Montezuma ARDA - Colorado SAR Dogs
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MAC SAR Dogs' Recommended Reading & Tales of Learning

 

 

Snowshoe Chronicles

by Jane Adair
02 December 2008

 

 

OK, today was my first ever attempt to walk in snowshoes.

 

On my first attempt I made it about 100 meters and found out the following:

1. They are (well at least the ones I have) not too hard to get on
2. They work! (as in you don't sink.... much)
3. Not stepping on your other snowshoe when you take a step is a challenge (you sort of have to walk ..... well like a working girl after a very hard night)
4. I have morons on my team.
5. Having an 85 Lb Shepherd (Calu) thrashing about, screaming, and tangled in your snowshoe (convinced that a shark has his leg) is not fun.
6. A wet bottom (and undies) still sucks.
7. Cold wet hands suck just as much.
8. Calu is convinced I bit him then rubbed him into a pile of snow - I am a possessed she devil with biting feet. Though he is not hurt (physically) at all - mentally... well it's Calu, the chicken heart, we are talking about here.

 

AFTER MY HANDS WARMED UP FROM MY CALU INDUCED SPLAT - I TRIED AGAIN

 

On attempt number two I was out quite a bit longer (an hour) and found out the following:

1. Once they have entangled their feet (my morons) in the snowshoes they tend to give you a wider berth.
2. Once you are off balance its over you're going down!
3. Not stepping on your other snowshoe when you take a step is a challenge (you sort of have to walk ..... well like a working girl after a very hard night)
4. They work really good - forward, but not at all backwards.
5. Donkeys are scared of snowshoes.
6. After a while you get much much better at not stepping on the other snowshoe.
7. I will in fact survive a search in snowshoes, which is very good because: Avalanche warnings have been out already.
8. Its a hell of a butt workout.
9. I really like my Cabelas snowshoes.
10. Calu can harbor a grudge for a long time.
11. Donkeys eventually get over their "you have weird feet" fear.
12. When you take them off it feels funny walking on regular feet/shoes.

 

In a nutshell it was fun! With 5 more days (at least) of snow on the way, starting tonight, I am really really glad I got out and PLAYED today.

 

Snowshoes on backwards!

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Tax Deductible donations gratefully accepted and can be mailed to MAC SAR Dogs at:

PO Box 123
Dolores, Colorado 81323