Morton Arboretum celebrates winter-loving dogs this weekend

Hey, you in there. Come out, come out wherever you are.

While winter often keeps humans huddled indoors, it has just the opposite effect on Siberian huskies who come alive in the cold, snowy weather and find themselves energized with purpose.

Add a little chill to the air and huskies are ready to run, which is exactly what they'll do Saturday and Sunday, Jan. 30 and 31, at the Morton Arboretum in Lisle.

Folks willing to venture from their cozy dens can visit the outdoor museum to see sled-pulling and speed demonstrations, meet a few huskies face-to-face and maybe even sign up to foster or adopt one of the dogs during the Husky Heroes program.

"What we try to do is raise awareness for Siberian huskies who need homes," said Noel Dagley, treasurer of Adopt A Husky. "Our primary goal is to get our foster dogs into their forever homes and, if we can, to get some more people to volunteer with our organization. The more volunteers we have the more (dogs) we can save."

Beyond live demonstrations, visitors can learn more about the dogs' Alaskan history with showings of "The Last Great Race" at noon, 1:30 and 3 p.m. Complimentary tickets will be available in the visitors' center one hour before each show. Seating is limited.

Additionally, the event's sponsor, Arboretum View Animal Hospital, will have experts on hand to answer questions.

The dogs' gentle nature and natural instinct to run intrigues people, said Diana Fischer-Woods, the arboretum's special events coordinator.

"These dogs are very friendly animals, so even when they're not doing a demo and they're lying down beside their truck, people can interact with and hug them," she said. "They're very affectionate and beautiful."

As adorable as they are, they're also escape artists who need special homes, Dagley said. Prospective owners must provide secure yards with no less than a 6-foot fence.

"They are little Houdini's. There can't be any holes in the fence," Dagley said. "They can dig out or climb over. They like to run. If they're bored, they will do anything to get out to run. That's what they like to do."

Huskies have been known to make a home in the city with runners who take them out to burn that energy a couple of times a day.

"That's enough for the dog to be calm for the rest of the day," Dagley said. "If they get loose, they can run up to 25 and 50 miles at one time without stopping."

Each animal has its own unique personality that must fit with a prospective dog owner, she said.

"The important thing is just for people to get outside and enjoy our beautiful surrounding here and see these dogs in a gorgeous background," Fischer-Woods said. "It's wonderful for Adopt A Husky as well. They're always successful for getting dogs adopted for this specific event."

Activities take place from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Jan. 30 and 31 near the Morton Arboretum's Visitor Center, 4100 Route 53, Lisle.

The event is free with the cost of admission, which is $11 for adults, $10 for seniors and $8 for children. Children 2 and younger are free.

To learn more about Adopt A Husky, visit adoptahusky.com.

For information about the event, call (630) 968-0074 or visit mortonarb.org.

<p class="factboxtext12col"><b>If you go </b></p> <p class="factboxtext12col">What: Husky Heroes - Meet the Huskies event</p> <p class="factboxtext12col">When: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Jan. 30 and 31</p> <p class="factboxtext12col">Where: Morton Arboretum, 4100 Route 53, Lisle</p> <p class="factboxtext12col">Cost: $11 adults, $10 seniors, $8 children </p> <p class="factboxtext12col">Info: (630) 968-0074 or mortonarb.org</p>