Pups First Run -- Part 2

Note: This is an excerpt from my contributions to the SP Kennel Dog Log

Here's a Sunday treat for you...

Ride along with Mac on his first run as a sled dog!

That's him in wheel position… Where, I suspect, he has a fine future ahead of him!

Enjoy!

(PS -- I don't know about you, but I think Chica and Cutter can be very proud of their "love pups"!)

Pups First Run -- Part 1

Note: This is an excerpt from my contributions to the SP Kennel Dog Log

Many of you have asked about when young dogs start training. The short answer is that they don't really start running until they are yearlings, and then generally only on short runs from time to time in their yearling season.

Occasionally a yearling will mature quickly and do a short- or mid-distance race, but they usually don't become racing sled dogs until they are at least two years old.

That doesn't mean, however, that you can't let pups have a grand adventure and enjoy the thrill of being sled dogs for a mile or so.

Bridgett is quite keen on "harness breaking" pups, so while she was here this week she set out to give the "Big Boys" -- Boris, Raffie and Mac -- their first experience as sled dogs.

As you will see -- and hear! -- In Part 1, "a good time was had by all!"

Calling All Canines

Note: This is an excerpt from my contributions to the SP Kennel Dog Log

You've probably noticed that I try to bring you something "a little different" on Sundays, and today's video certainly fits that description.

Clearly, most of the footage you've ever seen here of the dogs has been of them either running in harness, getting ready to run, frantically trying to be picked to go run or some other enthusiastically active behavior.

There is another side to daily life at the Kennel, however, and it is dramatically less energetic. The dogs do, after all, spend a fair amount of time resting and sleeping, eating, playing with their neighbors and hanging out at -- or most often on -- their houses.

As you might imagine, there are many, many dogs in a sled dog neighborhood, and pretty much any time of the day or night you can expect to hear dogs somewhere in the area. Sometimes, the dogs of SP Kennel can be seen listening to the chit-chat from their canine neighbors and spontaneously responding with a little "over the back fence gossip" of their own.

Here's your chance to join in!

DD: Black Team Photo Finish!

Note: This is an excerpt from my contributions to the SP Kennel Dog Log

As best I can make out the story... When it became clear to Allen and Bridgett that they weren't going to be able to catch the team ahead of them, they "throttled back" a bit to take it easy on the dogs and bring them to the finish without undue strain in the relative heat of the day. All of a sudden, Bridgett looked back and screamed, "Dad! There's a team behind us!" What ensued was far from a leisurely finish!... Take a look:

Bridgett also told me that their race went perfectly, "We ran right on our race plan, and didn't have any problems along the way. The dogs were fantastic and we're proud to bring all 20 safely into the finish. We just got out raced!" By any account, the Black Team ran an outstanding race and provided us with a real thriller at the finish. Congratulations to Allen, Bridgett and all the dogs!

According to the race stats, the Red Team left Alpine at 9:30 so they should arrive sometime around 4pm. I'll head back over there and wait to cover their finish!

DD: Start Video

Note: This is an excerpt from my contributions to the SP Kennel Dog Log

Here it is! Only 2 hours from being live! Enjoy!

DD: Drive And Arrive

Note: This is an excerpt from my contributions to the SP Kennel Dog Log

So far it's been "Perfect!" An easy drive, a beautiful day AND good internet! Here's a video to bring you totally up to the minute...

Happy Is Double Happy!

Note: This is an excerpt from my contributions to the SP Kennel Dog Log

Hi!... I'm Happy... I'm always Happy... That's why they call me Happy!

I know some of you already noticed this -- and I thank you for your very nice comments -- but I'm so happy right now that I want to make sure everybody knows why!

Did you see who is on Boss Allen's Black Team? Yip, that's me!


I'm really, really happy about this… I'm double happy! I ran my very first race on Boss Allen's Iditarod Team last year and we went all the way to Nome! I ran my second race on Boss Aliy's Copper Basin 300 team and we went all the way around in a circle! (I still don't quite understand what that was all about!) Now Boss Allen has me running my third race for him again. Does that make me happy, or what?!? I can't wait to find out if we'll be going someplace this time!

You know, I really like racing. We get to go to new places and see lots of new stuff. Plus, there's something different about how we do it. The bosses and all my pack mates get so serious. Some of them get really nervous, but you know me! It just makes me happy! One of my favorite things is that I never know where my friend Macgellan is going to show up. I keep looking for him and when I see him I try to do a little Happy Dance while I'm running (even though the bosses don't really like it when I do) and I bark, "Look at me! Look at me!"


I hope you will look for me on the race, and I can't wait to tell you all about it!

Mushing In C-Sharp Minor

Here's a little music video for you to enjoy with your Sunday morning coffee, your pre- or post-Super Bowl festivities… or perhaps even your snowed-in snooze!

Moose In My Back Yard

Note: This is an excerpt from my contributions to the SP Kennel Dog Log

Here's a little glimpse of winter living in the Alaskan Interior! (Yes, they are BIG!)