Forums
Greenland Seabird Ecology

Mary Anne,

 It sounds like you have had an amazing experience.

This isn't really a question but I just read your fascinating journal entry on the Greenland dogs. (I am kind of behind in keeping up with journals, since in the summer I have limited internet access). Anyway the attitudes towards dogs reminds me of working cow dogs here in the US. They are workers first, not pets. Somewhat different than my 50 pound boxer who is trying to crawl into my lap as I am typing this. 

Kirk

Mon, 08/13/2007 - 13:56

Mary Anne Pell…

Hi Kirk, thanks for the comment. I have no first hand experience with working cow dogs, but I am not surprised that many other people that employ animals feel the same. It really amazed me how many sets of sledge dogs I would see all over town. Almost always there was a lower section of a rusted 55 gallon drum, and I assume these were for water.
Another fascinating sight was the number of sleds sitting next to houses. Big ones and little ones, most made out of plywood. In the wood shop room at the school there was a partial sled built in the storeroom.
In school wood shops all over the country, unfinished projects sit in storage.
My shop never had unfinished sleds though. One couple, from Northern Canada, who moved there last year to begin a dog sledding tour company, built a dog house for each member of their sledge team. Kirsten, one of the owners, explained how they were teased once each house was erected and all were painted the same dark green that the humans home was painted. The photo below is of the hospital.
Inside the garage is a snowmobile, outside is a very long sled. I am not certain, but I suspect that together they make the winter 'ambulance'.
 

Combined with a snowmobile, this sled may make a very efficient ambulance.