7:30am. 5 degrees.

Hoar frost covered the landscape; delicate feathers of ice clinging tentatively to grasses, shrubs and trees. The sun warmed up the day and we were able to get out of the kennel at a good time today. I had the power team of Dexter, Buck, Jaren, Bart, Stevie, Houston, the Three White Knights, (brothers and some of the largest puppies in the kennel) and a few others. Buck was antsy, so kept trying to antagonize Dexter, but Dexter is a steady dog and went about his business. After a mile or so, Buck fell into pace and worked hard.  They had no problem pulling me around in second gear even up most of the hills. The dogs ran well, stayed on their sides and pulled hard. As we passed lakes and ponds, they looked as if someone had rolled handfulls of diamonds across them. Far away, the mountains are already snow covered and the snow line is inching downward. Beautiful day, although my anxiety is building as the season is close to beginning. The first few trips always give me elevated heart rates until we get into our groove and make sure the guests respect the dogs as much as we do.