A memory leap to the snow /travels with a dog

Netta, a Golden Retriever, belonged to our family for 12 years. Netta was our beloved pet and she was with us in our travels to Äkäslompolo many times. Netta was very sociable and maybe a little bit attention-seeking and eager to get involved to all trips. Netta was always the first in the car waiting for the travel to start.

Netta started train travel with an evening walk from the Pasila's Car-Train station to Helsinki railway station, where we boarded into the night train. We had to lift Netta to the train, because there were challenging train stairs for dog's paws at that time. When we were in the train, Netta was very excited what good food would be for the dinner. For those, who do not know the Golden Retrievers, Retrievers are very greedy about the food. In a small train cabin, Netta smelled and knew everyone's delicacy. And she didn't leave any without begging.

Overnight Netta slept mostly peacefully on in the train cabin's floor. But sometimes I woke up at night and I felt a warm panting near my face. For Netta it was very fun to keep her head on my pillow and if I could notice her. At least, she needed some scratches to continue sleeping comfortably. When the train had a longer stop, we tried to take Netta outside in the Oulu railway station early in the morning. But usually without success. The travelling was too exciting for Netta to get "the things" done. We had to go back to the train, and we waited to reach to Kolari. The rest of the travel time we were nervous about her, whether could Netta hold "the things" until Kolari.

When we were in Kolari and we jumped out of the train, of course Netta first, she enjoyed a lot about the snow. She wanted to run and spin in the snow immediately. Luckily, there was good possibilities to walk around the Kolari's railway station with a dog. All piles of snow were enjoyable for Netta. Also, the other travelers, because she was able to beg scratches from them.

Once we had booked a cottage from the Peltotieva area and there were lots of snow around the cottage. Netta eagerly investigated the yard then came inside. We opened the door of the terrace and Netta run to the terrace and jumped to the snow with high speed. There were a lot of powder snow in the front of the terrace. Netta was completely lost in the snow and she tried to dig out and she was very confused. "What is this kind snow, which hid me wholly? Why the snow was sinking me and throwing more snow over me? Mama! I'm drowning. Come on and keep hurry to help me!

Here's a little leap to people's stories and about the cottage we had rented. We read cottage's guestbook and a familiar name was found in the book. In this cottage had spent time Sauli Niinistö earlier, the current President of the Republic of Finland. So, we may have slept in a same bed as Sauli. In that times he was not the President but today this possibility sounds nice.

Netta's favorites were all outdoor routes in Äkäslompolo, and some routes were made for dogs e.g. route to Velhonkota. On this route Netta had lot of to investigate, because there had been many dogs on the same route. One a time, Netta was with our daughter jogging on the route of Velhonkota and I had skied near the dog route. When Netta recognized the familiar smell, Netta had to get to her "Mama". The daughter had a hard work getting Netta (with weights of forty kilograms) back to Äkäslompolo. "In any case, the Mama could not be left alone in the forest."

On one of our New Year's trip we planned to climb to Fell Kellostapuli by the winter paths. Of course, Netta was involved with enthusiasm and energy. The forest and the Fell were covered with lots of snow and Netta had fun to leap both on the winter path and of course, outside of the path. Netta dug snow for interesting smells (I think she found some reindeer poo etc.) Netta also greeted the other hikers on the same route. The only thing was annoying for Netta and that was she was kept in a leash. This rule is because of reindeers, dogs must be kept in the leash in the village of Äkäslompolo and in the nature. We followed this rule with a very strict though Netta didn't like it.

We climbed with snowshoes to top of the Fell Kellostapuli and the view from there was beautiful, even magical. The day was dark though it was an early afternoon. It was a pretty cold day and we were warmly dressed and also Netta had winter coat. The climbing with snowshoes to the Fell Kellostapuli and back from there took few hours.

When we got back to the cottage, Netta tried to find for the warmest place from the heated floor to get some rest. Of course, before the rest Netta had to get a decent meal. Netta used to ask (or demand) her meal by taking a hand with the teeth firmly, but gently and pushing strongly toward the food cups. "Don't you Mama realize that I already have food time and I am terrible hungry ?" 

From Fell Kellostapuli conquest we got great memories, also some beautiful photos. Our family is still missing that kind, active, adventurous, even fearless, and very food greedy dog. Netta was our very dear friend both at home and in our travels.