Trail Camera

This photo is from the front gate where the scent post is scratched and marked each morning.

We have published this one before. Just looking at it again as we have another similar one closer to the house. The first time several people thought this was a small deer, but it is too small for even a fawn. In some views it appears to have a longer tail than a deer. Maybe a fox, a cat... both scratch scent posts, so could be either. The dogs love to roll in its scent, whatever it is.

Trail Camera

We had some photos developed from the trail camera. This one is difficult to i.d. Is it a deer facing the camera or another furred animal with its back to the camera? In the actual print photo it looks more like the second, but on the computer it appears that there are eyes in the front... unsure.

Yesterday there was a deep scent post, newly dug , scratched and marked with scat. There are two locations for obvious scent posts right now... one is down near the front gate where we've photographed most of the wildlife and the other is at a crossing of trails nearer to the cabin, just below an apple tree. We had i.d.'d a fox and deer at the one nearer the house.

Buddy

Buddy came to us as a rescue a few years ago, and, as I've recounted before, he was a bit hard to handle, he had mange, some serious shoulder problems, had to have some bad teeth extracted and he had allergy problems. Today his shoulder is all but recovered, his coat is good, his appetite is great and most importantly, he can free run without running off. He is a veteran of Alaska and the UP 200, but came to us locally. He still bites the gangline in a hookup and we've thought about solving that by trying him in lead, instead of wheel.

Yesterday with six other dogs he led the way on a trail walk. There is a fox den in the tall grass he is exploring, (in the photo), but he did come out when I called him. Now I can let him out and he will sit on the front porch, peacefully, getting along with all dogs.

Wildlife

As I'm writing this, the dogs are wild about something. It's still dark, but the full moon is over their pens. Something is driving them crazy, but I can't see it with my light... something in the hillside just down from them. The full moon makes all the wildlife wander more.

These deer in the photo come up on the other side of the house, where Skinny is tethered out before bedtime. They don't seem to bother him much and they are not fazed by him. He does ask to come in if they hang around too much.

Photo: fawn twins, one little spikehorn and one doe fawn with Mama. Hope they stick around here as refuge during hunting season.

Autumn at Summer Place

This is one of my favorite times of day... walking with the dogs. We go out after the kennel breakfast, five or six dogs and me... they check every scent post from the night before and I amble along, enjoying them, and the every day changes that occur on the trails.

We have some new trail camera photos to identify, but it will take a zoom to do it.

Photo: Frita, Skinny, Chena, Sulatna, Liller

Frank Hall

Frank Hall, sled builder and musher, died last week. This is a link to the article:
http://www.mlive.com/news/jacitpat/index.ssf?/base/news-22/1190124379196990.xml&coll=3

There is also a wonderful movie tribute link on www.sleddogcentral.com

We purchased Frank's and Nettie's dog truck a few years ago and had a chance to visit Frank's and Nettie's dog yard and sled shop. We also have a Frank Hall sled which is beautifully built.

Our sincere condolences to Nettie and family.

Skinny's Team

PHOTO: Skinny and Ruthie, Lead; Buffy and Medio, Swing; Rosie and Matilda, Team; Quattro and Herman, Wheel.

Skinny has some health problems, but we give him the nod for the first run , in lead, as he is SO excited to do it. He would be heartbroken if we overlooked him. He's not ready to hang it up yet. His co leader today, in the photo, was Ruthie, his daughter.