Red's Wrap
Happiness. It's relative.
Tag: sled dogs
Swirl
There were 200 dogs in the dog yard. Each one was tethered to a raised wooden platform with a big plastic cylinder that worked as a doghouse. Each dog’s name was on a sign on his platform, some had sleds parked in front. The… Continue Reading “Swirl”
My Walk with Swirl and Punchy
It is snowing. It is snowing hard with big, storybook snowflakes like we made in third grade with white paper and blunt-nosed scissors. In our bedroom, Swirl is sleeping stretched out on the floor on a little girl’s flowered quilt, a half-eaten roll of… Continue Reading “My Walk with Swirl and Punchy”
Alright: Keep Doing What You’re Doing
The woman yelled out “Leave it!” when her Siberian Husky got too persistent in his sniffing of a small, slightly overweight Beagle. She yelled a few more times, giving that tone people do when they try to pretend this is the very first time… Continue Reading “Alright: Keep Doing What You’re Doing”
Tempest WAITS!
My right arm is a collection of bruises, mostly gained in the process of unloading Tempest from the truck. You see, she is compelled to leap, dash, climb over and under other dogs and things to get out the door first. This meant that,… Continue Reading “Tempest WAITS!”
Tempest Update
Tempest, our retired sled dog from Alaska, has been here in Wisconsin for a week. Here is what I see in her. She is a country dog. She is new to houses, stairs, streets with cars, bicycles, and places where there are dogs who… Continue Reading “Tempest Update”
Punchy’s Obituary
Punchy. Alaskan Husky. Born 6/14/2008 Willow, Alaska; died 12/27/2022 Milwaukee,Wisconsin. Litter mate of Baba Ganoush and Tramp. Trained and worked as a sled dog atNature’s Kennel, McMillan, Michigan 2012-2019. Best friend of Swirl, housemate of Hercules,and beloved companion of Jan and Howard. Known for… Continue Reading “Punchy’s Obituary”
The Darkest Hour is Just Before Dawn
At four o’clock this morning, I awoke to my husband stealing past me to the bedroom door holding a flashlight. I asked what was wrong, wondering if the home invaders were waiting at the bottom of the stairs, and he motioned that Punchy, our… Continue Reading “The Darkest Hour is Just Before Dawn”
My Walk with Swirl and Punchy
It is snowing. It is snowing hard with big, storybook snowflakes like we made in third grade with white paper and blunt-nosed scissors. In our bedroom, Swirl is sleeping stretched out on the floor on a little girl’s flowered quilt, a half-eaten roll of… Continue Reading “My Walk with Swirl and Punchy”
Retirement Village
We liked looking at other people’s fine dogs but we got homesick for our own. So we came back from Duluth today while the Beargrease sled dog teams were still running, to retrieve our own two sled dogs from the kennel. Before the kennel… Continue Reading “Retirement Village”
Our Day Was This
Our day was snow and dogs. Our day was taking dozens of pictures. Our day was watching teams come trotting out of the trees up the hill we were standing on. Our day was seeing dogs fed and tended and bedded down for a… Continue Reading “Our Day Was This”
Snow Door | wisconsinacademy.org
Listen to Jan read her essay “Billy” presented on WUWM’s Lake Effect
Jan’s essay “At the Breakfast Bar” on WUWM Lake Effect
Jan’s essay “The Parish Hall,” on WUWM Lake Effect
“Fury Cannot Touch Me,” Modern Love, NYT, 9/29/11
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