My 6 yr old Husky (Specs) died in his sleep Tuesday night, 11/22. He was in excellent health and was very active indoor dog. We went to bed around 10, he slept in his usual spot at the foot of the bed. When we awoke to take all 3 dogs for a walk, he was cold and stiff. Best I can tell, he had been gone for a few hours. My wife and I are very light sleepers and would have noticed even a small struggle. Our vet (Dr. Baumwell in Plantation) suggested that he may have had a heart attack or stroke. He was at the vet 30 days ago for his semi-annual visit. Everything was fine then.
The pain we're going through is indescribable. Our 2 remaining dogs enjoyed their special Thanksgiving dinner, but are still wondering where Specs has gone. They sniffed him before we carried him out, but still look and sniff around trying to find him.
Specs was a gentle, affectionate male. About 75 lbs., black and white with a mask and brown eyes. Good with kids and his pack mates. As most Huskies, very independent, almost cat like. He wanted his affection on his terms, some times even jumping in my lap on top of the computer as I sat in my recliner. He was our "outdoor leader", leading the pack on walks around the neighborhood. In the house, he was respectful of Kodiak - the boss....
He was a stray that I had found by the office. I brought him home August 2, 1995, before Hurricane Erin struck. He grew to love ice cream, treats and especially whipped cream. The sound of the whip cream container would bring him running. He was quite the wanderer, one time slipping the leash in the dead of winter in Indiana. We gave him the nickname "Hoosier dog" after that one. He loved getting out of the house and running through the neighborhood, playing hide and seek with my wife. It used to scare us half to death when he did it, but he really enjoyed playing the game. He left us Wednesday, the 22nd of November.