Page 103 - WINE DINE AND TRAVEL MAGAZINE 2020 SPRING EDITION INTERACTIVE

The quiet was so profound that we were
virtually unaware of the temperature
... at least for a brief moment until we
realized our nostrils were unable to flare
while breathing and our watering eyes
froze shut in between blinks.

Upon arrival at the kennel, it quickly
became apparent how much work is
involved in caring for over two dozen
high-energy dogs. But the thing about
the Moderows, and perhaps all sled
dog owners, is that they don’t view it
as work. Their periodic unloading of a
literal ton of high caloric specialty dog
chow was accomplished with the same
non-chalance we use in unloading our
own groceries.

Because it is difficult in winter for the
dogs to lap enough water before it
freezes, the dog chow is soaked with
warm water until it becomes quite repul-
sive to look at, but contains the nutri-
ents and water they need to hydrate in
the extreme cold. The dogs each have
their own eating style. Some gobble up
food as quickly as it is placed before
them, like ravaged teenagers. Some are
finicky and bury the food under snow to
protect it from marauding ravens until
they are ready to nibble a bit here and
there, frozen solid as it becomes.

After meeting and feeding the dogs, we
were escorted to our accommodations,
mine with my husband in a dry cabin

Dog’s looking forward to getting to work.

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