In the winter, everything becomes a little bit different. Chores that are easy in the warmth, such as hooking a dog to the gangline, become a challenge as your fingers freeze from the cold only to thaw making them feel thick and stiff. The windows of my truck freeze shut, refusing to roll down, requiring me to open my entire door when speaking to someone outside the truck.
The darkness, too, is at its height. At school, we have been there for a full two hours, before 10 am comes around and with it the ability to see light outside. The day ends early. With darkness coming as soon as 3:30 pm on a cloudy day. I wait eagerly for the time it feels acceptable to decorate with Christmas lights, offering a cheery glow in the heavy darkness.
The dogs however, do not show any affect from the darkness. Like any dog, they are up and excited whenever the opportunity for running, play, or food occurs and rest during downtime regardless of sunlight or time of day.
Elvis
The snow has been wonderful this year. Coming earlier and with enough moisture to make a secure snowpack, we have numerous loops available to travel. As Max has gotten older it has become easier for me to get a chance to help with training. I have been especially excited this year to get to work with Zazu. At 9 years old, she has retired from the main team, but age does not diminish her drive. Steering instantly upon command and loping harder, faster, and with more excitement at any corner, she is incredible.
Zazu
Zazu and Jigsaw have been working with some of the younger leaders and helping them to learn commands. I have been particularly impressed with Muffin. She has the mild mannered personality of her mother Whiplash. Eager, yet not demanding for attention, she will follow you anywhere, waiting for your requests. Calmer than many of the characters in the kennel, she is easy to work with, yet paired with Zazu she shows the same spunky drive that is such a pleasure to ride behind.
Muffin
We are excited, if a little feeling bit nostalgic, to send Bruiser off to his retirement home. He has flown to Victor, Idaho, where he is having a grande time with Amanda, our former handler. We love seeing the pictures of Bruiser exploring his new territory and running on the mountain trails. Sled dogs make excellent companions. If you or someone you know is looking to add an active dog to the family, let us know. We would be excited to tell you more about the dogs available for adoption. There is more information available on our website, click here.
Bruiser and Amanda
The big news locally is that a grocery and hardware store has opened. Situated in the town of Healy, one hour from home, it is drastically closer than the three hour drive to Fairbanks for supplies. There has been a lot of excitement as the community has anticipated the opening of the store. I found myself somewhat sad about the opening.
Living in Alaska I have felt more of a sense of urgency for survival than in other places I have lived. A mistake can have more drastic consequences here. Driving our remote highways does not only feel spacious, but worrisome if one were to have trouble.
I think there is a part of me that I like defining by my ability to be tough enough, to live up to Alaska. I also feel incredibly lucky to live where I live. There are few places left in our world that we as humans have not resigned the landscape and filled the space with buildings and people. I find it shocking to read about the 1800s, the deep woods the midwestern United States, the wild west, the undeveloped landscapes. How recently this untamed land was the norm in the America. How quickly this expansion and infrastructure has developed. I guess there is a part of me that wants to hold on to the possibility of living on the Last Frontier. Of not being able to take the easy things in life for granted.
There have been other changes that have reduced the challenges of my life, most significant the addition of indoor plumbing. I have to admit that I have never felt sad for the addition of a shower, laundry, toilet and sink to my life. And I am sure that one day soon, I will appreciate the chance to run out for a cup of sugar.
I once had the chance to hear author Kurt Vonnegut speak about his writing. One of the things that he explained was his purpose in using very short chapters. He explained that at the chapter breaks, the reader is forced out of the story, which in turn causes the reader to have to reflect on what is happening in the book and reflect on how these events provide insight on the reader’s own experience. Vonnegut went on to say that endings to books are hard to write because in life there are no endings. Life does, however, provide us with changes and moments akin to a chapter break in a story. The end of a year, the retirement of a dog, the addition of a grocery store. While none of these are an ending, they are a chance to pause. To consider all that has happened in this chapter of our lives.
So take a moment to pause. Rejoice in all that you have experienced. Enjoy today for exactly what it is. Take time with family this holiday season. And, until next time, I hope you are all having as much fun with your dogs as we are with ours. Mike, Caitlin, and Max