huskys metabolism

Question
QUESTION: Dear Jana, I wrote to you before and thank you for your answers.  I need to ask you one more question PLEASE.  This husky I believe is suffering in the cold.  I need to know before I approach my neighbors about a husky's metabolism.  I would imagine that a husky work dog and or one who runs a lot would have a higher metabolism than one who is confined mostly to a small cage area outside.  Is this true?  She sometimes gets out of breath when they let her in the yard to run 'a little bit' with some minutes of play but mostly she doesn't run.  As I mentioned before in extreme temperatures they'll bring her indoors, but it is 26 degrees farenheit here now and she paces vigorously I believe she is cold and trying to stay warm and cries and cries.  Please answer about the metabolism question as I want to be sure.  I know that with humans who exercise vigorously their metabolisms are higher and even when they sleep they Burn more calories.  Wouldn't this be true with a Husky or any animal?  Please answer.  Thank you so much for providing this wonderful service and loving animals so much that you are willing to help.  I appreciate your time and dedication.  Sincerely,  Christine

ANSWER: Christine,
I have no way of knowing what shape this dog is in under all her fur. She might have a rather slow metabolism since she doesn't work all day long. Pacing is a sign of boredom but crying can be a sign of distress. These breeds do tend to whine and cry a lot sometimes for no reason. As I said before, I think she is more lonely than she is cold. She wants to be inside with the family and NO dog should ever be left outside in that kind of cold unless they are on the Iditarod trail!!

This is a family dog whose family doesn't have much time for her. I think that alone is terrible, but that is my own opinion. As I think I said before, you can call the humane society and talk to them about whether or not this is considered neglect.

Since you seem to care a great deal for this dog, can you take her in and give her a loving, warm home? If so, offer this to the family if they seem less inclined to be with her.
Otherwise Christine, your choices are to contact the humane society or animal control, or just to talk to them yourself. Metabolism really has nothing to do with this issue.



---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Dear Jana, Thank you for caring so much and answering so speedily and for your good advice.  I know you can't see the dog and you were kind enough to answer anyway.  I do want to say thank you for saying that since she isn't working her metabolism might not be that high.  It only makes sense.  When I am cold I pace around to try to raise my temperature and not stand in one place.  So I do want to say one thing about your response.  In her pacing - from observing her she is doing it very deliberately and not as if she is boredd even the way she places her paws you can just tell it is not from boredom it is to increase her heart rate she moves as if she is marching.  I've seen bored dogs and there is a difference in their whole demeanor.  I know you can't see her and you can only go by what someone writes, so again I just wanted to thank you for your very generous response, but let you know what I have seen.  I do believe I will take your advice and call the Humane Society for their added advice and mention our correspondence before I proceed.  I also may use your response if I approach the owners.  I would love to take her in, but I know they won't give her away, I've talked to them and I most likely will move.  Thank you again, Christine

Answer
Christine,
I believe you- but before you go to the neighbors you get the Humane Society involved. You can tell them you want to remain anonymous if there is a threat to your safety, but make sure that they know and talk to the owners before you do anything. I know that some people might tell you to do the opposite, I just want you to have some documentation from someone there where you live before you tell them. You could tell them that you are considering calling the Humane Society and give them the chance to start bringing the dog in, but that is your call. I am not an authority on it and I am not there, as you said, so what you tell me is basically second-hand.

I would call the HS first and explain your concerns and see if they deem it important enough (although you know it is) to come out and look. Then they can decide if what your neighbors are doing is inhumane and if the dog is suffering. They will not know you called.

That is what I would do, that doesn't mean you have to do it that way. Just think about it.
Thank you for being such a concerned and compassionate person.