Thank Goodness For Good Dogs!

TJ has been running so well and making his way up the gangline.  I had 11 dogs hooked up and was just about to pull the quick release when I saw dogs out of line... hmmmm what the heck I thought!  I then quickly realized that TJ had chewed 3 tugs and 2 necklines in his impatience to get moving down the trail.  Rosie, Cookqiz and Yahboo were released from the positions on the gangline but being the amazing dogs that they are, they didn't go anywhere... well, Rosie trotted ahead for a few feet and then looked back wondering why we weren't attached to her.  She came right back when asked to.  What good doggies!

Boy, have I got some catching up to do!

Where does the time go?  I know, work, work and more work and then running dogs at night and oh, back to work :)   Despite the busyness of our days, the dogs are getting out and doing really well.  Somehow we have more miles on us this year than last year and I'm not so sure how that has happened other than we have had more hook-ups perhaps, though sometimes shorter distances than planned due to temperature and conditions. 

The pups are 1 year old now and in harness and boy... are they wonderful!  Each one brings something a little different to the team and to our lives. All are great pullers and I'm pretty confident that all will be taking their turn in lead quite soon. Training 4 pups at the same time is not so easy as they feed off each other's energy when in harness.  In the meantime, my stunning and most loyal leader Yahboo, is still out infront of these youngsters, unwilling to give her up place as my main leader and what an amazing job she is doing once again this year.

Mother Nature Takes Over...

We're taking a little break from running as Mother Nature has given us more warm, humid days to endure. A good time to work on the ATV and Trailer and finish off some jobs in the dogyard.  As soon as the temps become tolerable, we'll be back out there with a vengeance, doing what we live to do.  Richard is onboard once again and will no doubt be running his own team from time-to-time.  He's a gread daddy to the dogs and he'll be a big help as I start hooking up and training the puppies.  I'm going to have my hands full with 4 of them! 

Beautiful Wishbone

The photo doesn't show the softness in his eyes and his look of absolutely devotion when he sees me near him.  An old soul who reminds me a lot of Rosie.  He comes from a place where he and I have traveled together before, many times over.  I can't wait to see what he brings to my life and to my life on the trails.  He's not as rangy as TJ nor is he as big, but he makes up for that with his power and heart.

He's All Legs TJ!

He's such a lean, muscular leggy pup. So like his papa in every way. A loving, nurturing soul. So gentle and loving.  He's going to be a great mover down the trail with that body and those legs. 

The Girls Are Growing!

Illy and Aise. 8 months old and looking good! Illy looks substantial and I see a lot of Tumac in her, but she has her mamma's eyes.  Aise looks a lot like Honey, such a striking face with a pretty coat.  Two happy girls!  Thanks Linda for loving my puppies so much!

It's August Already!

Just seems like yesterday that I put our mushing gear away, well, I guess it wasn't that long ago as we ran dogs to the end of April. Sometimes we squeeze a few runs out in May but not this year. It was time to pay attention to the wee ones.  Hard to believe that the wee ones will be in harness soon. Where does the time go!  They are getting lots of exercise and have some good muscle on them already.  If the mornings continue to stay cool, I guess we'll start training before the end of the month and begin getting the pups used to the activity, the truck and the gear.  In the meantime, I'm holding on to their puppyness as it passes way too quickly !!

Wishbone

My beautiful blue eyed boy! Gentle doesn't even discribe him... he snuggles up with me at night and doesn't move until morning breaks. Always by my side, always touching me.  He's a special boy!  A little timid of new things but I know he's going to grow up to be quite a sled dog.

Turkey Jim

Gosh, I don't know who is cuter.... TJ or Richard!  Here he is dancing with Richard. Such a happy, lean and loving boy.  A gentle soul like his papa Tumac.

Pear

The lovely, lovely Pear! Such a happy girl.  She's already very devoted to me and I have a really good sense that she's going to be one heck of a lead dog.

Honey Nee-Nee!!!

Love love LOVE this puppy!  Honey.... what can I say.  She oozes naughtyness, lovliness, cuteness, honeyness..... here she is after planting a wet kiss on her dadda.

Oh, he's so handsome!  Rigel lives with Caroline and Andy in Maine, what a lovely home for this equally lovely boy!  Richard just had chance to visit with him and Caroline and Andy.  Lots of hugging all round!  He is the prettiest boy!  Thank you Caroline and Andy for taking such good care of 'his most handsome', Rigel.

Wishbone, aka "Mr Dishy Wishy" (named by Kim and Kelly as they caught him licking the dishes in the dishwasher.. he's also their favorite)....... but here he is, loving his mamma.

TJ

He's such an old soul, like his papa

"The Boys!"

"I'm sure I saw a bird up there?"