Those snowshoes.  Those snowshoes are NOT “technical back country snowshoes”.  They are “tromp around my woods and onto the state land” kind of snowshoes, i.e. not too far from my house and mostly about making some paths for Emmett, Auggie and me.  They were inexpensive and purchased for the easy in and out bindings since I typically have them on and off for 20-40 minute outings several times per day when the snow is good.

I use the big ‘shoes for the first pass and/or deep, soft snow.  The large size displaces my weight on deep snow.  The smaller snowshoes are for hard pack snow or paths.  They do not float my weight on deep, soft snow.

So.

Early March. (this all happened over a month ago … so as you read this, know that all ended well :) )

I had a network of packed paths in my own woods for Emmett’s and my usual walks.  I had ventured on the state land in the larger shoes, without Emmett.  The snow on the state land and some parts off my own paths was knee to hip deep … fairly soft in some spots.

I’ve been working with Emmett on a 25 foot long line (lead).  Emmett does not run forever, but when he spots deer, he does give chase.  In 3 directions, within 200 yards are: road, neighbor, neighbor.  In the 4^th  direction is ¼ mile of state land.

I had been using a training technique called Premark.  The idea is similar to “if you eat your veg, you get dessert”.  With Emmett, that translated to:  “if you stop when I say, sometimes you get to chase”.

I was allowing a chase when the deer were on the state land and in a direction away from neighbors and road.  It worked a number of times.

BUT.

One evening, after some very nice “Leave it” before the end of the long line … and then a reward of “go get ‘em” for deer on the state land … Emmett took off and I lost sight of him in a copse of trees.  And nothing.  Typically, in a minute or so, he would be returning.

Emmett wears a GPS tracking device.  I can his view his (and my) position on my iPhone.  As I viewed the tracking, it became obvious that he was tangled around something.

My mistake #1.  I had been releasing him WITH the long line.  In the past and on our walks, it had not tangled.

I was in boots on our packed path.  I headed back to the house and got my large snowshoes to go out in the deep snow.

My mistake #2.  I did NOT get my backpack that has first aid kit, space blanket and water.

I thought I knew right where Emmett was tangled, but when I got to that point, he was not there AND I could not find his tracks.

My mistake #3.  Minor panic.  It was 5:30 p.m. with sunset at 6:30 p.m. and I allowed that to influence my trust in the GPS info.  Add to that, there are some areas in the vicinity of the state land that have a steep incline.  I worried that if Emmett had chased deer down the incline … did I have the physical ability to negotiate that incline and also, if he was in that area, I needed to find out before dark.

My mistake #4.  Theorizing ahead of the facts!  I trudged around.  I checked the GPS but did not actually “believe”.

I did call a neighbor to let someone know where I was and what was going on.  And my neighbor did a quick check at my house in case the GPS was completely wrong and Emmett had returned.  But, no.

Sun set.  Dusk, then dark.  It was 25F so not really cold especially with the amount of activity.  I was overheated and had no water.  I ate snow. 

Finally, as I was nearing the end of my physical ability to keep going … I said.  Ok.  LOOK at the GPS.  It has reference to my house, to me, to Emmett.

I was also on my knees in prayer.  I knew that I could NOT leave Emmett out overnight with no way to maneuver and protect himself. 

I forced myself to calmness and trust.  I looked at the GPS, oriented myself and then walked right to Emmett.

Emmett was not fussed at all.  He was all happy to see me, but not panicked in any way.  I untangled him, took a few deep breaths and we proceeded toward home.

As it had progressed from evening to dusk to dark, in addition to the GPS, I relied on a neighbor’s outside lights for some orientation.

Additionally, I have some smart plugs (Amazon-Alexa) and was able to flick my own house lights on and off, from my phone, for some reference.

As Emmett and I headed for home, I turned on my house lights and we honed in on them.  Emmett thought the whole thing great fun and I struggled a bit with him, the long line, snowshoes and the ski poles I was using.

8:10 p.m. we arrived at the house safe and sound!

I fed Emmett and Auggie, took a shower and went to bed.

Good grief!  Ultimately, if I had trusted the GPS from the start, the ordeal would NOT have been an ordeal.

Also – **** NEVER, NEVER, NEVER go out without WATER, a bit of food, and other E-items.  I know better and things could have ended so badly.

I am grateful beyond words that I found Emmett and all ended well.  I hope-hope-hope to never make so many mistakes ever again. 

Amen!

And kind of a P.S. … the snow has melted on the state land and we’ve been walking out there:  Auggie, Emmett and me.  The landscape without snow is pretty incredible.  The amount of downfall that was under snow is astonishing to me.  It is a bit difficult to tell from the photos, but there are many large trees, piles of branches and other obstacles.  None caused me difficulty, even in the dark!  Although dark with snow on the ground is quite different than dark with bare ground.

And the incline.  I tried to get some photos, but again, it is difficult to see how really steep the edge of the state land is … the edge that caused me the worst angst.