Fox Den and Wyoming Stage Stop Race

Sulatna, a retired sled dog and now house dog, is an avid hunter. She visits the fox den down the trail every day.
It is an active den but we don't often see the fox. S/he (the fox) is out and about at night, we see the tracks, perhaps even on our porch as Sulatna investigates the porch with interest every morning, then runs for the fox den to check it out. We once saw the fox meet our Anatolian Shepherd... they had what appeared to be a conversation , Solo bluff charged a bit, then they sat down side by side... Solo obviously satisfied that the fox was not a threat.

This is the link to the Wyoming Stage Stop Race, called the IPSSSDR. It is currently in progress.
http://www.wyomingstagestop.org/bios.htm

Teams run by Wendy Davis and Mary Gilbertson have dogs from the Gilbertson kennel in Chatham, MI.

If you ever think you'd like to raise sled dogs....written by request...

Well, if you are thinking about sled dogs, these are some basics to think about. For a 40 dog kennel (most competitive kennels are larger).

FEEDING... we use 30 40lb bags per month. That means analyzing which is best, procuring it, paying for it, hauling it and then feeding it. Morning feeding is at daybreak and takes one hour. Supper is at dusk and takes one hour. Preparing soups and extras, add in one half hour per day. Biscuits as training treats are used almost every day (one half box per day).

CLEANING... our dogs are in pens in social groups. We have twenty four pens to clean. Pen cleaning, hauling waste takes two hours per day (before, in between and after all other activities),every day, often in the dark.

EXERCISE/FUN/TRAINING.... Depending on the day the dogs are either run in harness with the ATV or sleds, or they free run in and out of the pens, or some free run with me on trails.
Every dog gets some kind of fun each day. On days that we are training and running 23 miles for instance, all of the other activities occur after and before the training runs. All dogs who run receive water /soup and/or treats after a run, more time.

HOOKUP... This is a separate energy requiring activity. In hooking up an dog team, we must enter the pens, take a chosen dog, get out of the pen without letting others out, take it to the picket line, harness it, do the same for all others scheduled to run, and while they are checking out whether they like the others running with them and are screaming to go, we hook them up. It is the sweatiest activity .

VACCINES... All dogs receive all of their vaccines on a regular basis... rabies, 6/1, Bordetella,
and in the summer treatment for parasites, heartworm, ticks, etc.

VETERINARY CARE... We monitor all dogs every day; today for instance a dog we had taken to the vet last week had to go in at 7AM for removal of an abcessed tooth. Turns out he had three teeth removed and will have to rest/be watched for ten days. Various dogs are on various meds. We do have retirees who are on special diets, special medication. We also have rescues whose histories are uncertain and we do the best we can for their health without a history.

KENNEL CARE... Building and repairing dog houses is an oft repeated activity. Winter dog houses need to be up on pallets. All pens are monitored seasonally... in the summer we let the dogs dig, in the fall we fill in the holes. Dogs love to chew on their pens requiring much fence mending. Ripping gates apart is a genetic trait passed on from father to pups, at least in this kennel.

SCHEDULING... This is one of the biggest difficulties... when others are involved whether its other dog drivers or the food supplier, they have schedules and we have to dovetail ours with theirs. It sounds easy and it is the hardest thing to do. Using trails intersects with others using trails (if they are public)... we try to schedule our dog runs at low machine traffic times.

SNOW... Snow is a separate issue. First thing after a snow storm is digging out the gates. There are nineteen gates that need to be dug out to get in to feed, every time it snows more than three inches. All of the trails need to be groomed every time it snows, or even when its windy as they drift in. The weight of just slogging thru new snow is energy consuming... we run the machine around to flatten snow so it can harden for walking. We haul pails on toboggans in the winter
and in a wagon in the summer. We have a separate toboggan for waste pails. If it's an icy sleet all of the gates freeze and we have a special metal rod to beat on them to get them to open.

TRAINING... Training starts at the birth of the pup. We harness pups at 4 months and trail walk them teaching basic commands. We do not do classic obedience training... this requires a LOT of patience. Pups are run in teams from ten months on. Dogs can race at yearling age, but for most part we look at over two for racing. Every day is a training day.

LOVE... The dogs are very loving and they need a lot of affection. This is another thing that gets a bit short when we're trying to put miles on them... individual attention is more limited. We try to make up for this in the summer .

