Who would beleave that after 40+ years, I would still be running Sled Dogs.
Still enjoying the adventure, thrill and the beauty of seeing these canine athletes run!
But it all started when I got my first Sled Dog, Aloak (soft black stone) a male Siberian Husky Puppy! 
Like many mushers, I started with one dog, then two, then three.
Due to limitations on the number of dogs you could have in the city, I would go and borrow others dogs from people and a kennel that didn't run their dogs.
On training nights, I would go and pick up the other dogs from three different places. Then drive 3/4 of an hour to my training sight, run the dogs, then drive 3/4 of an hour back to Brampton (where I lived) drop off the other dogs return home, feed my dogs and then go to bed getting some sleep before getting up to go to work the next day.
This routine, through the fall, Winter & Spring, would be repeated four times a week. 
Aloak was my inspiration, my companion and my mentor leading me through many adventures of exportation during training and many Mid-Distance Races in Ontario, Pennsylvania, New York State, Massachusetts and Maine.
Aloak was an incredible Sled Dog running Lead, Wheel and was also a Champion Weight Puller!
Aloak loved attention and the cheering on of the crowds, that would come from all over, to see him perform.
His last pull was in Hamilton, Ontario at the age of 12.
He was up against his main rival, a big Red & White Male Siberian Husky named Igor.
As normal, the contest eventually came down to Aloak & Igor for the final pull.
If I remember correctly, the weight on the sled for this final pulls was just over 1200 pounds.
Igor was first to try the pull off, he jumped up and lunged trying to get the sled to move.
​After several unsuccessful attempts, It was Aloaks turn.
Before the final pull, the organizers had to repaint the finish line in the snow as the paint had worn off during the competition.
I hooked Aloak to the sled, told him to stay and went to my position at the end of the pull are behind the finish line.
The crowd was silent!
I called "Aloak Come", he slowly crouched down, leaned into his harness and started slowly to move the sled.
He was at the finish line and he stopped!
He smelt the new paint on the snow and it startled him.
I said softly to Aloak, "come".
He again crouched down, leaned into his harness and pulled the weighted sled over he finish line.
The crowd cheered loudly showing their appreciation of the efforts of this superior athlete.
He finished his last pull retaining his Championship and undefeated over his Weight Pulling carrier.
Aloak was a loyal, always willing to please and most importantly, my companion.
Without him, I would never have started down this road to find my destiny!
​Until next week........
In the photo from left to right staring at lead.
Roxy/Goosak
Princess/Amorok
​Bandit/Aloak

​

This is an old Mariners saying: "Red sky at night sailors delight. Red skies in the morning Sailor take warning."
First appeared in the Bible in the book of Mathew, "Red sky at night, shepherds delight. Red sky in the morning, shepherds warning."
It was later adopted by mariners.
The red sky at night means there is a high pressure system coming in from the West meaning the next day will be dry and pleasant.
At any rate it is very beautiful!
Last week was warm, humid and several thunder storms.
The above was taken Thursday night and Friday was dry and pleasant.
All is good here and the dogs are all doing great.
At this time of year the kennel is experiencing more shade as the trees that surrounds the kennel is blocking the sun most of the day.
The dogs have all gained weight and are exhibiting good muscle tone.
They are in great shape for the upcoming season.
​Until next week.......

It has always been a goal here to produce leaders ether in training new dogs to the kennel or through our own breeding program.
Not all dogs are cut out to be leaders and not all leaders are Race Leaders.
But leaders can run anywhere in the team from Point to Wheel.
Having multiple leaders allows a musher an opportunity to keep the stress of this position off the leaders by having the flexibility to rotate them.
It is one thing to have a philosophy about breeding leaders or dogs with a strong leader pedigree and to prove the results of that philosophy.
In the above video the two dogs running wheel (Louis on the left and Lilly on the right) are only seven months old and running their 6th time in harness.
You can see their desire to run even at this early stage in their development.
Both have very different personalities with Lilly being crazy, outgoing and the center of attraction and Louis very reserved, gentle and quiet.
Lilly last year finished her second year at lead and last year was the partner of Venus running lead every second run in rotation.
Louis started lead in around December, just a check to see how interested he was in the lead position.
To our surprise he relished in that position, showing his desire to be up there.
He was paired with Kira and the two became regulars in the lead rotation for the balance of the season.
The other dogs from that litter were also tried at lead and showed leader abilities.
This coming season, they will continue their leader training on a regular schedule.
This is not the first litter that has produced leaders from breeding leaders.
It is proven here that breeding leaders will produce leaders!
​Until next week......

