Dog adoption part of arboretum's Husky Heroes event

Even if the snow doesn't return to the Morton Arboretum this weekend, the Siberian huskies will ­— along with their sleds.

The annual Husky Heroes event is returning for its 14th year at the arboretum, 4100 Route 53, Lisle, and is expected to attract several thousand visitors who will cheer for sled-pulling, skijoring and speed demonstrations.

Mike Dagley, president of Adopt-a-Husky Inc. — which puts on the event with the arboretum — wants to make sure those fans know the sledding will happen no matter the temperature.

“We absolutely will be doing it, we just might be on wheels,” he said with a laugh.

After the demonstrations, visitors can chat with a sled team, inspect the equipment and have photos taken with the rig.

In addition to the demonstrations at 11:30 a.m. and 12:45, 2 and 3:15 p.m., visitors can stop by the Cudahy Auditorium to see footage about dog sledding while warming up with hot drinks throughout the day.

For those who especially love huskies — which originally were bred by the Chukchi people in Siberia to pull heavy loads long distances through difficult conditions — Dagley and Adopt-a-Husky are seeking adoptive homes for their dogs.

Dagley says it's important, however, to weigh the pros and cons of a purebred husky before starting the adoption process — and to leave your own dog, husky or not, at home for the day.

He's honest about the cons.

“They shed like crazy and are notorious runners, so you have to be dedicated to containment and keeping them busy, because they are a dog out of a working class breed,” Dagley said. “They need to have a job. Not necessarily sledding, but even taking a walk or playing ball.

“If you keep them busy, you and they will be very happy,” he said. “If you don't keep them happy, they will find a job like chewing up your couch.”

But for many, the positives greatly outweigh the negatives, Dagley said.

He says huskies are great family pets that love children and have good temperaments around them. They are also pack dogs, so they do well in multiple groups with most dogs over 20 pounds (though not so well with cats).

“They will take as much exercise as you can possibly give them,” Dagley adds. “They love to do it, but not everyone is going to be equipped to run a dog sled team. But we did adopt a husky to two folks who are marathon runners, for example, and they can never outrun their dog.”

Some who love huskies from afar may realize they won't be their ideal pet at home, and that's OK, too.

“We want to make the right fit, so if we talk someone out of it because it's not the right breed for them, we consider that successful, too.”

The group is looking for more than just adoptive dog owners, however. Members also seek volunteers to work with the nearly dozen huskies seeking homes, or others to offer foster homes.

“There's never a time when one isn't waiting in a shelter,” he said.

For details, visit adoptahusky.com.