Here are a few photos, extracted from a video, of the home stretch on a conditioning/training run.
Unfortunately, the weather this week wasn't to conducive to running dogs. We were plagued with warm & then very wet weather. Even though the temperatures were around 8C, the high humidity made for undesirable conditions for running. These conditions can cause the dogs to overheat and is very dangerous for their health & well being! 
The upcoming week is calling for less rain & cooler temperatures that are more suitable.
We did however, get in two days of running on Tuesday & Wednesday, that were very good. The dogs are getting into better shape and are now running 3 minute run/2 minute rest intervals.
Both Hinto & Hok'ee were placed out in the dog yard with the adult dogs on Saturday. They were getting too big for the puppy pen and needed more room. They adjusted quite well to their new surroundings. Both Halona & Hurit are still in the puppy pen, as they are both a little too small to be placed in the yard with the adults.
There are a few photos of Hinto & Hok'ee adjusting to their new mates in the kennel on the "Puppy" page.
Until next week.........

Yes, it was a great week here getting a lot accomplished.
This was the first week this season to get in four days of running the dogs. Due to warm/rainy weather the first half of the week, we ended up running Wednesday, Thursday & Friday. It was rewarding to see that the dogs performed great all three days and maybe even the best on the third day. On the Friday run, we increased the run/rest intervals from two minute run/two minute rest to three minute run/two minute rest. Those three days, we started the day with below freezing temperatures for the first time this season. 
Now, we are in a heat wave with Summer like temperatures. 
This weeks running schedule was predicated by the forecast of warm temperatures & also this the Thanksgiving Holiday weekend. Thus, we had scheduled two days of rest (R&R).
On Saturday, we placed collars on the pups for the fist time & staked them out by the truck. In the beginning they were not impressed. However, they got used to the tethering and then we took them each for a walk on leash. This gave them time to experience new terrain & smells. In the end they were all happy & were then returned to the puppy pen & familiar surroundings.
This week, we also started kennel maintenance getting ready for the Winter.
There is a new video added to the Training Page of the dogs running. 
Until next week........

Here are a series of photos extracted from a video taken of this mornings run. This was the fifth time we have had the dogs out this season. I am very impressed on the progress of the dogs for this early in the season. In these photos it is Cobalt & Max at lead.
This week it has been warm & wet which is the reason we were only able to get in a few runs. Next week, the weather is forecasted to be cooler & hopefully we can get into a four day/week conditioning schedule. As of now, we are running 4.5 miles and using a 2 minute run/2 minute rest routine. As the  dogs get more in condition, we will change the run/rest cycle.
Now that we are back running the dogs, it is a great time here in the Northern Forest!
Until next week........

On Friday's run Cobalt was placed at lead for her first time. 
SHE WAS A NATURAL! 
She took to the position as if she had running there her whole life. She comes by this ability naturally as her father was also a leader (good genetics).
It was a great week: to start running the dogs again, introducing the yearlings (Blue & Indigo) into running in a team & the arrival of David on Monday.
Unfortunately, we were only able to get in two mornings of running due to warm temperatures. If the forecasts are correct, we will not be able to get the dogs back out running until late next week again due to the warm temperatures.
The two yearlings did a great job of running in a team and look like they are going to be great racers.
Of coarse, all the adult dogs enjoyed getting started in conditioning/training runs for a new season. ( there is a video on the "Training Page")
The Puppies are growing and getting big. Soon, they will be placed out in the kennel with the adults. If their Mother & Father are any indication of their abilities, they should be great sled dogs.
ALL IS GOOD HERE!
Until next week.......

Yes, today Hototo, Honaw & Honovi are leaving here with Rosaire & going to their new home. It has only been three months, however, I am already emotionally attached to them. As I have interacted with the puppies everyday since their birth a close attachment occurs. It is difficult to part with them! However, I still have the pleasure of playing & working on the development of Halona, Hurit, Hok'ee & Hinto. It is with thanks to Rosaire, with the loan of Tony, that I was able to produce this wonderful litter.
On the Puppies Page there are a few new photos of the Pups taken after eating their breakfast. They are now 12 weeks old and have really grown. It is interesting to look back and see how quickly they have developed. 
On the "arrivals" side, tomorrow David arrives here and starts his stay at Miortuk. He will be initiated on Tuesday Morning to the first run of the season with the dogs. It should be a very exciting morning as the dogs are all ready,with the changing lower temperatures, to get running.
It should be a busy week here with David's arrival & the Fall conditioning starting for the dogs (& Musher) with the anticipation of a great racing season ahead. 
Until next week..........

