After a long layoff due frigid temperatures, lack of help, and various other challenges, we are back running the dogs.
This is what life here at Miortuk is all about.
It was a fun week and Alex did a great job here with the dogs You for her first exposure to them running. Alex is finding that she has muscles that she never thought she had. 
Of coarse the dogs were even more enthusiastic to run after the long layoff.
It will take a few runs to get them back into the condition (physically and mentally) that they had before Christmas. You can see they lost that competitive edge!
That is all okay, as we have nothing but time to accomplish this.
Here it is all about the life of interacting with these canin athletes and racing is secondary.
I prefer the peace and quiet of the forest compared to the frenzied craziness of the race.
Life here is all about priorities. Here it is about the interaction with the dogs and nature. 
We accomplished three days of running two teams (2x 4.5 miles and one 7 miles)
​Until next week.......

This week, we have survived the many challenges plaguing us the the last few weeks.
First, the plow truck is repaired and ready for the next snowfall.
Secondly, the problem with the septic pipes being frozen has also been resolved with the help of a plumber from Saint Zenon and Michel LaFortune(my neighbour). Now the toilet and all the drains are working again. Still have to resolve the emptying of the septic tank which I hope will be resolved by next week.
Thirdly, just when everything was getting back to normal, we had a electrical power outage for 10 hours on Saturday. Luckily, We still have a wood stove to keep the chalet heated.
Finally, we are getting some much needed snow. Yesterday we received a couple of centimeters of wet snow that will stick to the icy sections of the trail. If all goes well, we start running the dogs again on Monday.
Alex arrived here on Monday night and has been a real trooper handling all the inconveniences that we have experienced this week.
The photos above illustrates that there is a good life for retired Sled Dogs with Roxie being a good example settling in with her new family.
She has a great new family and a wonderful new life as a retiree.
When one lives in the forest, you must have patience and perseverance.
​Until next week......

The difference a week makes or doesn't!
Patience is a virtue here, as all things will get resolved in time.
Just not instantly!
The good news is the parts required to fix the plow truck are all here, just not put on the truck yet. 
However, not any need yet for plowing as we only received a few inches of snow overnight. Hopefully, the truck challenge will be fixed next week.
The septic system is not yet repaired. 
However, my neighbour (who is a plumber) has come up here for the weekend and will be able to get things all operational again.
​Thankful I have a friends chalet that I can go to too take care of business!
Roxie was adopted and this week went to her new home in Maine.
She has already won over the affection of her new family!!
She will be missed here, such a sweetheart!
Alexandra Bihl my new Handler/Trainee from France has arrived in Montreal and will be joining the Miortuk Team on Monday.
Welcome Alex and now your new adventure begins.
The weather this week was the big story.
We had two days of + temperatures (reaching a high of +9 celsius) with rain eliminating a lot of the snow. However, the hard pack trails are still in good shape. Yesterday, the temperature dropped from +9 to -20 with several inches of fresh snow.
Hopefully all the challenges will be resolved and get back to running the dogs.
The forecast for next week is for more seasonal temperatures.
Due to the long layoff for running the dogs, I will be unable to race at the next two weekend races at L'Epiphanie and St. Luc.
It would be very unfair to them to expect to race after the layoff and too little time to prepare them before the races.
​Racing is secondary to the dogs welfare!
I haven't ruled out yet the race at ValCartier in March.
​Until next week......

The new year has started with many challenges due to weather.
Firstly, we have had several weeks of extremely frigid temperatures with the highs in the low -20's c and and the night time temperatures reaching -40's c.
These extreme temperatures has caused internet problems ( one reason for the delay in this post), freezing up of the septic system, breaking the lugs of the plow truck's front wheel and not running the dogs.
The weather has finally warmed up and all things will eventually get fixed.
All this happening while being alone and without Handlers.
I will have a new Handler/Trainee from France arriving mid-January and we can get  back working the dogs.
It was all that could be done in the kennel with  feeding, cleaning and adding plenty of straw to keep the dogs warm. Just these activities, in these conditions are exhausting. Unless you have experienced these conditions, I am sure they are difficult to understand.
​However,The dogs all look good and are very happy that the temperatures have warmed up.
The plow truck is taking longer to repair as there are problems getting the correct parts. But, I am sure it will be resolved! Just taking longer than expected due to living in a remote area.
The septic system is a work in progress and will be fixed soon. 
Just need a lot of patience.
On a positive note, the beauty of the forest with its peace and serenity makes all things bearable. 
All things will return to normal!!!
​Until next week......