HUSKIES

Vale Ursa

                Ursa died at 8.30 am on Wednesday morning, 3rd October 2001.

On Tuesday evening his temperature was up and after a wakeful and restless night he slipped away quietly, resting on his chest and all fours, facing south into the breeze, this being the position he seemed most comfortable in.

That night I slept out with him under the full moon and clear skies to be able to attend him.  Just before 0800 I called the Vet to come around and euthanise him but he was gone before this could be arranged.

For his life he was never alone, having Morrie and then Io as company.  He had been semi-invalid from the beginning September, but it was only the last week prior his demise that he didn't make an effort to get up when I brought the harness out for Io.  I would help him up and balancing his hindquarters we would walk out to the letterbox and back in the early morning and late evening.

The Museum people came and collected him at 1100.  He will be with Morrie in the Science Dept of the Museum.  This is unusual because usually all mammals go to the Mammal Dept, but it was deemed that the contribution of the husky to the pursuit of Antarctic science warranted their inclusion with science.

To all I will write more later, yesterday I was at home but did nothing, the lack of Ursa's  presence was very strong.

Rob Nash

See also Vale Morrie