My Dearest Friend, Yuki The Husky

Did you know that Yuki has various meanings in Japanese? Depending on which Kanji you write, it can mean "happiness" (幸), or "snow" (雪). It could mean "valuable" (由貴) or even "chronicle" (由紀).

However, no matter which meaning it represents, they all fit perfectly with my Husky. Those two blue eyes waiting for me when I walked in the door. I mean, could it get any better?

Yuki was a surprise present from my future wife. She knew I was all about Huskies and wanted one, but honestly, I didn’t think I was ready for the responsibility.

But the second I laid eyes on that little furball, with his nose shaped like an olive and those big blue eyes full of wonder, my world flipped. Yuki became more than just a pet; he became my best friend, no doubt about it.

HOW YUKI GOT HIS NAME

So, as newbie Husky parents, our first few days were all about getting the lowdown on the breed, picking a name, and figuring out how to make our life with our furry friend awesome. We read up on their "stubborn" streak, but hey, we’re pretty headstrong too, so we weren’t too worried. And yeah, we knew they were high-energy, but guess what? So are we!

Thank goodness for the internet, we could research the heck out of everything and settle on the perfect name. After weighing our options, we landed on the Japanese version of "Snow" – Yuki. Seemed fitting for a Siberian Husky who adored snowy landscapes. This whole process brought us closer together, big time.

YUKI THE EXPLORER

Huskies are famous for their stamina. They can trek for miles, no matter the weather, sometimes even hauling stuff. Translation: we were in for a lot of walks. Good thing we lived near the mountains. Every day, rain or shine, we’d hike up to the nearest peak. And Yuki? He was loving it, getting bigger and more adventurous by the day.

His absolute favorite places? The unexplored woods. It was like his personal playground, tracking down critters, digging up everything in sight, and sniffing out every nook and cranny. We couldn’t exactly curb his hunting instincts, and yeah, it was a tad nerve-wracking at first. But you know what? Letting him roam free paid off big time, like when his instincts kicked in and saved the day more than once.

YUKI AND THE BEAR

We lived in a mountain area and the bears were regular visitors, especially during the summer when they’d raid the trash bins or snatch fruits from the trees. One evening, during our usual stroll, we had a close call.

Yuki suddenly became anxious and ran towards a nearby orchard. We shouted after him but it didn't work. Turns out, he had spotted a brown bear. He circled the bear rapidly without getting too close, like a pro. The bear, understandably, got antsy.

We were freaking out, yelling for Yuki to come back, but his actions were driven by instinct, ingrained deeply in his genes, to tire out the bear. And guess what? It worked! The bear grew weary of his relentless movements and eventually retreated into the woods. We were stunned, but Yuki? He just trotted back to us like it was no big deal, cool as a cucumber.

At that moment, we realized that our dog was the best partner in the wild.

YUKI AND THE SNAKE

Here's another chapter from Yuki's tale of bravery. During an exceptionally scorching summer when the parched land drew out creatures in search of water, we embarked on our afternoon stroll through knee-high grass. Suddenly, Yuki began barking with a warning tone to stop us.

Realizing my disregard, he positioned himself in front of me, preventing me from reaching a spot where mountain rocks were visible. Continuing my walk, Yuki made a daring leap onto the first rock and swiftly bit a snake resting there in half. Taking each piece, he vigorously shook them, ensuring they posed no threat to me. Whether the snake was poisonous or not, Yuki showed us that his primary instinct was to protect us.

YUKI AND THE CITY

After moving to Bucharest, Romania's bustling capital, Yuki faced a significant adjustment from his accustomed wilderness walks. The absence of trees, mountains, and springs took its toll on him. Yet, he found solace during snowy winters and in the refreshing mornings of hot summers when we ventured to the park.

Remarkably, he adapted to the urban environment surprisingly well. We were astonished to discover that he had memorized all the green spaces in the neighborhood and could even anticipate our destination from the car. On our walks, he would eagerly lead us to the nearest patch of nature, where he could reconnect with his innate instincts.

YUKI’S UNCONDITIONAL LOVE

When I was working in front of my laptop, Yuki would try to capture my attention. He loved sit in my lap, despite no longer being a puppy. Though he may not have been outdoors as much, he cherished the precious moments with his family. He wholeheartedly embraced the new situation, displaying unconditional love towards every person he encountered. He craved love and affection, simply wanting to be close to me regardless of my activities.

Yuki seemed to defy the typical traits of his breed, embodying remarkable understanding and empathy. Through him, I learned invaluable life lessons, ones that no book could impart. He was my steadfast companion through moments of sorrow and joy, a confidant to whom I could reveal things I might never admit to another human. Yuki offered protection, brought joy, evoked laughter and tears, and revealed the true treasures of life, teaching me that genuine bonds endure beyond time and adversity.

What I carry with me, and what I hope to impart to my children, is the profound understanding of unconditional love that only comes from having a dog. No human friend can quite capture that essence. In my heart, I'll forever hold the memory of those pointed ears, that olive-shaped nose, and those eyes as blue as the sky. RIP, my dear friend.