On our 6th day of vacation, we went to Canmore to the Snowy Owl Sled Dog tour. I'd looked up their website before going there so I had an idea of what to expect. I wasn't sure how I'd feel about seeing all of the dogs tethered. My expectations were exceeded by a long shot. The dogs certainly seem to be well cared for and loved. I was in heaven!!! Since it was summer, they give tours of their kennels. During the winter months, you can actually go sledding.

We were greeted by our host and she explained what we'd be doing. They keep the boy and girl dogs separated by a chain link fence. They rotate "play days" for the boys and the girls and today was the boys day to play. I didn't realize that we'd be meeting about 100 dogs - all off leash. There were probably about 20 of us humans and 100 dogs. Have I mentioned that I was in heaven?

As an aside, for those familiar with photography, I use the same lens about 80% of the time when I am photographing dogs. Up until now on vacation, I'd almost exclusively (aside from the bear sighting) been using a wide angle lens for landscape photography. It felt great to put the lens on my camera that I am most used to using.

I spent most of my time photographing the dogs. I need to go back again and spend less time photographing and more time loving on and listening to the hosts explain what and how they do what they do. And then I'd like to go back and photograph some more! And I want to go back to Canmore on a Thursday. Thursdays are their farmer's market days and we met a man who makes handmade kitchen items. I am still kicking myself for not buying the pepper grinder we saw. It would've been a great souvenir and it was my birthday.... I obviously wasn't thinking!

As with the wolves the other day, I took tons of pictures of the sled dogs. I only wish I had their names.

Snowy Owl Sled Dog Tour