Karen Wils photo Three beagle pups fight over one pine cone in the snow.

ESCANABA — Puppy paw prints in the snow tell the story of fun and frolic.

A fresh fall of fluffy snow peps up pooches of all ages. Most Yooper dogs love the snow. For a few minutes, a gentle golden retriever is transformed into his very distant ancestor, the wolf.

Bounding and leaping through deep snow and burying his muzzle in a snow drift to sniff out a mouse, the dog heeds the call of the wild.

Many dog owners know the transformation from couch potato to sled dog as soon as they snap on the leash on a snowy night. The typical leisurely stroll becomes a speedy dash through eight inches of new snow. The unplowed sidewalks and trails are more fun than the shoveled ones.

The frigid wind hardly stings when you’re moving so fast under the winter’s moon.

Most breeds of dog enjoy a wintery walk or a good romp in the snow. Depending on the dog’s size and age with a little extra care, a little fresh air in January can be a fun thing.

Some breeds like the huskies and the malamutes are designed to thrive in the snowy north country. Folks who own teams of sled dogs are busy running them down trails in the snow-capped forests as they prepare for the U.P 200 and other races.

Beagle dogs and other hounds hunt in the winter wonderland and enjoy every minute of it.

I have owned beagles since I was thirteen years old. Watching beagles perform and play in the snow has added much enjoyment to my winters over the years.

One minute that beagle can be snoozing by the woodstove but just pull on your boots and pick up a leash and that dog is eager to go!

It doesn’t matter if you’re going on a hike or a hunt the beagle loves to be outdoors. It is truly amazing how well the little beagle hounds can propel themselves through the deepest snow especially when they’re searching for a snowshoe hare.

Beagles come in two sizes, ones that are thirteen inches high at the shoulders and ones that are fifteen inches high at the shoulders. Despite their small size, beagles will take on any snow conditions. Head and tail is sometimes all of them that you can see as they move down and up through the fluffy snow.

Even though the beagles coat is relatively short, this dog loves winter weather so much that they will roll in the snow and take a “snow bath” for fun.

Nothing is cuter than watching a couple of beagle puppies scamper through the snow and fight over pinecones or a ball.

Another winter sport that is getting more popular in the U.P. is skijoring. This sport requires a medium size dog of any kind that loves the snow. The owner teaches his or her dog to pull them on their skis. It is a beautiful way to enjoy a winter woodland trail and its great exercise for dog and human.

Know that not all dogs are built for harsh U.P. winters. Take into consideration the wind-chill before heading out. Ice and road salt can damage the pads of a dog’s foot. But if a nice fresh blanket of snow has fallen and the temperature is right, go for a run in the snow with your best friend.

Feel like a puppy again!

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Karen (Rose) Wils is a lifelong north Escanaba resident. Her folksy columns appear weekly in Lifestyles.