Fun on the Ice and Snow

The shorthairs have been having a lot of fun here in Lac du Bonnet playing in the deep snow and running on the ice.  Ok so I exaggerated, Blitz has been having a great time and our little princess warrior Molly only lasts about 15 minutes at a time.  Yesterday was cloudy and snowy here most of the day but through those clouds came a beautiful sunset last night. 

 

The evergreen branches are heavy with snow

Peeking at the sun through the trees

 

I made my way down to the ice in thigh high snow

The sunset last night

 

The boy was very tired last night after making paths in the snow.  Here are a couple pics of him our and about and trying to stay awake on Nana and Poppa\s couch, you know the one that he is not supposed to be on.

 

 

Craig and I bundled up ourselves and the GSPs  today to head to the frozen lake so that the dogs can run on the snow machine tracks.  Molly ran for a bit and then ran up to the house for someone to let her in.  Craig went to the rescue while I stayed with Blitz for a while longer.  The air was crisp and the sun was shining.  Below are some pics of the fun we had this afternoon.

 

Searching for something along the shore

Miss Molly watching her baby brother run like a mad man

Proof of Blitz running crazy on the ice

I guess Molly decided to join in on the fun

You could say there is a bit of snow here

He loves the snow so much

Something caught his eye

 

On a side not we have to make an unexpected trip to Winnipeg tomorrow as Hannah's incision looks a bit infected. I emailed a pic of her incision to her vets at Birchwood and they want to see her. She seems very restless today, can't get comfortable.  I don't think it's too serious but better be safe than sorry.  Will keep you posted on the outcome.

 

Talk soon!

Home for the Holidays

Sorry I haven't posted anything lately but with Christmas, Hannah and the lack of internet access I just lost track of time.  So here I sit in one of my favorite places on this earth, Lac du Bonnet, Manitoba,  I find it so peaceful and comfortable here. 
 

So I will get everyone caught up from the time we left Cambridge Bay.  The dogs made it safe and sound on the flight to Edmonton and made themselves at home at the Sawridge Inn.  Hannah's place at any hotel is in the armchair and she actually will nudge Craig until he gets off the chair.  They are such good travellers whether it be in the plane or in the truck for 14 hours.  We stopped off at the Battlefords for gas and a pee break for everyone and then at Yorkton for supper for us and the dogs.  From there we drove straight through to Granny's house.

Here is the crew from First Air making sure our dogs and

a couple other dogs get on the jet.

They put the dogs just behind the pilots and in front of us

where it is nice and warm

Hannah claiming her spot at the hotel

Blitz settled in nicely after a long day of flying

Miss Molly found her spot on the king sized bed

We stayed at Granny's for a couple of days before we headed into the big city for vet appts and to spend the weekend with our friends Sandy and Keith.  Hannah was up first for her recheck ultra sound on her spleen.  Not the news we were hoping for, in October she had one lesion and this time around she had multiple so Dr. Schott said to get that spleen out.  She was then scheduled for surgery on the following Monday and Dr. Safiniuk performed the surgery with the fantastic team of Kim and Mela by his side.  Surgery was probably a couple of hours but her recovery was longer as she had a rough time but Dr. Robertson found the magic potion for her and she finally settled down.  We took her to the Birleys for the night and I slept on the couch with her beside me on the floor.  We didn't get much sleep that night due to her restlessness but I am happy to report that things are looking up and she is sleeping through the night now.  She is also eating, drinking, peeing and pooping well, not playing yet and sleeping a lot but that's just what the doctors ordered.  I would like to thank the vets, techs and support staff for all of the care and support that you all have given us during this time. 

Christmas pic was taken at granny's before Hannah's surgery

Molly's Christmas pic in front of the Birley's tree

Miss Hannah

Lexi Birley (Blitz's city girlfriend)

Blitz

Miss Molly taking her turn looking after Hannah

the day after surgery

Blitz didn't want to leave her side - best nurse ever

Hannah and Blitz

We ended up staying a couple of days longer than expected in Winnipeg because of Hannah.  My mom was supposed to be with us at Craig's sister's place for Christmas Eve but because of the road conditions and our tight schedule she decided to stay put.  We headed over to the Coulter's a bit early to spend some quality time with them and Craig's parents.  In a couple of hours their house was full of LeBleus and it was nice to see everyone again.  Mom and Laura outdid themselves with the spread that was offered and thank you Laura for making your famous empire cookies.  Below is a pic that Craig's dad took of all of us.

We drove back to my mom's to spend Christmas day with her.  After helping her with the dinner prep work Craig and I took the shorthairs out for a romp amongst the trees at Stephenfield Lake Provincial Park.  Granny looked after Hannah while we were out and I had my cell phone handy just in case.  The dogs had a blast running and playing as it was a beautiful Manitoba winter day.  We arrive back to mom's with the smell of turkey coming from the house and soon after the three of us sat down to a traditional Christmas dinner.

The road to the park

Miss Molly putting on the brakes

Over shot this one

Running through the trees

They sat for a second so I could get a picture of them

Molly and her little Christmas tree

Blitz

Never did find out what they were looking at

A bit of a close up view of Colorado Blue Spruce in my mom's yard

Wanted to see what kind of detail I would get from the new lens

I love trees!

