Due to Covid new challenges were presented here.
First: training didn't start until mid-December
Second: very difficult to get a Handler/Trainee into Canada
Third: the weather this year was unseasonably warm and little snow
However, this created a new opportunity to run smaller teams to spend more time this season on Leader training and development.
Currently, we are running three teams, two of 6 dogs and one of 5 dogs.
Therefore on each run, we are getting experience to 6 dogs on every run running at lead.
We also can change to a new leader during the run giving rookie dogs an opportunity to try the leader position in the team, running with an experienced leader.
This provided to get all the "L" Litter to tryout the position at lead.
So far, very happy with the dogs progress showing that all of them have leader potential with some more mentally mature to handle the pressures up front.
It is a big change from them chasing  the dog in front of them to leading.
Of coarse, it takes time for a new leader to gain confidence up front to run at the dogs full potential speed with consistency.
PATIENCE IS IN ORDER FOR THE TRAINER!!!
The above video is of Lance running lead ( left lead) for his second time.
We usually start a leader at the halfway part of the trail so they can run the last half on the home stretch knowing they will get a treat at the finish.
Lance did a great job up front with only a few distractions.
With more runs at lead, he will gain more confidence.
Until next week.....

It is amazing how quickly the dogs are getting into shape considering we had no Fall training.
Due to Covid, it has certainly been a challenging season so far.
However, these canine athletes were in great shape through the off season and had a great running season last Winter.
This week, we were able to get the dogs up to close to their racing speeds.
The slower speeds through the conditioning speeds are paying off.
Patients is very important as a musher!
Laura Montmasson, our new Handler from France is doing a great job, has excellent contact with the dogs and is a very quick learner.
We could use some new snow as the trails are very mogally in places which disrupts the dogs rhythm exaggerated by still running with the skidoo.
Life here is good!
​Until next week......

It was great to really get back running the dogs.
We ran two teams of 6 Dogs and one team of 5 Dogs on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday. It was great for running new leaders with Lance first time at lead running home from the half way mark of the trail.
Lance was very focused and ran really good with Kira.
On Tuesday, we ran Lloyd at lead straight from the yard with Kira. 
Lloyd had a couple of short runs last Spring. This was the first time running the whole run. He showed great confidence with only a couple of distractions.
Louie continued to improve after last year being his first year at lead. 
Venus & Lilly are a dynamite pair leading Team #1. They are really beautiful running together.
So now all of the "L" Litter runs lead!
Their Parents Indigo/Blue produced the very best litter here at Miortuk!
The team in the video is Venus/Lilly, Pearle/Merry and at Wheel Blue/Levis.
We were lucky to get in the run on Thursday. As soon as we finished it stated to rain which continued through the night and all Christmas Day. 30-40ml in total.
Today was colder with the temperatures tonight dropping tp -18c.
The trails got a light covering of snow today over the ice.
​Until next week........

Finally we are back running dogs here at Miortuk.
Still keeping the teams size to 6 dogs as this gives us more opportunity to train new leaders.
The trails here are good and could use some more snow, which is in the forecast for this following week.
Got the Plow truck back from the garage after having the starter replaced.
Luckily, I got it back a week ago Friday as on Saturday we got 5" of wet snow mixed with rain.
This week, we lost Indigo. She passed away peacefully in her sleep (see more about Indigo on the Reflections Page).
Until next week......

Slowly everything is falling into place here.
This year it seems everything is difficult and complicated.
However, the truck has it snow tires on, the Plow Truck needs a new starter and is scheduled for repair and the new handler is scheduled to arrive next week.
Slowly everything is getting accomplished.
The Covid Virus has made all things more complicated this year.
Hopefully in another week, we will get back to running the dogs!
​Until next week......

As a continuation to the last Blog.
Two more teams were run this week on Wednesday and Thursday getting all the dogs in the kennel run for the first time this season.
Although, would like to get the dogs run more than just once week, this was a start.
The dogs were all excited, as you can see from the above video, they all ran great and you could see the results of last seasons training on all the dogs.
Perfection doesn't happen over night!
It takes time and patience to bring out the best in these Canine Athletes.
However, the strain on me was very evident on Friday were my knees were shot and my back was in pain.
But, Saturday was another day and physically my body felt normal.
Though it was great for the dogs, it was also great for me to get active and not think about the challenges of Covid!!!
I felt relaxed and got great nights sleep.
The dogs are definitely therapeutic!
Yesterday we had rain and mild temperatures causing the disappearance of most of the snow and last night the temperatures dropped below freezing leaving the trail icy.
The forecast is for more snow this week and with it the dogs will be back on the trail.
I also got some good news that my Handler will be arriving soon and then we can get back to running the dogs three to four times a week in two nine dog teams.
​Until next week......

Today, the first run of the new season. 
Just one team of six.
However, they were crazy and rearing to go!!! 
Of coarse one of the dogs in the yard broke their chain. All okay with use of a Drop Chain until after the run when a new chain be installed.
As usual with the first run, I was uncoordinated with harnessing and hooking up.
But once we got started, the run was great!
It was fun to get back running the dogs.
Until a handler arrives, I will be running three teams of six dogs.
​Until next week.......

As the above title suggests, life does go on here even through the effects of Covid 19!
Like most people, I too have felt the frustrations, anxieties and the difficulties to get motivated.
Normal challenges in life seem to monumentous!
However, that being said the daily, seasonal challenges here are eventually being met.
One of the biggest frustrations is getting the dogs run due to weather and mental motivation.
With that being said, the weather here has certainly not been normal.
Two weeks ago,we received some snow, cold weather with the lake starting to freeze up and last few days into some warm September type temperatures.
Hopefully soon, I can start to run the dogs and we (the dogs and I) will get back the positive spirit.
​Even with all that is going on Nature here continues to give us beauty.
Until next week......

The kennel work here on the girls side just about finished with all the holes filled in and houses levelled. But of coarse some of the girls had to make some new digs!
Next the boys side.
Soon the ground will freeze and the dogs digging will be finished!
The weather here this week was crazy.
Rain, snow, torrential rain, strong winds, warm days and below freezing nights.
Four seasons, all in one week.
The forecast in now for a cold dry week coming up.
Hopefully, I can start to run the dogs!
Can't wait!
​until next week.......

It was another wet week here at Miortuk with rain almost every day.
The lake water levels are the same as after the Spring thaw.
However, it gave an opportunity to get a lot of work done on leveling the kennel in anticipating the ground will soon start to freeze.
It feels good to see the progress and rekindle my desire to start running the dogs.
The dogs are all looking good and are anxious to commence the training.
They are getting very active with the anticipation of starting do what they enjoy the most, RUNNING! 
Several of the female are in heat and they are also some of my main leaders.
With the teams being broke down to 6 Dog Teams, it makes it not the best for pairing and accidental breeding's on the runs are certainly not desirable.
Been there and done that in the past!
Lessons learned!
The good news is they won't be coming back into heat until the Spring.
Next week looks like another wet one, so I hope to have most of the kennel work completed.
The forecast for the last week of October is is for temperature highs in the single digits with the possibility of snow flurries.
More ideal for running.
​Until next week.......