A weeks Worth

Run # 27, 28 and 29 are reveiwed in today's blog.....We have had some pretty great runs as of late and I have had the pleasure of having company on 2 out of the three. Things are rolling along nicely and we have now covered 219 miles or approximatly 352 kms. The dogs are doing just awesome and are losing some of their lazy summer weight now and eating like wolves..no more picking at their food and they are always happy to see me with the food bucket in the evening, especially if we have gone for a run that day. I am trying to really get the younger dogs their chance in lead now as I would rather experiment with the weight of the quad on my side. I have more control with this big heavy training tool and I know they are not going to drag it away at an inoppurtune time. Of course Ococco and Thunder still get their days as well otherwise I get those eyes that say "Why can't we be in lead for once". Lucy and Jazz stutted their stuff during run #27 and impressed my good friend. Run #28 I went out of the box putting two yearlings in lead. Jazz has run in lead a few times last spring and I have had her in lead a bit this fall. I always thought she showed more interest in being up there but I am learning fast that both her sisters also like to run up front and Fox Trot has surprised me with her knowledge of Gee already. On this run however I decided to pair up Jazz and Jitterbug - from the quad you can barely tell these two apart..Jazz's ears fold is about the only difference and once you really get to know them Jitterbug is darker black (if that is possible). I couldn't beleive my run..it was Amazing. We geed and hawed with no problems in fact I don't think I even had to step off the quad to show them the way once. I did have to put a neck line on them about 3/4 of the way through the run though..Jazz does a pretty decent job of staying "lined out" already but Jitterbug is not so confident and lost her ability to stay out but once she had a neck line on she was great. Unfortunatly this day ended on a sour note as later in the day our pet dog Shadow went missing and still hasn't been located..we are trying our best to find him but so far to no avail so run #29 was a great run but was mixed with sadness as we had an empty spot on the team. On this day Ochocco and Thunder lead us on a new 18km (11mile) trail and it's amazing to me how these dogs with all this experience will go over anything. Our new trail led us right over a spot where a hunter had killed and cut up something. With blood all over the ground you would think the brakes would come on and the whole team would come to a halt..but not with these two in lead....I said alright just before crossing the bloody snow and these guys just kept on truckin'....never even hesitated...that just blows me away. My daughter and her friend joined me on this most beautiful, sunny November day and it was a spectacular run which ended with alot of hugs and cuddles and a few tears for seeing no sign of my missing pooch.

My good friend having a moment with leaders Lucy and Jazz

Prophet and Shadow after run #27

Run # 28 with Jazz and Jitterbug in lead also Shadows last run with us

Me and the team during a pit stop on run #29 with my faithfuls Ochocco and Thunder

My daughter and her friend showing some love to the team

Run #27...Getting louder and stronger

In between runs I took the team out for a free run...we had a great time and it was good for them to just have a "FUN" run.

Run #29 - Almost Home With The Two Yearlings, Jazz and Jitterbug Leading Us Right Into The DOg Yard.

.....See You On The Trail.....