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The Independent, Canadian Statesman Weekender, Bowmanville, Saturday, March 5,1994 3 Huskies' Visit Teaches Teamwork and Pet Care man, stretching up against him to get his ears scratched, Langmaid said: "I don't force them to do anything. anything. Ice does things because he wants to please me. Everything is done through trust and love." Modem mushers don't use whips, he said. The only discipline Langmaid might dole out is delivered delivered in a dog's own language. "I'll go and give a dog a bite on the ear -- not too hard, though." Mr. Langmaid's demonstration in the schoolyard showed more than just effective dog handling. He left a message about the importance of team attitude, responsible pet care, and the necessity of dressing well for winter weather. Setting out on a typical 60-mile race, he'll pack food, sleeping bag, straw for the dogs, matches, and a forehead-mounted flashlight in his survival kit Fully loaded up, the toboggan toboggan sleigh can weigh up to 600 pounds. He wears a down-filled parka and snow pants. "On some runs, the snow is so deep if you step off the packed track you can easily sink up to your neck," he said. "It's really important that you dress properly. If I had to lie out in the snow, this coat could save my life." from page one Even his Alaskan Huskies will wear booties on their feet. Not so much for warmth as for protection against shards of ice that could cut their pads. Five-year-old Ice is the dominant dog by virtue of his experience and character. "Being à lead dog is something that's bom into them. A lead dog has the ambition to mn fast and listen listen to the man on the back of the sleigh." It's the lead dog the musher counts on to respond to verbal commands commands to turn right, left or stay. Sometimes the team gets so excited excited about running they just keep on going, sled or no sled. When this happens, it falls to Ice to try and turn the team around and head for heme. Otherwise Langmaid has to chase the dogs down on a snowmobile. snowmobile. The lead dog also helps the group to work as a team. "Some of the other male dogs may try to be the boss. Even though Ice doesn't like them, he has learned to be tolerant and work with them." They all have to co-operate to win a race. If one dog refuses to pull his weight, the race is as good as lost. One of the joys of dogsledding is seeing the wildlife along the trail. Langmaid has come across owls, deer, foxes, coyotes and even a stub- ban moose blocking the trail. He told children that if they have a cat or dog or even a turtle, it's their responsibility to look after that animal for the rest of its life. "Animals "Animals that are taken into your home don't have a choice. They can't go out and buy a hamburger." The children also learned that dog sledding is part of North American American heritage. "This is how Canada and Alaska were opened up. Early traders exported exported furs and mail and other supplies supplies by canoe in the summer and by dog team in the winter, which was easier than snowshoeing." Now that snowmobiles and bush planes have virtually replaced dog teams for economical transportation, sledding lives on in the form of a sport "Dogsled racing is a big part of life in Alaska and the Yukon and even here in Enniskillen," he said. Mr. Langmaid likes to sled in the Lake Scugog area. His goal is to enter the 700-mile competition through Europe. "It's like the Tour de France," he explained. explained. Langmaid and his dogs recently won a race in New Hampshire, completing completing 60 miles in under five hours. "We don't always win, but we try our hardest We feel good about that." Repairs for Regional Rd. 14 A total of $1.7 million has been earmarked in the Durham Region budget for reconstruction of Regional Road 14 (Liberty St.) north of Taunton Rd. Ward One Regional Councillor Councillor Larry Hannah said the project has been made possible due to a grant from the federal government's government's infrastructure program. Earlier plans had called for the road to be upgraded over a three- year period. But, thanks to the federal money, it can be completed completed in 1994. The section of road in question runs from Taunton Rd. to Regional Rd. Three. This year's regional budget makes provision to start $117 million worth of infrastructure projects made possible through the federal grants. "It's going to create a significant number of jobs," said Councillor Hannah. OUR RRSP's CONSIDER YOUR INVESTMENT RETURN. NOT JUST YOUR TAX RETURN. We've helped over half a million Canadians make the most of their RRSP's by providing the highest standard of personalized service in the industry. Why not find out what we can do for you? isnjalinvestors Call Andrew Rice ElHuEroim at 623-2601 today. Building futures since 1940. 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