Yah, a great slightly frosty morning for training, with temperatures down to 1.8c (35f) with a wind chill of 0c (32f), although humidity is still relatively high at 85%.

Today’s 5.5 mile run puts 80 miles on the dogs since training started on the 1st October. Besides dropping one of the lesser dogs at the beginning of the week, spirits are remaining high! So my fingers are crossed that the 4-5 Sibes here that raced last season, will maintain there spirit as we go further into the training program.
Except from my Alaskan in Swing right; like Malc & I, these Sibes have never done this kind of training before, just short 3 mile sprints… so far so good :)

Inspired by Magali Philip (Noatak Kennel) and Joe Redington Jr. (Iditarod Kennel).

11/5/2006 3:58:43 PM UTC    Comments [0] 

Today was bright and dry; so it was a good opportunity to get building some new dog boxes ready for Risk, Sheenjek and Suen. Each box measures 41” x 24” x 25” and stand of the deck by 3”, and is adequate to sleep one to two husky dogs.


Second coat of Sadlin being applied a week later...

10/29/2006 1:53:12 PM UTC    Comments [0] 

With a very special thanks to Magali Philip, who has been on a quest now for some time to find me a leader, has managed to come up trumps with good friend Joee Redington Jr. The leader is a five year old male by the name of Suen and should be with us around May 07 with much appreciation to Joee, who’s about to go through the riggers of the Pets Passport Scheme.

10/10/2006 8:44:05 PM UTC    Comments [0] 

With great enthusiasm, Teigan joins the training team after a four week recovering from spayed operation due to Pyometra, bless her :)

10/8/2006 8:25:45 PM UTC    Comments [0] 

Now the temperature has fallen to around 10c (evening & mornings). This week saw the start of our interval training program geared mainly towards next season’s overseas mid-distance racing.
This type of training is new to us, and the only member of the team here that’s done this kind of training before is my Alaskan from Magali Philip, who has taught me earlier on in the year how hard a purpose bred race dog can pull while maintaining a very high spirit! :)
Mixture of dogs consist of mine and Malcolm Goodwins and main evaluations include; a) determining the ability of each dog for toughness b) endurance soundness c) and ability to cover distance. Many thanks Magali :)

Sunday morning, 11 dogs running as a unit/team, errr, only six working!!! ok, two dogs here are house pets :)

10/5/2006 9:13:24 AM UTC    Comments [0] 

Teigan had to be rushed of to the vets Thursday Sept 7th as she was losing blood from her vulva. The vet called in the evening to confirm that she has Pyometra (four weeks post mating). She spent the night at the vet's and was spayed Friday morning.
She’s doing very well, acting like nothing has happened and should be ready to go back home to Malcolm this coming weekend. Bless her!!!

It just goes to show, despite all our precautions like bloodtest, heart checks prior to heat, swab taken on the first day of heat for culture test, and ultra clean kennel that she still contracted pyometra??? :(
But at least she seems too had pulled through it all ok :)

10/1/2006 1:46:19 PM UTC    Comments [0] 

Teigan successfully bred to Sting last week, now let’s hope that Mother Nature will provide us with some cute little puppies early November...

9/10/2006 5:45:23 PM UTC    Comments [0] 

Teigan (own by friend Malcolm Goodwin) came into season yesterday. I have hoped for a while now of a breeding between Teigan and Sting, followed by nice pups, so fingers crossed!!!

8/24/2006 9:48:51 AM UTC    Comments [0] 

What a tremendous loss! 4 times Iditarod Champion Susan Butcher sadly passed away this afternoon in Seattle Washington, after battling against leukaemia. Words can not begin to express how David and the children must be feeling! Our thoughts are with you!
Susan had been an inspiration to many mushers and a strong icon!!! No doubt Susan, Joe Redington Sir, and other all time greats will be looking over us with a smile of admiration. God Bless!

8/5/2006 6:24:08 PM UTC    Comments [0]