For the dogs: mushing team looking forward to winter weather

There's at least one group in Windsor looking forward to the snow.

Sled Dogs of Windsor has been mushing on bicycles because there's no snow.

"We're pretty excited that we're hearing there's a snowfall coming," said Wanda Carr. "A lot of people are not happy about snow, but it's our favourite time of year."

The group doesn't run in the summer or spring when it's hot, but as soon as it is cold enough for the dogs to handle sustained activity, out they go — snow or no snow. 

Whether on a bike or a sled, dogs are hooked to a harness and Carr said they immediately go into "working mode."

"It's such a sight to see," said Carr. "We go zipping through those trees and if we're too close to a tree … yikes, down we go!"

Carr describes the dogs as "kooky."

"We call them clowns a lot. They're just fun, playful dogs," said Carr. "They love to run."

Almost any dog who loves to run can join the group — not just husky breeds. The only requirement is to be more than 18 kilograms (40 pounds) and in good physical shape. 

Carr started mushing about five years ago on her own, and she said it "skyrocketed" from there. A handful of owners — and their dogs — come out to run through the woods.

According to Carr, this time last year, her "Moon Warriors" mushing team was running on River Canard.

"It's too bad, but that's Windsor weather," said Carr. 

The mushing team might be one of the only ones happy about this weekend's coming snowfall.

Environment Canada has issued a special weather statement for Windsor-Essex and Chatham-Kent, warning of snow and "very cold temperatures" this weekend.

The weather agency is predicting 10 to 15 cm of snowfall near Lake Erie and areas near Lake Huron to get snow squalls.