Is this weird? Or is it just me?

Am I the only one who loves the smell of dog's feet?!? They don't stink or anything (usually), they just have this really distinct smell to them. But if you sniff the actual pads of their feet... mmmm!! Smells like roses! Ok, kind of musky, furry roses. I like it. And they all smell the same.

And I'm not just saying that because Ivy's paw is on my face as I type. Really. Try it on your favourite canine today!!

Anyhoo...

So I was out the other day attempting to get a photo of me with the team for Jon's article on the CHT. No one was sending him photos, but I think that's because hello! We only take pictures of... dogs! Pictures of us would just scare everyone.

Anyways, this photo shoot required a bit of trickiness as I ran ahead of the team to set the camera on a log. I had 11 dogs and we were about 3 miles into our 7-miler. Well, the team was freaking out - because stopping is unacceptable in their canine brains - as I was figuring out this delayed picture thingy which I rarely use. All of a sudden... things went quiet. And that fact took a few moments to process through this brain. And when it finally did, I panicked realizing that means the team is on the move!! Sure enough, I turned around to see them all pulling the 4-wheeler down the trail ready to head on by me. I hightailed it to the quad and caught the little renegades as they tried to flee. Brats.

I briefly forgot about the picture, but what I caught on the camera was pretty telling evidence of a sneaky, maniacal team! Note those HAPPY faces!! Jack and Harris are totally looking over at me smiling their faces off.
!

You don't even want to see what resulted from my attempt at getting video of us going up a hill. It includes me flailing down the hill like a mad-woman, and then Kate sticking her head out *just* as I ran by her. I just about took the ol' girls head off as I carreened down the hill by her. She was ok though. Nothing seems to faze her. Anyways, we'll keep that one under wraps for awhile. Parts of it are too far away anyways. Yeah, that's it.

And yes, these pictures were just taken a few days ago. Note the horrific lack of snow!

I do like how Jack and Harris lead the team on the grass. Screw that - we don't run in mud, they were later heard to be saying. The little black things as usual are trying to run IN the mud. They usually succeed in coming back caked in the stuff.

And I'm taking a bit of an unexpected road trip tomorrow. Laura and I are heading to ALASKA for the sled dog symposium in Fairbanks. It was kind of a last minute, VERY last minute plan, but we are off first thing in the morning! Or... thereabouts. Two days of driving and two days of nothing but dog talk! Fun, fun, and yes - more fun! I might even come back with a sled if I'm lucky! But there are some pretty cool speakers, some legends in the mushing world who are going to be at this thing, so check it out! Speaking of mushing legends, I never did tell you all about meeting Libby Riddles last week - thanks to Tamra for introducing us. How cool to talk to the first woman to win the Iditarod!?? VERY freakin' cool. She was soooo nice too.

So, we'll be back Monday - a few friends are watching my crew for me. I'm sure they'll behave like little angels!! See y'all later. And of course, every freakin' moment will be documented for blogland.... :)