PETA and Peter (Dinklage, from Game of Thrones) want you to stop buying huskies
By Buckie Wells
Game of Thrones star Peter Dinklage has teamed up with PETA to ask people to stop buying huskies if they aren’t going to be committed to the required caretaking.
Flashback to season 1 of Game of Thrones: The Stark children find a litter of direwolves, which are just big, furry puppies that grow to be exceptionally large. Within the Game of Thrones realm, these direwolves have proven to be absolutely loyal to the children of the North and have often sacrificed themselves to save their master/friend.
They’re basically big wolves. And the closest thing that we have to that as far as domestic dog breeds are concerned is a husky. Therefore, in an effort to bag themselves a direwolf, apparently, people will buy a husky. Just because they saw it on Game of Thrones.
Obviously, it’s not unusual for people to try to emulate something they feel very passionate about. However, according to PETA, people abandon the dogs after it stops being cool. As if they don’t know that dogs require long-term care or that huskies, in particular, require some serious maintenance. I’m a cat person and I know that.
FESHIEBRIDGE, SCOTLAND – JANUARY 24: Huskies wait for practice at a forest course ahead of the Aviemore Sled Dog Rally on January 24, 2016 in Feshiebridge, Scotland. Huskies and sledders prepare ahead of the Siberian Husky Club of Great Britain 34th race taking place at Loch Morlich this weekend near Aviemore. (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images)
On the issue of adopting and then abandoning, Peter Dinklage said in the statement:
"“Not only does this hurt all the deserving homeless dogs waiting for a chance at a good home in shelters, but shelters are also reporting that many of these huskies are being abandoned — as often happens when dogs are bought on impulse, without understanding their needs.”"
Okay, so let’s say you read this and think, “Well, how hard can it be?” What exactly are a husky’s needs?
Well, the American Kennel Club summarizes it like this:
"Siberians are relatively easy keepers, but their thick coats require weekly brushing. New owners should be prepared to provide an outlet for exercise daily, whether through walks or an enclosed space in which to run. Predatory instincts are strong, so Siberians should be supervised around small animals in and around the home."
So that’s three things right there that, as a husky parent, you need to commit to for the next 12 to 15 years. Huskies enjoy decent/long lifespans. It’s not like having a chihuahua that you can let out in the front yard in the morning and call it a day. Furthermore, huskies are sled dogs, which means they like to run. They run, run, run. And if you are wondering how many Americans feel inclined to get semi-vigorous exercise on a daily basis, let me just say … not a lot.
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Between PETA, Peter and myself, the goal is really education. If people know what they sign up for, hopefully, they’ll be more responsible with huskies, and just all dogs in general. And if you feel like you can handle it, maybe consider adopting a furry friend.