Our first race of the season did not go as planned.
However, that is life sometimes in the Mushing World.
I was very happy with my team and their performance considering the difficulties we experienced.
This was a first time race for our two leaders and two of the team dogs.
The Craziness of the start and the number of photographers and spectators on the course can be overwhelming for young inexperienced dogs at their first race. I was very proud of my leaders handling this for their first time. Venus was not phased by any of the commotion, Tira was a little overwhelmed by all the people. However, I am very proud her continuing and not stopping with all the distractions. 
As you can imagine these dogs are use to the peace and quiet here in the Northern Forest.
The first 2/3rd of the course the dogs were doing great showing the same speed and enthusiasm as they show here in training. There was then a section of the trail that was very challenging due to the conditions that ended up overwhelming Louis. This was his first race and being a young dog it was too much for him too handle. He was showing a good recovery on the middle of this section of trail. Then as we were leaving this challenging section he finally had had enough and wanted to quit running.
As a result of this, I tried to carry him in the sled. But, as he was not tired he would not stay in there. So for his health and safety, I had him taken back to the marshalling yard by a trail volunteer on his skidoo.
I knew this would result in the team's disqualification. But, it was the best decision for the dog.
It was the right decision and for me the wellfare of my dogs is most important.
I was very happy and proud of the team as they did their best and as a Musher you cant't ask for anything more.
As a postscript, Louis is fine with no injuries and in good spirit.
All's well that turns out well. 
A big thank you to my Handler's Suzanne and Michele at the race and Annile for holding down the kennel and preparing dinner for us on our arrival back home.
Also a big thank you to Rossaire Perron for providing a race under very difficult weather conditions.
This week after a good rest, we will get back to running the dogs in the peace and tranquillity of the forest.
​Until next week.....

This week, we put on the final fine tuning to prepare the Open Team for the upcoming races.
The "A" Team looks very good and are delivering consistent runs. They are ready for competition. 
The problems with the "B" Team with leaders seems to be corrected with running Indigo with Kira, moving Tepeu & Yoda to Point and running Willy with his sister Annie at Wheel.
Each run (now 5), we can see an improvement in Nova (Nu-Look) with the last run being her best and working the whole run right from the start. She was a little intimidated on her early runs working with a different musher and the changes going to a new kennel of dogs. She seems to have sensitive paws and the last run we bootied all four feet. She was visibly more comfortable and enjoyed her run. There is a photo and write up about her on the Profile Page. 
This week, we completed the last longer run with the "A" Team and from now on just 4.5 mile attitude runs to keep them happy.
Next week, we have our last meat pickup for the dogs until after the last race and prepare the truck with installing the travel boxes for the dogs and of course race preparations.
Next weekend, weather permitting, our first race at L'Epiphanie, Quebec.
Next week's posting will probably be on Monday after the race.
​Until next week.....

Another crazy week here dictated by weather.
We started the week with a return to our normal training schedule with running two teams on both Monday and Tuesday.
The "A" Team is doing great with enthusiastic runs. However, the "B" Team is going through a little funk with leader problems. This not unusual with a group of young leaders. This is a challenge to get a pair of reliable leaders for the 6 Dog Team. With the first race to take place on the 28/29th of January, time is running out to have a team ready.
The other challenge is to keep the "A" Team race ready. In order to accomplish this, we have cut back the training runs to three times per week and with short miles/run. We will through in an occasional longer run just for a change in routine.
We got the "A" Team out for a run on Friday with the "B" Team getting some time off to help get the leader's enthusiasm back.
Wednesday was to be a big shopping day with us leaving here to do a 2 hour drive to get supplies for the dogs and us and then a 2 hour return drive to the kennel. This is one of the few disadvantages of living in the Northern Forest!
However, we woke up to over 10" of fresh/wet snow on Wednesday Morning causing us to have to delay our trip. After cleaning up the snow , plowing out the roadway and feeding the dogs, we were able depart here around 11.30 am.
We returned to the kennel around 7.30 pm. All the supplies were unloaded within an hour and then sat down to supper. Also in the morning around 7am the hydro/electricity here went out, therefore a clod breakfast and no coffee!
The good news is the electricity was back on when we returned in the evening.
Thursday was more cleanup from the latest snowfall, removing the snow (70cm) from the roof of the chalet and grooming the trail as well as removing fallen trees blocking it.
I forgot to mention that the high temperatures on Wednesday and Thursday were + 6 and the temperature Friday was -10 and Saturday morning -28 celsius.
Needless to say, we are all enjoying a quiet weekend of relaxation.
​Until next week......

The last couple of weeks were very busy here with the Christmas/New Year Festivities and visiting with friends.
During this period, we got a couple of runs with the dogs and last week three runs.
The training is going well and the dogs enjoyed the extra rest time.
Now the new year is here, it is time to start to fine tune the teams deciding which dogs will run in the Open Team and which dogs will run in the Six Dog Team. The biggest decision now is the Leaders for the Six Dog Team.
Next will be getting Michele sled time working with the dogs she will be racing.
Over the last couple of weeks, we received about two feet of snow and now frigid temperatures have returned.
We received a new dog last week, Nova( New-Look). She is the half-sister of Venus. This season will be for her to get used our dogs and ourselves so she feels comfortable here in her new surroundings.
Until next week....
​