Summertime Kennel Tour at Valley Snow Dogz

We had a great morning with a large group of locals who were just awesome with the dogs. We started out with our usual talk and review of our equipment, training, safety and general sled dog education.  It was a pleasure to share our life with our furry family with such a wonderful group of people. Then we headed into the dogyard and secret garden so that everyone could meet the dogs, take photos and continue with their questions. 

In the Dogyard

Zudnik
Our lovely retired Alaskan Malamute
taking full advantage of a hug by sitting on our guests' feet!



 

 



Making New Friends!

 

 



In The Secret Garden
The dogs were running around as our guests interacted with them
but they also had lots of great questions!

 



Daisy... Everyone's Friend

3 months old and full of confidence
Love this picture of her and some of our wonderful guests

Beautiful Poem For Diva From Sue Putnam

Thank you Sue for your thoughtfulness....
In Memory
Author: Jan Rivers: August 14, 2006

******************************

The mountains weep, the glaciers cry,
Trees stretch with arms that hug the sky;
As leafy boughs drop tears of rain
And touch the wind that calls your name.

For grief has come to sear our hearts
As we watched you quietly depart.
But memories will ease the pain
As we touch the wind that calls your name.

We see you as the Northern nights
Explode with colors fierce and bright.
Across the tundra's rolling plain
We touch the wind that calls your name.

We hear you in the roaring seas,
In the whispers of a gentle breeze.
Your spirit with us will remain
As we touch the wind that calls your name.

We feel your presence on the trail,
In mushing dreams you forged so well.
Grace and courage carved your fame,
And we touch the wind that calls your name.

Your life, a lasting legacy,
Is etched in hearts and memories.
The lives you touched, forever changed-
And we bless the wind that calls your name.

RIP Beloved Diva

Diva 11/7/97 - 6/25/13
An outstanding Alaskan Malamute
with true grit and unstoppable determination right up to her last week of life.
A remarkable, rock solid leader, incredible spirit, devoted mother to her babies
and the most devoted companion and trustworthy being.
You will be SO missed Diva

Photo Taken During A Valley Snow Dogz Kennel Tour

Diva At Age 15

Diva in Single Lead

2005 Craftsbury VT Race
Diva in single lead with her babies behind her
(credit to the photographer)

Update From The Dogyard

It's that time of year when all of a sudden, there's a lot of work in the dogyard to be done from renewals and repairs, to brushing out dogs, clipping nails and then moving onto fixing gear, painting dog houses in the dogyard and truck boxes not to mention stripping and finishing sleds !!  Geesh...
Well, at least we're over half way through the list so that's not so bad.  The major back breaking work of painting the doggie platforms and over 14 dog houses ... DONE !

We began our season of obedience around meal times, play times and general social times.  Now it's time to get some dogs on leashes and do something a bit more formal and structured.  Just waiting for this hot and humid weather pattern to pass and then we'll begin with the youngsters.  The youngsters being Sofiel, Dougie, White Feather, Miss Squish and baby Tuliq.  Then some leader training with Pear, TJ, Honey and Sofiel ready for tours with Valley Snow Dogz and potentially some races.  All four of these youngsters lead well this past season but we kept it simple for them.  This winter they'll get to explore their capabilities a bit more so I'll work on their leader skills while walking them on leashes around our trails.

We love our large run area which has been fabulous for recall and group recall.. such fun!

Some Fun Photos Of The Dogs ... Our Furry Family

Our Adorable Hana...

Did Someone Say 'Hole?'

Our lovely Miss Squish

 

Honey In The Tree House

Nap Time Anyone?

The Kennel Clown ... Cookqiz!

The 'not so'  White.... Feather




 

Valley Snow Dogz Latest Addition

Hard to believe that Rosie's singleton pup turns 10 weeks old!  She is a spectacular puppy, so well built and with such a fun, outgoing personality. She has the soulness of her mamma and papa and their solid pedigree of athleticism behind her.  As we train all our dogs to be snuggly house doggies too, tonight is her first night back indoors with Rosie so she can be house trained. We love bringing in a bunch of our dogs every night and having that special time with them.  They can sleep where they wish but mostly, it's always on the bed with us both.  I love the versatility of these dogs. They are as happy in harness as they are on the sofa.  These precious times together really build an incredible bond between us, unwavering trust and unconditional love.

Tuliq aka Plumpkin!

Yikes, 10 weeks old already!
Isn't she adorable?
She comes back indoors tonight for the start of her house training

Lovely Bunch Of Thank You'z

We had another great visit and welcome from
Franklin High School, the teachers and kidz
A fun talk and gathering, lots of loving of the dogz and
then we hooked up the dogz and took a lucky rider
out around the track.  We gave some two free rides away
for this coming season and ended having such a terrific time, once again!
Thanks from the Valley Snow Dogz for the lovely Thank You cards
and photographs

Valley Snow Dogz Presentation At The Campton Historical Society

We had a really heart warming evening among a very enthusiastic audience. Many were dog lovers and had seen our truck on the road or articles in the newspapers and so, their interest was peaked to come and learn a little bit more about life with our furry family.  The evening started with us setting up outdoors with the dogz and our equipment.  We then ventured inside their beautiful and historic building for a very warm welcome.  We brought Cookqiz inside for a little light entertainment as she was very willing to give un-asked for 'high fives' last night.  We gave a lively slide show and some video of our journey over the last 20 years with sled dogz. We had some great questions to answer then the evening presentation spilled into more fun outdoors with us leaving the venue close to 9pm!  We had a full house, it was so well attended that we look forward to joining them in August for their annual Old Home Day.  With many thanks to the folk at the Campton Historical Society

A beautiful sign..
and a very beautiful and warm welcome from all that  attended
our Valley Snow Dogz presentation

Everyone had chance before and after the presentation
to come outside and meet the dogz and look at our
training rigs, racing and tour sleds


 

May Filled With Talks and Presentations

It's been a nice transition into our non-running season though we miss the routine a lot and we may still squeeze out a run or two with these cooler temperatures in the mornings and occasionally later in the evening. Otherwise, we'll hope for cool temperatures in  late August.  We've had a busy time with school presentations and talks, great for keep the dogs moving around and meeting folk and in the routine of Valley Snow Dogz while not actively giving tours or rides though we did just give a ride at the Franklin Central School, once again, during a really fun talk and live demo to a great group of kids.  With all the talks we do, we always make sure we give back and we have been able to do so this season through many charities and events that we have donated to and supported along with the humane society and various shelters.

Tuliq Turns 6 Weeks Old.. already!

Tuliq at 6weeks
and weighing in at 9lb 6oz

Having one puppy to raise
means you can get an early start on training
she has learned to eat out of her own bowl

 

Tuliq heads out on an adventure!