This Independent Husky in Siargao Loves Taking Himself for a Walk

Pets are a great source of joy. Not only are they loyal companions, they also help ease stress and feelings of loneliness and isolation. 

 But it’s not always happy times, funny animal videos, and Instagrammable moments. Being a pet owner is a huge responsibility too. Siargao-based businesswoman Ruan Mac knows this well. 

Her dog Nougat, a Siberian Husky born and raised on the island, would often go “missing.” “Naging favorite place niya talaga ‘yong market,” Ru told Summit OG in an interview. “Kilala na siya ng mga vendors doon.” [The market became his favorite place. In fact, market vendors already know him.]

“Tuwing nawawala siya parang, ‘Oh my God, ito pala ‘yong feeling ng nanay ko ‘pag wala pa ako ng dis-oras ng gabi,’” she shared. [Every time he goes missing, I feel like, ‘Oh my god, so this is what my mother feels when I don’t come home on time.’]

IMAGE Courtesy of Ruan Mac

Ru said Nougat wanders off often and comes back after 30 minutes, but there was one time that he did not come home. “Feeling ko kasi, nadi-distract siya.” [I feel like he gets distracted.]

“Pupunta at pupunta siya sa beach,” she added. “Umuuwi siya dito na basang-basa siya at puro siya sand. Nae-enjoy niya na nagbe-beach siya on his own.” [He would always go to the beach. He would come home soaking wet with a lot of sand on his fur. He enjoys going to the beach on his own.]

Ru admits that Nougat’s “independence” also stresses her out sometimes. She tries to take him with her when she does her errands so he doesn’t go wandering off on his own out of boredom.

“May time pa na sa sobrang desperate ko na nawawala siya, binilhan ko siya ng AirTag,” Ru said. “Nawala ‘yong AirTag.” [One time, I got so desperate when he kept disappearing so I bought an AirTag. We lost the AirTag.]

“I got really scared,” Ru admits. “What if he gets run over? Or what if mag-cause siya ng accident? Or what if may kagatin siya?” [What if he causes an accident? Or what if he bites someone?]

A quick Google search will show you that Siberian Huskies really like “escaping” because they easily get bored and restless. They’re also very curious. “Gan'on daw pala talaga sila. They’re escape artists,” Ru said. 

To prevent Nougat from escaping, Ru reinforced the fences around their home. She no longer leaves Nougat unsupervised too. “Alam namin na as soon as he gets bored, he will find ways,” she explained. 

The Facebook group Siargao Business Classifieds really helped her during the times Nougat would go on his little adventures. Group members would post about Nougat’s whereabouts and even offer real-time updates. 

“He taught me patience,” Ru said. “Hindi ko mapabayaan. Kahit inis na inis ako sa kanya kapag nawawala siya, at the end of the day, love ko pa rin siya.” [It feels like I have a child. I can’t leave him alone. Even though sometimes I get annoyed at the end of the day, I still love him.]

“Hindi ko ma-imagine ‘yong life ko ngayon without him,” Ru said. 

Summit OG followed Nougat in one of his adventures. Check it out here: 

Do you have funny, heart-warming pet stories? Share them in the comment section. 

* * * 

OG is Summit Media's flagship video-first brand. And like all Summit Media brands, OG is all about top-notch storytelling that aims to entertain, inspire, and connect with today’s audiences. Expect extraordinary subjects, surprising revelations, and outstanding visuals coming together to create impactful and uplifting stories you won’t find anywhere else.