Dog Sled Races

Chloe has developed an obsession with sled dogs. I have no idea why, but she is completely taken with them. She is convinced that our dog can be a part of her grand plan of owning her own sled dog team. A few weeks ago I found out that there was to be a large sled dog race in northern Vermont. After looking on the web site I learned that, if they had a helmet, the children of the spectators would be able to ride on a one dog sled. Well, I knew that my Chloe would flip at this opportunity. I set to work tracking down a ski helmet to borrow. Luckily a friend of mine from work had one that her boys had outgrown. We were in business and we had a count down on our calendar to the fateful day. I was a little worried after picking the girls up from their dad's yesterday and finding out he had taken them already (it was a two day event) that they wouldn't still want to go, but they were adamant that they still wanted to go. It was a several hour drive to get there and a lot of layering up, but well worth it. As you can see they were quite taken with the whole thing.

I took a couple of videos that I will try to post as well. I thought I had one of both girls riding on the dog sled, but it turns out I seemed to have turned the camera on and then off for Chloe's. I took a couple of short clips of the dogs starting including one of a dog so excited to start he was jumping up and down. I hope they load OK.

As you can see they also enjoyed the wander through the deep snow too.

Inventions I Don't Understand

I went for a six mile run this afternoon while the girls were having dinner with dad. I actually was hoping for more like 9 or 10, but it like 85 degrees out there. I know that for those of you in the West that is your low temperature, but for here that is hot and I am sooo not cut out for running in it. I cut it down to 6 and totally consumed the water I left for myself along the way in a matter of minutes. While I was running I was noticing a few things. Some things that just made me wonder who comes up with this stuff?

I know it is probably just me (usually is) but I really don't get these. One, I don't get who thought it up and thought it was a good idea. Two, they pitched the idea to other people and they thought it was a good idea too. And three, people bought it and paid money for it. Seriously I think I am missing something. So here it is the three things that I came across on my run today and I can not figure out why they were ever created.


First off capris for men. I know I brought this one up in an earlier blog the first time I saw it. I am on sighting like five now and I really, really, really, do not get this fashion choice. I must just put it out there for all the guys I know and say, "This is not a good look for you." Because frankly people it isn't a good look for anyone. It looks like you are wearing your wife/girlfriend/ sister's clothes. I mean I am OK with that if that is what you are into and all, but as a fashion choice it really does NOT work.

Secondly bike trailers for dogs. Is it just me? I passed two of them on the bike path today. One contained two dogs and they were barking the whole time. How can this be pleasant? These are not kid trailers that people stuck the dog in either. These are bike trailers for the dog. So picture the board meeting when that one got pitched. How is it possible that the majority of people in that room thought it was a good idea. I am not saying as a business idea it was bad. I mean lets look at it I saw two of them in under and hour so somebody is buying them. I just can't quite picture how you take yourself seriously talking about it.

The third thing is very similar to number two- dog strollers. Saw it- kid you not. People walking along happy as you please pushing the dog in the stroller. I was wondering doesn't it work better when you take the dog for a walk to... um.. I don't know.. actually walk the dog? Does the dog need a walk after the walk to do all the things dogs do on a walk? Just wondering.

Dogs and chickens

I took the dog out for a walk yesterday. It was a pleasant sunny Saturday. Aside from half of the city moving out on account of the college semester begin over and it being the end of the month, it was a peaceful stroll. I wandered my way up to one of my favorite streets in Burlington, Prospect Street. I love this street because of the big old Victorian houses. It has a very suburban feel to it while still being within walking distance of downtown. It is so much quieter than my own street. I often dream of being wealthy enough to move up there.

I strolled along enjoying the chirping birds. Along the way I was greeted by my own neighbors who were passing in their car. It was all very quaint and serene and felt very homey. Suddenly the chirping was interrupted by three dogs to my right hitting the fence separating them from Cabbie (my dog). They snarled and barked and created such a frenzy it made me wonder if the fence would hold. I looked toward the house to see if anyone would come out to control them. No one did. I notice the yard was bare of grass, and holes, where the dogs amused themselves by digging, were every where. It resembled a mine field.

The house stood on a corner lot. So I hurried Cabbie (now rather dazed himself) around the corner. I was grateful that the dogs section of the yard was closed off from the other side. I was pondering what the purpose of the small house like structure was in this new section of the yard. Since it was not in a place where the dogs had access. Suddenly from the other side of the fence about three chicken started squawking and flying around. One even flew over the fence to cluck and strut around the driveway. I should mention here. I don't do chickens. I love a good omelet as much as the next person. But the chickens themselves. No thank you. My daughters love for me to take them to Shelburne Farm. There the kids can collect eggs from the chicken coop and hold the chickens. And I dutifully take them breathing deeply the whole time Chloe lugs each chicken around. Ew ick. Yuck.

Needless to say I found myself dragging the dog down the street to escape. From this I feel it is obvious to point out the grass is not always greener. Here I have always admired this area for its peace and serenity. And the whole time they have been dealing with crazy dogs and chickens. It strikes me that these are the people for whom city ordinances are written.

I will go back to my own little street with the homeless people pushing bottle carts down to the redemption center. They don't move as fast as the chickens. Those chickens- I mean they were freaky.