Summer is in full swing in Denali. The daylight is everlasting, the snow has been replaced by chattering creeks and wildflowers. As we hike on the trail Max comments, “I love the sound of Alaska.” I expected him to comment on the babbling brook, but instead his observations were keener than mine, noting “the snow, the animals, the wind.”
One of the pleasures of summer is working with the puppies. These new team members helps us dream of the future and giggle at their silly antics. We have been working on T names for Zazu’s puppies. Mike is still making his final decisions, but my favorites are Turnip, Tumbleweed, T-Rex, Tombstone, Traction, Tinsel, Throttle, Torque, Tin-can, Tomboy, and Tonka.
Max is such an excellent puppy worker. He has gotten big enough to go in and out of the puppy pen all by himself. I find him in there at all times of day. Talking to the puppies, moving them around, correcting their behavior. Mike always says that it is clear who really has a passion for the dogs based on who chooses to spend time with them, beyond the daily work. Max is head and shoulders beyond almost anyone I know.
Max has also been helping the puppies learn to run on the trails. He sprints out of the kennel a train of puppies trailing behind him. “I’m the lead dog,” he announces with pride. On the trail he shows them how to travel through puddles and brush. He leads them on adventures always talking to them and complimenting them when they find him.
We have been showing the puppies how to cross over the walking plank on the creek. Some take to it quickly, some with more hesitation.
Zazu’s litter has four girls and one boy. He is such a goof ball. Walking down the trail, he is often lost behind us, perhaps daydreaming. One particularly hot day we were returning from our walk. As we got to the creek Max, the four girls, and I made our way across, only to find the boy was missing. We spotted him on the far side of the creek. As we watched he considered his options and decided to swim straight across to us. His little nose held high. I know I am not supposed to have a favorite, but how can you not especially love so much personality.
It has been unusually hot in Denali this summer. I saw the thermometer on my car register 88 last week. I don’t think I have experienced such heat since the last time I was outside of Alaska in the summer. Max was sitting at the table one hot night and asked me “Mom can you take my temperature?” His only connection with feeling so hot has been having a fever. He has taken to playing in the creek like the puppies, wearing what Mike has titled “The Alaskan Swimsuit” swim trunks paired with knee- high wool socks, sneakers, and a t-shirt.
The dogs have been enjoying summer. On their short runs, young dogs, like Otter, have been developing their talents as leaders. In the kennel they play with each other, watch the snowshoe hares and ravens, and enjoy chewing their bones in the shade. We all look forward to the cooler fall weather and more adventures on the trail.
We continue to share the dogs, puppies, Iditarod, and our Alaskan lifestyle with guests from around the world. Thank you to all of you who have taken the time to come and experience our life with us. We truly appreciate your visit and are honored by the feedback we receive. If you have visited with us, we always appreciate it if you leave a review on Trip Advisor.
It is an interesting experience to continually have the chance to reflect on your life and your work. We have been continuing to work on finishing the inside of our house. For years we have lived out of milkcrate cupboards and plastic bins for furniture. Finally this winter we have installed real cupboards and a countertop. I know that I need to have patience to wait for the inside of the house to be finished, but I feel like the closer I get, the harder it is to wait. But by sharing the history of our property, I am constantly thinking back at how far we have come and that helps me regain some patience.
People often comment on how much Mike and I have accomplished since we moved to Alaska. It is true that we have had many experiences, achieved many challenges, and moved several buildings. But the passage of time feels both fast and slow. Dogs who were just pups, are middle aged, yet it the time from sunup to sundown seems to stroll along a a leisurely pace. I know in no time it will be winter, but for now I will enjoy the long days of summer.
Until next time, I hope you are all having as much fun with your dogs as we are with ours. Mike, Caitlin, and Max