Yes, I remember well the morning of 9/11! 
I had just come into the chalet after training two teams , I  turned on the TV  while having a coffee and saw the second plane hit the World Trade Center. I thought at first, it was a movie advertisement and then realized it was not.
So, in memory of that day 10 years ago, I am lovingly remembering the dogs that ran that day & have since passed away.
Until next week........

Halona showing affection for her brother Hinto or is it she is just moving in to see if there is any more food on his face? At any rate, it is a cute moment!
It has been a week of excitement here with numerous thunder storms, great lightning shows and a visit by the Vet Saturday to vaccinate all the dogs. 
As I write this, the thunder is rolling through the rainy, cloud ridden skies. Already to day, the hydro was interrupted once due to this storm.
It certainly is an exciting time when the Vet comes to vaccinate all the dogs. Some are very easy & stoic, others very excitable. It is some times a challenge with the more excitable dogs. The Puppies got their first vaccination and showed no fuss. Of coarse, they were being cradled in the arms of several assistants. We have to take all the pups out out at the same time, as to ensure each gets their vaccination ( too difficult to tell them apart). The pups showed no effect from the experience & it didn't slow them down afterwards. 
The squirrels are getting busy gathering their winter supplies and teasing (with their chatter) the hell out  of the adults in the kennel. The hunting instinct in this type of husky is certainly showing.
The weather this week has turned milder. Along with the warmer temperatures, the humidity is back.
Both David & Charlie have contacted me this week and confirmed their arrive times here at Miortuk. All the harnesses are now clean & two more freezers should arrive here in the next couple of weeks to ensure the frozen meat will be taken care of for the Winter. 
All is coming together for the upcoming season.
Until next week......

Yes, the nights are getting cooler and the dogs are getting ready to run. As you can see here, Blue is showing his enthusiasm to the cooler temperatures.
However, not everyday is cool enough yet and there is still, at times, high humidity. The conditioning/training will probably start around the 3rd week of September. By that time the temperatures are consistent enough to set up a good running program.
The Puppies are growing and eating more which corresponds with their more active play times. It is hard to believe that they are 9 weeks old already. I have added a new family portrait in the "puppies" page.
There has been a lot of crazy weather here in Eastern Canada this week with many heavy thunder storms and even tornadoes and now a major hurricane going up the east cost of North America. Luckily here, we have missed most of the real bad weather.
Until next week......

Yes, what could be more relaxing than watching Puppies play & spectacular Sunsets!
All the signs of Fall approaching are suddenly here with the Hornets building a Winter nest, the Humming Birds aggressively visiting the feeder to prepare for their migration South and the Musher washing his harnesses & checking equipment for the upcoming season. Also, the nights are getting cooler & the dogs more restless. This week, I also received a confirming email of David's arrival here next month.
Soon another running season will be upon us and along with this the planning of what races to attend and the training schedule required to prepare the team for these advents.
The Puppies were 8 weeks old on Friday and are very active as well as very aggressive eaters. I posted a clip on YouTube this week that shows the Puppies eating. It sure doesn't take long for the food to disappear! It seems like every other day, I have to increase the volume of food to meet their ravenous apatites. I also posted their pedigree this week.
The adults are all showing signs of their desire to start training with their restlessness and more aggressive attitude. However, the temperatures are still too warm & the humidity too high to safely run them.
Like the dogs, I am also getting more restless in anticipation of the upcoming season. I have to be patient as the start of the training will be here soon enough. So, it is time to sit back and relax with watching the Puppies & the Sunsets.
Until next week ........

In this series of photos, while Halona is singing; her brother's Hinto, Hototo & sister Hurit listen to her sweet song with approval!
The puppies are just over 7 weeks old now & are growing rapidly. Their individual personalities are starting to show & it is fun to see them interact with each other. My friend Rosaire was here yesterday & made his pick of the puppies ( as we are dividing the litter between us as he supplied Tony & I supplied Cobalt ). He picked two males(Hototo & Honaw) and one female (Honovi). He made some good picks are we are both happy with the results.In the "Puppy" section their is a family portrait of the Pups at 7 weeks old.
We had another crazy week of weather with storms & rain. This also caused a Hydro outage Wednesday night Around 7pm until Thursday at 1pm. However, the forest needed the rain as it was getting dry. A long power outage is a little unsettling as all the meat for the dogs is kept in freezers.
One of my neighbour,s friends landed his airplane on the Manawan road on Saturday when he came to visit. This certainly added some excitement.
Until next week.......