Hello and an awful story...

[Staceybob]

Hi there!

My name is Stacey. My friend advised me to join this forum for Husky-Owners after following my thread on the petforums.

I am currently Unemployed as I am Disabled with a Mental illness called Dissociative Identity Disorder (formly known as Multiple Personality Disorder).

I own a beautiful light red and white female, KC Reg'd, Siberian Husky named Aleu. She is named after Balto's daughter in the movie, Balto Wolf Quest as they are similar in colour and in their fun nature. Aleu is a 2 year and 2 month old Siberian Husky and was born on the 20th September 2008 from a KC Reg'd breeder in Stoke-On-Trent. She was unique in colour in her litter as all of her brothers and sisters were silver and black, apart from one boy who was a dark copper red (like his dad!).

Aleu went to training classes from 13 weeks old (after her jabs were done and her Kennel Cough vaccine was given) where she learnt the basics in training, but when we moved, she stopped attending classes. Aleu has always been quite clingy with me, originally when she was a puppy; I couldn't even go to the toilet without her howling! So for a very long time we've been working hard on having a good relationship but also having individual roles during the day so she doesn't feel the need to be around me all the time.

Now here is the major section of this story of when things went a bit... wrong. First of all, I know that I can't take back what I did to my dog, and I will never forgive myself for the harm or psychological damage that I did to her. I can't express how much I regretted doing what I am about to tell you. I can only ask that you please do not have a go at me for this, or judge me based on this, as I have already shown that I am in debt to my dog and SHWA have been helping me to get on the right track.

Aleu has always been a bit of a nightmare on the lead with pulling and she has damaged a lot of things in the house through chewing when I'm not around. Anywho; I was walking around our village and I bumped into a lady with a Utanagan who appeared to be behaving really well with a back pack on his back, so I decided to ask her what she does for training. The woman was really kind and decided to pass on the details of her Dog Psychologist and told me that he would really be able to help me out.

When I met the man, he seemed very in the know how, loud and confident and re-assured me that he could help my dog, and sent me a pack and a DVD, with no mention of money for it. A little while later he asked if 'as a favour' to him and a benefit to my dog, if I would breed Aleu with his dog (which at the time, I thought was a Siberian Husky too) as she had just come into season. He said that this way, he would take her for a few weeks for the mating and during the whelping period and would psychologically help her to be a better dog, and he didn't want any money for it, just 1 or 2 of the puppies as it would help him with his psychological studies of puppies. He was aware of my vulnerable illness and manipulated me into thinking this would be a fantastic idea for my dog, so I agreed. The day she was leaving, I then got told that his dog was actually a lurcher, but assumed, it's still going to benefit her psychologically, so ok.

I really missed her whilst she was away, when she came back, she was completely different. When I called her to come for a cuddle, she approached me slowly and just sat there with her ears down. She walked calmly on the lead, but my partner noticed I was a bit upset because she wasn't being like herself at all. Whilst she was away, he told me she would be sleeping in a crate and that she had been completely fine in there. That night I put her to bed in her crate and she went crazy, crying, scratching and biting the bars. A couple of days later and it was getting much worse, so I decided to ask people on the pet forums for advise.

When I revealed the story of what had happened, I realised the terrible mistake that I had made, and this hadn't benefited my dog at all, quite the opposite, it had upset her. I looked at her vulva and noticed it was bruised and upon looking at the photo he sent me of the breeding, I noticed that she was being held on a leesh to stand their and take it. SHWA kindly offered to pay for a mismate for Aleu and offer us further support with dietry things and behaviour, and after much crying, worrying and thinking, we decided to go through with the mismate.

It turned out that this man had no psychological qualifications at all, and SHWA informed me that he was already under the charge of the Labradoodle association for psychological abuse that he has caused to a little puppy that someone had taken there for psychological help. I also told SHWA the advice in the pack and the advice he had given me, and I was told that a lot of the advice would seriously damage my dog. I feel awful for falling in this trap, and I know that I am not the only one that has fallen into his trap.

