TIMBER IN MEMORIAM

Photo: Timber in the foreground, with Sulatna and Chena on a trailwalk last fall.

Timber, age 11.5, died today from a fast moving problem with his spine. While we lost Amaroq to a similar problem earlier this year, Amaroq could still walk . Yesterday at 3PM Timber could no longer get up and I did manage to get him back into the house on his bed for the night. He has been living in the house for about two weeks and seemed to be doing better/quite well.

This morning I took him in to the vet ( we loaded him with a log carrier with handles, a blanket and a toboggan). The vet agreed it was time to let him go and he died peacefully in the back seat of my truck while I sat with him.

Timber, part Heeler, Corgi , Husky and Boxer, was happiest living alone. He would do his doggy day care duty for puppies, teaching them manners, but we always knew he wouldn't be happy with sleepovers with other dogs in his pen. He was the best watch dog... nothing came this way that he didn't announce, loudly.

This past fall he was my walking companion every morning and he often warned of the presence of wildlife. After we were visited by the bears, he was even more vigilant on the trails. His leash has a bear bell on it. He was aloof and not too friendly with other dogs, but with me he was a sweet brown eyed good boy. He couldn't have been a better dog.

The hardest decision to make with a dog is when to let him or her go. I always wait too long because I love each and every dog so much. I appreciate their loyalty so much. When I do have to let a dog go, I come back home and appreciate each and every dog still here even more.

Timber was a rescued dog and as is very typical with rescues he doubly appreciated every kindness given to him . He did have a happy life here. It's quite a bit less happy here tonight with him gone.

When a dog leaves us, I move his sign with his name to the main wall for kennel dog signs. I did that this afternoon. His sign is now with Scuba, our original matriarch.... he was her companion too. He is with Charlie and Champ, Sibby and Banjo, Solo and Stardust and many others.

I can hardly believe he's gone... it's been a sad day.

Newest Snow Bunny

This is Josefina Picabo in her new sled. with her Mama and pal, Apache, the next generations of family snow bunnies.

More wolves, too close to Aliy/Allen

http://newsminer.com/2007/12/07/10280/

You can also read about this on Aliy's/Allen's dog log, Skunk's Place Kennel.

Alaskan Wildlife

http://www.adn.com/front/story/244258.html

When traveling in Alaska, especially alone, I do remind myself as I take my walks that "This IS
Alaska". While I've met a few wild critters while I've been wandering around with or without dogs, I have never had an experience like this one, thankfully.

We have wolves here, too, but most I've seen together are two, now occasionally one. There is an active pack out by our river cabin, but we've never seen any signs. Can't imagine why these Anchorage wolves are after dogs when there are moose around.

Merry Christmas!!

Photo: That is a little buck in the lower left facing.

Merry Christmas to all!

We have been busy with some aging dog friends with problems. It goes with the territory with an aging kennel.

Timber, the most recent, lost use of both back legs, so he is yet another house dog. We have beds around the living room, their little 'dens'. We thought we would lose him but our vet put him on a combination of medicines that allows him to still walk, so we'll watch him through the holiday and hope he can still function/be happy.

The stores were out of decent dog beds, so I bought him a pet sleeping bag by Coleman. It is perfect! washable, comfy. Timber is a rescue (12 years old) with husky, Corgi and heeler in him, so he's a bit touchy/sassy but is learning house manners.

And, now, comes the weather... up to 12 inches of snow (preceded by sleet) expected today/tonight/tomorrow. The deer are herding up and come in often for carrots, corn and apples. Frita found a small spikehorn antler near the feed pile.

Stay safe and have a wonderful holiday wherever you are!

From Julie and her dog friends

Kennel Archives

This is the link to the archives of our former site (with used up storage space):

http://groups.msn.com/SummerPlaceKennelDogPoweredSports/iditarod2005.msnw

Since there are many photos there that have been otherwise lost in cyberspace (in my computer somewhere never to be found again), I keep this site active, but can not add to it.

Races

The Sheep Mountain 150 in Alaska was cancelled due to lack of sufficient snow for 12 dog team safety.

The Copper Basin 300 is scheduled to start January 12th. Both Aliy Zirkle and Allen Moore are signed up for this challenging race.

Locally there is a Trailblazers sprint race near Ironwood, MI on Jan 5th and 6th.

Our local trails are just getting up to par for running, which we are postponing until Christmas week. Dogs are still free running. New dog, Copper, has learned how to run free and return safely. We have had some teen below zero temps and are now headed for a warm up to the 30's.

Brrrr, warm up for seniors

We've had a cold snap (not Fairbanks style) but zero and below zero (9 below yesterday) for a few days now.

Bet dogs don't think they're senior citizens anymore than humans do, but these seniors appreciated coming in to warm up/staying in.

Left to right: Sierra, Skinny (background) and Timber (foreground).

Veterinarian Visit

Our veterinarian visited today to assist with 53 vaccines: 17 rabies updates; 23 distempter/parvo/lepto combos and 13 bordetellas. She also gave health checks to each dog.

One of the veterinary technicians came along for a visit/assistance as well.

All went smoothly. We had packed the deep snow quite well with machines to make for easier walking/ kennel access. The temps were a bit chilly but we accomplished all. There is one more kennel call in January. We did check the tumors on dogs and found two new ones. As our kennel dogs age, we have the usual problems of aging. Unfortunately, cancer is one of those.

A big hurrah for the dogs who cooperated so well and for such a great vet. Sleds came out today , too.

Marshmallow World

Looked like a heavy coating of marshmallow fluff, everywhere, yesterday. It snowed and snowed and snowed for 24 hours. Not sure how deep, maybe 12 inches.

First priority, of course, was to feed all of the dogs. Fortunately we had the machines going the day before so I could flatten trails for a more walkable approaches to the pens.

It started to sleet a bit last night as the temps went up, so hopefully the trails we ran yesterday will be well set for sleds (which are still in the basement). Many of the dogs ran laps, effortlessly, around and around, outside the pens. They do love snow!

The deer were in many times for food. It's very windy this morning so blowing snow will be today's challenge. All of the houses had new straw before the storm, but we'll need to check that today. It is winter.