Weather here is again the topic for this week.
Since last weekend, we have had unseasonably high temperatures reaching up to 30 Celsius. 
​Luckily, no more fires in this area.
On Thursday, Friday and Saturday, we received some much needed rain to quench the dry conditions here in the forest!
Now a cold front has arrived dropping the temperature down to 0 Celsius this morning.
This crazy flux in temperatures has caused some dificultes for a couple of the dogs to adjust.
Both Blue and Louis went off their feed for several days. However, the good news is they are back eating like normal now. Through this period, they were drinking well and kept well hydrated.
This week, the dogs kept busy digging holes all around their houses.
Yes, Summer excavations are underway!
Life here with my canine family is never boring!
Until next week......

Hot, dry weather this Spring has left the forest very vulnerable here in Quebec.
This Friday there was a forest fire 19 km from our kennel. That sounds far, but a fire with wind can travel very fast.
What also makes this more dangerous, the fire was between here and the village and could cause the closure of the only road out of here.
Luckily it was put out due to the quick response of SOPFEU (the fire fighting service here in Quebec) on the ground and by use of Water Bombers.
It is always worrisome with travellers coming up here and not paying attention to the warning signs not have open fires at their camps and with careless smokers throwing out their cigarettes.
The Inhabitants here understand, especially with COVID 19, the desire to get out into Nature. We just ask that they respect the dangers here to prevent Forest Fires.
All was fine here with the property and the dogs.
Also this week, we had the return some beautiful Sunsets.
For those who might be wondering about the effects of COVID 19 here, we have had no cases here in the Saint Michel area.
Until next week.......

It was a great week here to have Tepeu (Willy/Angel) return after a three year absence.
Tepeu spent the last two years with Rosaire Perron Racing in Quebec and last season racing with Guy Girard travelling to New Hampshire and Alaska.
It didn't take long for her to get comfortable back here with her family.
It will be fun having her running with her teammates back here at Miortuk.
It was another week here with the weather finally becoming more Spring like with some rain, warm sunny days and the last of  Winter's ice leaving the lake. 
Today, I saw the first Robin's return a sign that the Summer will be coming soon.
With all the changes in the World today, it is reassuring to see the normalcy of Nature.
Until next week....... 

It has been a strange week here with the weather and signs from Nature!
First the weather here has been been warmer in the early days of this week and turning very cold in the later days.
The warmth has finally caused the lake ice to melt quickly (as seen in the above photos) resulting in high water levels. Luckily we are on high ground here and no flooding problems.
The snow/ice is melting in the kennel leaving only one row of housing with snow left to go. The other sections are all dry and the dogs are enjoying their Spring digging.
Today it is cold and we are experiencing some light snow flurries.
Yes, it is May 9th!
This week we had flock of Black Birds here, which I have never seen before. They were here only a few days and then departed.
This week the Canada Geese started their migration.
The flocks were the largest I have seen here.
The unusual phenomenon was they were migrating North and not South just the reverse of their normal pattern.
Never have I experienced this before!
What is Nature telling us?
Also this week, the Loon have returned for the Summer.
It is wonderful hearing their intriguing calling.
Until next week....... 

Although it is about a month late, Spring is finally here.
This week more warm weather during the days and rain Thursday and Friday is speeding up the melt here.
The lake this morning was showing some water around the edges and some wet spots on the ice. Probably by the end of next week the ice will be gone until next Winter.
The slow melt has been good as not to cause water flooding in the kennel. That along with raising the dog houses after every snow storm, allows the houses to slowly sink with the snow melt leaving the houses high and dry.
The dogs are doing great enjoying the Sun and for recreation chasing the squirls that are teasing them with their scurrying around.
Quebec has announced this week, the gradual re-opening of travel restrictions imposed due to contain the spread of COVID19.
Luckily this area has been spared, so far, from this virus.
Although life here hasn't really changed, it will be nice to know the we can go out for supplies for the dogs.
Every day the Raven visit the kennel after the dogs are fed to clean up any food that was spilled at feeding.
The dogs are very used to them and don't bother them even though they intrude on their territory.
Isn't it interesting how species will get along here in the forest.
​Maybe humans could learn from them.
​Until next week.......

