• Friday-What'sUP January 11 - 11:38 pm

Piers Gorge, located near Norway, is not a huge tourist draw, even though it boasts some spectacular views of the Menominee River. Many locals like Debra McCumber know what a gem this area is though and recently took advantage of a sunny winter day to enjoy a hike along the snowy trails. Deb's canine friend, Abbi appreciates the Gorge area too, but mostly because she can run "full speed ahead", with ears flapping in the wind. I'm not sure if the smile on Abbi's face is from the enjoyment of the fashionable footwear she's sporting or perhaps from the beauty surrounding her as she makes her dash to the waters in the second picture. This pooch isn't the only thing moving fast in the Gorge area, it's said that these are some of the fastest waters in the state of Michigan, so it's not a course for the novice kayaker. With gorgeous views like this one, it's definitely a place that's going on my 2008 to-do list. But I think I'll just visit on foot, like Deb and Abbi.

I love the pics. The second one just takes my breath away it's so beautiful. I need some boots for my dog like those in the first pic.

Are we having fun yet? or what?

Those are wonderful pictures! I'm really glad to see snow boots on Abbi! I have spent a lot of time lately trying to get people to get snow boots for their dogs. The second picture is just spectacular! Thank you, Deb, Abbi, and Mary for today's super cool pictures!

Ahh, to be a yooper Golden! My daughter's Dachshund growls when you try to take his boots off..he loves them!!

Very nice! Definitely on my to-do list.

Bobbysgirl: I know what you mean. Our daughter has two golden
retrievers and you'd be hard pressed to find two dogs who look
happier. They give meaning to the expression "lucky dog."

The second picture is my new computer background.

Hi
Are the dog boots bright like that so as to be found easily if they come off in the snow? Our Alaskan Malemute Misty did Ok without them (I don't think I'd ever heard of them back then), though she would sometimes come to me for assistance if she got an ice-ball in her pad: "Here, you have hands, deal with this please", is what she was probably thinking. I also knew a Samoyed who dealt with ice-balls on her own: she'd just bite and lick them off.

Misty did follow in our tracks made by our cross-country skiis if the snow was deep enough, though she really wanted to be lead dog.

Abbi looks like she's having a ball and that 2nd shot is definitely a candidate for the 2009 pasty calendar. It's gorgeous!

For the Iditerod Dog Sled Race, there must be eight "booties" for each dog on a team, either on the dogs or on the sled at all times, according to the rules for the 2008 race. I'm not sure if that means 2 sets of booties or 8 sets of booties? I was thinking that they had to have 6 sets last year, before I read this years rules, so I am not sure.

Booties (don't laugh--that is the term listed in the official Iditerod rules) protect dogs' feet and pads, from blisters, cold, etc. For dogs not in a long race, booties are still very useful to make their feet a lot more comfortable. If you are going to be walking your dog where there could be salt (road salt, rock salt, or whatever), they protect them from potential chemical burns; if you do not have booties, then you should wash the salt off of each of their feet. If you are salting your driveway, a product like SafePaws, or other brand, is much safer for your dog's paws, as well as for your concrete and grass, etc. Sorry. I will get off my soap box now. I just care a whole lot about dogs. They are truly man's best friend. If you want to know more about booties or the safe salt (it is a different chemical from regular salt), please email me. :-)

When you take off the dog's booties here's what you have to do;

SHAKE SHAKE SHAKE, SHAKE YOUR BOOTIES.

Great pictures.
Although the booties may keep ice balls from forming, although they may keep salt from paws, dogs have gone through millennia without them. Don't leave your dogs outside for extended periods in winter and it shouldn't be a problem.
The temperatures at the Iditarod have reached -130 degrees with the wind chill. Booties are used precisely because the dogs are powerful and there is a possibility that crystallized snow, ice, and bare frozen ground could nick the pads or abrade the soft tissue between the pads of the feet. Since the musher's goal is to keep their pullers in top shape, using booties is a logical preventative. Booties are a great idea, just like horseshoes, but also require that mushers use precautions when using them. Booties are slipped onto the dog's feet and fixed with a firmly wrapped elastic Velcro fastener. As long as the dog is running, circulation is fine, but it is necessary to remove boots if the team stops to rest.
Also, there is no safe salt. If you read the container-it is harmful if ingested. And what do dogs do, but lick their paws, thus ingesting it. Always rinse their feet if they have walked in salt. No matter what kind.
Besides, all their 'doggy' friends will laugh at them if they see they are wearing booties. (Wimp).

Ooooh, Snowman!

Great pics Booboo! Abbi is so cute and the second pic is breathtaken!

I think the 'Ammo Orange' color is a good idea since my Weimaraner (with a cropped tail) was the same color as a deer , and he was mistaken for a deer on more than one occasion when he was grazing at a Road Side rest stop. I would think it would save any dog from being shot at when hunting season is in full swing.

wow, look at the enjoyment on her face! and who could blame her really, with a view like that.

marriane and k j: thanks for posting the info on booties. i've always wanted to try mushing (not that my little beagle could pull me, but maybe one day years down the road i'll have a bigger dog that i could at least try skijoring with), and this picture made me think of the u.p. 200 dogsled race in marquette next month. anyone going? i've wanted to go for years, but just never had the chance. hopefully this year will be the one!

I don't know why but it just occurred to me that "booties" on babies feet seems like a good idea also. Do young mothers still crochet or knit such things?

It looks like some of today's comments have "gone to the dogs". (:>(