The stadium fills by the minute. Adrenaline rushes through Roxy’s body. Today is her big day.

The scoreboard clock counts down the minutes. As the crowd gets louder, Roxy’s eyes widen with excitement.

The marching band finishes its pregame show. Roxy looks up into her partner Pete’s eyes as the cheerleaders take the field. It’s finally time. The marching band begins the school fight song, and Roxy and Pete take off running.

Roxy, a black-and-white Siberian husky, is one of the many dogs the NIU cheerleading squad use as live mascots at every NIU home football game.

Most of the dogs come from Free Spirit Siberian Husky Rescue in Harvard, Ill. A few also have come from the TAILS Humane Society of DeKalb County.

Free Spirit opened in 1999 when Karen Ferreri-Miller, a member of the Siberian Husky Club of Great Chicago, realized there were no rescues for Siberians. Because the club didn’t rescue the animals, she decided to start her own. The facility already has helped rescue 125 huskies and has placed 52 into homes.

Each dog has its own story. Some have been beaten, starved or have shown up at the agency crawling with parasites. At the agency, all dogs receive veterinary care – including spaying or neutering and receiving shots for rabies and heartworm – and are tested for various diseases. Also, each dog has a microchip surgically inserted for tracking purposes.

“The wonderful thing is the change that can be seen in them within a week,” Ferreri-Miller said. “They realize how good they feel and, in turn, give unconditional love to all of us here at the rescue.”

Free Spirit got involved with NIU when it helped NIU Athletic Director Cary Groth place two 12-year-old huskies that were donated to the university. Since NIU has no place to keep the dogs, Groth contacted Free Spirit. Upon finding that the agency was full, Groth came up with the idea of using the adoptable huskies as mascots in hopes that it would help spread the word about animal adoption.

“It is a community service project for our program, and one that we are very proud to be associated with,” Groth said. “There are too many pets that are stranded by irresponsible owners. It’s the least we can do.”

The dogs are chosen for each game by a simple process. The agents try to select a good mix of colors and sexes. In the end, though, the dogs that have been there the longest have the highest priority.

“The cheerleaders have been running the dogs for years,” said NIU cheerleading coach Al Enlow. “I was made aware of the tradition when I arrived at NIU.”

Although the real NIU mascot is Victor E. Huskie, many fans prefer the live dogs to the costumed mascot. Using the dogs “adds to the pageantry of the game,” Enlow said. “Fans enjoy seeing live animals on the field, whether it is huskies, buffalo, horses or goats.”

The dogs are used to being neglected and abused, so they love the attention. Although the cheerleading squad never gets to spend much time with the dogs, during the games, they are the center of attention.

“Interest in the dogs is elevated due to their presence at games,” Enlow said.

NIU football fan Mike Grimnan said he was so interested that he immediately adopted Roxy following the Aug. 28 game against Maryland.

“He came right down from the stands, filled out the application, and is buying a new home with a fenced yard just to have the dog,” Ferreri-Miller said.

The rescue staff could not be more excited for Roxy. She was picked up by DuPage County Animal Control, running down a sidewalk with her leash still attached. No one ever came to claim her. She was scheduled to receive her euthanasia shot in a few days when the agency stepped in to rescue her.

“Now she has a second chance at a wonderful life with Mike,” Ferreri-Miller said.

Adopting a husky is more than simply filling out the application. Free Spirit interviews families looking to adopt and requires applicants to supply references.

“The most important reference check is the veterinarian.” Ferreri-Miller said. “We need to be sure that their other animals have been properly cared for.”

Along with references, Free Spirit also makes home visits to ensure there is adequate living space for the dogs.

Puppies up to 1 year old are sold for $225, dogs of 1 to 7 years old cost $200 and dogs older than 7 years are $175.

Each dog is monitored for a minimum of two weeks so agents can get an idea of how the dog operates. They focus on socialization, and also evaluate temperament. This way, they can be sure to match the personality of the dog with the right family.

For information about how to adopt a Siberian husky, contact the Free Spirit Husky Adoption Agency at 245-2972.