Ch/Can. Ch Amarok’s Inner Sanctum CGC TDN

Ash was born with a brother and sister.  His brother went to live in NE and I kept his sister, Haven.  Both were typical pups, full of joy and mischief.  Any reputable breeder can tell you this!

Training begins early with pups getting used to nails, touching, the clicker, strangers, etc.  This gets them used to behaviors they will need in the real world and Ash had no trouble being taught!

As Ash grew up, he developed these crazy “eyebrows”.  I know now they are genetic, as several of his kids developed (and then grew out of ) them…just as he did.   Odd, but cute, none the less.

Ash got his Am. and Can. Ch very quickly under the expert hand of Tommy O’ (Tommy Oelschlager). Once he received those, he quickly moved on to his CGC and TDN.  That set him up so that he could start visiting nursing homes and spreading all kind of joy and happiness!

Ashram had an exceptional temperament.  He was great with dogs,  kids of all ages and his puppies. He was a Siberian I could trust implicitly.  He was a wonderful father- gentle with his pups, but also letting them know there were boundaries that could not be crossed.

His death happened due to a horrible, tragic accident.  I know now this could have been prevented. But, I did not know that then…  It was a warm August afternoon.  Ash and Sakari were out playing in the backyard.  I had just taken a shower and heard all this terrible commotion.  I looked out and saw that Ash’s collar had become twisted around Sakari’s lower jaw.  I ran out in my skivvies and tried to get Ash’s collar undone, but both were twisting and turning trying to get unattached.  As I held onto Ash to attempt to get his collar unlatched, Sakari kept twisting and turning.  I could not hold onto each and still try to get the collar unhooked.  Finally, after just a minute or so, I ran into the house to get scissors.  I ran back and cut off Ash’s collar, but he was limp.  I tried CPR, but it was too late.  His eyes were fixed and dilated and he was gone.  With every twist and turn, his collar tightened and off cut off his oxygen, which killed him.  I had fears that Sakari’s lower jaw would be broken, but it wasn’t.  She came through it with the loss of only 1 lower side tooth that snapped off from its root.

The next day I started looking for collar alternatives and ended up with breakaway collars. I researched and found that many, many dogs die daily (like ~71)  from collar accidents.  It can happen as Ash’s did (with 2 or more dogs playing), but also from getting caught on “things”, like a fence or post.  I now have everyone on breakaways.  Most of his pups are using them, too, after seeing Ash’s accident. PLEASE, get and use breakaways!  There are times I have to go looking for a collar as it has broken away during play in the back yard.  But, the time searching is so well worth it…the other option was tragedy for Ash and me.  I don’t want it to be for you and your beloved pet.

So, Ash is now North of the Rainbow Bridge with Suka, Kayta, Tseiko, Isis, Kaho, Akua, Akei, T’Kaya, Tikaani, Key’ush, Majic and many other Siberians who have made my life whole.  I have confidence they are waiting for my arrival when God calls me to the Golden Gates.  RIP my beautiful boy.  I will always love you.