Taiga Packing

I've been going nuts completing oodles of projects around the farm that I want to share, but as they're all in a state of partially-complete, today's post is meant to tide you over and kill you with cute.

A couple weekends back, my little quaran-team of humans I've interacted with since the chaos began headed to spend time in the Sinks of Gandy at our family camp. It's possibly the most remote place in West Virginia and thus is a great place to spend time right now!

While my brother and Leslie went fishing, Dave, Kate, Taiga, and I headed out on a 24-mile bike ride.

Forest Service road along Gandy Creek

So in love with this weather and sunshine!

It was a GORGEOUS and perfect day to be out.

While Taiga has completed 17 miles with energy to spare in the past, she became foot-sore on the mixed dirt and gravel roads during the first 13 or so miles of our trip. Dave opted to sprint ahead to get back quicker so he could get the truck and come pick her up, but in the mean time, I wanted to see if there was a way for me to carry her so she could have a break.

I definitely did not have a plan and honestly had no idea if we could make it work. But with a little help from Kate (who never questions my crazy ideas like this), patience from tired Taiga, and some creative use of Taiga's webbing leash, we made it work!

Look at this happy little bitch

Amidst constant giggling, Kate then captured media of the first mile or so of our venture.

Ridin' Dirty

Her little feet tucked in slay me

She was LOVING the sites and smells here. So much livestock and a light breeze to carry the interesting smells make for a happy little husky

What am I doing with my left arm? Trying to relieve the increasing pain and numbness in my left shoulder/arm of course!

I ended up carrying Taiga like this for a solid 3 miles or so. She LOVED it. She took in the sights for a bit, and then put her sweet little chin on my shoulder and took a nap. It was the most adorable thing ever.

I'd have continued carrying her for longer, but the setup was NOT comfortable for me. My left arm/shoulder was in a world of pain from restricted blood flow and it was hard to breathe with a dog trussed so tightly to my body. Not to mention, the very large majority of this section was a very steady uphill!

Once I couldn't continue, we moseyed at Taiga's pace until Dave picked her up. (It was amazing how much easier the uphill was when I could breathe lol)

All-in-all, it was a FANTASTIC day. Taiga was plum tuckered by the end and slept for two days straight. A tired husky is the BEST kind of husky!