far from nome...

This coming weekend would've been our last event of the season...but was cancelled due to ice and unsafe conditions. Guess I'll have to gas up the "quad" and take the dogs out with that. We had such nice snow since the middle of December, which is not always the case in Michigan. I'm just not ready for winter to be over...not that the ice in the kennel and dog yard are appreciated, but it always feels kind of sad to put the sleds away until next winter. Most people love summer, and think anyone who doesn't is "odd". Michigan is a beautiful place to live, especially if you like the outdoors...but I HATE so many things about Michigan summers. It's fun to spend time on the lakes, but the humidity is hard to handle, as well as the mosquitoes, deer flies, and other tiny critters that want to suck your blood! It is always difficult to enjoy a season that causes so much discomfort and torment to the dogs, too. We are fortunate that we live on a hill...and have lots of trees. The dogs get swimming pools, and Ted set up a mist-er system to help cool the air when it is very hot.
When it is really hot, I feel guilty about being inside in the A/C watching my Iditarod programs while they are out in the heat and bugs! Such good dogs...wish they could ALL be in the house with me! Maybe this summer I can slip a few more in occasionally...but Ted is sure to notice if there are 4 or 5 inside! Hope we will have a new puppy to raise from Penny's (Maybe) litter.
She and Q-Ball made some awfully nice puppies in their first litter. I hope she conceived this time. Ted will probably want him/her for HIS team! Oh well, it would be nice to have a puppy to raise.
Today, sitting on one of the dog decks, with Zev and Ketna giving me kisses all over my face and neck, I realized that of the 21 dogs we live with, 15 of them were bred and raised here. The other 6 we bought as pups, or young adults. Sitting there, watching them interact, playing, and running around, made me grateful (again, and like I am every day!) that they are such a huge part of my life. There are few moments during the day that my mind is not occupied by something dog specific or dog related. I don't think I've gotten to the point where I'm "collecting" dogs...but watching all of their individual faces, and bodies...each with a unique personality makes me realize how much I truly love them. Some are more athletic than others, but they all will give all they can when asked to. Some are brave, or shy, or curious or snuggly.
Some are quick to lick my face, others are reserved and will only get goofy if they feel I want them to. They are all so different, yet have the same wonderful qualities! How can people ask how I remember all of their names? Of Course I do! I was with most of them when they came into this world, and taught them to sit before they got a pat, or their food dish. I named the majority of them, sometimes with Ted's and the grandkids input.
O.k. now I'm starting to ramble again,(yes, I did already take an Ambien....so should get into bed soon!)
Alaine took this photo in the back of the property last December 08. When I am really really old, I wonder if I will look at these photos with the same feelings I get now, seeing them. Remembering how it feels to be pulled along in the snow, listening to their breath, watching the dogs muscles ripple beneath their fur, and feel so thankful that I am able to do that...and never wanting to stop! I do plan to be mushing into my 80's, if my health holds up...and if it doesn't then that will be a good time to train a grand kid or two to drive a team. Michael is the most promising...maybe Noah too. I don't think Ben and Jon will want to, but one never knows who will be bitten by the mushing bug!!