You can read about Misty on my web site under "successes." It took her quite awhile to trust anyone and over the last several years this little girl has just blossomed into one of the sweetest dogs that we have. Lately I have been loose dropping her at the truck after a run and taking walks with her and a couple of other dogs near the truck. So today we decided to see how she would do on a loose walk from our house. We took her with Ivy and Mardy who are great about coming when we call them and never run off out on our many walks. Misty did great. She will become one of our free running dogs. You could tell she was so excited about a new environment. Although she runs consistently in our skijor teams it has taken awhile to be able to totally trust her off leash. She has proven herself to be able to take on long hikes. We were probably gone for an hour today on the trails around our area. We ran into a neighbor on the trail with his BIG wolfhound mix. Misty was apprehensive with the new dog and with a strange person but she skirted around them nicely and we kept on our merry way. It is always nice to introduce dogs to long walks in the woods. The nomadic instinct of the dog pairs up nicely with our long hikes. We are looking forward to summer and many walks and runs with our dogs.
We have a lot of dogs in the house. 14 usually. They like to find their favorite places to curl up for a nap. These can change from one day to the next. Blackberry, in the first picture is not only curled up in a dog bed but rests her head on a pillow. ahhh. comfort. There is always a dog on the love seat. Robin and Jewel are sharing this one. Mardy (the Irish Setter), Misty (white) and Blackberry round out the dogs in this picture. Mardy and Misty are sharing a king size pillow. We have blankets, dog beds, bed pillows, crates (doors are always open) and rugs around the area. Did I say I lived in a kennel? This is really the dogs house, not mine!! I periodically fix the blanket on the love seat, but the dogs love to pull it out at the bottom to snuggle against. There is no real hierarchy as to who gets the couch. It is first come first serve!
A great skijoring day on fast but a little bumpy trails. Hard to hold the camera, my poles, and take steady pics when you are doing 18+mph. Blackberry (on the right) and Millie in lead. Shaman in wheel. Blackberry and Shaman both came from our animal shelter. It is a well matched speedy team that is a joy to run.