There's Something In The Fog

Last night when I was out feeding the dogs i knew it felt cooler than it had been and this morning I found this when I went to start the quad.

It was -2 C and extremely foggy when we left the yard at 8:11 and you could barely see much in front of the team. This always makes me a little more nervous in the fall because we are running mostly on road ways and although the dogs have learned to stay to the right, or a least go there when I ask them to, I know most people travelling early in the morning aren't expecting to see a dog team emerging out of the fog. We had a nice 9.7 km jaunt (about 6 miles) and I had my first chewed tug line of the season and to my surprise it was Miss Ochocco who was the culprit.

I have been humming and hawing about what to do with young Cha Cha as you may remember I was looking to place her in a pet home after last season. She loves to pull and has a nice easy gait but she had started vomiting on every run early last year and no matter what I tried nothing seemed to work. I gave her Pepcid, cut back on her feed, gave her more feed, gave her more time between morning soup and running, gave her less time between morning soup and running....to no avail. After a month or more of advertising I still hadn't found a home for her and decided to keep her over the summer with the thought that maybe..just maybe she only needed more time to adjust to her new kennel. I felt she was doing really well and was finding her groove here. Our first run was upon us and I, in my infinite wisdom, thought I would run her in team right in front of the wheel dogs and with the oldest, biggest and most relaxed member of the kennel, Prophet. Things seemed to go perfectly so I followed this pattern the next run and again no vomiting. On our third run I decide to switch it up so I left her in the same position but paired her with her sister Fox Trot...she seemed to be doing well until we started home and then it happened...and then again...and then again....DARN IT. This morning I thought I would try her again in the same position but with Prophet again..and...no vomit....COINCIDENCE....or is this a mental thing for her and she just feels more relaxed with and big, easy going boy beside her ??? You got me but it looks like her and Prophet will be partners for awhile yet.

As we were headed home today the fog started making me feel very claustrophobic..and I started hearing that lady off the Horror movie "The Fog" when she yells "THERE'S SOMETHING IN THE FOG" when we came upon these guys

They looked beautiful as they walked through the fog towards us. Very curious about the team. My husbands Uncle breeds these guys and boasts about the wide blazes you see. Looking good guys but we really have to be going now.

I try to access as many fields as I can this time of year, I absolutely hate running on the road but until my farmer neighbour gets his canola crop off we are road runners..Meep...Meep. Loved this shot with the fog and barbed wire fence. The team today was Thunder and Jitterbug in lead, Ochocco in single swing (I am getting a new gangline soon), Siboon and Jazz, Prophet and Cha Cha in team and Lucy and Fox Trot in wheel. We had a great run and are anxiously awaiting Thursday. So till then....

Happy Trails and Wagging Tails

Where It All Begins Each Year

It's that time of year again. Where cooler weather prevails, harvesting is in full swing, the leaves are beginning to change colours and mushers..well..their thoughts turn to fall training and the upcoming race season. Of course for the dogs and I , being a recreational team has it's advantages. WE don't' have to worry about how many miles we have to put on before that first big race or how we are going to get enough sponsors to help with the cost of raising, training and racing sled dogs. We run when it's cool enough and just have fun. Exactly how I want it to be. To date we have done two runs with the quad. We have been together for over a year now and things were much more relaxed hooking up for the first time this year as compared to last fall. Although the dogs were still earth shattering loud as I opened the end gate it was music to my ears. We hooked up and ran just over 4 miles the first day and the dogs did great.

The team: Thunder & Ochocco in lead, Lucy & Jazz in swing, Jitterbug & Fox Trot, Prophet and Cha Cha in team and Siboon is running single wheel.

It was about 9 C and with the drought this summer I always have to carry water. About half way through the run we have a long rest for everyone to catch their breath and have a drink.

Today Aimee and I took the dogs for a 5.5 mile run...it was a little cooler and again we had a great run. This group seemed to gel better and Lucy and Thunder were on top of every command.

Aimee is geared up for this season. She was wishing for snow so she could run her little team with her sled.

Happy Rhonda =)

Aimee was chilly and wanted to see if she could keep up she said it was good practice for The Cross Country Running Club she participates in at school.

The Team today got their individual pictures done...but I noticed that I missed Cha Cha. She will have to get her very own photo shoot next time.

Leaders : Thunder and Lucy


Ochocco was in single swing today

Jitterbug is camera shy but her partner Siboon is a ham.

The ole boy Prophet who ran with miss Cha Cha again today..she is a little more nervous and I concluded if she ran with the steady rock in the team maybe she would feel more comfortable..seems to be working so far

and the girlie's in wheel Jazz and sister Fox Trot. Jazz is the only dog in my yard with black spots on her tongue..I love them.

Stopped for a little break.

We don't see a whole lot on these runs as they are short and we are mostly on the road but this morning while passing a canola field I noticed a set of antlers sticking up over the crop. He was still there on the way home just watching us through the canola. He finally got up and bounded away to the dogs extreme excitement. A very nice sized Mule Deer.

Back in the dog yard with Lucy and Fox Trot.

I am very excited for this season and will definitely be keeping you all updated on all the goings on as we extend our miles and the dog get more fit.
See you on the Trail.