chanel came home to just see you!!!  What am I?  Chopped liver? 

Not a day has passed that you haven't been thought of, talked about or in some way remembered.  Mom tried to explain this bridge to me saying we'll be together again there...but what the hell. who wants to wait that long!?  I miss pestering you like little brothers do.   Jack, Chilly, Deuce and Walt feel the loneliness too.. They hardly bark at all anymore...and they let dad sleep in late in the morning.  Our whole routine is a mess now.

I heard something about time heals wounds and maybe I just need more time....but being the lone Sibe is a tough job...not sure I'll ever get used to it.

Nakita you are loved and missed!

Your baby brother,
Lucas

Thursday, June 28, 2012

Nakita is signing off

I was born in a small Georgia town, nameless on April 4, 1999.  An ad was placed in a local paper that Siberian Husky pups were born and the sale price seemed like something people could afford so one afternoon Earl Hutchins introduced himself to Ida Murphy and they rest they say is history.

In Earl's defense, he was young, inexperienced and didn't know the first thing about Siberians except they were cold weather dogs.  Earl and the family had lost a dear friend Sadie who was also a cold weather breed, St. Bernard, Earl was of the opinion I'd only become half of Saide's size so how bad could I be, really. 

When Earl met Ina, most of my litter mates had been purchased and carried to their new homes. I was one of two females left. We were both red and white with striking blue eyes and I had "arrow head" markings in the bright whiteness of my face.  Earl fell in instant like and drove home to ask his wife Joyce to come on a little drive with him.  Leaving the children behind, they loaded the car and headed in what Joyce thought was the woods to see this greatly organized breeder with nice little kennels all set up with as many as 15 adult Siberians.  (Remember at this time Earl and Joyce are young and un-educated about mills and puppy factories).

Earl and Joyce had not done one ounce of research on the breed, they just knew I was beautiful.  They thought it odd when Ina quoted a price for me and offered my sister for just $100. more but Earl was certain one new dog was enough - we only had space for one dog.  (you know how quickly that changed, don't you).

Earl and Joyce loaded me up knowing the important things about having a puppy were that the parents be AKC registered and that the pup share in the mom and dad's name and papers got sent off and you keep the pup and feed the pup and play with the pup...Simple business.

The girls were elated to greet me.  A cute red and white ball of fur with two sparkling blue eyes and smalll enough to hold in their tiny laps.  It was a day of paradise.....they had no idea what night time would bring...when the humans bedded down I began to cry, whine a little at first then I discovered my voic and high pitched howls escaped.  Note to self, this brings concerned attention fast.  I liked it.
Chanel came to sleep beside me on the kitchen floor so I would not be allow.  The humans later learned the Huskies are pack animals and I was missing my pack.  Chanel didn't mind, she became my pack.

Shortly there after it was time for my AKC registration. Earl thought "Puppies"...someday.  So they came up with a beautiful name from my mom and dad and something of their own.  I am officially Princess Jewel Nakeita.   I've been known from that day forward as Nakita _my mom (the human version) had to pull out the paperwork to remind me.

It didn't take long for me to leave the memory of puppies, dog crates, and my four legged parents to become a memory and I called Earl and Joyce mom and dad.  Alex, Mistie and Chanel became my sisters...and I was a princess in personality, spirit and in how they treated me.

Mom and dad were quickly interested in saving more of my kind.  They learned about a newly formed rescue after our move to North Carolina called Souther Siberian Rescue.  Through them I became a big sister and mentor to many less fortunate Siberians...they knew I didn't want to give over my thrown so most fosters were boys and I didn't mind too much.  Alex fell in love with my first foster brother Xander so he stayed around and kept me company.  Then we met Wizard and helped him find a great home. In the meanwhile dad would use his truck to pull other Siberians and assist in transport and through all of this my parents and family as a whole became more educated in back yard breeders, unnecessary breeding, puppy mills and the that quality dogs don't require AKC registration.

I was the product of a back yard breeder.  Mom and dad had me spayed later so I would never have to have puppies and produce more unwanted dogs, and I was the mother hen of the pack soothing Maxx during his separation anxiety, calming Xander when dad left for the war in Iraq, the shoulder the girls cried on when boyfriends broke their hearts.  I was the Alpha and it was beautiful.

Then this thing called age began approaching me in 2011...I was slowing down and taking more naps and felt maybe Lucas would like the burden of being the alpha.  Dad felt he wasn't qualified so dad has since taken command of the house and furkids again...which is a lot less stress on my back.

