Misha - Chapter 2

The Story of a Sled Dog

A familiar scent is on the breeze. It’s a combination of human and canine. I close my eyes and inhale deeply through my nose. It’s smells like milk and honey. Oh…that’s Jennifer. The canine scent is earthy and warm with just a twinge of salmon. It’s Hopa, one of the lead males. Hopa is usually all business, but since he’s out for a walk with Jennifer, he’s relaxed and a little silly.

Hopa is a black and white wooley Alaskan Malamute with a full mask covering his eyes. He weighs about 100# and is one of the bigger dogs in the yard. He is confident but kind. He is about 5 years old and his experiences on the trail have turned him into an excellent lead dog. His bright brown eyes sparkle as he looks at Jennifer, who has Hopa’s favorite salmon treats in her pouch. There is a tiny string of drool hanging of off his tongue as he looks up at Jennifer, expectantly, as he trots along side of her.

Katie waves to Jennifer and Hopa, who knew we were coming long before Jennifer saw us. Since Hopa and I get along, Jennifer lets him greet me. A sniff here and a sniff there assures him that I am fine and it’s okay to be in my space. He play bows at me, and in return, I spin in a circle. Katie and Jennifer both laugh at our antics. They chat for a few minutes, talking about human things as Hopa and I sit and patiently wait. We know we can’t play rough and tumble while we are on our leashes, but we do nudge and sniff each other.

Jennifer and Hopa are going in the opposite direction so we don’t walk together. This is solo time for Katie and me. Every dog in the yard is afforded this same experience, every day.

Katie and I continue on our way. Katie is one of the many volunteers at the park. She is my dog walker and mine alone. All of the other dogs also have their own dog walkers. Some are local people who live in town, some are people who are camping at the park for the summer and some are only with us for a few short weeks. Since we are socialized with all kinds of people, we enjoy the variety of humans that we get to meet. Sometimes, though, there is one human who just gets us and a bond begins to form almost immediately. That’s how it happened with Katie and me. I trust her and I listen to her. I know she has my best interest at heart and would never do anything to put me in harm’s way. Even when we walk on the road, she puts herself between the cars and me. My safety and well being always come first.

Katie and I walk for a long time. The road is beginning to gather heat from the sun, making the pavement pleasantly warm on my paws, at the moment. The wild grasses are starting to come up and some of the wildflowers along the side of the road are poking through the warm dirt. Spring is always a magical time at the park.

Along the way we spot baby bunnies hopping along in the meadow. I don’t try to chase them because I know better. Katie and I stop to watch them as they kick up their feet and explore their world. The baby birds are hatching and far off in the distance I can hear a baby crow that sounds like a kazoo. As I look off into the meadow and the boreal forest beyond, I know there are baby moose and baby Grizzly Bear roaming around with their parents. The Dahl sheep also have their young ones in the foothills, not far from where we stand. They will return to the mountain top soon.

Katie and I walk all the way to Mile Marker 3. We stop to sit under a tree in the shade. Katie gets out her collapsible bowl and pours me some water and then takes a long drink for herself. She hands me some treats and I can smell her chocolate bar as she munches on it. I keep trying to get her to give me a bite, but she says chocolate is dangerous for dogs. How can something that smells so good be dangerous? I trust Katie though.

Once we’ve had a quick rest and satiated our thirst, we gather ourselves and reluctantly get up and leave our small respite spot. We stop her during every walk and so do some of the other dogs. I don’t know if Katie knows we share our spot with others, but the dogs always leave their scent behind and I can tell who has been here before us.

Katie and I make our way back to the yard. The sun is getting higher in the sky and the warmth of the day is almost upon us. When we return, Katie puts me back on my box and fills my bucket with fresh, cool water. I take a nice, long drink and take the treats that she has offered me. I hop on top of my box so that Katie can give me a hug. She pats me on the head and wishes me sweet dreams with a promise to see me tomorrow. Then, she’s off to do whatever she does when she’s not with me.

The sun is warm, but my box is in the shade, so it’s comfortable and cozy. The breeze blows through my fur, carrying the familiar and comforting scents of the yard. I’m home and I’m safe.

I do a BIG stretch, putting my hind end in the air and my front paws out in front of me until the tension is released from my muscles. Then, I turn three circles on top of my box and lie down. I heave a big sigh, and curl up. My tail is under my nose, and my eye lids are so heavy.

Sleep is coming.