Cookqiz x Tumac Puppies Born May 15th

Cookqiz has been outstanding and has really surprised me.  She is such a smart dog and so well behaved that she broke her waters outdoors and not in the house.  She started delivering at 4am
in the morning and was pretty timely with each pup being born within an hour of the previous pup.  We love to whelp puppies in our living room where we can easily keep an eye on them and mom.  It's such a great experience and being able to have them here with us rather than outdoors, makes it more enjoyable.  We tend to spend a lot of time handling and holding the wee ones, it's hard not to when they are right here next to us.

Cookqiz had 4 puppies. 3 girls and 1 boy.  They all look so different and I already see a mix of the two lines that are in this breeding. 

Jinty @ 7 Days Old

Fergie @ 7 Days Old

Dougie @ 7 Days Old

Phoebe @ 7 days old

Last Week Of Running?

This might well be our last week running unless we get some cooler temperatures again here in the White Mountains of New Hampshire.  Cookqiz has just a couple of weeks to go before the impending birth of her puppies.  Great timing as we will have lots of time to snuggle and raise the little ones before training starts up again as we head towards another season of Valley Snow Dogz sled dog excursions.  She is looking great, a little roundness to her belly which also seems to have dropped, but she doesn't look big at this point.  She seems aware I think of her state of being and is taking things nice and easy in the dogyard.  Slowly she'll be coming in the house more and more and settling into her whelping box, I hope.... though when Daisy mamma was having babies she really wanted them on the sofa!

Should Be Muddy!

In one  way we are grateful for dry trails so training is not so muddy this spring, but the trail is hard and dusty.  Mushing in New Hampshire seems to take on a different look at each part of the season.  Our Fall training was almost always experienced in the rain or at least with very muddy trails.  Didn't stop the dogs from barking up a storm and howling with glee.  Then the winter Sled Dog excursions in Waterville Valley finally got underway with a decent snow base and the frequent snow flurries and cold temperatures kept things moving along quite nicely.  Then winter left us early and our sled dog excursions came to a halt, but because of the lack of snow, mud season didn't hang around too long and so we were back up and mushing again.  We are keeping the dogs running and working on new leaders for next season's Sled Dog adventures in the glorious White Mountains

Sofiel's First Run In Harness

We had a terrific afternoon with Brock Groombridge, the Adventure Coach from www.backpackwithbrock.com   Brock was making a tour of New Hampshire and the folk from New Hampshire Division of Travel and Tourism Development (www.VisitNH.gov) asked us to be part of his tour and to host him.  So we did.  Brock was a natural with the dogs.  We spent quite a lot of time in the dogyard and a lot time talking dogs, mushing, travel and blogging.  We just didn't want Brock and his mother to leave so we made sure to pass along an invitation to come visit us again soon.  Hopefully next time the temperature will be favorable for a sled dog excursion with Brock!  Check out his post on FB
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Valley-Snow-Dogz-LLC/286639864715116?ref=tn_tnmn  What a gifted and remarkable young man!  We loved Brock !

Sofiel At Almost 8 Months

Here's my peanut. she's a cute and built like a tank!  Love her to pieces, okay.. so I love them all to pieces.  She's a little star and loved by everyone.  Smart little monkey. Very playful and totally devoted.  Her preference is to be carried whenever possible and of course, I oblige .She's an awesome pup from Alaska.  She's a Bassich Husky with amazing blue eyes.  She'll be ready for her role on the team and also with The Valley Snow Dogz in Waterville Valley and other White Mountain Adventures.

Sofie learns some trail manners by sharing a bowl of water with Daisy.  My two lovely huskies, both from Alaska from pretty awesome lines.

Righty?  Lefty?  Righty?  who knows, time will tell for Sofie. But she did end up running back on the left side of the gangline.  Her she is next to her mamma, Daisy.

By Mile 2 Sofie was running like an adult, quite happy in the middle of the team and alongside her buddies.  It was like having Tisha back with us.  Tisha was peanut with a big desire to run and pull. She was a remarkable Malamute and we miss her.  I know that Sofie is going to be leading before too long as she is confident little soul and a curious one at that!

Winter Is Back!

Winter came late and then it left early and summer showed up.  At least the heat dried everything out and gave us a kick start with dogyard chores.  Cold temperatures have since returned 'Yay' and we are back out on the trail.  Pups are now taking their turn in lead and soon the youngest of them all, Sofiel... will be in harness too.  She's a fire cracker that one so I just can't wait to get her onboard.  Cookqiz is still running as she is  in the early stages of pregnancy (we hope).  Such perfect timing as she will have the summer to tend to her babies and recover before we kick off the season again Sept 1st.    If temperatures allow, we will run through April and into May.  The semi-retired dogs will be out running this week too so that just leaves Diva who will be 15 years old this year and still in good shape. She enjoys her walks around the property and lots of snuggle time.  She looks great!!  Love my Diva girl.

Update!

As I sit here and post photos and write up memories from this past winter, I'm also very excited to announce that we just bred Cookqiz with Tumac. Puppies should be born around May 10th, 2012.  They should be awesome puppies as both adults are really quite spectacular.  From Tumac's deep Hedlund Heritage and old school Reddington and Mackey way back in the line to Cookqiz's Beargrease and Susan Butcher lines. Stay tuned for more updates!!