Now, a week on, Aleu has had her mismate and has returned to being her old self again. She's better on the lead now, and doesn't cry in her crate anymore, in actual fact, on a lot of occassions she climbs in there to sleep herself! She's on Skullcap And Velarian which is really helping her to chill out and she's been treated to a new kong this week and a big rawhide bone, so she's loving all these gravy kong recipes that I'm mixing up =].

The people on the petforums and SHWA had shown me sense, and since then I have been trying to be a better owner to my girl. I have also advised people in the local area not to use his 'psychological' services and told them of our experience. I can't take back what I caused her to undergo, but I can be happy that she is now safe and warm at home (currently sleeping by my feet).

I can't thank SHWA enough for their help, nor the members on the petforums, but I do plan on helping SHWA raise funds.

Aleu is like my best friend, and I can't thank SHWA enough for helping me get this smile back on my girls face:

That photo was taken yesterday =]

So that's an introduction on us, I hope people can see past this ordeal and see that we are moving in a new direction and that I am doing my best to be the best for Aleu (please see my about me for more on her =])

Stacey xxx

[raindog]

Hi Stacey,

Glad to hear she is doing so well!

It was an awful story, but you must take full credit for listening, learning and taking action based upon the advice you were given. Too many people ask for advice, but don't really want it and reject any suggestions which don't fit in with their preconceived ideas. You, on the other hand were ready to admit your mistakes and take positive action to redress them. This takes guts and intelligence which I wish more owners would display in similar situations.

Mick

[valkyries]

first of welcome to our family, wow thats some story poor girl but hey we all make mystakes, none of us are perfect you did what you thought was best for her, but most importantly you have learnt by your mystake. so don't beat your self up.

When we need help we take advice from lots of people some times we get it right some times we don't, so do your self a favour put this behind you and give your girl a huge hug, make life a happy one for you all. Yesterday as gone and today is a new start xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx oh lots more pic's please xxxxxxxxx

Any thing you need to know you will fine someone on here willing to give advice on all subjects xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

[yamahar6wme]

Aww she is a stunning dog and what has happened in not your fault you thought you were doing right by her there are people out there that are this sick. This forum is here for help fun and advice. Just glad she is ok could have been worse.

[Staceybob]

Thanks Mick, That really means a lot. I'm going to phone you and Terry soon about trying to earn you guys some money =].

Thank you for all your lovely replies; I'm glad everyone here is so understanding. I'll be sure to upload more photos!

Stacey xxx

[KERNOWHUSKIES]

Stacey, first off we r not the type of people on this forum to 'have a go at you' its not what this forum is about, we are a huge pack n we r all very good friends who care for all of us and all the dogs.

What happend is dispicable, it was not ur fault, you thought you were doing the best for ur dog. This so called psycologist should be banned from having animals and i think any1 reading this will be as horrified as me.

He abused his position and took advantage of ur obvious kind nature.

There r so many people out there just using dogs 4 breeding and 4 making money and it sounds 2 me that this hidious creature is doing just that.

You know it was a mistake and u have learnt from it, all u can do is take each day as it comes and give Aleu all the love u could possibly give her.

I hope things start to get better for all of u.

Emily

[meeshsalts]

I am a Cousellor so understand your mental health issues better than most people on this forum.

Do not blame yourself too much for the abuse your dog suffered, you were told by someone how should be locked up who said he was a specialist that your dog would benefit from this.

Your dog is recovering and now you need to forgive yourself and live for the now and the future, you can't change the past.

Love your dog and yourself and both your lives will be better for it.

I suffered from mental health issues a few years ago and my Husky Buck helped me deal with it and helped in my recovery.

You can PM anytime if you would like to talk.

meesh

[Huskycat]

Hi Stacey and very warm welcome to you and Aleu. She is a beauty

Thank you for being brave and relating this story to us, so many people fall prey to people who appear to have so much more 'experience' than we do, you are not the first and by no means the last I am sure. You did the best thing possible talking to Mick he will certainly show you the right way forward now

I really hope you and Aleu contine to do well and I look forward to hearing more about her (and your) progress.