I've watched my sisters blossom into fine young ladies.  I'm going to go to the bridge and reunite with my brother Maxx and sister Jasmine.  The cats which I never cared too much for will be there to say hello, George, Miss Emily, Jake and Noah I'll see you but don't expect me to hang around with you all!!!  And sweet Andre' - my little Frenchie friend that passed before we had a real chance to get to know each other.

The first few weeks will be hardest on dad, then Christmas will come and when mom signs the Christmas cards with one less name the sadness will return to her - maybe unnoticed.

I will be resting peacefully out of the pain I've been enduring for several months and I will be watching over those I've left behind thinking fondly of the fun times and hikes we shared.

While you wait to me please find comfort in Lilly, Minx, Walt, Chilly, Jack and Deuce. Share fond memories and smile when you think of me.

Thanks for the greatest 13 years a girl could ask for.

Until we meet again my friends, I bid you my ever lasting love.....

Nakita
Departing date 6/29/12

Friday, April 27, 2012

Crate Sharing

I made mom laugh out loud tonight.....

She's been a little disappointed in my behavior lately. After having new floors installed, she did some redecorating and I began using her new decorations around the fireplace as my toys.   She's been pretty cool about just picking up the left behind pieces, but tonight she took all of my "new toys" away from him and hid them away.

At dinner, as always, Deuce, Jack and Chilly were sent to their crates.  Every night its "crates" and I jump into a chair...usually....well tonight I walked into Deuce's crate and wouldn't come out. Deuce didn't know what to do or think so he stayed right beside me in the crate. 

Mom couldn't help but laugh.

Walt.

Saturday, March 10, 2012

Xander visit

Aunt Alex and Uncle Syd decided to join some friends in Jacksonville, Florida for a week so mom went up to meet Uncle Syd so that she and dad could take care of Xander for a week.  It was funny to us because mom volunteered for this operation knowing she was leaving for Chicago the next day....Ha Ha.  Dad loved it though. He thinks Xander is pretty awesome, so it worked out well.

Although I tried to make mom feel really happy and let her know she was missed by us Frenchies while she was gone, she think Xander gave her the warmest welcome upon her return.  Give us Frenchies a break. It was almost midnight when she came through the door, that equates to sleep time for us little people.

Xander was great fun to have around, but of course we are quite content to not have to share mom and dad with another dog now for a little while.

Chilly, Deuce, Jack, and Walt


Tuesday, February 7, 2012

First Signs of Spring 2012

It is beginning to look like spring at our house and the family is loving spending more time outside. I am especially enjoying the warmer weather and check out my picture where I just can't wait for mom to take my picture.

Take care, and until next time....

Chilly Bean



Monday, January 30, 2012

Comments from Mom

I was paid a wonderful compliment today, thank you Karen....

Walt's foster mom feels like she may have worried too much about Walt, she thinks Walt looks he's always been a part of our family.  Reading those words just makes me so happy.  It sure feels like Walt has been a part of us forever! 

It seems we get caught up in day to day life and the story of it just becomes mundane and fairly routine, but I know there are some folks out there that are concerned about Walt's well being and happiness.  As the weather here in North Carolina becomes warmer and Walt takes new adventures to see the ocean and explore the fresh scents of spring, he'll be here to post his regular updates.

If you read this and are ever just curious or want to say hello, feel free to send him a comment or email.  I'll pass it along.

As for the other Hutchins' pets, they're all doing great too.  Here are some recent photos you may enjoy!!!

Thanks for checking in. 

Joyce





Friday, January 20, 2012

Waaaalter....and friends

You know it can be tough being a new member of a pack.  I wasn't sure what to expect, and since I met mom first, and it was essentially love at first sight, I felt pretty sure it was going to be okay...then I had my moments.  I arrived at my new home with house guests.  Some cats showed their faces and introduced themselves, and then the house guests left. Mom went back to work. This big guy I call Dad was showing up in the middle of my nap and I had to get off my comfy chair and go outside.  I just couldn't get a routine down for days and days.....

                                              Jack and I saying "have a good day Mom"

....now, finally I think I'm in a normal routine. Mom has gone back to work...dad is working his usual schedule and I'm learning what it's like to hang out with the frenchies, share sniffs and grunts with the Siberians during the day, and rest and relax like in a style in which I've become accustom.

Then night comes, dad and mom return from work. I race circles around the yard with Deuce and Jack, have a great dinner, some more running figure 8's, playing tug of war, and hearing "Waaaalter" being called when mom can't see me in the bushes.  Life is good!  :) 

                                                        Tug of War
                                                  Running circles in the house

When it's time to unwind here is my happy place!!!
Dad's lap is awesome.

