Snow Alternative

This morning Trask sulked as he pointed out the last remnant of snow.

Not to disappoint, I rigged Farrari, put the dogs in harness and, flew out the road to the mail box. (After we got back, Dave commented on how fast we were going.) It was raining so I didn't take my camera. When we got back however, I couldn't resist taking pictures.

What you get when you take Chinooks blowing their coats on mile run in the mud.  Next time I will brush them first.

On an aside, Lupin came yesterday to spend a week with us.  She too enjoyed the snow we had and is also blowing her coat.

I really do need to get the brush out and do all the dogs. I have thought of learning to felt and make little wool Chinooks.  With four dogs, I should have plenty of fur.

White Christmas

I don't know who was more excited about having a White Christmas, me, the dogs or my sister.
The first snow of the season was on the 13th. We awoke to snow and the dogs played until it melted.

 Trask

 Cedar

 Koyuk

I had put the sled on the van in anticipation of heading up but all reports told of several feet of un-packed snow and downed trees everywhere. The snowmobile club sent out a notice to not even try to run in it. Breaking trail in almost 10' of new snow did not sound like a good way to start the mushing season.

Trask really wanted to go when he saw the sled.

It snowed again on the 14th.

"Come on mom - get the sled out."

With more green than white on the ground, I used the day to find a tree and decorate. The tree was prefect: strong, well spaced branches on three sides. It fit beautifully in the corner and displayed a grouping of special ornaments.

Every year I decorate differently. This year was predominately red. No company was expected so decorations were simple this year.

We had two days of huge celebrations with Dave's family. On the 23rd it started to snow again.

Koyuk resting by the tree while it snows outside.

Christmas eve was special. One of the Jr Ski Patrol members had noticed that or gutters were overflowing during this week's heavy afternoon rains.  He brought his dad over with him to clean our gutters.

 We are blessed.

While they were freezing their hands and getting soaked, the dogs and I (with my camera) played in the snow. I took about 100 pictures. Here is a sampling.
Th girls picking on Trask.

He looks so innocent. 

Cedar

 Trask

 Koyuk has such beautiful eyes...

 and so does here mom Cedar.

I wanted to get a picture of the snowball on Trask's nose but he licked it off before I could focus the camera.

Koyuk

 Ready for another round of Chinook tag. Somehow they communicate who's it before they take off.

 After the gutters were completed, everyone went inside except Trask.  The boy really does love snow.

Christmas morning.

 

My sister and brother-in-law drove down for a quiet White Christmas day and dinner. Unfortunately it stopped snowing before they got here and much of the snow had melted but you could still call it a White Christmas. Lind and Chuck were happy. Dave and I were happy. And the dogs were ecstatic to get steak scraps and snow all in one day.

Aloha, Happy 2nd Birthday and Merry Christmas from Alaka'i

I received a late birthday/early Christmas post from BrownStone Cascade Mt. Shasta, aka Alaka'i.

Hi Kay Lee,

 

Ka’i and I still go out to monitor trails regularly in the nearby Palos Verdes preserve, and try to make it up to the mountains when we have a free weekend. Ka’i is growing more and more comfortable running out in front of the bicycle so we are getting closer to having him pull it. He seems to have a fear of large tires, and has been suspicious of them ever since he was very little. We are making progress though. At 2.5 years, he is still just as energetic and anxious as ever. 

We’ve taken a break from obedience courses, but boy do we need to start back up. I’ve come to accept his over-the-top excitement in greeting people as part of his personality. However, I’d really like to work towards the day we can greet someone without fear of him knocking them over/out with his airplane propeller tail and excited head butting. Ah, yes, I taught Alaka’i to head butt. At first it was an adorable “come give mom a hug” trick where he would run over and push his head against my chest. Now, well, I have created a 70-lb whip-tailed, kissing billy goat-dog. Whoops. He is incredibly smart though and as I mentioned before, always manages to turn the tricks I’ve taught him to his own advantage. For one of his new tricks, I call out “Not it!” and he will put his paw on his nose as I put my finger on my nose. So, these days when asked to do an involved task such as “get the ball”, he will respond by trying to do the easier trick of putting his paw on his nose as if to say “get the ball? Not it!”  He is rarely vocal, but is always sure to let me know how displeased he is to have to get his own leash. To this day he still grunts and groans the entire time he drags it to me.

I’ve also attached some pictures of our last camping trips to Big Sur and to Palomar Mountain where we had a miraculous 6-8” of snow. Ka’i was as happy as I’ve ever seen him. 

He really loves to dig in snow/sand and plays some sort of head burying game with Justin.They’re a funny pair. 

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and your family Kay Lee!

Aloha,

Nari, Justin, and Alaka’i

Snow

Last week we had two nights/mornings of snow - not enough to accumulate but, enough to create excitement.
But first:
Anna has grown up with Lupin, Ms White in the BrownStone Christmas litter.

This week Anna wrote essay about Lupin being part of her family.

Mellow Lupin at 12 years old on top of the steep, high Spenser Butte with her girls.

Another BrownStone snuggler is Trask.  When not running about, he always has to be touching someone. His favorite comforters are his mother Koyuk and me (when ever I am in bed).

Now the Snow.
Tuesday we awoke to a white cover on the ground. The dogs were soooo excited when let out. After zooming about for about 1/2 hour they slowed down enough to get portrait pictures...

 Trask

 Koyuk

 Cedar

I loaded up the sled; sorted through lines and harnesses; and packed the van for an adventure the next day.
In the morning it was snowing hard...

And Trask was ready to go...

 "come on Mom. Let's go. Chinooks are sled dogs after all."

Unfortunately the snow quickly turned into rain all the way to the top of the passes. The sled was put away but the van remains packed until we can head for our first mush in two years.

Happy 12th Birthday

The BrownStone Christmas Litter was whelped by CH "PR" Frontier Rain Dancer McKenzie, CGC, HIT, NJ, NA (McKenzie) on 12/11/03

 Happy McKenzie and her 8 puppies just after the last one was born.

Looking back through pictures of this litter I picked out a few that typify their 8 weeks before going to their forever homes. McKenzie was such a wonderful mother. She nursed and bathed them until the end.

 Their first adventure on the snow.

Being a winter litter in Oregon, they spent most of their time indoors and soon had the run of the house.

 Like all dogs that have lived here, the landing was a favorite spot.

McKenzie liked to use the bearskin rug to nurse - that is until I noticed that the bears nails, ears and nose had become teething objects.

Everyone sitting tall at the milkbar.

 They spotted McKenzie getting a drink then explored for themselves.

Running around outside the day before the first ones left.

 BrownStone Rogue of Rain at 8 weeks

 Rogue at 12

BrownStone Nala at 8 weeks. Her forever mom, Laura, really wanted a male but Ms Pink followed her everywhere the two days she was here and then parked herself in Laura's suitcase.

BrownStone Nala on her 12th birthday.

 BrownStone Lupin at 7 weeks.

 Birthday steep, long hike to the top of Spenser's butte and birthday nap.

 

 

 I have been so lucky to have Lupin in town and as a frequent multiday guest. I couldn't readily find a picture of McKenzie with son Willy and daughter Lupin. These pictures were taken in 2014

 McKenzie, Willy, Cedar, Koyuk and Lupin.

I have lost contact with Parker, Suka. Rest in Peace Willy, Rotor, Copper and McKenzie