I’ve heard of having to tie dogs to trees because of an accident or a tangle so bad that there was just no way you were going to get that gang-line straight with dogs attached to it. I was about to learn what that was all about.
That morning we had decided to explore a new section of trail we stumbled across while bikejoring. It looked like a snowmobile trail and had potential to add at least a few miles to our runs. The trail headed back towards a road that we run on so we thought it might end in a gate that we saw on the way in but what the hell, take a shot.
Last time we went down this trail we came across a huge tree down that would require a chain saw and had to do a come-haw or u-turn with 18 dogs. Not the most ideal situation but it went pretty well considering, with minimal tangles.
On this trip we brought a chain saw. As Jaye watered and tried to entertain the team I walked on ahead to the downed tree and started cutting. The blades were dull so it took some doing. Cut, wiggle the saw, cut, let it cool down, cut some more.
It probably took me 20-30 minutes. At least it felt like it. I would have to stop every so often to either let the blade cool down or just rest for a minute. Each time I did I could hear the dogs barking in the distance. I knew there were anxious to get going and Jaye would have a hell of a time keeping them calm. Thunder, a notorious line chewer, was tearing apart any nearby branch or root he could get his teeth on because he had nowhere else to put his energy.
I was sweating, out of breath by the time I was done, but the tree was cleared. I walked back to the ATV and we were able to continue exploring the new section….for about 100 ft.
This is where we came upon a stone boundary wall and a dead end trail. Now, this trail also narrowed to just enough for the ATV and maybe a person walking beside it. We had to do another come-haw with saplings and small trees all over and very close to each other. You can imagine it did not go smoothly.
On the first attempt there seemed to be a doable path to the right that looped right back to the trail. Unfortunately the top of that loop turned out to be to sharp and the ATV became lodged against a tree. We had to get the team back up that loop to give the gang-line some slack so Jaye could back up.
Remember those saplings everywhere? Trying to guide the dogs back up only tangled the team among the trees. Then they darted back down the loop and my foot went with them so I got dragged a few feet before they ran out of line again.
At this point Jaye said “Take your gloves off” and started unhooking dogs from the gang line. Now, this may sound like routine. What’s the big deal? Unhook ‘em and put them on a tree. Remember, these dogs are distance runners. We had only gone 4 or 5 miles at this point. They were in no way tired. So, while they were jumping and pulling at their harnesses wanting nothing but to race down the trail and getting more and more frustrated as they wait for that freedom, we wrestled them to be tied out to tress around us.
I stumbled, fell and tripped over a dog more than a few times in those moments. On top of blindly doing what I could as it was my first time and wanted to do it right but not quite sure the best way was. I saw that Jaye had some connected in a chain by their neck lines so I followed suit and we got it done.
Now we can back up the ATV, line out the gang line and start placing dogs. These dogs by the way are still jumping at the bit and barking wanting to get on the trail. We headed back the way we came and decided not to use this section again. At least the tree is cleared for anyone else that might want to go exploring.
There are mornings when I have to fight to keep moving but this one took the cake (or kibble). The rest of the day was I was exhausted and sore. It was definitely a learning experience.
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