Happy Birthday, Harley!

Today is a very special day - it's the birthday of our Alpha Queen - Nanuk "Harley" Mari. Harley is our very first Siberian Husky furbaby. My daughter had wanted one for many years, and Harley was the pup she picked out of the three remaining pups in a litter. They instantly bonded and to this day, share a very special connection. Harley has been to many amazing places. She has ridden in a police car (several times) with her Hu-Dad, attended court, been to the food store, rode on a boat (and got seasick!), attended school, frequented McDonald's drive-through (for vanilla ice cream), and so many other fun things. 

The Birthday Girl!

Harley is an absolutely amazing Sibe. She understands and communicates brilliantly. Sometimes she understands too much! She is always ready for a good (rough) game of Tug-O-War or Fetch, and is the true queen of this household, ruling over both humans and canines alike! Even with all of her Siberian Husky attitude (and she can sure give it!) she is also a very understanding and loving girl. When her Hu-Mom (my daughter) is upset, Harley is upset. She will cry and pace until she can get to her to be sure she is OK. She is also a grump. If she's sleeping...let her sleep. Really. Otherwise you are greeted with bared teeth and snarls, making her sweet persona morph into "Snarly Harley," thereby reinforcing the saying, "Let sleeping dogs lie." Yet other times, she will rush up to give kisses, cuddle up against your legs in the bed, or lie next to you on the sofa and be your best pal. Just don't smother her with too many hugs!

Eating birthday cake - Sibe family style!

Gibson is Harley's husband, her go-to guy Sibe. If she's cold, she will nestle up against his wooly coat and there she will stay. Typically, you will find Harley and Gibson together, just like a married couple. Even though I truly believe he is far more in love with her than the other way around! When the three pups joined our household, she instantly became their Momma, checking on them, giving them her treats and toys, playing with them, beating them up, and getting them in line if they step out. Sometimes it's so amazing to watch this Husky with the pups...you almost forget she is not their birth mother. She is also the worst singer/howler. To hear her is to know that. The pups have somehow convinced her she has a wonderful voice, and they will not break out into their daily wolfsongs without her leading the chorus. And that she does proudly (even though the humans are rushing to find the earplugs)!

Thank you for joining in the celebration, and we hope you'll enjoy this slideshow showing Harley growing up over the years as much as we enjoy having her as the head of...oops, I mean part of...our family.  ;-)

Happy Birthday, Harley girl. Here's to many, many, many more years of having you in our family. We love you so much!