Editor Paul Hayden was unable to finish his regular column in time for publication in this issue. However, Office Dog and Greeter Huckleberry Finn volunteered to write a few words.

I've been coming to work at this magazine for more than six years. It's been a busy summer, greeting all my friends who come in the door and making sure that I fulfill the functions of Office Dog. I guess in the time I've been here I've learned a few things about Lake Superior. Around here, that's all they ever talk about. The fact is, I live right beside the lake in our home on the lakeshore. Lake Superior is there everyday, and almost everyday I get to walk down to the lake and take a drink out of the lake. Now, I'm not a swimmer, but I know that Lake Superior can be a great place to swim, once the summer has been here for a while. Mostly, I like to just wade in up to my knees and drink. That's what I call, "A good dog's life." 

If there's anything I've learned, in all my many years, it's that Lake Superior can be your friend, but also your challenger. Many are the days that Mom and Dad haven't taken me to the lake because it has been acting up. You know. Big waves, lots of water on the beach and just a little dangerous. This doesn't happen very often, but when it does, we seem to be a lot more careful. My buddies at home (the Cats: Midget, Tut and Sunday) are also a lot more careful on those days. Midget, who's a fraidy cat, hardly ever goes to the lake. But Tut, who loves a good lake drink as much as I do, will back off on those rough days. And Sunday won't even go on the beach when the waves are making noise. She's got sensitive ears, you know. 

Lately, we've been a lot more careful. It seems that our beach of rocks is more covered this year than I can remember. Now, people say dogs don't remember too well, but I remember when I was a puppy and was able to walk on the rocks way down to the edge of the water. I may be getting older and having more trouble remembering, but I don't have so far to walk. Dad says that's because the level of the lake is "up" this year. So the shore is smaller. I guess that means there's more water for me to drink. 

Dad says he's a little worried about how much water there is. Last year, one of the big trees near the lake fell down when one of the storms came up. I don't like to go out in those storms. If we have so little shore this year, maybe we have to worry about other trees when those storms come up. Dad says the folks at the other end of the lake (he calls it the "Soo gates") tell him they are trying to keep the water at the right level. He says it's a touch-and-go game, but he thinks they'll be able to control it with constant attention. I'll let Dad worry about that, I guess. 

In the meantime, the Cats and I are getting ready for when that white, fluffy rain falls, which is always an interesting time on Lake Superior. Sometimes, we can actually walk on the water. But not for a time yet. I think that comes after it's been cold for a while. 

Huckleberry Finn
Office Dog and Greeter

Note: To write to Huck, address your e-mail message to hf@lakesuperior.com. He promises to try and answer all of his fan mail.