Holly the escape artist

Over the years, Holly became known as the Houdini of Houdini’s.  Since she was our first Husky, It was “trial by fire”, and we had to learn quickly what worked and what didn’t.  Stalls were often husky-proof, but not Holly-proof.  It was because of Holly that I came up with the 5-point husky escape plan:

1.       Jump it

2.       Climb it

3.       Go through it

4.       Go under it

5.       Outsmart it

From that first stall, every one I have built since has had to pass these five inspection points.  This became known as the “Holly test”. 

All of our stalls have a ceiling.  This eliminates the “jump it” and the “climb it” from the list.  Holly has squeezed through fencing holes as small as 6” x 8”.  These had to be eliminated to take away the “go through it”.  Also, wood cannot be trusted.  She will chew through it. 

When building our stalls, trenches were dug about 12-18 inches deep, and treated lumber was installed to prevent digging.  She will chew through wood above ground, but not below ground.  At least not yet.  When windows were put in the barn walls, fencing with ¼” wire had to be put over it to prevent going out the window. 

This leaves “outsmart it”.  She learned early on that she can jiggle the stall door and the latch will open.  To solve this problem, I attached a small deadbolt originally above the latch.  With her apparent knowledge of Physics, she then figured out that applying enough force to the bottom of the door and using leverage, she could push the door out enough to squeeze through.  I had to by a very large deadbolt and mount it a foot off the ground.  To this day, all of our stalls have it. 

Unfortunately, human error still comes into play.  Last year, I forgot to bolt Holly’s door and she jiggled it open.  The four dogs in this stall got out, and tragically Peyton got hit by a car. 

The battle continues, but mostly it is outside in the fenced area.  That is still very escapable and we have to watch them while they are out.  Planned projects down the road include a “Holly proof” play area as well. 

 

Some of Holly’s most memorable escapes:

  • Zach and I were walking around the pasture with Daisie and Brutus.  Holly was out in the play area, and the moment saw us she rolled under the chain link fence and was bounding through the hayfield toward us.  It was a funny sight actually because the hay was two feet tall and she hopped through it like a rabbit.
  • Last summer, while 8-weeks pregnant, (that’s like 8 months to a human) she scaled the 5 foot fence in no time at all.  It may as well not have been there.
  • When we first learned she could jiggle the door latch open, it was at one o’clock in the morning at the old house.  She was next door chasing the sheep around.  Thankfully, the other dogs were barking, and we woke up and retrieved her before she got to any of them.
  • Holly was the first to figure out at the old house that the way out of the fenced area was through the creek.
  • Led by Holly, The team of Holly, Daisie, Brutus, Denali, and Demon all got out through that creek and ended up wandering downtown Fletcher.  Some people we knew called us to let us know and we had a team of people on a “dog hunt”.  It took an hour, but we finally corralled them and no one was hurt.

The good news about Holly is that she is also the most loyal.  Normally she comes when called so retrieving her is not a problem.  The others can’t escape as well as Holly, but they will.  It is what huskies do.  Everyone that has ever owned one can attest to that.

Lately, both Kallen and Aleu are giving a Holly a run for the money.  As Holly grows older, she is beginning to settle down a little.  When they are all out playing, Aleu seems to be the master of the escape.  She hasn’t climbed the fence yet like Holly, but she has a knack for finding the spot to get under, and does with ease.

Kallen is the newly appointed escape artist of the stalls.  As mentioned earlier, every stall has a trench about 12-18 inches deep, with treated lumber installed to the bottom to help prevent digging.  Kallen managed to make it all the way down.  With a little help from Rose and Holly on the other side, they managed to form a tunnel large enough for them to go under. 

Imagine the surprise when the night before I went out to feed them, and Holly and Rose were in one stall, and Aleu and Kallen were in the other.  The next morning we went out to find them all in one stall!

Not a huge deal, and something I have been wanting to do is make “doggie doors” between the stalls for them to intermingle if they want, but able to be closed if needed.  Perhaps this is a sign that these doors are overdue?  

Huskies are indeed a high maintenance dog, but they are one of the most loving and playful breeds out there.  Almost everyone that owns them learns to live with the pitfalls, and would certainly own one again!