We left Carman yesterday and met Sandy and Keith for breakfast and then headed to do a bit of shopping.  I have decided that I am going to take up crocheting - look out family and friends scarves will be your present next year. haha  I purchased some yarn, a couple of books and hooks.  Wish me luck.

We woke up today in Lac du Bonnet with snow falling heavily to the ground.  It's beautiful outside  with the ground and trees covered in a blanket of white.  It has been snowing all night long and it's still snowing so there is a pile here.  Hannah claimed her spot in front of the fireplace and has been there any chance she gets.  Dad made us his famous pancakes this morning and since today is Saturday hamburgers are on the menu tonight, it's a family tradition!

Hannah's favorite spot

Our view this morning

Blitz patiently waiting for the birds to arrive

Saturday morning: Craig on the Ipad and Hannah in front of the fire

Talk soon!

Taking the Next Step

Well I took the plunge and started a photography page on Facebook.  I had been asked by a few people if I had a website and some photography suppliers give a better price on items once you can prove to them that you sell your photographs.  So instead of a website I now have a page called Denise Lebleu Images on FB.  Notice the small b in LeBleu?  Facebook did not allow me to make that a capital as they say it's not proper. I can put in a request to change the name to the proper spelling but I have to go through hoops to do so, maybe one day.  I have added all kinds of pictures so far to the page, northern & southern ones.

 

This is the cover shot for my FB page

 

The owner of the Arctic Closet here in Cambridge Bay, Vicki Aitaok,  has agreed to sell the remaining of my Cambridge Bay calendars in her shop.  I am very excited about this as she gets many visitors into her igloo shaped store, it carries many traditional carving, artwork, sewing and also trendy items.  

This is the cover for the 2014 Cambridge Bay, Nunavut calendar

 

Santa came early for me this year with a new Nikon lens.  I had been eyeing up the Nikon 14-24mm f/2.8 AF-S ultra-ultra wide angle lenses and the more I read about it the more I was liking it.  Much to my surprise it arrived last Friday in the mail.  I did go out on Saturday afternoon to shoot a couple of pics but we had extreme wind chills of -51'c so myself and the camera didn't last long.  I am in love with this lens, it is fast and very sharp and I can't wait to get out there to shoot more pics with it. Unfortunately, there is not too much to shoot at this time of year as the lighting is very low and everything is covered in snow but I did drive out to Freshwater Creek to shoot the bridge and onto the ice, below are some of the pictures that I took.

 

Freshwater Creek Bridge

Same bridge, just the other side

These Komatiks or traditional sleds were sitting on the ice

waiting for the hunter to hook them up and head out on the land

The Martin Bergman

Closer view of a Komatik with a box built on it

A fishing boat along the shore of Cambridge Bay

 

Last Thursday I was interviewed by one of Nunavut's newspapers, Nunatsiaq News in regards to the dog obedience classes that I had been offering for the past 6 Saturdays.  The interview was good but some of the feedback was negative.  It is hard for some people to accept change and I think this is why some responded the way they did.  I am so very proud of my students and their owners and we had a small 'graduation' last Saturday after class.  Below are pictures of them after class, Traci and her dog Neeko did not attend the final class as she was ill so she is missing from the pictures.  Joan was weathered in Iqaluit so she wasn't there but Bernie and Al brought her dogs as well as their own.

 

The youngest, Averi and her dog Junior 

 

Tamara, her daughter and Plue

The brave ones: Bernie & Al with Nukka, Ned, Kayuq, and Rosie

Anne with her family celebrating Jinx

Our littlest one, Gracie and her guardian Dawn

The lady that helped me get a venue: principle extraordinaire Cathie and her Seeka 

Becky with her dog Harley and Cathie's dog Seeka

Ruth and Callie - the intense boxer

 

To celebrate their achievement I made up some certificates and some homemade pumpkin balls treats for the dogs.  I attached the recipe for the treats onto the bag and topped it off with a bow.  I wanted to honour this group as it was Cambridge Bay's first ever dog obedience classes and maybe even Nunavut.  I hope that everyone is just as proud as I am for a job well done!  Not sure if I would do this again, it depends on whether or not they want to continue, and if they do I'm all in!

 

Certificates & treats for graduation

 

Hannah is having a tough time with these temperatures this year, it's a given that the pointer do not like it much due to their lack of fat and fur. Craig had to throw on his boots one day to rescue Hannah as she froze on the spot and couldn't move.  He carried her inside and I wrapped a warm blanket around her.  She made me teary eyed today as everyone had to have a bath for their trip to Manitoba and Hannah for the first time laid in the bath tub.  Looks like those old hind legs can't stand for any length of time.  It's sad to see them grow old and you always wish they would live as long as you.  I leave you tonight with a couple of pics of Hannah and this quote:

 

“A person can learn a lot from a dog, even a loopy one like ours. Marley taught me about living each day with unbridled exuberance and joy, about seizing the moment and following your heart. He taught me to appreciate the simple things-a walk in the woods, a fresh snowfall, a nap in a shaft of winter sunlight. And as he grew old and achy, he taught me about optimism in the face of adversity. Mostly, he taught me about friendship and selflessness and, above all else, unwavering loyalty.”

~ John Grogan, Marley and Me: Life and Love With the World's Worst Dog  

 

Hannah during her bath tonight

Coming in from the deep cold

 

Talk soon!