Hana Takes Her Turn In Lead With Yahboo

A natural transition for Hana. Didn't both her in the slightest to be infront of a big team, take commands and venture down new trails. She looks fabulous up front next to Yahboo with her carmel colored coat and Yahboo's black coat. What a stunning looking pair of girlies. A little eye candy perhaps for you boy doggies out there :)

Some Awesome Pulling

A little bushwhacking through some rugged terrain. Richard got off the ATV and took this shot. Tumac, who is pulling hard right in the photo, is an amazing puller and turning out to be and equally amazing dog. He has been leading and taking commands. He still has a bit more to learn as he matures, it will all come together quite nicely. I love Rosie's strong feet!

The End Of A Great Day Of Running

Watching the sun go down as we head indoors for a bite to eat.

More Twuk Art

The Pack Has Spoken

After the sad loss of Rosie's litter, I really wasn't going to attempt another breeding until next year. However, I sat in the dogyard one morning and watched the girls in heat interact with Tumac through the chainlink fence. All but one were really not giving anything away to Tumac and Rosie clearly was telling me that she wasn't interested in a second breeding at this time. As I sat, I saw Daisy really taking advantage of this opening and she ventured towards Tumac in the flirtiest of ways. I did this for a couple of days to make sure I wasn't imagining the girls in heat shuffling Daisy into the arms of Tumac (oh that sounds so romantic). Linda called me and asked what I had decided, was I going to try Daisy and Tumac. She offered to stay on the phone whilst I let Daisy and Tumac interact to see if they were interested. So I agreed, Linda stayed on the phone as I opened the kennel gate into the play area where Tumac was. Well, I didn't even make it to close the gate behind me that they were instantly tied. Boom! Done deal. Linda was screaming down the phone "what's happening" I screamed back "They're doing it, they're doing it" !!!! "No way" she said "Yes way" I said....... that was is. The pack had spoken.

We have since had Daisy palpated and there are at least 4 pups!! She ran in harness for the first few weeks but is now basking in the joy of motherhood. The babies are due November 26th. Thanksgiving babies and I do feel very thankful.

The Season So Far...

Despite a bit of a different run/rest schedule than last season, we are on target for our season goals and the dogs are actually settling into distance a bit sooner then previous years, so all is working well. We do have our hearts set on a couple of races, but there are many things for us to consider once again this season, but however things turn out... we are aiming for our goals!

Biffa just turned 11 years old and is still a loving, sweet boy. I so love him. However, his body is failing him and each day that goes by, takes a little more away from him. I'm having to walk him pretty much with a belly strap to help support his rear. He can get around most of the time without support but not so well. He is still in with all his girls, goodness... they adore him and snuggle with him. Actually, the biggest snuggler with Biffa is Tumac who is anything but a girl! They are such nurturing souls.

North Country Mushers Training Day

We'd had so much cold weather and then Saturday turned out to be warmer with some heat on the way up the trail, but thank goodness, some cooling wind on our return journey. There were 10 or so teams. Lots of good passes and head-on passes. Hana and Tumac were on my team, their first exposure to multiple teams and multiple passes. They never paid any notice, they just wanted to run, pull and chase. It was a super day. Peg came along as she's been enjoying time with my dogs over the last couple of years and here she is helping me get my dogs ready. She really is loving it. We had a great day together.

Hana and Tumac Are Doing So Well

Their first time on the trail with multiple teams. Both handling the turns, the terrain, hunters and their dogs, cyclists, hikers and passes really well. What good little pups!

Right Behind Jaye's Team Going Into The Fields

Teams Did Some Nice Passes

It Was A Bit Warm!

Heading Back To The Truck

The Season Has Begun...

Uktousa's "Angels In Fur Coats" are back on the trail. The girls are now all out of heat so I can resume switching leaders and bringing some of the stars to the front of the team. I love this time of year when the runs are short but the energy is high. Tumac and Hana are on the team and working their way up from wheel to lead. They've had some good trail etiquette training, some team passes with Kim and Kellly's beautiful doggies and all in all, I'm very pleased with their good manners. Tumac pulls like a maniac and needs to harness that energy a little so that as the runs get longer, he doesn't burn himself out. But he's just a yearling, he'll learn a lot this season. Hana is very focussed and is all business in harness. I've had Bobby and Tumac runing on the same team... goodness! There's some power!! I daren't add Zuddi to the mix unless I'm tied to a dozer rather than an ATV . Truck is painted up but needs our name and logo on it....

My Sister Is Coming !!

And here she is! Here we both are and isn't she lovely! We had such a great time together. Gaby was SO into the dogs and life in general with dogs and of course, running dogs.... "dogs dogs dogs"!!! She was marvelous with the dogs and didn't mind running in the dark, getting muddy and covered in dog fluff. Oh, good days... and she'll be back for more in the spring.

A Gathering Of Sisters

A great day, good friends, my lovely sister and my 50th birthday