The perfect photo/icon for a new contact on my phone!

#Huskies #DogsOfMastodon

Tonttu and Scout had lots of fun together! Zeena joined in when Scout needed a breather from Tonttu's energy.

Scout had spent the night free in the neighborhood after escaping her home, but now was safely back with her humans. However, the adventure left her coat FULL of burdock burrs! You might see bits of them in the photos, especially the tip of her tail.

Impromptu Husky Playdate!

Passing our neighborhood tennis courts we noticed Scout, a black and white husky, having some off-leash time inside. Tonttu and Zeena wanted to say hi! Scout's human readily agreed, so everyone got to run around off leash for a bit.

Scout is a neighborhood resident, but we rarely get to connect. Finally we have her humans phone # for possible future playdates!

#Huskies

@khusky It's difficult to make out, but I think she said that it was a beautiful day to be out on the river both times.

We had a bit more of a shouted conversation after I ended the video where she insisted the ice was safe, but maybe stay close to shore if you're not sure.

In this video, she was on the shallow connecting river between the Mississippi and Minnesota rivers that makes Pike Island an island. That I might risk crossing, but the main rivers are a lot more dynamic, especially when temperatures are rising back up towards freezing after a really cold spell, like they are now.

We weren't the only ones skijoring* either! Crossing the bridge to the island we spotted this crew, one woman and a couple of silky dachshunds, skiing on a side branch of the Mississippi River.

She proclaimed that the river ice was safe to ski on, but out on the main branch of the river, we saw open water in places and big pressure cracks. We were happy to stick to the island trails for our trip.

* OK, technically not skijoring because the dogs weren't actually pulling, but they were still out having fun!

Tonttu was of course his noble and regal self!

#Huskies #DogsOfMastodon

Action shot! (Of a sort)

The trail was flat and wide, allowing us to pace/race each other side-by-side for much of the way, which we don't often get to do. There wasn't any particularly better track to follow, so we made our own.

#Huskies #Skijoring #DogsOfMastodon

Finally Fresh Snow!

Not much more than an inch, but it was enough to get us skiing once again on top of the icy base. We chose nearby and flat Pike Island once again to test the conditions, and were happy to find that it was surprisingly good! The snow was nice and fast and just enough to maintain control on the turns. The only annoyance was that our poles skittered on the icy base below.

Both huskies were VERY happy to be out moving at a pace faster than a hike. Plus, there were mouse noises to pounce and plenty of deer out to chase after! Both humans managed to stay upright and keep from getting hauled into the woods along the trail.

#Huskies #Skijoring