September to November In Review

We've had another incredibly busy fall and as such some things have just been pushed off our priority list. We have had some incredible runs and the dogs are looking and feeling great. We are now up to 12 mile training runs and we have a beautiful skiff of snow on the ground that seems as though it is willing to stick around. Not enough to sled on yet but I am hoping to be on the sled runners by the end of this month. Our dogs now have a large free run dog run to play in and I have a new gate that leads us out onto the trails. It's a thing of beauty after fighting with the old one all last winter.

We have had some exciting incidents happen to us during training...like this

Fortunately we were able to get the dogs off the gangline and out of the dog yard safely.

We have also suffered some losses

Jaunary 2002 - November 2011 -Ochocco passed away during the night with me by her side. She was a great leader and at 9 1/2 still loved to play. She will be greatly missed for her energetic spirit and loving nature.

April 2002 - November 2011 - Bircha passed away the next day due to an accident in the yard. She was a cheerleader and was showing real promise during leader training. Gone too soon and I miss her smiling face every day.

The girls have a place of honour in the house for the winter. I have placed their urns next to our patio door. During the fall and winter I use this door to exit and enter the house to and from the dog yard. I pass my girls at least twice a day. They are always in my thoughts and my heart.

I have also been lax on my record keeping this year so I am not sure how many miles we have under the quad tires but I am guessing (and when I say guessing I mean I have looked in my previous years records and have made an educated guess) we are around 100 - 125 miles of training runs give or take a few.

We are gearing up for our Grande Prairie Sled Dog Derby that will take place January 7th & 8th, 2012. I have only 6 race dogs now and will have to make some decisions before the race. Aimee may have the oppurtunity to run a team in the Arctic Winer Games in Whitehorse if this is the case she will run her time trials with her 4 dog team at our race.

It's looks like it will be another great year here at Leaps and Bounds Kennel. Keep Checking in.

See You Down The Trail.

My little gals on a 10 mile training run : Fox Trot and sister Jazz

A beautiful fall run with Mari and daughter Fox Trot in lead.

Fun pics after a run - My girl Lucy and I - Say Cheese Luce

My Boy

Siboon doesn't get seen very often because he is usually running in wheel. He is no less more important than the rest of the team and in fact has a tough job at the back. Wheel dogs work the hardest and he has to keep my sled on the trail. He is good at his job and I think he likes having the girls to himself on the trail.

Love this picture of Mari (far left) and her daughters Jazz and Fox Trot. That's Thunder in the foreground. Thunder is now retired and just hanging out with us and enjoying his work free days.

Heavy Frost on the quad seat prior to a training run

My favourite picture of Bircha (student) and Mari (teacher)

Aimee still loves to run with me and the team.

She will be racing Mari and her daughters Jazz, Jitterbug and Fox Trot this winter.

This was Monday's 12 mile run with fresh snow and a lovely wind that blew little, hard, icy snowflakes into my face. Was glad to have extra clothes along.

Cold Face, Cold Feet, Cold Hands, Warm Heart