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     SNOW DAY!  
              (Click on pictures for larger image.)  
     
 
We had a big snow that started on January 2, 2002.  By the afternoon of the 3rd we had 10 inches (that's a lot for central NC.)  After all the work things it was time to play with the dogs.

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Shannon (the princess) in her snow jacket and booties

They had already been out several times to play in the yard.  First was Shannon.  She doesn't really have the sled pulling mentality and is not much of a cold weather girl, so she got a separate little trip.  She didn't care much for the booties at first, but got the knack after only a few minutes.  We had a wonderful little walk with her bounding happily about.  She got lots of smiles from the neighbors who were also out walking.

After we returned it was time for the big sledding adventure.  I rigged up my 42 year old kiddy sled and secured it to a tree.  After some struggle (mostly because they were so excited) I put the harnesses on the dogs.  Cody has gotten fat, so his harness is pretty tight, looks like he'll need a new one.  I hooked Hope to the sled first.  When I came back with Cody she had already tangled herself.  I straightened her out and then attached Cody.  When I came back with Jake the other two were sitting happily looking like a picture from the Iditarod.

Jake added a new element to the whole thing.  He kept turning in circles, tangling the lines more and more as he went.  Every time I got him straight he would turn and tangle again, and again, and again, and again.  After some effort I got him pointed in the right direction and we were off down the

driveway, but just to the end.  There Jake decided there was a spot  that  needed some yellow snow.  He took care of that then headed right back to me (that circling thing again.)  After straightening that tangle we started off, only to have each dog head in a different direction and
 
 
the sled head to the middle of the new tangle of lines.

Untangled again, and with Tracy leading the way, we were off down the road.  Finally we were running like a team, and it was wonderful, for all of about 100 feet.  Suddenly Jake found another interesting smell that needed his attention and we were snarled up again.  We did manage to get one more good run in before heading back.

When we turned around Hope and Cody realized they could ease off and let Jake do the pulling, but he couldn't get the sled going on his own.  Finally it was time to give up and run back with them.  As soon as I got up they took off, almost knocking me over.  Fortunately I had a safety line attached to the sled so they didn't get away.  On the way back we had more tangling incidents, but we finally made it.

Everyone had a wonderful time, and all three were clearly very happy with the whole event.  Hopefully we'll get a chance to try again tomorrow.

After we got back everyone went out in the yard to play.  Bonnie, our foster dog, is experiencing her first snow.  She's not ready to walk on a leash, so no special walks, but plenty of playtime in the yard (fenced in!)  Everyone is greatly enjoying the snow.

Click here to see video of Hope, Jake, Cody and Bonnie playing in the snow.

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Hooking up Jake

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Ready to roll

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Tangled

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Jake's ready

 
 
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Lines are clear, everyone is set
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Ready to go
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We're off and tangled
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We're finally really on a roll
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Look! I'm a musher
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This needs my attention!
 
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Jake changes direction
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Real dog sledding

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All done and unhitched

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That was fun!

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Ready to go inside

 

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Cody's all done

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Bonnie's  first snow

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OK, I'm done with this harness thing.

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Cody in the snow
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Jake, Bonnie and Cody in the snow
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Cats' opinion of the snow