The Dog Dilemma, April 2009 issue

By
John Morton
Posted April 3rd, 2009

I love dogs! As a kid, I had a beagle named Buddy who spent endless hours exploring the nearby woods and fields with me. During my high school years, our family was challenged by the antics of Rusty and Dusty, sibling golden retrievers who proudly displayed trophy woodchuck carcasses on the back step, and frequently returned from adventures, their shaggy coats encrusted with burdocks and cow manure.
Within a week of my release from active duty in the army, I was riding my bike home from classes at the University in Anchorage when I passed the city’s animal shelter. Out of curiosity, I pulled in for a look. It was pitiful seeing the rows of cages, filled with dogs of all sizes, yipping and jumping for attention. The lone exception was an enclosure labeled “Pure Lab, female.” It contained a small mound of black fur in the far corner of the cage.
“Is this one really a pure lab?” I asked the attendant.
“Yup, she’s the last one of a litter left by a military family that had to ship out on short notice.”
“What’s wrong with her?” She was the only dog in the shelter not barking or jumping enthusiastically.
“She’s exhausted. The staff has been playing with her all morning, out back on the lawn.”
“Could I talk it over with my wife and pick up the dog tomorrow?”
“Nope, she’s scheduled to be put down this afternoon. If you want this dog, you’ve got to take her with you right now.”
I knew that one of the unfortunate realities for many animal shelters was euthanizing unwanted, stray dogs and cats, but confronting that reality first hand really had a profound impact. I filled out the paperwork, paid the fees, put the bundle of fur in my backpack, and peddled home. It turned out to be one of the best spontaneous decisions I have ever made. Rode became a constant running and hiking companion, an alert watch dog, and a valued member of the family. When she died, there was a considerable void in our household, which eventually was filled by Klister, another black lab.
Klister picked up where Rode left off, eagerly hiking for hours with the family in the White Mountains or launching herself full speed off the dock into the pond. Klister was with us for more than a decade, and when she died, I was afraid I had used up my quota of really great dogs. Then my wife, Kay, spotted an ad for a “short-haired retriever,” a breed I’d never heard of. We went to see the puppy at our local veterinarian, a sensitive, but no-nonsense woman, who had cared for both Rode and Klister. The short-haired retriever turned out to be a yellow lab, and again, we took her on the spot. Rosie has lived up to the high standards set by her two predecessors, and then some. Not only does Rosie love running and hiking with the family and chasing squirrels on her own, but Rosie is especially enthusiastic about cross-country skiing.
Ah ha, finally, the dilemma! Few activities give me more satisfaction than kicking and striding along freshly groomed classic tracks in cold, powder snow. I’ve been spoiled, thanks to my participation (in various capacities) in dozens of major competitive events, for which teams of grooming experts spent every night creating absolutely flawless, classic ski tracks.
During the past few winters, I have joined a couple of friends in an attempt to provide better skiing in our community
by grooming three local trails. While it is satisfying to set beautiful classic tracks in fresh snow, it is equally frustrating to see skiers with their dogs obliterate those tracks
before they’ve had a chance to firm up.
So, as a devoted dog lover and a Nordic skier, I offer the following suggestions to promote harmony on the trails. If you ski with your dog, seek out a trail that welcomes pets. Some Nordic centers have a designated pet loop, others permit dogs on certain days of the week. Carry a supply of plastic bags, and clean up after your dog. Use small treats to train your dog to behave when you encounter other dogs or skiers. Finally, use discretion when taking your dog on a groomed trail. If the snow is fresh and soft, paw prints can ruin the tracks, while firm snow conditions can be nearly impervious to dog prints. Celebrate winter!
John Morton is a former Olympic biathlete and Nordic ski coach. He lives in Thetford Center, VT, where he designs Nordic ski trails. You can reach him through his website, www.mortontrails.com.