• Wednesday-What'sUP December 23 - 05:04 pm

Just look at that adorable face, waiting patiently for Joyce Tormala, the person on the skis and behind the lens. If that pup is anything like mine, he/she will be exploring around all the trees, sniffing out whatever can be found on the trail. You get a glimpse in the second shot, of the reason for the anticipation seen in the top photo... the beauty and quiet of a ski trail through the UP north woods. Check out the puppy prints criss-crossing the trail... yes, this furry canine was doing its share of exploring too! :-)

What a cute dog and what a peaceful trail!

Faithful companion is right! What a cutie!

And a beautiful place for a ski...... thanks!

What a beautiful pup. Thank God for our critters!! I'd be lost without mine!

Happy Holidays!

There is not a better pet than a loyal dog! I
have two, great friends they are!!!

Boy, does that look good. Cross-country ski prospects are generally dim down here in southeast Michigan; we don't get any lake effect. Here's hoping for a white Christmas

Okay... now you're making me jealous! It's gonna be another grayish- brownish- maybe a little whitish Christmas here in NJ! Maybe January will bring us enough snow to Cross Country Ski or Snowshoe? I can only hope!
Happy Skiing, Yoopers!

Oh and that dog is too darn cute!

Here's a couple of shots.

Oops, I was trying to be more subtle than that. The photos look pretty big.

Dogs are the best! What cuties! Merry Christmas all...and don't let Santa forget your pets on Christmas morning ;-)

That puppy's thick fur coat is perfect for a U.P. winter. That's definitely a beautiful dog. Joyce, you're lucky to have such a gorgeous pet. I enjoyed your album, too.

X-country skiing with dogs is the best - you never know what you might find or what it could lead to. I remember back in early spring of '92, I met a very pretty woman skiing along with her yellow lab on some trails near Wheelkate Bluff (South Range. I was out there skiing with my gordon setter. Started a conversation,... wound up marrying that girl in September of '94. The rest is sweet history!

Yes, and remember when it is cold...they need extra care. Just recently in the cleveland area a puppy froze to death in it's so-called doghouse...no straw, opening in the top for the wind to blow through,the door too big...it was only 6 months old!!
What a beautiful dog in the picture...can we find out what breed?? The look on it's face is priceless!

Such a cutie! My German Shepherd lies in the snow like that and all I think is that HAS GOT to be cold!!!

I can't wait to take my dogs out snow-shoeing this coming weekend. There's only a light dusting here in the Twin Cities so it's not enough to enjoy but I know that I can count on the U.P. to provide enough snow to wear them out quickly!

Great photos, Dan, what a cute couple!

Good Morning all!

What breed of dog is that in the first picture?

Dogs! Man's best friend indeed! Our Doberman Pinscher, even with the short hair will roll and roll in the snow and he still doesn't seem to get cold! Our Scottish Terrier will get into the action also, nobody told him he could not keep up with a Doberman! But, they both long for the snowmobiles to come out....no snow here yet. :(

Christmas is about puppies, snow and wet kisses...nice photos.

Love Joyce's pictures. Nothin better than man's best friend and her dog!

Love the doggies!! I couldn't get by without my Sugar. Sure hope Santa Paws is good to all of the sweet little furry babies.

Joyce, thanks for sharing you photos. However, I love Don's....can't you just feel the love!
That puppy will grow much bigger, but oh, such a beautiful puppy and happy little boy. Too cute for words.
Hi to dah sistahs

Oh My Gosh!! The pics of the 'boy and his dog' are so cute, I can't stand it! Dan, you have a great talent for capturing the exact moment that conveys the love and the tip to toe happiness of having a puppy!
Thanks for sharing... I haven't seen any better in print (magazines, etc) ever!!

I love my dogs. I have two "rescues" from the humane society and they have been the best I've ever had. Sam (lab/beagle mix) is going on 18 and still acts like a puppy and Shelby (lab/german shorthair mix) is five and has such a personality that sometimes you'd think she was human. I can't imagine ever being without my four-legged animals, horses or dogs.

