This Week Lance was bred to Zazz.
There was 5 couplings in the 7 days.
Puppies are expected around the 23rd of August.
The only two days they weren't bred was too hot here with temperatures in the 30's c. Way to hot for the dogs safety.
The past few weeks, we have had a mixed bag of weather here with cold, hot/humid temperatures and a lot of rain.
Other than that all is well here.
Black flies are just about gone for another year and the mosquitos are plentiful.
​Life in the forest!
​Until the next......

It has been awhile since updating the Blog due to circumstances here at Miortuk.
First the heartbreak of the passing of Lloyd. It was unexpected and sudden. Lloyd was fine up to the morning he passed, running on every training run, healthy and happy in the kennel. Playing every morning with his brother Levis and eating enthusiastically everyday. 
He passed peacefully in his around 11am.
There will be a tribute to him on the Reflections Page.
The joy comes with the announcement of two new members to the Miortuk Team.
We had the good fortune to adopt Zazz & Drago from the Terrien Kennel.
Both of these dogs are 7 years old and retired from racing. Both dogs raced in the Open Class this past season and were on Rejean's Team running the ONAC years back. 
Both Zazz and Drago are Leaders.
Zazz is a very enthusiastic, friendly female who loves attention.
Drago is a little more reserved and taking a little while to trust me.
Everyday, half an hour is spent petting and bonding with him.
Progress is being made, he is now trusting me and looking forward to our one on one time.
I have no doubt when a harness is brought out, he will be ready to go!
​The bonding process is so important.
There are more exciting things to take place here that will be announced when everything is finalized.
​Until the next......

The past week was a mixe of emotions with some fun runs and sadly the loss of Sam. 
Sam was going to be 13 years old this Spring. She lived a good life loving to run, playing with Saphir and loving belly rubs. Sam was healthy right up to the end and passed away peacefully in her sleep.
RIP sweetheart!
Lance is proving to be an excellent leader, this week running with Saphir one day and later in the week with Levis.
I am always amazed at the exceptional performance of the "L" Litter. All being focused, fast runners and all leaders. 
A truly once in a life time litter.
Above video is of Lance/Levis at lead, Lilly  and Lloyd /Saphir at wheel.
The weather here has been inconsistant with above 0c temperatures to frigid  -20's. Snow has been enough to run most of the time. But, far less than previous years.
Until the next......

Lance on the left and Saphir on the right at lead. This was the last pair of Leaders to try together as my objective for 2024.
They are a great pair focused, drive and speed!
Saphir finally met her match with speed!!
The Fall season was a good one and thanks to the help of Lily and her work ethic!
The last week of 2024 was met with warm temperatures and rain.
The New Year is to begin with some fresh snow.
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
​Until the next.......

Training leaders is always fun here at Miortuk.
This time, we got Levis up front with Lance and he did a great job.
All of the "L" litter will run lead.
Last week on Wednesday we got rain and then frigid temperatures leaving the trail in ice.
We have to wait now for some snow to make the trails safe for running.
​Until the next.......

Winter is finally here. 
We got around 16" of snow the last two weeks and we now have a hard packed base on the trail.
The dogs are doing excellent and are enjoying the snowy trails. 
We have switched to the Skidoo and put the quad away for the winter.
The above video shows Lance (Back dog) and Lloyd at lead. This was the first run that Lance ran lead right from the start out of the kennel.
He did amazing being super focused with speed and taking commands.
He will be a great Leader! Lance and Lloyd made a very good pair at lead.
Hok'ee for being much older than the rest of the team is doing a great job and keeping up with the younger dogs.
The second team is improving and Saphir is back running after a false pregnancy. Her and Venus are a great pair of leaders. The second team has three of the senior aged dogs (Tapeu, Sam & Frodo) in the team.
The only dog not running this year is Blue, who is enjoying his retirement at 14 years old. He has been a great dog ever since his yearling year and ran in all my Open Class Races. He is also the father of the "L" litter, the best litter bred here.
The lake has finally frozen over.However, with the snow the ice is not very thick and is dangerous.
​Until the next.......

On Tuesday November 26th, we got our first real snow fall of the season with 4" of the  white stuff. Today another 4" of fresh wet snow.
It was great for the dogs and us to get back out on snowy trails. The scenery was beautiful in a Winter wonderland. 
All is going really well here and my new Handler, Lilly, is doing a great job and has learned very quickly the harnessing, hook up and the routine. She is also great company and we have had many interesting conversations.
The dogs are all doing well. Saphir returned to running after a week and half off due to a false pregnancy. 
Today the lake has finally frozen over.
Until next.......

It took to about the first week of November to start running the dogs here at Miortuk! With the arrival of Lilly Kane, the help that was required was here.
I was amazed the condition of the dogs on their first runs of the season. With the exception of speed t(which is being held back for conditioning) they seemed to be back in form as they were at the end of last season.
In the above video the black dog at Wheel is 13 years old still loving it and is able to run in the "A" Team. All six dogs in this team can run lead.
The weather here has been good for this time of year with temperature highs around +5c and the lows in the -5c range. Mostly dry conditions with the exception of the last two days with rain.
Starting Sunday and through next week some snow.
We are certainly happy to have the dogs back in harness and another season of running ahead of us.
Until the next......

The Spring and Summer here at Miortuk is a quiet time with the dogs relaxing after a busy Winter Season.
The weather here has been unusually wet with almost weekly rains, some serious storms with heavy downpour's, thunder and lightning and very strong winds.
Luckily here all has been safe and no damage.
However, Nature adds beauty with some spectacular Sunsets.
Starting to think about the plans for next running season, including looking for Handler/Trainees for this coming season.
Until the next....... 

I apologize for the late posting.
It was a very good season here at Miortuk with a lot of runs with the dogs starting in early October and finishing at the end of March.
I am so proud of my dogs and their enthusiastic performances on every run.
It was also a great year for training Leaders with Lloyd consolidating his position at lead, Lance continuing to display his confidence at the lead position and finally Levis doing a remarkable job at lead for his first time.
All four dogs of the "L" Litter are leaders showing enthusiasm and speed at lead.
It was also a very interesting season here with training five young people the Handlers Position and introducing them to the Mushing Lifestyle.
They came from Ireland, Austria, France and Germany.
They all were quick learners and a pleasure to have them here.
Soon, I will be advertising for Handler/Trainees for the next season starting in October.
Thanks to the dogs and all the helpers for a great season.
​Until te next......