Friday, January 13, 2012

One on one...

...Actually it was one on two.  No photos tonight cuz mom didn't want pictures of her in her jammies. I just had a great time with mom and dad though...one on one or like i mentioned one on two.

Dad and mom feel its pretty important to get to know me as an individual so they had me in their laps all by myself for about thirty minutes.  Don't get me wrong, I love my siblings, but private back scratches, behind the ear rubs and playing with my feet is pretty much paradise in my book.

Jack, Chilly and Deuce are calling my name now, so I have to run but I've just had a great night hanging out with parents.  Who knew old folks could be so attentive?

talk to you all later, Walt

Tuesday, January 10, 2012

Settling In

Cozy on my new blanket


I just want to come up and see you Dad.
  With the holidays and travel schedule behind me now, I've been settling in to my new home and family.  A great secret santa from FBRN sent me to my forever home with this new blanket that I just love. I'm a good little brother, too, because I share it with Jack. 

My older brother Deuce has expressed some jelousy about my being here, but mom is teaching him that she has plenty of love to share and go around.

Let's play!!!

Jack and I enjoy wrestling, it's really how we unwind from our day of leisure.  Last night we got Chilly involved with it and she loved it. She pretends to not like it but comes back for more, so I know better.

Mom and dad are returning to their normal work schedules which leaves me with the dogs and cats, but so far it is working out just great.  Dad will have a short work week again next week which means he and I have more wrestling time together.  Dad thinks its cute that when he comes home we never leave the couch but when we all hear mom's car come home, we jump up to meet her at the door.  I try to let him know it's not that we love her more, its just that he comes home during our nap time.

You'll have to excuse me now. Jack is requesting my presence in a game of tug of war and I don't want to miss it.   Keep checkin' back. One of us is bound to have something to write about soon!

Wednesday, January 4, 2012

Walking with Dogs



Deuce here, trying to get a word in edge wise is like trying to get a space or small corner on mom's lap now.  Well, lets just say that Walt is making his place at home and I'm trying everything I can to tell him I'm the older brother.  Squeezing a moment in on this blog now that he is here is like getting a minute with mom alone, or on her lap.  You have to know amongst the dogs, I'm her favorite, but shhhhh, I didn't say that. 
So on New Year's day we make the rounds.   You know Chilly is a little slower paced than the rest of us, so dad has the siberians - runners that they are - and mom has four frenchies - that includes Walt, Chilly, Jack and I  - making an adventure around the neighborhood. We are quite the site to be had let me tell you. Anyway, we got our much needed excercise (mom's need - we all had to suffer through it), and came home and got some rest.

Mom thought her lap was big enough for all of us, but she is sadly mistaken.  Have you seen Walt?  He's huge!!! Anyway, he's fitting in with the rest of us quite nicely as a matter of fact.  I really like having him around....SHHHHH don't tell him I said so.

Deuce, signing out....if he allows me to, I'll try to get in mom's lap for typing to you all again soon!

Tuesday, January 3, 2012

Walt update

It's been an interesting first week here in North Carolina with my new brothers, sisters and parents.  Mom woke me early on Monday to explain I had another road trip. Although it was short, I'm not fond of parking lots, moving cars and the like. This trip was a good one though. Mom introduced me to my new doctor.  I don't know about you, but finding the right care giver is really important.  I want my health needs met, but it's really important to get positive feed back, back rubs and good ol' fashioned attention from the doctor and the staff.  Let me tell you that I was not short changed on any of the above.  I waltz in their like I know the place, all stoic and confident and Shannon greets me like they know me. Come to find out, she knows and loves Deuce, Jack and Chilly.  Shannon says she wants a Frenchie just like me. Of course, who doesn't.  Doc gives me the once over and says I look great.  She doesn't change much about my diet, heart worm treatment or bathing, and says to come back in the summer to update my vaccines and I'm good to go.  Well someone in the back knows dad so she had to come see the new Hutchins.  She congratulates mom and loves all over me.  This makes me feel special and I'm all about the humans givin' some TLC.

After the vet mom gave me some yummy treats and a warm bath.  Again, not my favorite thing in life, but some alone one on one time with mom is special too.

Mom and Dad had to go back to work today so it was the first full day at home with the fur friends.  Dad was so impressed when he came home and everything was just as he left it.

Pictures will be posted in a few days. I've lapped out the figure 8 track in the yard that Jack likes so well and created a new track in the house that Deuce and Jack are learning.

So far I'm enjoying these NC days....

I'll be back soon, hope you are too!

Walt "Walllllllter" is what dad calls me!!!