Too Warm...

It seems like just yesterday, even tho it was a few weeks ago, when we were complaining about the cold. Now it's warmed up into the 40's, the snow is melting, and the forecast is for continued warming. So it looks dog driving's about over. It's hard to believe that we ran dogs until almost the end of April last year. 

Here's a shot from earlier in the week. It's on the trail coming home, just before it steepens to climb the back side of the ridge, so at least it's in a different place from the previous pics. The dogs are running great, so it hard to give it up, but you never really know when the last dog run will happen, until it's over.

Thumbs Up...

 On the days we don't run dogs, it's often a time to head out on the Ski Doo, if it'll start, to check out the trails. There's usually spots that need work, smoothing out with the trail groomer, or shoveling snow in the dips or overflow at the creek crossing. It's not real hard work, but after being out in the cold for a while, you look forward to getting back, relaxing, and getting a bite to eat. After I got back inside the other day, took off all the winter gear, and headed upstairs. I really had a taste for some cheese. So I got out a block of colby jack and a cheese slicer. Now normally I'd use a knife, but for some reason, dug out the slicer. As I tried to slice the cheese, the slicer wouldn't cut, so gave it a good hard pull. That's when it popped up off the block of cheese and sliced off the tip of my thumb. Surpised wouldn't have covered what I felt. Astounded, blown away, and pissed off. So after stopping the blood flow, took the flap of skin hanging from the tip of the thumb and stuck it back on. Put on a bandage, but it kept bleeding, so Andy got out some sticky gauze and wrapped it up tight, then taped it.

So far it's staying on and not bleeding through. Never did get that cheese snack.

Here's a pic from one of last weeks dog runs.

I should find a better place for a photo. Now I have to wait for the dogs to slow down on a straight, level stretch of trail, so I can take the camera out from under my parka, and that's usually the same general area on the trail back home.

Couch Potatoes...

 Back when we first got Mac, the MacKenzie River husky pup, we wanted to raise him right. We hadn't had a litter of pups in many years, most of our dogs now are rescues from the animal shelter or CL ads. So he got to come in the house a lot. Andy thought he needed to feel at home inside, so she taught him to jump on the couch. Well it wasn't my idea, but "sweet dreams are made of this, who am I to disagree."

So here he was at about three months. The ears and feet were a preview of what was to come.

And here he is at three years old. He takes up half the couch now. With the colder weather, we've been bringing the dogs inside, a few at a time, to warm up and get some socialization. Mac takes his place on the couch whenever he can.

Here's a recent dog run. It's been clear and cold with the trail real icy and fast after the latest warm spell. So we only take five dogs to keep the speed down and we rotate the older dogs to give them a day off. Mac is in the middle on the right next to Earl. As much as he's grown, Mac still kinda dwarfs him.