Now, I do not regret for a moment bringing that first Siberian into our lives. Never for a moment will I regret or forget that day. Now knowing just how much his breeder had failed him in their indiscriminate breeding that created a Siberian's heart and working drive in a body that fails him infuriates me. The excitement in his eyes when the harnesses come out, and the pain in my heart to have to tell him 'not this time buddy' as we take the team out for a run. His body, however much his heart desires, fails painfully just a couple miles down the trail. He's the dog that has so much heart he tries to push himself further than his body can bare.
As a responsible pet parent it is our job to know their limitations and not push them past those limitations. Whether it's playing in the yard, chasing squirrels and rabbits in the garden, or those long walks or jogs you enjoy with your companion. After all we want to see years of enjoyment with our pets. Sound structure is important be it 'just a pet', a show dog, or a working sled dog. After all part of a healthy life, is an active life. So what do you do if your pal has a structural issue that limits them? Simple- you love them, you spoil them rotten, you participate in life with them...keeping in mind their limitations and play within those boundaries set by his body.


