"SEASONS GREETINGS FROM ALL OF US AT MIORTUK KENNEL!"

THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS AT MIORTUK KENNEL

 

 

It was the night before Christmas and all through the kennel

Not a sled dog was stirring not even Cannelle

The pups were all nestled in their straw beds

With visions of Salmon treats going through their heads

The stockings and mitts were all hung with care

Close to the wood stove to dry in the warm air

I had just settled down to a long winters nap

No, I don’t wear a bedding cap

When in the kennel there rose such a clatter

I sprang from my bed to see what was the matter

Over to the window, I flew with a flash

Tripped on a bunny boot and almost fell on my ---

What to my wondering eyes would appear?

But a miniature sled and eight tiny reindeer

With a little old driver so lively and quick

I knew in a minute, it must be Saint Nick

Over the moon lit lake, I seen him come to the chalet

He said “I have a big problem that will cause me a delay

My reindeer are to tired to continue my trip

Can I borrow your sled dogs”, I thought that was hip

So we hooked up Leo & Nanook, Minnie & Elmer, in their red harnesses they sure looked fine

Followed by Cannelle & Blackie, With Amorook & Coyute finishing the line

Then he called the dogs up and to my surprise

They rose from the ground and started to rise

As he flew away he said to me, as I stood on the snow covered lawn

“Don’t worry, I will have them all back to you by dawn!”

“SO, FROM ALL OF US AT MIORTUK KENNEL, I WISH MERRY CHRISTMAS TO YOU ALL AND TO ALL A GOOD NIGHT!”

 

(Inspired by “Twas The Night Before Christmas” by Clement Clarke Moore – 1822)

By Stan Morgan, Nov. 25, 2009



 

"THE SNOW HAS FINALLY ARRIVED HERE IN THE NORTHERN FOREST!"

The snow finally arrived here this week. We received 12" plus on Wednesday and more on Thursday and again today for a weekly total of around 20". This was both good news and also bad news. First the good news: we now are getting a good base for running the dogs and the trails are looking great. Now the bad news: the lake only formed about an inch of ice before the snow and now with this amount of snow on the lake there is a danger it wont freeze good this year. The deep snow on the lake insulates it and makes it difficult to freeze good for safe crossing. The photo was taken the morning before the snow fall and shows pressure cracks on the ice. 
This was however a good week for training the dogs getting in another 4 days of work. Again this week two runs of 8 miles and two runs 4.5 miles. The dogs are doing great even with the deep snow on Fridays training.
The other activity this week was 3 days of plowing out the parking areas and the road entrance to the chalet.
The plowing is done, the trails are groomed and ready for tomorrows training runs.
Until next week........

"A DUSTING OF NEW SNOW, FRESH NEW STRAW BEDDING; LIFE CANT GET MUCH BETTER IN THE NORTHERN FOREST!"

Nanook is enjoying the new snow and fresh bedding of straw in her house.
This was a good week here weather wise, with fresh new snow on Sunday night into Monday Morning. It rained here on Thursday and then a dusting of new snow on Friday and more snow today.
The snow enabled us to get in 4 days of training through the week with 2 x 8 mile runs on Monday & Wednsday and 4.5 mile runs on Tuesday, Saturday. The dogs perforemance was great and they are retaining an enthusisatic attitude. The new feeding program is working out good and the dogs are maintaining their running weight without any problem. With the increase mileage and the colder temperatures, their diets are being supplimented nightly with a snack of lard after their evening meal.
To all my Swiss friends, I hope the Samichlaus visited you this weekend and not his infamous sidekick Schmutzli.
There is also a new video posted on YouTube of one of last weeks training runs.
Until next week........