Many other factors enter into a day in the kennel , choosing, ordering, buying and replacing equipment. Dogs are hard on harnesses. Every time they eat a harness it's $20.00 unless it's reparable. Sleds vary in size and utility. Gas for machines , gas for truck travel, gear for the humans. And it helps to wear a helmet and safety glasses. Dogs are rowdy when they're happy to go.

Alaska webcams

As the races are being run in Alaska we like to look at the various webcams.
This is a link that allows you to click on the section of Alaska in which you're interested, in order to see current weather. It includes some of the Iditarod checkpoints.

http://akweathercams.faa.gov/viewsite.php

Destinations

Today our destination was by 'Iron Dog" to the river cabin, to check on its new roof and just generally to scope it out as a winter destination for real dogs. It was much too warm for them to go that distance today. As beautiful a day as it was, we only met two other snowmachine groups. We did take a ten dog team out there in November but have not gotten back out with teams yet this winter.

The cabin was built by the CCC in the 1930's. I paid $500 for it and had it hauled in (for another $500). We've just had a new metal roof put on (hard to see under the snow).

Also, including the link to the Nome webcam: http://www.nomealaska.org/vc/camimage/704x480.html
This refreshes every 60 seconds and of course reflects the time difference. The building on left in photo is the Visitor Center and the one on the right a liquor store. In the 1990's Nome had a stray polar bear wandering near the Visitor Center. Many photos of its visit are around town.

The Iditarod race finishes on this street in mid March, dogs running past these buildings after they come up off the Bering Sea (further down the street). That is the frozen Bering Sea behind the V. Center.
In 2003 I had an opportunity to go out to a local fisherman's crab pots on this frozen mass. That same year I worked in the dropped dog lot , keeping the finishing race dogs safe and quiet so they could rest after their 1000 mile trek. At 20 below and on the sea coast, I was wearing three jackets for my six hour shift.

More Miles

This morning we ran two eight dog teams, one for fifteen miles and one for seven miles.
The first team, led by LilleN and Buffy, was very fast not only on the first mile takeoff but as they kept a pace along the grade.
As we ran the snow fell and as we took off with the second team the trail was filled in. Not sure if that was blowing or actual amount of snow accumulated.
Pretty uneventful running and beautiful, but the warm winds are coming, we hear.

This is a photo of the first team in the first leg of the run by a small wilderness lake. We did not meet a single snowmachine this morning.

Team is: Lillen (black leader ), Buffy; Medio and Rosie in swing, Quattro and Kiddo, and Martin
(white dog) and Herman in wheel. Rosie has the least experience and she was a bit tired but not
bad.
The second team was a hodge podge and they had a few tangles but our great little Frita did get to run and didn't act like she has a bad hip at all.

Link to how cold it was in Bethel, AK

This is the link : http://media.putfile.com/K300FreezingLowBandwidth
to why the Kusko 300 sled dog race was postponed for four days out of Bethel, AK.
It takes a bit to load it but definitely shows what happens to plain water in those temperatures.
Very "cool".

The Wayward Wind

... is a restless wind... Today was a blustery but not cold day to run dogs. The temp was about 30 degrees but the wind was refreshing, with some strong gusts. We tried to photo the swaying trees... it was beautiful... the pups chased blowing leaves. We ran two teams, one 8 dog for 9 miles into Michigan and one 8 dog for 7 into town. We only met one machine along the way. Trail had fresh snow over the weekends 'rubble'... it was soft but not bad.

Hard to capture the gusty winds, blowing branches, etc on camera, but it was fun. We did run Martin and his daughter, Yepa, who both feel the heat the most. Martin seemed fine, but Yepa needs more miles of endurance on her, although she finished happily, she was glad to be home.

Dog Days

Someone called this the Dog Days of winter. Well, it certainly is here, and Critter Nights.
Last night something was circling or near pens, all dogs' noses pointing in 'its' direction as it moved about... my high power light following their noses. I never did see anything but the trail
was around all pens, could hear each pen 'greet ' 'it' as it moved along. Could have been anything but probably not a deer as they are quite accustomed to deer moving around.

On a stroll with companion dogs on Saturday we did follow droppings, scent along a back trail; returning a second time with more dogs, we were caught in a fresh musky scent (as in being skunked, had to wash all my clothes), perhaps the critter back on trail, thinking we were gone?
Prints were fox like, possibly coyote (they like the waste pit).

Photos are of: 2005 Iditarod, Finger Lake and of two A puppies (Josie and Matilda) and blue eyed big guy in center, is rescued Buddy.
Running just okay right now, we'll run this morning. Yesterday drove to get dog food.

