BUT…!!!

As of this writing the forecast is wonderfully UNspringlike! They’re calling for seven inches or more of the lovely white stuff. If that happens we’ll be up and running for the weekend if at all possible.The trails in the shade still have a frozen base and a fresh load of that size could allow for one last fling.

So if you thought you missed your ride watch the skies and the ground and be ready to give us a call. This time could be the last.

But then again…There’s been snow in Minnesota every month but July, ya’ know.

Then just as I was about to pull the release; the dogs took a mighty leap forward and snapped the anchoring line, taking off without me and dumping my passengers in the drifts to boot. That left me to follow on foot, praying for a tangle. After being assured by my passengers that they’d be ok, I headed down the trail.

While hurrying along I called the Sheriff’s office to see if help was available. They sent officers ahead to the next road crossing to try and intercept the team. When I got word they had them in sight but didn’t know how to stop them I began relaying instructions via the dispatcher.

Just then the only snowmachine we’d seen all day roared up behind me. I flagged him down and begged a ride to catch up to my team. We whisked off through three small road crossings before sighting the officers puzzling over what to do now that they had this “tiger by the tail”.

I dismounted thanking the stranger for his help and joined the officers in untangling the fifteen frantic “pups”. As we worked through the pack who should come along but the news crew from the Brainerd Dispatch!! They clicked off photos as fast as their cameras would go peppering us with questions the entire time.

After nearly 20 minutes we got straightened out and turned around. Bidding my thanks to everyone I headed back toward the snowbank where I’d left my passengers. At the last road crossing there were the cameras again, along with the police deploying the fire and rescue track vehicle to pick up the women.

I followed at the dogs’ pace until I caught sight of the rescuers tending to a woman on the ground! They’d walked back about half a mile until the one complained of weakness and dizziness and laid down in the snow.

Ambulances were on the scene to transport her to the hospital for care. We feared a broken leg or worse. Arriving at the parking lot I wondered how I’d manage to get the team safely back in the trailer. Again a good Samaritan was there! He willingly stood on the brake while I unhooked the dogs. Then he commenced his hike.

After hurriedly packing up dogs and equipment I rushed to the hospital hoping to see about my passenger… but that’s another story.

You can read the Brainerd Dispatch story for yourself. :

After a quick trip over the trail the cameraman parked himself in the snow and aimed to catch some of the action as we zipped by him. He eagerly pranced across the field getting just the right shots. Back outside the Pines clubhouse the dogs provided endless photo ops of cuteness.

When his face was as frosty as theirs’ we retreated indoors to relate stories of the trail that led to this moment. Wolf Moon Kennel is pleased to anticipate the February 2012 article that will ensue.

With a little coaxing (read “food”) he came close enough for me to get ahold of him. That was a chore. Since he had no collar and is very strong AND strong willed. Having few options at the time, I figured I’d take him along and decide what to do about him later. However,upon showing him a dog box on the trailer he leapt right in like he’d done it a hundred times! That was the first surprise. Since dogs don’t take just naturally to jumping freely into small spaces.

When we returned that afternoon, I found him a collar and a secure post. The next run, we found him a harness of the appropriate size and put him in the team. We gave him his own section since he was not yet acquainted with the rest of the dogs and we weren’t wanting a fight. Well, he pulled like a horse!! (Actually, dogs can pull more, pound for pound, than a horse can.) So, since no owner was coming forward, we decided to keep him.

So then, about a name. What about Bob? No. Got one of those in the house already. Well, I caught him on the 11th. And according to the Swedish calendar each day has its name day. January 11th is Hugo day. Hugo is my dad’s name. Plus his birthday was coming up. This dog looks like a Hugo. So, Hugo it will be. Happy birthday dad!

The snow came early and laid down a firm base. Regular additional flurries have kept the trail fresh. The original team of ten has welcomed and eagerly incorporated the newcomers. Visit the “Meet the Dogs” page for your formal introduction. We’re adding new pictures and updated descriptions for everyone. Look for action shots as well. You can almost feel the cold and hear the paws on the snow. But for the best experience call us for a ride of your own!