Embracing the Unexpected : Fall Training and Preping for Winter

We have dived in full force to fall training. We run dog teams with a 4 wheeler around the kennel and lately we have been loading up and trucking the dogs to new trails. I am learning so much from riding along with DeeDee and some other mushers. Learning about dog's gaits and what to do in certain situations has made me very excited to get out on a sled this winter and practice some more.
The new handler Peter and I have been trying to get a jump start on Iditarod preparations. We want to have all the booties and kibble (dry dog food) packaged and done before the meat truck gets here with 6 tons of meat! We are almost done with it though. I have been teaching him how to make tugs and necklines as well too. It feels great to be busy around the kennel and working hard. No snow yet, but hopefully it comes soon!

Annabelle working hard with me to finish booties.

Packaging dog food into race bag sizes, we have done 1200lbs 400lbs left to go. Each bag is 4lbs.

Annabelle went into a food coma after helping clean up what food I dropped.

Chase as well was a big help!

I also fixed a set of harnesses for our tenders (last years puppies) so they have nice fitting harnesses with padding on them. It was a frustrating learning moment getting the padding on them. Luckily Jaimee at High's Adventure Kennel taught me how to do it and I got all 9 done! Still working on some extras. Loving being able to improve such a variety of skills here at the kennel.

The fun stuff! Picking up poop

No snow yet, but getting to that time of year where I see the sun rise and set each day. Lucy enjoys it as well.

Our 2 trucks to load up 37 dogs to train else where. Talk about a work out loading these guys in the trucks!

Dog Sledding can be a rough sport as well. Crashed a 4-wheeler while training....

We have also been working on new trails. A large group of us went out and cleared some trail. After last winter with so many trees falling down, many trails still need to be cleared.

Part of a trail we cleared

When looking at the forest, it looks like a giant walked through and bent all the trees over....

Over 20 trees in one huge pile we cleared out, Before

During

After. Great team work! Plus one broke chainsaw

Crazy how much the snow destroyed the trails last year.

Fall training can still cause problems as a few of our pups have figured out. One of my favorite boys Fudge tore a ligament in his knee and will never run again. I am hoping to transition him into a house dog very soon. Osprey took a stick to the leg, she is tough though, didn't even flinch and finished the run then we saw the cut. She has been living inside with me for the past month so the shaved area on her leg does not get frostbite. She started running again then took a stick in between the toes. I am fully convinced she just loves living inside with me.

Osprey didn't like the cone, so we tied a T-shirt around her. This actually was enough for her to leave her stitches alone.

As is gets colder out Dratini has started joining us inside at night

Back at the vet to get her foot looked at

Half sisters enjoying some quality bonding time :)

IV bag used to soak Osprey's foot injury


Even Python joined us a few nights. Talk about a full house!

I was able to attend the Alaska Women's Summit Conference in Anchorage with DeeDee. This was a great conference, I was able to hear many strong and powerful women speak and encourage us to grow and become powerful women as well. DeeDee talked about redefining "Like a Girl" it was so neat to see her up there and hear what she had to say. I was able to meet our US Senator Lisa Murkowski. I was also proud to represent Moose Mamas there as well and hear Dana give a great presentation about the program with the orphan moose calves. Then by chance was able to stop by a Bill Walker fundraiser and meet him who may be our new Governor of Alaska.

DeeDee on the panel for Redefining "Like a Girl"

Great Moose Mamas representation

DeeDee, Lisa Murkowski, and I

Dana (Moose Mama), Bill Walker, and I

Here are few more Annabelle pictures and other random things over the last few weeks. Hope everyone is doing well and striving for your dreams!

My collection of monopoly games :)

Puppy in the dog food bag....

Chase and Annabelle playing he is so gentle with her I promise

Saw the red moon, meteor shower and northern lights all in one night :)

Lucy's spot in the trees

Attempt up Hatcher Pass one last time

Closed for the winter...

Up bright and early to get to Wasilla to watch the Packer game :)

Go Pack Go

Puppies and dog beds don't mix... Chase fail his babysitting duties.

Our makeshift bridge to get across a creek while looking for a couple of run away dogs. Alaska survival skills at their finest.Both dogs made it home safely!