One of the things that has been really enjoyable this fall is being able to train dogs with Mike and Max and I all together. Max has gotten big enough that it is easier for him to stay warm and, in the fall, we can train by having the dogs pull either our truck and our three seated four wheeler.
Watching the dogs cruise down the trail, you can see their incredible athleticism. They run up hills and down, dance their feet over rough footing, and maintain their pace, balance, and momentum as they punch through uneven layers of snow.
As we were training this morning, a raven was chasing us down the trail. Swooping left to right, landing on trees to watch and then catch back up with us, it made a long lasting game. Not just on training runs, but also in the kennel, ravens often play with the dogs throughout the winter months.
Ravens are one of the most quintessential characters of Alaska, featured in native legends and current anecdotes. One time I was watching a raven look for left over kibble in a dog dish. Carefully he hopped backwards towards the dish, leaving himself an easy exit flying forward should the dog choose to take interest in his approach. Another time, Max and I were at the grocery store. Shopping for a month, I knew we would need to make more than one trip. I chose to purchase dry goods the first trip, unloading them into the open tailgate of our truck. When we returned to the truck after filling our shopping cart a second time, we realized that a raven had gone through the paper towels and Kleenex, pulling our tissue after tissue. At first, I am sure he was looking for food, but I believe he ultimately continued emptying the box out of curiosity and fun.
While I think ravens are intelligent enough to chase us down the trail simply for fun, in this case, I think it was more likely they were hoping we would leave them a snack on the trail.
Max and I have been taking the puppies on walks. These adventures give the puppies the chance to learn our local trails and practice crossing over bridges. We have them over muddy swamps as well as over our mountain creek. The creek one is especially high, too leave room for the ice to build up over the winter. This gives the bridge a hollow sound as you cross it.
We can help puppies learn about trail bridges before they even pull a sled by walking over them. The free running puppies can tackle the bridge at their own speed, take the time to look over the edges, and find their footing. I have been impressed by the pups this summer running across the small foot bridge we use for walking. Mike thinks it is because they spend time in their pen running and jumping off of the benches, which have a similar design. He said he wants to add more to our puppy playground next summer. Things like rope bridges that swing as you walk on them and tunnels that mimic the culverts racing teams run through in Anchorage.
Ultimately, the puppies get faster than we are. At that point we switch to riding the four wheeler or snowmobile, allowing the puppies to chase after us. To prepare them for this Max and I have been trying to run along the trail, teaching the puppies to keep moving. The other day Max said, “Let’s run fast. Like we have missed our taxi.” I am not quite sure where he got this analogy. We certainly do not have taxis in Cantwell.
The weather has been moving towards winter. Temperatures have dropped. The dogs have been running through challenging conditions. The muddy ground has developed ruts from the tires of the for wheeler. Deep puddles dot the trail.
With the freezing temperatures the ruts become permanent. The puddles develop a layer of ice, not quite strong enough to hold the team. They crash through the ice and water leaving their fur icy.
Lupine with her game face on
Finally, the puddles freeze solid, giving firm, slick footing. This last week we have received significant snowfall. Well over a foot covers the ground. Just as the roads I drive over lose their potholes in the winter, the snow makes the trail smooth where it has been rough and stable where it has been slippery.
Max has been enjoying the snow. It is still warm, so the snow is much wetter than what we usually get. Our snow is typically powdery, much too dry to make a snowball. This snow has been wet enough to stick together. Max and I made easily the biggest snowman I have ever made in Alaska, followed by an army of small snowmen.
Even though most of our time is spent, training dogs, feeding dogs, cleaning up after dogs, building and repairing equipment for dogs, we do sneak in a few moments to sit and relax. Recently, Mike tried watching one of the numerous reality shows about Alaska. Max became mesmerized. His trucks and building projects forgotten, he was glued to the tv. I found the situation hysterical. Partly, because of the silly nature of reality shows, especially when you know some of the realities and can see the Hollywood influences. And partly because I liked the fact that he enjoyed watching something related to our life, reassuring me that he loves the snow and the mountains and the wilderness just as we do. Max also noticed the Hollywood aspects, making deadpan, practical comments when the actors made silly decisions. For instance one time they tried to unsuccessfully cross open water on their snowmobile, after, of course, a lengthy discussion of the challenge. Max said “Why don’t they just go hydro?” The snowmobiling term meaning crossing water with enough speed to float on the surface. While I am proud of his confidence and knowledge, I worry it won't be long until he is flying over snow and water by dog team and snowmobile, leaving me to make the worrying comments.
Until next time, I hope you are having as much fun with your dogs as we are with ours. Mike, Caitlin, and Max