Dew Claw Dog Days = fun runs on cool mornings.

Like many I was unaware of the celestial reasoning behind the old saying,  ‘the Dog Days of Summer’ and used it to refer to that time in Alaska when days are too hot for sled dogs to do much more the sprawl out and relax as they bask in the sun.  “Instead, it turns out, the dog days refer to the dog star, Sirius, and its position in the heavens” but I digress. Back to the Dog Days.

Or course we are all excited for winter, its our favorite time of year. But these dog days are needed to get work done, projects accomplished, and re-group. So we make use of them the best we can. Make hay while the sun shines, to use another old saying.

Fortunately even now if you wake up early most days it is cool enough to have some serious sled dog fun! Runs are short and vary between running in harness with the quad or free running along with Dan and the motorcycle.  While one person is out with the dogs on the trail, the other 2 are cleaning the kennel and grooming the dogs. Each morning 3-4 groups of up to 8 dogs will get to run, and at the same time the entire yard gets care and attention.

 

 

 

As fall approaches and temperatures really start to drop we will begin to train in earnest, building the dogs up to longer runs. For now the dogs enjoy the shorter faster runs, plus free running builds confidence and coordination. Over the summer we use hoses to provide the dogs with lots of fresh water, and can spray down the yard if it gets to dry and dusty.  Once the dogs have had fun and and fed and watered it is time for us to start whatever work that day holds, while the dogs relax. I was out mowing the lawn the other day while they slept sprawled out on the tops of their houses, like they were lounging on deck chairs.  They don’t even look up as I push the mower past. The dog days are hot and only good for relaxing if you are a Dew Claw dog. But the Dog Day Mornings! Now that they are more then happy to go nuts for!

 

 

 

Thanks to Victoria for the media skills.