BIFFA... Retired And So Beautiful

HANA AND ROSIE

A very tight bond here. Rosie is a remarkable animal. Words cannot describe her devotion to her kennel mates and to me. We are often 'one and the same', we think at the same time when on the trail. With her best friend Yahboo by her side and Yahboo's devotion to me, my lead girls and leaders in training are simply a gift. I have no doubt that Hana will be a leader too. She spends much of her time with Yahboo and Rosie and I cannot wait for my two lead girls to show Hana what mushing is all about.....

TUMAC aged 3 1/2 months

A great photo that truly shows his peaceful nature. He is a loving, loving, gentle soul who is wise and responsive and yet, the biggest baby ever. Already sits for his food by the chainlink gate as I approach. He learns very quickly with a quiet and humble demeanor.

Our Season So Far

Winter has come a little early. Mornings are frigid and the early evenings are cold too. Training is under way and has been since the 1st September. Dogs are really doing good this season with a quick return to fitness and a desire to be on the trail as much as possible. Their keeness being spiked by the colder than normal days and the fact that 'daddy' seems to want to come along too.

Uktousa sees the retirement of two dogs this season leaving us with 11 dogs in harness, 3 retirees and 2 puppies in waiting..... waiting to be sled dogs. For now, they remain bed dogs.... that's right, they spend every night in bed with me (us). The perfect way to raise happy, lovable dogs :0)

Most of our training is done at night, we are so used to it now that it feels almost more normal than running during the day. It's just a little more costly as I'm going through so many batteries.
Watching the sun set and catching the last glimmer of light on brightly colored leaves has just been magical. There is never a run that I don't think to myself how lucky I am to have this activity in my life and the companionship of such devoted and remarkable animals.

I don't know what we will achieve in terms of race goals this season. The economy is having an affect on us and so, emphasis is on adventure for now, but we have a very serious and committed approach to our training in keeping with what might have been our race goals..... just incase things change for us and we can indeed consider a couple of races and share the trails with our friends for some fun competition along the way.

As we are ontop of our goals so far despite my personal setback of 'flu', I know the dogs will be ready for some longer distances this winter of over 50 miles or so, whether just for our own enjoyment or in preparation for a designated race. Either way, you can bet we will simply enjoy our time together, everything else will be a bonus!

Diva Has Retired From Being A sled Dog

I love this dog. She has blessed my life with utter devotion and incredible dedication in her role as lead dog and mamma to her 3 pups. She is and always will be 'outstanding'. After running her this season, it was clear that her head and heart would continue to guide her down the trail, but her body was clearly not able to, at least... not in harness. Still in fabulous shape, athletic, agile and healthy..... it is her time to savor her good health at her tender age of 12 and simply enjoy many adventurous hikes with me and Richard and become very spoiled and super cherrished. Here is Diva and Richard stepping out as we enjoy a Fall foliage hike together with lots of cuddles along the way.

Beautiful Fall Foliage

It was a fun walk with Diva Mamma and a great opportunity to enjoy taking some photos of the beautiful, Fall colors.

Hana and Rosie Sharing Toys

Hana and Rosie love to share Toys and play together, however, Rosie really thinks that Hana and Tumac are her babies and is often found trying to nurse them. She also takes the toys afterwards, and places them under her belly and makes sweet, nurturing noises as if to comfort her 'plastic' babies. She really believes she is a 'mommy'.

Our Friends From Scotland Hitch A Ride....

What fun we had. Hugh and Judy from Scotland were visiting Whatleigh and friends, including us and they were able to spend some time with us in the dogyard, then we ran dogss and finally, dinner and a fun night together. The dogs got a great workout with 3 of us on the rig. We chatted and loved the dogs as the sun set and then on we ran into the night. Such a wonderful time with good friends .

Tumac Meets Hugh

We had such a wonderful time with our friends Hugh and Judy from Scotland. They have a true love for my big dogs and a passion for my Hedlunds. Hugh is desperately holding on to Tumac who is simply horse-sized for a 3 month old puppy. Tumac's muzzle has grown quite a bit and he looks a little like his mom Tuloon in this photo and a lot like his papa, MacKenzie. It was a joy to share him.

Tumac At The Milk Bar

For the last few days I've been wondering why Rosie is wet on either side of her belly. Being the gentle and nurturing soul that she is, she will allow pups to think of her as their birth mom.... I sat quietly and waited for some interaction between Hana, Tumac and Rosie. I just missed photographing both pups at the 'Milk Bar' but managed to get Tumac.... here he is sucking away. Rosie stands very willing. Both pups started doing this a couple of days ago....

Tumac Too Cute For Words

Such a sweetheart, gentle and loving. He prefers to sit back and watch the dogs play and if I'm around, well, he'll just curl up on my lap and hug. Eventually he joins in the play but as soon as the energy picks up, he leaps across the dogyard and heads straight into my arms. Yes indeed, he's a spoiled mommy's boy! And I love it !!

Hana Looks At The World Through The Eyes Of An Old Soul

She sits quietly taking everything in. She looks so like a snuggly teddy but beneath that cuteness is a very savvy, young pup who just seems to 'know'. She is fabulous with the older dogs and very responsive but yet, there is a stubbornness about her just like her half sister Nellie..... maybe this comes from papa Mackenzie?

Hana Proves To Be Another Mud Baby

Inspired by Nellie and Daisy, Hana had fun in the rain and sandy mud today, enjoying every minute of playing and splashing. A hardy wee pup.

Hana Leaps With Joy!

I just let the pups out with Rosie and Hana ran across the yard and jumped up to kiss Rosie. What I couldn't capture in a photograph was her little spin-around dance as she welcomed Rosie to play play play with her! Of course Tumac was busy sitting by my feet and snuggling with me.

My Big Baby Tumac

It was time once again to introduce the puppies to some of the big dogs. Tumac's first attempt sent him screaming into the dog igloo. Poor Daisy looked at me as if to say " But all I did was bow down and offer him my best play position".... Tumac is such a baby, clinging, clinging to me as slowly I allow a couple of my most gentle dogs to come and visit with them They have had two weeks of social interaction through chainlink and buzzing around with me as I do chores. This is a picture of Tumac on my lap with his big feet clinging to my thighs. Poor lamb.