[Storm Angel n Auroras Mum]

Hi Stacey, you were vulnerable and that awful man preyed on that and used you and your beautiful dog. I don't think for one moment any of the wonderful people on here will blame you at all for the incident. Everyone on here is very supportive and lovely. You will find after time you will have made many wonderful friends on here. I did. Full marks for telling your story, that took courage and I admire that. xx

[Lisa (Fragglebabe)]

Hi Stacey, welcome to the pack

Tomorrow is another day & whats most important is your girl is back home safe & sound, we look forward to getting to know you xxx

Alue is beautiful :wub:

[Staceybob]

That was Aleu as a puppy XD

This was her in the snow that year.

This was her last winter

And this was her giving me a big husky valentine cuddle ^^.

Will upload more photos on my actual profile soon.

Stacey xxx

[valkyries]

awww Stacey, Aleu is stunning bless her xxxxxxxxxx

[Lisa (Fragglebabe)]

Awwwww she is stunning

[Kells xx]

welcome to the forum and the husky family

we will nit judge you at all, we are here to share our husky stories and help each other.

what happened to you was awful !!!!!!

well done to the shwa for helping you

[Rosemary]

Stacey, she is gorgeous Well done for telling your story. The more people who are made aware of what is going on, the better.

Look forward to seeing you around the forum and seeing more of the beautiful Aleu.

[Val (Zebedee)]

Hi Stacey, welcome to the forum, that is quite an episode you have been through and I must give you a big for sharing that with us, you will get nothing but support from members here. Aleu is gorgeous :wub:I don't know how you are fixed for transport, but there's a gang of us heading down to Nottingham on Saturday for a meet up in Wolloton Park, there's a few of us heading down from Liverpool / Manchester area and it would be great to meet you all if you could make it?

[Andy]

Welcome Stacey, in all fairness you were trying to do what you thought (and was advised) was best for Aleu.

She will recover and be her normal self again.

If you need any help just shout.

There are 6 other members of the forum in the derby area, maybe you could meet up and Aleu could get to meet some Huskies.

[Staceybob]

but there's a gang of us heading down to Nottingham on Saturday for a meet up in Wolloton Park, there's a few of us heading down from Liverpool / Manchester area and it would be great to meet you all if you could make it?

I'll have to see what we're doing this weekend, I noticed the thread for it earlier.

And meeting other Derby huskies would be awesome! I'm sure she'd love that!

Stacey xxx

[Austinville]

First of all, welcome to the forum. We're fortunate to have many people here who have expertise with the huskies. I don't think you could have been directed to a better place. Without sounding like we're patting our own back, we're a good lot.

I have to give you a thumbs up for being so very honest. Everyone makes mistakes, but not everyone is big enough to own up to them and to take the steps to correct what has happened. This allows others to learn and allows those who can to help you and Aleu.

Bless you both and let the healing begin. We're hear for you.

[Staceybob]

Thank you very much.

Stacey xxx

[BingBlaze n Skyla]

welcome to the pack stacy and aleu - ur girl is my Blaze's sister what a horrible thing for you and her to have to go thru we will all try and help you both as much as we can on here

[Staceybob]

Aww thank you, that's really sweet of you.

Stacey xxx

[Lil Miss Bump]

welcome.....i cant add to what everyone else has said-but good on you for taking on what mick said xxx

[Sarah16]

Hi Stacey,

Good to see you on here- we spoke the other night (Sarah SHWA)

Funny old world - if you have Blazes sister then that means I have your girls Aunty! My girl Willow is Gypsys sister.

Speak soon xxxx

[Staceybob]

XD I really have got Blazes sister, I've just sent a load of puppy pictures of Blaze on facebook. Here's a picture of Aleu and Blaze in the same litter:

Can you tell which one Aleu is? XD

And wow Sarah XD I bet your girl is beautiful!

Stacey xxx