God, bring me to snow country!

7/28
I had an interview for a Marketing Communications Specialist position at Northern Michigan Regional Hospital today in Petoskey. On the way up, somewhere in mid-Michigan, I lost my wallet. Luckily, there wasn’t a lot in it. But my driver’s license, marriage information, bank card and check book. It seems I’ve literally left my “old life” back there on the road somewhere.

The hospital paid for a family suite at the Appletree Inn for us. We arrived after a stressful day of driving with six dogs and two kids to find a cute little care package made up just for me in our room. And during the interview, everyone was so gracious and down-to-earth. I feel at home. I hope to hear something positive shortly about the job.

I am now in the sleddog lodge. Jim said there’s been a yearling black bear visiting the cabin lately. The weeds are tall as the headlights on the truck and cover the sandy drive way. It’s hardly the same as this past winter. And I think I prefer winter. Walking down the trail used as the dogsledding chute in the winter just isn’t the same, and I miss the fury and speed of the dogs’ pace in snow.

Although they can pick up quite a pace in this sand too. In the mornings, I roll out of bed, use the bathroom and before anything else, head out to the dog yard. They greet me with prancing feet and yowls as I unhook them one-by-one from their barrels. And they’re off. Still sleepy-eyed, we head down Swamp Lakes road for a morning “puppy run.” I still wear boxers and a tee shirt, and the bugs start having their way with me. Luckily this early in the morning, the bugs aren’t out in full-force yet. It is quiet and peaceful, except for the locomotive-sounding rhythm of paws running full-throttle on the ground.

The dogs are in their element here. They are such a cohesive little pack and I am proud of them. Part of me wouldn’t want a big kennel because I like taking them all out at once for runs like this. It seems this is the best “off-season” training are several of these short but hard free-range runs a day. Not only does it help to develop their muscles, it helps to teach them who is leader (me) and to work together as a pack.

I am especially proud of Yeti. Seeing him run hard toward me, ears and tail pinned, I can see his potential. I can’t wait to hook him up this fall.

In the evening when the dogs are hooked back on their barrels, they howl in the yard. They seem so quiet compared to Jim’s 60. Jack makes his monkey noise. I smile to myself. I feel the ridiculousness of my job back at home fade away. I am not meant for that environment. I miss working in healthcare. I have high hopes for NMH. God, bring me to snow country!