running towards spring

"Why, what's the matter, 
That you have such a February face, 
So full of frost, of storm and cloudiness?" ws

Casual, fun runs are the order of February, due to seasons currently running boy / girl teams, always good to mix the teams up and have had some super runs with the two piebalds running beautifully in lead together, laika really picking herself up from her hormonal apathy and enjoying herself with her niece Kara. 

We have been following the Yukon Quest and the soon to come Iditarod, watching especially the pure bred Siberian teams and it is very emotional seeing the relationship between musher and team, dog care awards being the most eagerly sought after rather than the small purse for the winners which barely covers the cost needed to take part in the race. Happily, running sled dogs does not attract people who want to make any kind of profit. They run dogs because it satisfies their soul. This bond is not always understood by the outside world who do not realise that running is what these dogs have evolved for, nature has given them characteristics and physical attributes to aid this role in the scheme of life, nature not man has made them what are. These dogs love what they do, anyone watching dogs at a start of a run can attest and mushers see their team as part of their family. These wonderful dogs have a very full life with affection and sleeping on the sofa, bed warming, sunbathing, playing with their chums as well as fulfilling their breed destiny to run. 

Sofa? Never!