Goodbye, Dear Hsyuge
Hsyuge, our giant Malamute with a gentle heart, died yesterday.
Hsyuge has been part of our family since 2000. When my husband brought him home, he was small enough to fit on his forearm. He was afraid of linoleum, so he wouldn't go into the kitchen. He chewed up everything within reach, from shoes to seat belts.
Hsyuge was an escape artist. He had separation anxiety, so he'd try to get out of the house any time he was left alone. He even learned to unlock a deadbolt. Our front door knob still has dents from his teeth.
We decided to bring home a companion for him, our Cocker Spaniel Molly. He became a model citizen immediately. He stopped trying to get out of the house. He stopped chewing on things. His only continued weakness was taking advantage of any opportunity to get food (note the trash can lid stuck on his head in the picture above). He policed Molly, making sure she went outside to use the bathroom and regulating how much she had to eat.
Hsyuge was an absolute sweetheart. He loved all other animals, always approaching them with a smile and a wagging tail. He loved being told he was pretty. When we took him for rides, he would stick his head out of the window at stoplights and wait for people to notice him. He was a talking dog and had versions of our names, "water," and "I love you" in his lexicon.
He was an amazing, loyal, loving dog. He gave the greatest hugs. Coming home and hearing him trumpeting to celebrate our return before we had even gotten out of the car was so heartwarming. He will always have a place in our hearts.
