Bitter bitter C-O-L-D and Dogs

Dang, was 32 below at 0630 today and didn't rise above ten below all day.

Still, had to get some chores done: fill the woodbox, run the dogs, shiver.

Not that I actually shiver now at ten below- the body tends to get used to cold when you're out in it a lot. Seriously- the more time you spend in the elements, the more accustomed your body is to accepting them, reacts totally different than it does when you baby yourself.

So the dogs and I are panting and frosting the moustache with icicles and I'm watching their tails bob as they lope along. Gawd, those critters love to run! We're zipping past the shacks and I see a thread of smoke rising from one and the dogs are barking up a storm and I'm waiting for someone to come see what the ruckus is about.

No one shows. Oh, well- we met last spring when they began hauling in a trailer load of supplies so it isn't like they don't know who I am. Or the dogs.

But it's watching the dog's tails and their frosty breath-cloud and seeing my glasses fog up from my breath, and I start thinking again about getting some sled dogs.

Like I need another mouth to feed. Especially a dog. Or four. Four minimally for a team. Two dogs couldn't handle any real load on a sled or make having them worthwhile in a survival situation.

So four more it is. Now, what kind?

I don't want monster size critters that eat more than they weigh. Big dogs can do a lot of work, pull heavy loads and, for the most part, ain't too fast. Oh, they can be raced, but most racers have smaller dogs, about 70 pounds (but look like a hundred with all their fur). Long legged pups are out, too. Good for speed, but the longer the leg, the less power they can generate pulling. Don't want a really short legged dog, either. They won't have the lunge to get through much snow. So it's a medium sized dog with leg and body proportionate for me.

Can't really think of anything bad about having a team of dogs other than feeding them and the neighbors not liking the barking- and bark they do. Sled dogs are good for two things. Pulling sleds and making noise when they ain't. Sometimes even when they are.

Ever see a team of sled dogs? Those critters live to run, cannot wait to get into harness and just GO! To have a team for EOW wouldn't be bad: trips to town for whatever and hauling back groceries (if there are any available) or other goodies. Hauling in firewood from fairly distant locales (remember: we're talking EOW, not just a depression). Even or especially with running a trapline or fishing, or hauling the moonshine to customers, dogs could really be helpful.

I wonder if I can trade off these Russel Terrors and Golden for a couple sledders?

Hmmmm...

I sure hope my Lady don't read this post'r I'm dead meat..she likes these mutts!

They're forecasting another 40 below tonight and some windchill to fifty below. Dang- sled dogs are big and furry critters...furry? Foot warmers are furry, aren't they?

Bless God, God bless,

Shy

Ever see such a happy grin on a dog?

Addenda to earlier: News weatherman did a couple of demonstrations during show tonight. It's 26 below and he: drove a 16 penny nail through a 2x4 with a banana that had been frozen outside, and threw a pan of boiling water in the air to show how rapidly it froze: immediately. The water went into the air and became a cloud (the rest of his forecast was obscured by cloud).

Somewhere around 1990 I went out early one morning to start the truck to warm it before driving off. In my hand was a cup of fresh brewed coffee. I got in the truck, set the cup on the dash and immediately proceeded to crack the windshield like a spider web. Learned that lesson quick.

Shy