Race Time

The races in areas with snow are in progress. The Kusko 300 in Bethel, AK is on hold for the third day because of minus 60 degree windchills/temps, in order to protect dogs, mushers, vets and volunteers on trail. It is now rescheduled for today if temps settle down. The Klondike 300 , AK did get under way. Wisconsin races have had trouble getting started but the Shawano race was modified for Juniors and 4 dogs, but not ISDRA sanctioned.
Iditarod begins March 4th in Anchorage and travels the Northern Route this year. We will be there for the course of the race.
These are two photos from Rainy Pass in Iditarod, 2004. Will add Finger Lake from Iditarod 2005 on next update.
We did run on Saturday, Anna's racing team contenders, Ruthie, Buffy, Rosie and Kiddo and a second team, Frita, Liller, Yuki and Medio. The trails were nearly perfect under blue sky and just cool enough to run, but warming.

Winter Miles

Today we ran eight dogs for twenty one miles. A bit of that mileage they did on their own after flipping their driver off on a downhill (using a different sled than usual). They had quite a good time until the support driver was able to catch them, although the good leaders did eventually stop so they could be caught.

This is a photo of the river we cross each time we take a long run... it's very beautiful out there.
The temp was a bit cooler this a.m. (around eight degrees when we started) and that perks up the dogs as well.

The leaders today of the runaway but under control team were Liller and Buffy (mother/daughter); swing dogs , Ruthie and Medio, team Quattro and Kiddo and the mighty Martin and Herman were the strong wheel duo today.

Top Dogs

We're adding up miles now and the top eight on snow miles , in order of miles, are:
Kiddo, Ruthie, Buffy, Liller, Quattro, Martin, Lillen and Medio.

Skinny hasn't been up to par and it's showing on his lagging miles. He did run six this morning and three yesterday. Would have liked him on the 14 mile team but he'll have to perk up for that.

Yesterday we ran three teams on internal runs, 16 dogs.

Today we ran two teams, twenty miles total ( 14 on one and six on the second) on trails to Michigan and back to Wisconsin.

Leaders of the first team today, were Liller and Buffy; leaders of the second team, were our more frail Frita (who didn't look at all frail) and Skinny (who did get very tired).
Temps are high 20's, some new snow on trails, soft running, almost too soft, and very humid.

Martin , who has a tendency to overheat, did extremely well, not even much snow dipping.

No photos from today's beautiful run into Michigan, but photo is of a happy six dog team yesterday, Rosie trying out lead with Skinny, and Stella, the pup, looking alert. These were two strong wheel dogs yesterday.

Beautiful day in the neighborhood

We had some new snow overnight so groomed the trails early this a.m. It was cross country ski day and various people went out on our trails, including Julie, with two dogs. We took the back trail, UPhill all the way. Of course after you climb a steep hill it's downhill all the way back.

Looks like it will be good running tomorrow but we have to get Buddy to the vet for an early a.m. xray of his shoulder. He is too sore to run with us right now, but he doesn't know it and he's forlorn when we leave without him, day after day.

Twenty one dogs, six teams

A total of twenty one dogs ran on six teams today. Ruthie ran on four different teams, which shows the stamina and drive she has.
Photos are of Anna's possible four dog racing team, Ruthie, Buffy, Rosie and Kiddo, and of Julia's trailbreaking team... Frita and Skinny, leaders, decided to take an uphill route that was not groomed for sleds. Julia had thought of it and they read her mind :)

Buffy's Boot

This is Buffy's boot from 1.11.06... the trails look nice but there are kernels of churned up ice.
In addition, some of the dogs paw the icy ground before takeoff , in their excitement.

This bootie is made out 330 denier Cordura... price last year 95 cents, price this year per bootie is $2.95 , unless you order 250 booties.

If there are even small tears in the boot , we do not use it again as particles can get inside during the run and cause abrasions. Fortunately, on this boot , the tear was wide open so particles would fall out.

In addition to the boots, we might cover paws with a waxy protector called Musher's Secret.
For sensitive paws, we might put Gold Bond foot powder inside the boot. Sometimes we might use dabs of Desitin, or a pink mix of zinc oxide and tea tree oil (for healing).

Most of our dogs are from lines bred for tough feet, but conditions sometimes override their toughness.

Backwoods Michigan

The Wilderness Way

Hobo Jim sings a song called "The Wilderness Way" and that is what this morning's run was... a beautiful wilderness way... cold, at zero when we were hooking up the first team.