It was a great week here with nice day time temperatures and cool nights for sleeping.
The dogs also enjoyed the nice reprieve from the hot/humid conditions of the week before.
The dogs are all looking great putting on some weight and will be ready for the start of Fall Conditioning/Training.
I like the dogs  to have a little more weight going into the Fall as they quickly muscle up and loose the excess weight when the running starts.
It is always easier to take weight off rather than going into running underweight.
It is very difficult to put weight on when running starts and can lead to a whole season with the dogs underweight and makes it difficult to build up the muscles required for them to perform to utmost.
To have a good, healthy kennel of dogs; it takes constant monitoring all year long.
​Until next week......

This week was hot & humid!
Temperatures this week were all in the high 20's/low 30's and culminating on Friday with temperature in the mid 30's.
The heat/humidity made doing chores exhausting!
However, the dogs were looked after: feeding, watering and the kennel cleaned every day.
We started feeding the dogs earlier in the morning before the temperatures got to hot.
The dogs all ate well and with enthusiasm. They always are excited to see me and their food.
We had a thunder storm pass through here on Friday afternoon.
Although the temperature was still high the humidity eased up.
Saturday morning, it was raining and the temperature had dropped to the low 20's.
A welcome relief! 
Next week the temperatures here are forecast to be back to normal.
​Until next week.......

The week started off stormy and then mid-week hot and humid.
So far this Summer, the main theme of this year is Changeable!
From cool O degrees Celsius to +30's!
From extremely dry to heavy downpours of rain.
Every day is a new adventure!
This week, a day trip to stock up the freezers with meat for the dogs on Tuesday before the next heat wave arrived.
We are now well stocked and no need to venture out of here for another month.
Through all of this the dogs are happy and enthusiastic for their daily meals and personal attention.
The Black Flies are almost finished for another year.
However, the mosquitoes are plentiful.
This week, the Dragonflies have returned and are enjoying the plentiful harvest of their favorite meal, mosquitoes.
Ah, the beauty of Nature!
Until next week......

It takes patience to capture the the beauty of a Sunset as seen in the above sequence of photos.
Finally on Wednesday the heat wave ended after a couple of thunder storms with torrential rains passed through late Tuesday giving the forest some much needed moisture.
The rain was so heavy, that the water running of the roof of the chalet looked like a waterfall.
With the cooler weather, the dogs were more active playing with each other and continuing chasing the Butterflies.
However along with the cooler/damp weather, the Black Flies and the Mosquitoes were abundant.
Yes, Nature always has a way of humbling you!
Even with these challenges, life here is preferred to that of the city.
Soon the Black Flies will be gone for another year!
Until next week......

Most mornings and late afternoon, a stillness descends on the lake making it a mirror with the reflexions of Nature.
Never get tired of enjoying the beauty the forest has to offer!
We are experiencing a heat wave here this week with the temperatures in the 30's Celsius with a high in the Sun reaching the mid 40's!
Due to the heat, the dogs are fed earlier in the mornings and provided with plenty of water.
They are handling the heat fine!
They know how to relax!
​Until next week.......
 

Again this week, the sunsets were spectacular!
Nature has a way of brightening up everyday.
This week was another of extremes with warm  comfortable temperatures and then today cold Fall like conditions. Next week, the forecast is for a return hot/humid weather.
We had some storms pass this week with just a little rain and strong  winds.
The good news is the winds seem to have kept the Black Flies at bay making them far less bothersome as past years.
The dogs are enjoying the cooler temperatures playing with each other and chasing Butterflies.
All the Dog Harnesses were washed this week and are now ready for the commencement of Fall training.
This is the time of year that many of the yearly maintenance  in the kennel gets accomplished.
There are always chores that need to be done.
The planning on the breeding between Louis and Olive is on hold, awaiting Olive to come into heat.
So far, none of the females have come into season.
It is late this year, maybe due to the erratic climate conditions.
Whatever, nature will take it's course.
​Until next week......

Life here is a stark contrast from the world outside.
Life here is simple and all of Natures Creatures live in harmony.
Over the last couple of weeks, the the migrating birds have returned and the Hummingbirds have arrived in full force.
Maybe due the late Spring growth of the flowering trees and plants, the Hummingbird Feeder has been very busy with the abundance of visitors.
It is very entertaining watching them come to feed. They are not bothered by me sitting outside having my morning coffee close their feeder as they buzz over my head and feeding.
The young squirrels curiously come up on the porch to visit me showing no fear of my presence.
The Black Flies and Mosquitoes have also returned and also come up to visit me! Although they are not really welcomed, they are all part of the eco system and have their own purpose.
In another month, the Black Flies will be gone for another year.
The dogs are having fun chasing the the Butterflies that are fluttering around the kennel.
The Raven are back everyday, after the dogs are fed, looking for scraps of food the have fallen in the kennel and tipping over the dog bowls looking for any leftovers.
We finally got some much needed rain this week and the trees are now starting to leaf.
The forest is displaying some vibrant green foliage.
Yes, life here is simple!
​Until next week.......