14-Year-Old Husky Hikes Miles Every Day As the Leader of Her 'Pack'

I used to know a seventeen-year-old Siberian Husky. That dog was practically old enough to vote. We used to joke he was the Highlander of dogs, as he outlived every other canine in the neighborhood. He’d come with his human dad from high school, through college (where they used to hide him on the balcony of their no-dogs-allowed apartment whenever the landlord came over and swear they didn’t hear any barking sounds at all), and lasted long enough to see the birth of that gentleman’s first child. So when I see people getting upset about this fourteen-year-old Husky’s love hiking, I think—nah, she’s in her prime.

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After posting a video of their beautiful, senior Husky Kaia relaxing in a cool creek during a thirteen-mile hike, some hikers were dismayed to discover the clip going viral for all the wrong reasons. People filled the comments sections with critiques and please to live the poor senior dog at home, showing that her pausing to take a rest in the nice cool stream was proof enough that the journey was too hard on her.

Related: Hiking Husky Rescued After Becoming Trapped Behind Hollywood Sign

The dog’s owners were shocked by the response to what they thought was an amusing clip. Look, dogs can and will take a nap anywhere. Those bred for colder climes, like Siberian Huskies, are particularly prone to finding cool spots to sleep, even if that means digging a hole in your backyard. My Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever used to love to nap on the porch every time it iced over.

Exercising Senior Dogs

In a later clip, they show Kaia in action. Turns out, the senior dog actually loves her long hikes, and is the leader of her little “pack” that includes doggie siblings Freya and Kylo Ren.

“Since our last reel is blowing up and claiming Kaia is abused and I should leave her on hikes because she’s ‘too old’ and it’s too much for her …this is her on that same thirteen-mile hike and today (the day after),” reads the caption on the post, showing Kaia scampering over trees and across ridge lines. “Running wild with her siblings. There is nothing in this world that makes this old girl as happy as hiking and running wild.”

It’s a good reminder that just because you see one tiny portion of a senior’s life on camera—a shot where they may seem a bit sleepy—you are not getting the whole picture.

“If you keep your dogs active and give them a reason to live …they thrive,” she finishes.

Only you and your vet know what is best for your pups’ health, whether they are three or thirteen. And some dogs, even in their later years, absolutely love to be active and push themselves physically. Siberian Huskies are known for their love of long treks. After all, they were bred to be sled dogs.

Is a Siberian Husky Right For You?

Siberian Huskies are a popular breed of dog, beloved for their intelligence, work ethic, and gorgeous, wolf-like appearance. They are working dogs, bred for highly energetic activities like sled pulling, and do best when trained well and given plenty of activities to keep their agile minds and strong bodies occupied.

We hope Kaia has many more happy years, and blissful hikes.

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