Chinooks in Their Element

The snow returned - big, wet, flakes of snow. The dogs spent the morning running about with great joy and abandon as I went around shoveling and brushing off laden branches.

 Finally winter had come again.

After a morning canine nap, I dusted off the sled and got the dogs dressed for an adventure.

The first few moments were a bit trying. Trask had only been in harness one time and that was for Christmas card photo. This time he was hooked to the gangline front and tail. His first reaction was his reaction to everything else: put the lines in his mouth.

Once on the road he pulled like a pro. Usually I have to assist up this hill but this time I had the brake at ready.

Not all was smooth running - squirrel! Koyuk pulled the other two off the cut-bank and into a massive tangle.

 "Umm, neighbor dog?"

 Koyuk had never been in solo lead. She kept wanting to go back and run beside Cedar resulting in a cat's-cradle as she went under and over the gang and tug lines.

By the time we got to the gate (about 1/4 mile), they were running like a seasoned team. I got to ride the runners all the way up a very steep hill at the 1/2 mile point and had the brake at ready most of the way back home.

About 2:30 the snow changed to a freezing rain/snow mixture. Seven inches of snow had accumulated by this time. The flat kennel roof is plastic wave board on stringers and was starting to sag under the weight. I grabbed the waterproof camera and headed up the ladder to clear the roof off. The view gave me a new angle on pictures of Chinook tag.

McKenzie is "it".

 Zoomies around the trees...

 "get me if you can"...

"got ya!"