From Winter to Spring all in one week here at Miortuk.
Sunday, Tuesday and Wednesday, we had snow here with strong winds leading to Winter conditions.
However, Thursday sun with cold temperatures that changed to Sun and warm temperatures on Friday and today.
The snow is slowly melting, the birds singing, the squirls chirping and scurrying around, the Raven's daily visit scrounging for food and the metal roof of the chalet cracking due the expansion and contraction from the warmth from the Sun.
These are the sounds of Spring here.
The dogs are doing great and enjoying the warmth of the Sun, chasing the squirls and placidly letting the Raven for ge for leftovers and turning over the dog dishes on their daily quest for food.
Life is good!
​Until next week........

We could learn a lot from our canine family on how to enjoy the moment!
Today is nice and sunny with a Spring warmth in the air.
The dogs were all just staying still and absorbing the warmth of the sun and the quiet of the forest.
Watching them, while having my morning coffee, allows me to relax and enjoy the peacefulness and appreciate my life here.
Everyday is a blessing that we should not ignore.
The stillness of the kennel and watching the fluffy clouds slowly float through beautiful blue sky is a reminder of wonderful it is to be living!
The lake this week, after the rains and the drop in temperature, made the it large skating rink.
Count your blessing and enjoy the moment.
Until next week....

During the current times we are living in, the above title of this weeks blog is so true!
One morning this week, as I sat outside having my coffee overlooking the kennel, there was time that there was absolutely no sound or movement.
It was if the world had stood still!
No sound of wind, birds, squirrels , dogs or any other forest creatures.
Although, I am used to the peace and serenity of the forest, this was totally different.
Then the forest started to come alive with the dogs howling, the birds singing, the squirrels scurrying around and chirping.
This week with the absence of human activity, one could hear the wind as it ascended through the forest and arriving where I was sitting.
Yes, again the forest was alive only now with only the sounds of Nature!
This week Nature again displayed it presence with some warm, sunny days followed by a Spring Snowstorm that blanked the forest in is a sea of white.
My days are brightened with the daily interaction with each and everyone of my canine family.
We look forward to the individual interaction of peacefully spending those quality moments with each other. 
Although the outside world has come to a standstill, here life is good!
It is so important to appreciate the little things that makes life worth living.
​Until next week......

Through these difficult times, we can easily get caught up with the depressing news.
It is a time to reflect on some of our great memories and look forward to more in the future.
Take the opportunity, to go outside by yourself, close your eyes, take a deep breath and listen.
The air you just took in is clean and unpolluted.
Sounds you hear are the sounds of nature. The stillness, the birds, the dripping of water coming from the melting snow on the roof. Maybe the gentle sound of rain.
There are so many things in life to appreciate that cost us nothing!
The above video is of Lilly, Lance and Lloyd playing chase. Puppies are so much fun to watch!
Their life is very simple.
Really, so is ours.
You just need to relax and appreciate that we are alive and can enjoy these simple pleasures.
Until next week.......

This week was good week to look at some photos of the past and remember the good times here running dogs.
A lot has happened since some of the above teams and yet many of these  dogs are still running here today.
This week has been very quiet with no running here.
However, it has been a great week taking extra time in the kennel interacting, petting and spending some quality time with each dog.
There has been some nice sunny days and right now some Spring snow flurries.
Yes, Winter has a hard time giving up here at Miortuk.
It is also a great time to look forward and plan for the future.
When Olive comes into heat, we are looking at breeding here to Louis.
This will produce some great puppies of which some will be available for adoption to approved homes.
These puppies will be for those mushers that are looking to improve their kennels or looking to have a good foundation for their future kennels.
It is not too often that dogs are bred here for that purpose.
However, there some great bloodlines here that should be continued for the future.
Already, there have been inquiries for the puppies from France and the USA.
If anyone is interested, please contact me to reserve one.
​Until next week.......