Winter Diary Extract 2004 - 2005

Vital safety gear for my dogs arrived from Ruff Wear today. The K-9 Overcoat is for maintaining core body heat IF one of my dogs becomes dangerously cold through injury. I’ve never had to put on a protective bootee for a dog but I pack Ruff Wear’s 3D Bark’n Boots just in case a dog loses a toe, nail or splits a paw pad. This calls for injury isolation and protection.
 

And today I thought it was all going to get used. Thule and Nettle came to blows out training this afternoon. Thule repeatedly kept slackening the pace resulting in bunching the team. Nettle despises Thule or anything else female. Before I could get up front to split the pair Nettle had sunk her fangs deep into Thule’s head. Submissive, Thule let out a pain induced blood-curdling scream. So unnecessary.

Rest day for my crew. Phoned Jo Kelly. New dogs from Churchill fly to her tomorrow. Well socialized. Jo said, “Kids in the community have him sitting for cookies”.

Ran in the 9am daylight. On my return four coal-black ravens were hacking for what I don’t know around Twizzle’s house. He’s a scruffy chap. The ugly birds were probably rewarding their perseverance with spilt corn heads from Twizzle’s straw. He pulls it out everywhere. Another bird pecked at Twizzle poo. I should think Mrs. Raven finds this an unattractive habit when they cross beaks at night. Dog flight from Churchill postponed. Annoying.

Ran my dogs early for two hours through deep snow. They worked hard pulling a decent payload on what turned out to be a glorious bright calm but cold morning. With everyone settled back on the stakeout I gave them all a treat of frozen chicken and tripe blocks. That done I ran myself alone for an hour on the river.

Walked with Blitz and Spoons on a beautiful, bright afternoon. They bombed around deep powder snow. I used my Tubbs snowshoes. At -12°C today I didn’t have to protect my face from the cold. Not since September have I been able to do that.

Ran early alone and returned to hook up my dogs for a great run just under three hours. They did well. Entries appear repetitive but that’s what it takes to get to a point where everything clicks at a certain point. We’re close.

Blitz chewed through his collar. This never impresses me. To rub my face in it he was a pig to catch after I’d taken him and his sister Spoons for a long walk. He was just plain naughty. Surprising because he’s developing into a delightfully affectionate dog.

Ran early. Four hours talking to answer machines. Jo emailed saying new dogs’ flight from Churchill is delayed. Hideous storms apparently. Everything revolves around number of dogs I head out with. It’s looking like nine, I want eleven. New dog has been running all winter. Today’s outing has to be Thule’s last for a while. She’s showing signs of being bagged up with puppies. They’re expected in a couple of weeks.

Eleven hours daylight, in today’s case sunshine.