ALLENTOWN, Pa. – At four years old, a Siberian Husky named Kiska VI is the talk of the Dieruff High School community. She’s the school’s official mascot.
“When the school first opened in 1959, the first mascot was a female Siberian husky named Kiska,” explained Curt Swoyer, Dieruff alum and owner of Kiska VI.
From sporting events to welcoming students on the first day of school, celebrating holidays and sending seniors off to college–Kiska’s at it all.
“The students absolutely love her,” Swoyer said.
This happy husky is on the mend.
“She was chewing a bone and I heard it break,” Swoyer recalled.
Four days ago, she had emergency surgery after swallowing part of a bone that pierced her stomach, got stuck and caused internal bleeding.
“She’s my baby and I cried,” Swoyer told 69 News.
Swoyer started a GoFundMe to help with vet expenses and the cost of emergency surgery so Kiska VI can return to her Dieruff duties.
“Any time they have any sort of event, it’s important for me to have her there,” Swoyer said.
Kiska’s a little stitched up and has to take it easy the next couple of weeks.
“She will be at the graduation to lead the class into the graduation. She’s just the sweetest dog,” Swoyer stated.