Remember Cinder

Cinder was a malamute we adopted many years ago from the Lewis and Clark Humane Society in Helena Montana. There was a 160 malamute seizure in Montana from a breeder who had that many dogs and had no help taking care of them. 160 malamutes, 18 pregnant females, and 80 of the dogs were classified as emaciated meaning no fat tissue and loss of muscle. She was pretty shy and a fear biter but not really bad on the biting. She ended up with us and grew out of her shell becoming one of the sweetest dogs I've ever lived with. I ran into these pictures of her and thought I would post them. They are from a ski trip into the foothills of the Alaska Range. She is long gone now but great dog.

Mr. Oreo

Oreo on one of our recent hikes. A cool spring has made temperatures to Oreo's liking with lots of snow pockets around and oodles of it up high.

Schnow!

Its been a cold April. Here and there snow falls and then melts off. Yesterday we had gotten 4 inches so I went out hiking with the dogs who love the stuff. So lucky to have an extra month of snow for the snow dogs.

Desert Time!

Its that time of year to visit the desert. Not too hot, not too much snow and no rattlesnakes. Easy hiking in the sage.

The look they give you....

Right before the zoomies. LOL

Click on the image to enlarge.

Boop!

Beautiful Snow, Beautiful Dog

Snow Dog

Oreo is a snow dawg through and through. The first thing he does when he launches into it is gets the zoomies. Its his element. He thinks a snow pillow is the best bed in the world

Incoming

Oreo catching the launch

As always you can click on the photo to enlarge it.

Intrigue

What's caught Oreo's eye?

Oreo's Rock

Yep, Oreo has a rock named after him. We started hiking in this meadow up in the mountains when it was so hot down in the valley. From our first visit Oreo hopped on the rock to look around. It seems every visit he jumped on the rock, any time of the year. Summer or Winter, its his place to be.

Oreo

The guy looks good whereever you find him. :)

Another One in the Books...

Now for 49 Thanksgivings, I've gone out Cross-Country Skiing before dinner. Its a great way to get ready for a wonderful meal with friends and family. I have so much to be thankful for, including this tradition. Better than the Macy's Parade!

You can click on the picture to enlarge it. Saint Nicki behind Tommy.

Ganik!

We adopted Ganik from the Canadian Malamute Rescue group AMHL something like 15 years ago. Jago needed a buddy and wasn't doing well as an only dog. We flew from Alaska to Spokane then drove to Nakusp where he was being fostered by Diana Koller. We spent a few days there getting to know him so the transition into our home wouldn't be so rough on the guy since all he had known was a backyard in Calgary and then Diana's foster home. When it came time to leave he immediately jumped in the only door on our rental car, The Trunk. He wasn't going to let us go without him. We had a big laugh at that, moved him to the back seat and took him home. :)

Best Friends

These two are best friends. All you have to say to Tommy is "Where's Nicki?" and the chase is on!

Firing up The Blog again.

Its been awhile. But after recent news and experiences on FB and Instagram I figure its time to show the world the dogs.

Here's Tommy going for a run this morning while I cross country ski along side him.

Running is one of his favorite things, and since he's always on a leash. Its skiing or biking for him.

The Hand Of Love

Jago and Nicki. :)

Dog Snow

What's dog snow? Its snow with enough structure to keep the dogs up on top and not wallowing and flailing. This is important because flailing malamutes don't have fun, are suspect to injury and we end up retreating back to the rig. What brings this up? Its June 2nd and we ski toured today. Early in the morning it was perfect dog snow, Crust Snow. They stayed right on top and we could go places. Ingram Creek specifically. This is unusually late for us to continue skiing with the dogs, we normally quit in sometime April, dreading the month where there is too much snow to hike, and too much poor quality snow to ski. By the end of the month, the dogs are going nuts and I am tearing my hair out.

What happened? We set a record snow total this year, so lots and lots of snow. We had a long succession of cloudless nights where the snow could set up firm and solid. Its colder when the nights are cloudless, and even when it doesn't get below freezing...there is something special which happens to set the snow up.

Today, when we woke up with a bluebird skis, we stepped into action and headed out the door as early as possible to ski. We started skiing at 7 am and by 11 we were pushing our limits. Four hours of fun.

Valley on our way up to Ingram Creek

Jago doing the honors of pulling me. Just about ready to drop into Ingram Creek. That's the Eddies ski site, directly behind her, with the 20 mile drainage in the far distance.

Valley sitting pretty. Turnagain arm, Blueberry knob, and the 20 mile all behind her.

We were out early enough from the ski we could go hiking down the road at the North Johnson trailhead . A bi-modal day. Skiing in the morning, hiking in the afternoon.

Happy Number 12

Today marks Jago's 12th birthday, what a better way to celebrate it than to go out hiking on a sunny day.

Its been a wonderful 10 plus years together, its amazing how we've changed for the better.

We've spent so much time together, I can't imagine what it would be without you.

Thanks for a great life. You've changed our lives more than we can ever think of. All of us benefited including countless malamutes.

While I can't believe another 12 years is possible, I do think we'll enjoy what we've got in grand style.

Will Mother Nature Cooperate with Old Man Winter?

p>Here is is May 6th and we are still skijoring. Pretty neat considering the dogs are off the snow usually by April 15th. Usually its so soft the break through and its a real drag to take them out. But this year we've had lots of snow, record breaking. With the cold nights its held up long enough to enjoy skijoring much alter than we usually do.

Our foster dog Ox giving us his best

Valley up by Rabbit Lake

We really are insignificant in the landscape of things.

Sooo, will Mother Nature cooperate with Old Man Winter so we can ski into June?