Melissa Devaughn

The Xtratuf company says the Legacy 2.0 has better slip resistance and a bigger shaft to accommodate larger American calves. But the original will still be available.

One of the best lead dogs Iditarod musher Jeff King ever had was also one of the best bargains of his mushing career. In exchange for 100 pounds of outdated hamburger, the then-struggling young musher acquired Hickory, a feisty brown puppy whose best friend was a cat and who learned how to run while balancing himself on the gangline like a tightrope walker.

After swatting what seemed like the hundredth mosquito to land on my legs in five minutes, I was ready to give up on the sunny day and head for the shelter of indoors.