Lion's Head

Hey Tribe,

Memorial Day was saturated by rain.  We decided to hike anyway.

I've been wanting to hike Lion's Head for a year and figured this rainy day was as good as any; maybe there would be fewer hikers.  It isn't a very well known (popular) hike, but the views of the Matanuska Glacier are reported to be stunning - though the reward comes with a steep price: the hike is only about a mile, one way, but it is up, up, up.

ThePurposefulWanderer and Sally joined the KBDs and me and together we cruised up the highway to Glacier View and easily found the parking lot for the trail.  It is on AT&T's private property, but those folks are generous, or maybe just wise (knowing people will hike there no matter what), and allow hikers to access the land - provided they call and let AT&T know.  Easy, since cell reception is, of course, spectacular right there.

Meet ThePurposefulWanderer and Sally

Rain didn't stop our intrepid band of hardy hikers. This is Alaska.  The climb started gently and then became noticeably steeper as the many foot trails wound and weaved, braided stream style, through the blueberry bushes and other alpine shrubs.  Our view was obstructed by heavy clouds, but snippets of the rapidly shrinking road and river below us were occasionally revealed through gaps in the rain.

We chose our path based on if we wanted to scramble over slippery chunks of rock or swish through trails stomped into the bushes and we wound our way to the top of Lion's Head.  It actually didn't seem very StairMaster esq after all and we were a little suspicious we weren't actually at the summit.  Rocky and scattered with low alpine plants, the top is, according to internet posts, the best vantage point to view 27 icy miles of Matanuska Glacier.  Alas, all we viewed was cloud and little teasers of the famous glacier.

Summit snacks are tasty no matter the summit, so ThePurposefulWanderer and I shared our bounty while standing in the rain.  Three soaked dogs savored string cheese and then were eager to get going again - so we humans complied, since we were now wet and cold.

ThePurposefulWanderer snapped this stunning photo of Fly and me checking out the view.

The trail down was now quite muddy and we took slow, cautious steps.  It sure seemed steep now.  All the bushes and branches lining the trail provided necessary grab handles to aid our descent and, in my case (no less than 7 times), to arrest slips and falls.  We were met a few times by approaching hikers and their dogs, so our three were leashed to avoid any unpleasant meetings.  It's also just good manners.

I must brag a bit on Fly and Rex - they didn't pull me down the hill, but would stop walking when I called "wait" and would walk on again when I caught up and said "ok."  It was good practice for them to work on leash, listen and watch me, and for us to walk as a team.  Karelians are by nature so independent and I was happy to use the opportunity to reinforce our team bond.

Mud management was attempted when we returned to the truck, but life with dogs is never very clean, so we laughed, the KBDs rode in the back, and Sally, after being toweled off, was soon dozing in the back seat as we drove home.

Lion's Head is purported to be stunning in the Fall, so a return trip is absolutely necessary now.

Oh and when the dogs and I returned home, I realized I'd left an item back at the trailhead...we'll save that for a later post.

Pink for Rex

Hey Tribe,

KomaloCo sent us a surprise package that included scented wax melts and two bandanas!  The bandanas are horoscope prints that match the dogs' birthdays - isn't that a cute idea?

I don't know anything about horoscope stuff, so I had to look it up to see which bandana was meant for which Karelian.  Fly, born August 26th, is apparently a Virgo; Rex, born March 17th, is a Pisces.

Of course, maybe you've spotted the issue with designated bandanas...

We love these cute bandanas and we've loved being part of the KomaloCo crew of models - even if it means Rex has to wear pink!

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!