Going to the vet is what Mikhail dislikes second to most. He hates being poked, prodded, or even touched with veterinary instruments or simple, harmless water, for that matter. Though he loves to play in water, bathtime is another story. You can't get Mikhail in the same room with a bathtub without an abundance of tranquilizer. That's part of the reason Mikhail, sadly, is homeless.

Beauty is the other part of that equation. A purebred Siberian Husky, Mikhail is not the nicest looking Siberian Husky in the world. He is, much more importantly, the most affectionate. As long as you are not a bather or a cat, Mikhail has an overflowing supply of love and affection for you, more than practically any other Siberian Pet Harbor has ever known. And if that's not enough, he's housebroken, nondestructive, and has an eternal smile. He loves running in the great outdoors as much as parking himself on the great couch indoors.

No one seems to want Mikhail. So he sits in foster care awaiting a home, which we think is long overdue. Read Mikhail's biography to learn more.

Having known him since the day he came to Pet Harbor, his veterinarian, Sharon Kensek, DVM, of Pet Care Centre in Fredericksburg, Virginia, knows Mikhail quite well. When Mikhail came to Pet Harbor from a shelter in a rural part of Virginia, he was intact and had quite a few skin problems. Dr. Kensek neutered him and got his vaccines current and his health problems corrected, which took an enormous investment of time and money! Sending Mikhail to the vet every time he needs a bath, which seems to be quite often since he has a passion for digging for treasure in Virginia red clay, doesn't help the pocketbook either! On June 8, 2001, Mikhail went back to see Dr. Kensek because he tore most of a toenail away from his foot. During the entire car ride, we complained about the cost of fostering Mikhail.

We will never complain about Mikhail again. That day at Pet Care Centre, Mikhail became a hero.

A dying puppy, the only survivor of a litter of three, was dumped in Dr. Kensek's lap. Having turned white and virtually breathlessly lying on her side, it was obvious the 7-week-old puppy's life was rapidly slipping away. Acting quickly and effectively, Dr. Kensek saved the puppy's life. And so did our hero. Mikhail, repugnant towards all things veterinary, allowed his own blood to be removed via connection from his jugular vein without being sedated! Remember, this is a dog who can't even be bathed without sedation. We like to think God intervened and Mikhail knew the puppy needed a blood transfusion to live and, thus, succumbed to the procedure without sedation at the hand of a higher power. The puppy needed blood. Mikhail obliged. Our hero donated that blood and saved the puppy's life. At the time of this writing, the puppy hasn't left the critical stage, but had it not been for our hero, the puppy would not have had a shimmer of a chance.

Rewarded with a pig's ear, Mikhail went back to his foster home to resume "normal" life and hope for a home of his own. The puppy stayed at the hospital ALIVE! When asked to comment, Mikhail said, "Dr. Kensek is awesome. And what I did was all in a day's work. Now, please, may I have another pig's ear?"

This is why Mikhail has not been adopted. He was waiting for his day to become a hero. His good deed is done now, though, and he needs a home.

Click on the buttons below to read more. The "Pup News" button continues our story.