Hey all - I'm from Asheville, NC and going on having our Husky Rescue for almost a year. Never in a million years did I ever expect to a) Have a Husky b) Love a dog so much c) Never want another type of dog. Ever.

Long read, ready? Feel free to skip down to the pictures

Cosmo was about 2 hours from being euthanized at a shelter. It was Saturday morning and this shelter wasn't able to take care of animals on the weekends. No one wanted the wimpy little male husky. I was 2 hours out of town at soccer tournament with my 14-year old son and 10-year old daughter. The game got delayed, so I took out my laptop and was checking Facebook. Not sure how, but the Blue Ridge Husky Rescue page came up with a desperate plea "Anyone near Rowan County to do a pick up?"

Well, whaddya know, I'm in Rowen County, so I message that I can do the pick up, and in a mad dash met a wonderful lady who had a vanful of rescue hounds, dalmatians, you name it. There was Coz, about 34 pounds, faded colors, limp and just the most pathetic thing I have ever seen. "This is a Husky?" I said, as we were in the Bojangles parking lot off of the interstate. "Yup, that's what they think". I lifted this bag of bones and put him in the car. I knew immediately this dog wasn't going to be able to sit in the car while the tournament finished. I told my son I'd be back later that night, I had to get this dog in a better place.

We zoomed 2 hours home, and it was the same night of the Super Moon, and it was rising over the mountains while the sun set - and that's where he got his name, after "Cosmos's Moon" from Moonstruck. He was on my daughters lap the whole trip. So sick. Dropped my daughter home with my husband, and made a bed for Cosmo, he barely ate, then just went to sleep. "That's a husky?" My husband said, I shrugged my shoulders and got back in the car for another moonlite ride.

Came back and he was just barely alert. Blue Ridge Husky Rescue said we were going to meet on Monday to get him neutered, chipped and shots. He was miserable. Barely ate, had horrible diarrhea. We took him to he spay and neuter, he was too thin to put under and he needed to gain 11 pounds. Danielle shook her head, "Huskies don't gain weight quickly.." Plus he was heartworm positive and had Giardia. The Vet tech kind of looked at me like, "I'm hoping 50% chance"

What have I gotten myself into? My daughter was smitten, already attached, so worried and never left his side. I am no vet, professional dog, animal-anything. I didn't even know you were suppose to wash a cat until last year. Mine was going on 13 years. Yuck! Anyways.

He's a husky, from Siberia - right? so I'm thinking lots of Salmon, Fish Oil, Rice, Beef, needs some Pro-Biotics for that tummy, and a lot of it. Being in Asheville was really a lucky thing, lots of healthy folks here to help. Got the Giardia taken care of, and he started gaining weight. He blew his coat and was this gorgeous red.

Soon his Husky started coming through. I had no idea. We had a saying.."It's game on when he does the Downward Dog.." Having him with heartworm, we couldn't really exercise him or his heart would explode or something like that. Yeeaaah, right, no exercise.

Two weeks later he gained the 11 pounds to get neutered. The vet couldn't believe it. He did it! and Yay, ME! So now we had to deal with the heartworms. Another risk to this guy who had been through so much. Not much of a problem, just felt yucky, for about 3 hours, then it was Downward Dog.

Only thing I could do was to take him on my bike, while he trotted, then let him swim with a really long rope, in the river. Yup, he swims! Badly, but don't tell him that. I knew I would be in trouble if the Vet or Danielle knew I was running him, but he was miserable if he didn't. I was super careful. Six months later and he was all clear. 64 pounds and pure Husky. Naughty, rowdy, gentle, smart and hilarious, Cosmo. Only thing he was too Cosmo. Anyone who tried to adopt him got yanked down the road or knocked over. He's just a handful, and we had yet to do any training, he was just now getting better. In my mind he needed a break. Besides, he's smiling the whole time, not like he's an angry dog...

Well, honestly, we liked him the way he was. Cozmainan Devil, Cosmosis of the Liver, and other names - but mostly we call him ours.










Yup, same dog:



Thanks for reading..

Oh beautiful boy! Great story, and welcome to the forum!

Welcome! He's gorgeous!

So jealous that you live in Asheville. One of my favorite places for sure.

Welcome! He's beautiful!

What a great story, thank you for saving him! You would never guess he was that dog. He's just gorgeous!

Asheville is Husky Territory for sure! He's a natural musher/puller.
Thanks for the site! Great info, for sure.

Thanks for rescuing him It looks like you have did a wonderful job getting him healthy.
Welcome to the group..

Beautiful dog, and great story! Happy that people like you exist in this world!

Hi Emily, and welcome to the forums! Boy, it's a really small world. If you recall, I was the one that showed some interest in Cosmo at the end of last year (when he was still up for adoption). Very few dogs find their "forever home", so I was very happy for you and Cosmo when Danielle filled me in.

It's great to hear his background, and how you've grown with him through his ordeal. I'm so happy that he's in full health now and that you two are training each other.


How is the rescue doing? Every time I check the Facebook page it seems to be busting at the seams.

That was such an inspiring story! We're in Asheville too, and we've had our boy since July. Cosmo is really beautiful!

Beautiful story Emily. My first dog was a rescue that had been abused, wouldn't let anyone near her. She barely tolerated my at a distance. Like my Sunday, Cosmo is a testament to what love can do for a dog.
Plus, Asheville is where we plan to retire too! From Roanoke, VA, but currently in Wisconsin. Can't wait to get back to my mountains!