Dieruff gets a new Kiska to provide some puppy love

FROM KEITH GROLLER

A couple of weeks ago, we reported here that Dieruff High School was in mourning after the passing of Kiska IV.

"She was the best," said retired teacher Karen Coleman, who has taken care of and raised the Siberian huskies who have served as the school mascot for more than 40 years.

Coleman loves all dogs, and especially loved Kiska IV. You could tell that losing this dog took a toll on her, especially since she's a widow. But Mrs. Coleman has always had such great spirit. You can't keep her down. She wanted to get another Husky.

And now, she has one.

Coleman adopted Kiska V from the MaPaw Siberian Husky rescue.

Dieruff has been a longtime supporter of MaPaw and has raised several thousand dollars over the years to help homeless and abused Siberian huskies find loving homes.

"We couldn't think of a better way to say thank you to the students and faculty of Dieruff High School for everything they have done for us than to adopt this sweet puppy to Karen so that she could follow in the pawprints of Kiska 4," said Kathy Radde of MaPaw.

What a terrific gesture.


Dieruff's new mascot (seen at the right with Principal Jim Moniz and Karen Coleman) will be filling some big paws, but in a whole new way.

Kiska V is the first Dieruff mascot to be a red and white husky rather than the more common black and white.

"I think the Dieruff students will be thrilled with their new red and white Kiska," Coleman said.

As I said in an earlier post, the dogs that the Colemans have raised have meant so much to the kids at Dieruff over the years. Just seeing Kiska run on a football field made everything seem right with the world. For generations of Dieruff students, that dog epitomized the school's undying spirit and pride.

It's great that Mrs. Coleman and Dieruff both have a new Kiska to love and raise. We wish Mrs. Coleman and the dog all the best of health and happiness for years and years to come.

And rest assured, we will never forget Kiska IV.

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