Evening walk

The air is filled with birdsong as we cross the dewy fields on our evening walk. These are magical days in Sweden, "mellan hägg och syrén" , the brief but beautiful time between the bird cherry blossoms and lilacs, when everything in nature is fresh and green and promising.
 

I look forward to this summer!

Name the Malamute

Just out of curiosity, does anyone know the background of this Alaskan Malamute featured in the book "400 Ratschläge für den Hundefreund" by Manfred Koch-Kostersitz from 1963? There is a Swedish version of this book too ("400 Råd för hundägaren") and in this version the dog is pictured on p. 87.

Working Models

Our dogs are featured on Canadian Urban Mush Puppy - a webshop specializing in equipment for sledding, scootering, skijoring and weightpulling, based in Ontario, Canada.

 Fredrik and Tuisku skijoring - April 2011. 

I think they look great! You find lots of useful equipment, together with photos of other working Malamutes, at http://www.sleddogsleddingharnesses.com/

Quality Time

With the snow gone our weekends are all about spending quality time with the dogs. Vsiting the beach is one of our favourite Sunday pastimes. Titan recently sprained his ankle so his activities are right now restricted to "taking it easy". For a busy teenage Mal just hanging out doing nothing can be a useful experience too.  

Titan is now 18 months of age 

He's still Mummy's Boy!

A Golden Dawn

I went down to the lake at dawn to admire the sunrise. The ground was covered with frost and steam rose from the water. A perfect morning.

It's ironic that nature is at its most beautiful when most people are sound asleep.

Spring has sprung. In a month it will be summer.

Thunder joined me on my morning walk. I wonder if dogs appreciate the beauty of nature?

I think they do.

Match Show

Gem took part in a local match show during the weekend and seemed to really enjoy herself in the ring. We haven't been to any shows in more than three years (small downside of living in remote Lapland) so it was a nice experience to leave home as late as 9 in the morning and still be in time for the show.

Our beautiful Gemma, Mtn Home's Northernmost Gem, WPD, WTDX* (subject to AMCA confirmation)
was Best of Breed.

She made some new friends at ringside - here she's chatting to Miss Pomeranian.



Mission accomplished - can I take a break now?

 

Gem is a pleasure to bring to any event - always smiling and wagging her tail, we really should have named her Miss Happy!

Mr Thunder

Yesterday was bathing time for Thunder so we took the chance to get a new photo of him - while he's still fresh and clean! Thunder is the most gentle Malamute I know. He does however seriously dislike getting wet and has to be carried into the shower like a puppy. Once there he doesn't say a word - just calmly waits for it to be over. Thunder is a gentleman in every way and a joy to have around. Thank you Nathalie and Pierre for this lovely dog!

Nordiclight's Thunder, WTD, WPD. Thunder turns seven in July.



From the Mountains to the Beach

Since we got home from the mountains spring has arrived to the north of Sweden and we have been busy cleaning pens, raking leaves and enjoying the sunny weather!

Gem and Thunder enjoyed a trip to the beach on Saturday.

Thunder loves to run in the soft sand.

Titan and Leia in playful spring mood at home.



Gem and Titan acted breed ambassadors as our village celebrated Valborg (Walpurgis Night). We got the opportunity to meet local people of all ages around the bonfire, many were interested in learning more about our Mals. 

 

After a long working winter it's nice to just take it is easy at home and enjoy spring. This time of the year the dogs are badly in need of bathing and grooming, so this work will keep us busy for a while. Happy 1st of May everyone!