No need to remind all our yooper friends to take good care of their animals in the snow and cold. But lets remember to maybe give a little $ or time to a local rescue for cats and dogs. Adopting a critter is an unending gift to ourselves and the less fortunite creatures of God. And, please, spay or neuter our pets, it's not fair to let them reproduce endlessly. (Now stepping down from my soap box) :)

check out petfinder.com and then enter
Hancock, MI for area shelters. Click the box for dog (and/
or cat) then the box for photo
preview of all those in need of 'forever homes'.

I manage an inner city Detroit animal shelter dating from 1937. This is our hardest time of the year, as animal problems are always "people problems." We give out straw, doghouses, info, and sometimes citations, but it is the same every year. Water freezes....duh Mich law defines cruelty as lack of food, water, and shelter. It says nothing about loving your dog or taking it for a walk. Time for a change........
(heated water bowls if you dog has to stay outside)

Thanks for the great pics! Our "Freddy the freeloader" is a terrier/beagle mix and we rescued him from the shelter here almost 8 years ago. He loves the snow too and likes to play with his soft frisbee in the snow (the regular ones give him a toothache!) Please visit your area shelter if you want a pet, you won't regret it! (No, he doesn't play guts CC folks!)

"We give dogs time we can spare, space we can spare and love we can spare. And in return, dogs give us their all. It's the best deal man has ever made" M. Facklan

"There is no psychiatrist in the world like a puppy licking your face!" Ben Williams

"A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than he loves himself" Josh Billings

"The average dog is nicer person than the average person" Andrew A Rooney

"If there are no dogs in heaven, then when I die I want to go where they went"
Will Rogers

AMEN

I would still like some details on the dog in the first picture -- name, gender, breed. S/he's a beauty!

noone ever answered yesterdays question What breed of dog in the first picture? It might be part chow

I know Paco well, the dog in the first pic. Female dog but they are not certain of what breed she is... quite a mix. Definitely has some collie in her. Very friendly, lovable dog! Nice pics Joyce and Dan :)

Oooh,I'm sorry! Thanks,PK,for being on the ball here.Thanks,folks at "Pasty",for posting the pics and thanks,people,for your comments and interest. We do not know what breed our dog is. Believe it or not,her mother is a black lab. I guess she is part Heinz 57 and part Skihound. She has always had a kind,friendly face with a disposition to match.
She entered our home as a 9th birthday present for twin boys,almost 10 years ago. I could go on and on and on with tales of how Paco astounds us with her loyalty,as any one of you can with tales of your own faithful companions.
This pup was definately the gift that keeps on giving!

Oops, I'm sorry! Thanks,PK,for being on the ball here. Thanks,"Pasty",for posting the pics and thanks,people,for the comments and interest in this particular pooch.
This dog entered our home as a 9th birthday present for twin boys,almost 10 years ago. The kids named the puppy Paco. She is a medium size dog, the daughter of a Black Lab, father:Unknown.
She is part Heinz 57,part Skihound and part Dr. Seuss creation; maybe a distant relative of the Zizzer-Zazzer-Zuzz.
She has always had a kind,friendly face,with a disposition to match.I could go on and on and on with tales of astounding dedication and devotion,just as all of you can with your own loyal companions. This pup was definately the gift that keeps on giving!

Oops again! I cancelled the message and it disappeared,so I tapped a new one,while trying to remember what I said in the first one. Now there are two! It was an accident, I swear! I don't want to sound like a broken record,so I will STIFLE! Live and yearn,er,learn. Maybe it's time to go to bed.

Joyce, I am smiling at your posts... I enjoy your photos and return to your album often, for some reason your shots remind me of me or of what I would like to photograph. Your shadows, your dog, the big lake, sunsets, the sand, snow and obviously your love of life. Thank you for sharing and thank you pasty people for posting!
Peace to all, this holiday season...

First dog looks somewhat like a Welsh Corgi