Turnagain Arm in the Spring

Hey Tribe,

If you've never had a chance to see Turnagain Arm in the springtime, you're missing out on some very nice scenes.  Driving along the highway is a great way to see the sights, without having to hike or be physically mobile.

Ice floes are plentiful as winter loses its grip on Cook Inlet and mountain peak upon peak are wrapped head to toe in snowy splendor.  Our infamous mud flats lie hidden for a time, though they lurk beneath the ice, biding their time, waiting for summer.  It is one thing I love about this area: how different it looks in each season.

Spring's early season means sunshine (though the sunbeams aren't always warm) and blindingly bright ice and snow.   Later, the season means mud and the smell of dog poo, but we won't dwell on that.

There are many places to stop along the  highway and sightseers could spend an entire day stopping here and there to see all the vistas and interesting tidbits Turnagain Arm has to offer.

If the mountains, snow, and ice floes aren't enough for you, a sprinkling of Bald Eagles and possible whale sightings are also included in the offerings.

Chugach State Park and Chugach National Forest have a multitude of excellent hiking trails and outdoorsy adventure opportunities that are particularly nice this time of year - there's a reason for the popular local slogan: "I love the Chugach!"

A leisurely drive along the Arm is well worth the time, though most folks are usually just passing through on their way to somewhere else.  It doesn't matter, it's lovely no matter what.

How to Trim Your Dog's Nails - Tips and Tricks

Hey Tribe,

Let's talk dog nail trimming!

I trim my dogs' nails at home for a few reasons: it is cheaper than having someone else do it and, more importantly, it allows me to form a better bond with my dogs.  The time my dogs and I spend together trimming nails has become almost meditating.  We are calm and quiet together.  They trust me to mess with their body and not hurt them.  This will translate to them allowing me to do other things to their feet that might otherwise frighten them, such as pulling briers out of their fur, cleaning sap out from between their pads, and checking for cracks and wounds.

A lot of junk can get trapped in these fur feet.

There are countless websites and videos that will show you how to trim your dog's nails, the American Kennel Club also has a very nice nail trimming guide you could read.  For this post, I will offer you tips and tricks that I haven't found on other sites, but really help me successfully trim my dogs' nails.

All the essentials.

Treats: Use a very specific treat for "nail time."  For us, that treat is Zuke's minis and the dogs only get them when we trim nails: this makes it super special.  I put a little pile of Zuke's on the floor next to me, so I can grab one easily. When Fly and Rex first started nail trim training, they got one treat every time I made a clip - now, they get a treat when they roll over in front of me, after each foot, and at the end when I say they are finished.

Chap waits his turn - he knows he can't eat the treats until it's his "nail time."

Trimmers: One day I asked my vet which type of nail trimmer is best and she said "whatever you're most comfortable using," but she uses the scissor type, which was re-assuring since it's what I have.  They are self explanatory to use and easy to hold.  A lot of folks use the grinder type trimmer, but I think they are noisy, expensive, and put nail dust into the air for you to inhale.  Gross.

Body position: If you control the head, you control the body, so I clip my dogs' nails with the dog on its back, head toward me.  I'm less likely to get kicked in the face this way.  Also, I can see the nail better from this angle.

Vision: Use a headlamp to better see what you're doing.  Reading glasses with a little magnification might help too.

Chap's nails are small and a bit difficult to see.

Not all nails are created equal: White nails are easier to trim, because the pink quick is visible through the nail, while black nails require a bit more attention to avoid cutting too deeply.  Also, front feet nails are usually longer than hind feet nails: I don't know why, maybe they push off with their hind feet more?

Front paw nail

Back paw nail.

Beware the sharp claw: Freshly trimmed nails are sharp!  This is where the grinder trimmers have an advantage, because they grind the nails smooth, rather than the scissor or guillotine trimmers that will cut a sharp edge.  Scissor trimmed nails should file smooth on their own after a day of regular walking, but in the meantime, try to avoid getting a paw to the face or against your nice pants.

Be like me and trim in your comfy clothes.

Trim regularly: Dogs like routine and they have an uncanny ability to track time.  My dogs get their nails trimmed every Sunday.  KBD nails grow quickly, so weekly trims are essential to avoid the click click of their nails on the floor.  Your dog's nails might not grow as rapidly, but trimming weekly will keep you and your dog in the habit - just trim off the new growth, whatever length it may be.

Two weeks of growth - way too long!

Relax: Enjoy the time spent with your dog.  When you are calm, your dog can be calm too.  If you are worried about hurting the dog, take tiny shavings off with each repeated cut and you won't cut too deep, which can help you remain calm and confident.  During "nail time" your focus is on your dog, which is wonderful and your dog will love it - if you are relaxed.

Rex wants it to be his turn again.

Below, is a short video clip showing how relaxed Fly is as I trim her nails.

So, there you are with some tips and tricks to help you and your dog enjoy a successful nail trim session at home.  Happy trimming!

P.S. Photos were taken with my iPhone5, sorry for the terrible image quality.

Expectation vs. Reality

Hey Tribe,

Fly and Rex donned their Easter fancy wear and posed for obligatory Easter photos. 

This is the photo I expected to get:

Expectation

It is such a nice photo, isn't it?  They sit calmly, obediently, and gaze into the distance whilst pondering some philosophical dog mystery.

However, this was my reality:

Reality

Utter chaos. 

Happily, it was all done in fun - they were in really good moods and I laughed a lot.

Often our expectations don't quite match our reality, but that's okay.  Not everything has to be perfect.  Which photo did you enjoy more?  I bet it wasn't the "Instagram worthy" photo.

P.S. These bandanas are from Komaloco and I absolutely adore them!

Easter Sunrise

Hey Tribe,

We have not done any great hikes in what seems like a very long time, so the little walk we took early Easter morning was very sweet.

To avoid the crowds that were sure to arrive, TheMother and I were up and out of the house before sunrise.  The short drive to Reflections Lake was a quiet one, with only two or three other cars on the highway - a combination of the early time, the holiday, and the COVID-19 I think; there was only one car in the usually packed parking lot at the trailhead and we eagerly set out down the empty trail.

The dogs relished the outing and opportunity to sniff new sniffs and roll in new (to them) snow.  It was wonderful to have the snow-coated lake mostly to ourselves - I say mostly, because a few squirrels did make themselves known.

Sunrise was subtle.  It was muted and without fanfare or color.  Still, it was wonderful to see the sun spreading its rays against the broad shoulders of Pioneer Peak and across the glittering snow.

By the time we returned to the trailhead, at least half a dozen cars were parked in the lot and eager hikers and walkers were starting their own Easter adventure.