The last of spring training

The last of spring training a few weeks ago with the dogs.If we are still alive we will return to the barrens about mid August. In the meantime trout fishing is open and salmon is just a few weeks away.There are still a few issues with the dogs and I am not 100% myself but God willing we will see the fall

Checking out the open country

Yesterday I got enough rabbits and there was no wind forecast which is a rarity here in Newfoundland in the winter so I put on the skis and headed in the open country. There was no wind but with the overcast and flurries I saw whiteout conditions a time or two. Its supposed to be a bit breezy tomorrow so I will have the snowshoes on and head for the woods. The barrens is no place to be in the wind with drifting snow

Snowshoes are required

I took a week off work. We have lots of snow great for skis and snowshoes. I will be heading out every day for snowshoe hares with a day or two for seaducks (Eiders)
Ptarmigan for supper, rabbits ( what we call hares) Tomorrow

I have been getting out for an occasional afternoon looking for snowshoe hares and there are a few around. It is nice to see the evenings start to get a little longer as well.

My dogs both have a mild cough that is hanging on. I have spent about 500.00 in vet bills but we cannot find out exactly what is wrong. The dogs have their normal energy and appetite but have an occasional cough and engage in frequent headshaking as if they have an ear infection. They have been treated for French heartworm/lungworm and have been on antibiotics but still the coughing.

The vets here don't know whats wrong. Anyone have any ideas?

Dan

Back to a normal winter

warm December, no snow for Santa

A high pressure ridge over Greenland has been blocking the passage of low pressure systems from crossing the Atlantic and is ruining our December. Very mild weather with fog and rain is what we are getting. It has been warmer here in Newfoundland than in Orlando Florida the past few days. I was bitten by a mosquito at work today. We should be tracking moose and hares in the snow. The warm weather extends up into the eastern arctic. Yesterday Iqaluit on Baffin Island was warmer than Havana Cuba. We don't get really cold here on the island but we generally get a great deal of snow. I have new back country skis. Hope to use them soon.

Sam seems to be on the mend so all is not lost. He is still not 100% but he seems pretty good.

French Heartworm may be the culprit. It is not the same heartworm that is found on the continental US but something unique to Europe and maritime Canada.

Fingers crossed here.

I hope to be grouse hunting Christmas week and a cousin asked me to guide him moose hunting. He hasn't been big game hunting before so needs a hand. Looking forward to Christmas week.

regards

Dan

Dan.

Sick dog

My English setter Sam is sick. He is coughing and gagging. Congestive heart failure has been ruled out. Looks like a mild obstruction or maybe lungworm. He is not coughing so much now but salivating a fair bit and gagging a little when excited. I have him on Sentinel. He has cost me $300 in vet visits and still dont know whats wrong. Life sucks when pup is sick!!!