Preparing for Freeze Up

Even though snow has not fallen in our neighborhood, we anticipate winter sooner than later. There are many, many chores to be done before the snow and ice covers the land. One of the biggest “To Do’s” is the – Dog Yard Dozing Day. We try to limit it one day so that the following day each one of us can give our aching backs a day off. This year we might have ‘hit the nail on the head’ as far as timing the bulldozing and freeze up.

As any dog owner knows… digging is a passion, sport, hobby and even competition for some dogs. Several of our huskys are hole specialists. Some of their holes are landscape architectural wonders. Frank Llyod Wright has nothing on the amazing 4 foot deep, slightly angled, wide pit that Cloud made in order to store her precious chew toys and bones. The front Play Pen boasted amazing tunnels and holes with several ‘floors’ connecting to other rooms.

We try to not be bothered by these ankle breaking, dish stealing, puddle creating masterpieces during the summertime. We cautiously step around them because one slip of the foot could be a rush drive to the ER (it’s happened before.) But now that the yard is a bustle of activity and people and dogs are walking to and from their houses constantly – avoiding these hazards is impossible. That’s when Dog Yard Dozing Day arrives.

1. It needs to happen when the ground is not saturated with water. Muck!
2. It needs to happen when the ground is not yet frozen solid. Impossible! 
3. It needs to happen when the ground will most likely freeze very soon after. Pointless! Because the dogs dig even more enthusiastically in fresh dirt!

So last week we rented a tractor, Allen fell back into his country Arkansas roots and jumped on board for a day plus of dozing, box blading and refilling holes. At the same time we had some hired muscle show up at the kennel. From Upstate New York, ‘Adirondack Arms’ moved nearly 50 dog houses over to the ‘Patriot Fan’ pressure wash area. All the houses were cleaned of this summer’s dirt and grim. We fixed all of the houses in need of repair and will paint a few more this coming week. Older or chewed on dogs’ name plates will be replaced and rotten dog dishes were removed. Then every house was wheeled back into the yard, filled with this season’s fresh straw.

The dogs are moved away from their houses and out of the yard. At SP Kennel we have quite a few larger Play Pens and several smaller pens. In addition, we have 18 stalls in the Dog Barn. Every dog was moved from his or her spot and enjoy the afternoon playing with friends and family.

In addition to the yard, the dog barn was cleaned out and and readied for the coming winter use. WOW! SPKennel looks like a brand new place. And lucky us… the temperature dropped to 10 degrees Fahrenheit two days later!