What it Takes

A sled dog kennel is a farm, 24/7/365 attention. We are never 'off duty'.

E.g. at 4:23 AM today, loud screaming came from the pens. I was already up, but I hurriedly grabbed my pants, boots, headlamp and went out the door with the three house dogs running ahead. Two dogs who never 'break out' were running in the valley. Luckily, ever vigilant Sierra, (Elkhound) was off and running, rounded them up and herded them back to their pen.

I would love to know what she 'says' to them to accomplish that. I could smell fox musk yesterday and again this a.m. so I'm guessing a fox came too close to the pen and they chased it.

Schedule, daily:

4AM I usually get up about this time and start the soup (cooked meat and rice).

5AM House chores, answer email, etc.

6AM Feed house dogs, finish soup, head out.

7 AM Feeding, checking health, pens, etc. Feed wildlife. Give the meds.

8AM If running teams, setting up, if not running teams, start the free runs. Clean the pens.

10AM Either still running teams, or doing catch up around the kennel, repairing gates, fences,

still free running dogs.

11AM Hauling more straw,grooming trails, cleaning out straw, hauling waste pails to pit, all the chores.

Noon If finished running teams, time for errands, loading up on supplies, hauling supplies.

Afternoon Sometimes running teams, hauling supplies (bags of dog food, meat, straw, fencing, etc.)

3PM Prep and soup or feed all the dogs, wildlife.

In below zero temps we go back out to pens about 7PM to check each dog. If very cold, we coat the dogs who will wear them.

And then there are the surprises, often daily, that require some kind of attention.