The first team was led by Skinny and Liller and ran smoothly, very fast on nine miles . They were clocking at 18mph until she used the drag to hold them back a bit. The trails were very fast. Pup, Sherpa , ran on this team , and she ran well takes it all in stride.

The second team led by Lillen and Buffy met a herd of deer just off to their left. As I watched from behind it appeared the dogs were voting to run into the forest and check them out.
They must have revoted, as they went on for a great run, they too, running nine miles. Pup, Stella ran on this team and responds very well, listens... sometimes runs far over to avoid ice in her face. We were passed by two machines on this run and Yepa, white wheel dog, Martin's daughter, is a bit afraid, but she's doing very well.

One bootie was shredded (Buffy's ) so the trails are tough on feet. We need snow, but it was very beautiful crossing the river and passing the ponds.

Picture Perfect but no camera

This morning's run was a picture perfect run with eight dogs running fifteen miles. My camera lost its lid so no photos. We ran into Michigan over the river/bridge... the river was partially frozen and beautiful, the pines on the narrow trail were frosted. As we ran a herd of deer came out on a small pond, eyed the team and ran along a bit in their own team, then took off up a steep hill.
We continued back into Wisconsin and ran another six miles. Except for an exceptionally tangled start which we're still pondering, the run was fast and fairly flawless. They ran a steady
fifteen miles an hour for quite a distance.
Finishing with Lillen and Buffy in lead, and working on getting pounds off of Martin in wheel, it was fun to watch them. Today they looked like an eight dog racing team.
Anna sent a wonderful disc of photos of all of our dogs... am choosing one here as we have no photos from today. This is a photo of Frita leading (she has a bad hip) and having a great time.
Anna, whose shadow is in the photo, will run a four dog race this winter if we keep/get snow!

Running eights

Two teams of eight dogs ran seven mile runs this a.m. The pups, Stella and Sherpa, were on separate teams. We had a few tangles on each run and we met machines on the trails, but each run ended well. The second team had a few more rookies with rookie problems (tangle in neckline, tangle in gangline, bouncing around) and , again, the leaders took to the 'jump' into the road rather than taking the groomed turn onto the grade... Julia had a chance to prove what a good dog driver she is at that point and on some of the downhill curves... go Julia!

Tomorrow we will put together an eight dog race team (today's teams were run for training miles on rookies). Our plan is to cross the bridge for an eight mile run, then turn and take a six mile back, giving us a fourteen mile run. We are training for command responses as well.

Leaders were Buffy and Ruthie on the first team; second team leaders, Skinny and Rosie (rookie). There is no doubt that Skinny knows his commands. Tomorrow's leaders will be Lillen and Buffy.

(S)Miles on sleds

The season is on! We had two six dog sled teams on six miles into town yesterday (railroad grade running) and one six dog team on our own trails... total of fifteen dogs (three ran twice).
Our trails are groomed and fast.

Dogs run were: Liller, Buffy, Lillen, Ruthie, Martin, Herman, Skinny, Matilda, Sherpa, Medio,
Kiddo, Quattro, Rosie, Yepa and Swix, some veterans and some young ones.

Conditions were just o.k. on the grade , gravel coming through snow, but dogs chose the softer parts. While we've groomed a trail to avoid having to leap a snowbank to reach the grade, the dogs chose the snowbank 'jump' each time. Today we'll try to improve that as the 'jump' is onto the busy road. There is some deep snow that needs to be groomed as one dog did pull a hip muscle along the way.

Fun Run

Today we were able to let 21 dogs go on free runs for fun. Usually in pairs, they race each other around the kennels and up and down the hills, getting good exercise and stretching their legs.
We can also get a look at their gaits, endurance, speed and temperament as they do this with various partners. Skinny is in photo showing that he is still top notch in all categories. Buffy led pup, Stella down into the deep snow in the valley and back up (also in photos).

Free running

Until we can get back on sleds or on the ATV (probably sleds), we are free running dogs in the mornings. Usually they run in pairs... this photo shows Stella looking for Buffy... they run around the pens and stir up howling in all of the others. Exercises everyone in pens as well as those running. Most of them are very good about staying around the pens now that none are young pups. Stella is the youngest (in this photo) and is very well mannered, listens well.
We're trying to put weight on her but she runs 24/7 in and out of the pen. She's very houndy and has two brilliant blue eyes.