Sometimes it just takes Daddy's Touch

I was starting to give up entirely on dog sledding.  If it wasn't bad enough that this winter has sucked, lack of snow, ice, rain, I was also feeling like I was running out of hope with the dogs.

After a test run with Zappa that was a lot more of me running and him pulling an empty sled, only proved to me that Zappa needs a partner in the snow and I currently didn't have one for him.  My dreams for sledding were fading fast.  I was almost ready to give up entirely. 

So then my husband says, "Let's try Chance."  I had pretty much written off my favorite sled dog because he had become a bit apprehensive with his sledding harness. Come to find out I'd been using the wrong size harness for him all last year and it had made him uncomfortable.  I was still working with him getting used to one again and progress was slow.   I wasn't sure how Chance would do it, but I agreed.  Maybe with Daddy it would make a difference.

Daddy is the comforter, the one who holds and calms the dogs while I do all the "bad mom" stuff like medicine, ear cleanings and such.  The dogs practically jump into his arms at the vet while the vet pokes and probes.  Everything is better when Daddy is there.

So I set up the sled and without any discussion Daddy starts putting the harness on Chance.  Great idea!!  While he doesn't have a clue what he is doing, Chance stands calmly and lets him put it on while I assist.  Chance doesn't fuss as he puts all his trust in the greatest man alive.  Somehow everything is going to be alright.  We get him hooked up to the sled, Daddy opens the gate and we are off.  Not one qualm or hesitation, in fact he is so excited he runs straight across the driveway and over the embankment of snow.  We are all laughing and the grin on Chance's face is priceless.  Daddy guides Chance back to the road where Chance burst in a comfortable run.  His gate is smooth and strong.  The road isn't at it's best, but Chance has no problem taking charge.  We blend into a single harmony as Chance runs like a thoroughbred while feels as if I am hanging on to his wild mane.  The inevitable power and passion engages us as our hearts cling to each others, relishing the force and freedom of being one.  In one rush, the dream is alive again. 

How do you really thank the love of our lives for that??

  How about with one big sloppy kiss??

Silver, Why Are You Crying?

Can you see me cuddling with my best friend Alex?

Silver was an intense dreamer from the time we brought her home.  As a young pup in deep sleep her eyes would flutter, her ears would twitch and her paws would flicker as if running.  Sometimes she gave low growls or high pitched yipes and her tail would start thumping. 

At bedtime, after Daddy would sing her 'Rock-a-bye-Baby,' Silver would crawl into her 'den' under our bed and we'd all fall asleep. 

Then suddenly I would be jolted upright by the sounds of intense sobbing from under the bed.  In a panic I would reach under the bed as far as I could to soothe Silver in her distress.  Her dreams seemed to be a of grave pain as her body would heave with sadness and shake uncontrollably.  Almost every night the cycle would continue until sometime after she had her litter of puppies.  Then they began to diminish.

I have often wondered what she dreamt about that seemed to bring her such sorrow.  Sometimes I would think it was because her best friend Alex was going to die some day.  For I've seen her have 'happy dreams' after he died when I believe she is reunited with him.

I have never had a dog that dreamt so intensely and none of the other dogs do it to the extent that Silver does.  Sometimes it scares me as to what she could be dreaming about that seems to upset her so much.  I wonder if she is having nightmares or if she is 'seeing' something that we can't.  I wonder what it means that they don't happen as often as they used to.  What changed in her little world that brings more comfort than before?  I still believe her dreams were centered around Alex, but like a Tootsie pop, the world may never know.



And for our friends in Japan,  Paws Crossed with Prayers