This week the temperatures here were more Summer like than what we should expect for the end of March. It seems everywhere here in the East record warm temperatures were being set. 
This gave us plenty of opportunity to continue the Winter clean up in the kennel & pack up the mushing gear for another year. Sleds placed in storage, dog boxes removed from the truck & the ATV readied for use. 
The sled dogs are enjoying the warm temperature & sunning themselves on the patios attached to their houses. Along with the clean up in the kennel, the dogs are all getting extra one on one attention in appreciation of the great running season they gave me.
Charlot, the guardian of the chalet & the kennel, is also enjoying the leisure time we are spending relaxing in the sunshine & playing fetch with him.
Life here right now is very relaxed & laid back listening to the sounds of Nature & observing it local inhabitants scurrying around doing their Spring activities.
This week there were also updates to the Profiles Page to include Hinto, Ho-Kee, Halona & Hurit. There is  new postings on the Equipment For Sale Page.
Until next week.........

Finally things are returning to normal here after a couple of challenging weeks.
First, I finally have my truck back all repaired. But, I am poorer after the cost to repair was finished.
Secondly, with the milder weather, we have been able to start the Spring clean up in the kennel removing the old straw that has accumulated through the Winter & buried in the snow. The dogs houses have all been cleaned out & the old snow on their patios has been removed. The dogs are now enjoying sunning themselves while laying on their patios.
The dogs are starting to settle in to more relaxation after  a busy Winter & are adapting to the gradual change to an off season diet. 
This week, we started to work doing a little more harness training the puppies. I am very pleased with their progress. Our method here is a very slow, no stress method that has produced very positive results in the past. After every session the pups are rewarded with a nice liver snack.
The final recap of the objectives for the last season:
 I am very pleased with the  changes made this year with the nutritional program. I was able to keep the dogs weight where I wanted it. I was also pleased with the dogs performance while on this nutritional program.
The Fall conditioning program payed off again this season resulting in another year injury free. The training program, with the interval training, also produced the speeds I desired along with the endurance of the dogs. 
Summary, I enjoyed a great season with my team mates with their performance & attitude exceeding my expectations. 
WAIT TILL NEXT SEASON!
The weather here this week has been fluctuating from below freezing temperatures to double figures on the plus side. We have had snow, rain & last night a major electrical storm. Today the warm temperatures have returned with beautiful sunshine.
Until next week......

It was another crazy week here with weather & truck repairs.
First the weather, unseasonably warm temperatures on Tuesday & Wednesday & heavy rain from Tuesday night through all day Wednesday. The result was the loss of about 2' of snow in two days. Thursday the cold temperatures returned, resulting the remaining snow turning to ice packed.
The Puppies continued their training in harness to prepare them for inclusion in a team in the near future. They are all pulling in harness with enthusiasm.
The truck remains at the garage being worked on with more repairs required than originally diagnosed. 
Now continuing on my review of the accomplishments of the season. The races this year were rewarding with seeing a steady improvement with the Miortuk Team. The team proved it's ability to be competitive especially for next season. All 16 dogs in training for this seasons racing team have had race experience by the end of this season. New dogs Tanya & Angel have now been completely immersed into the Miortuk Team and are now valuable veterans. Both Indigo & Blue have now completed their Yearling Season with incredible performances. Both of these dogs exceeded my expectations and I am looking foreword to there continued improvement next season. Indigo will be getting leader Training & Blue will be my number one Wheel Dog.
Until next week.......

It has been a challenging week here with receiving lots of new snow & truck repairs!
We received more new snow this week than any other week of this winter so far. A good portion of this week was devoted to snow removal to enable us to get in & out of here.
The truck has proposed the greatest challenge for the week with the requirements of repairs to the Universal Joints on the Drive Shaft & then later in the week discovering that the Rear Axle & Differential was also damaged needing replacement. The good news is that the axle didn't break while I was driving the vehicle which could of caused serious problems.
However, the additional financial drain will prevent us from going to any further races this season! Although this is disappointing, it certainly is not the end of the world & it has caused me to reflect on all the accomplishments of this season. 
THERE ARE MANY!
This week, I would like to reflect on the development of leaders. Going into the season, I had one seasoned Race Leader in Max & converted leader in Cosmos.
With the addition of Angel, the team had another seasoned Race Leader. She has given me an exceptional job in not only co-leading the team with Max at L'Epiphanie but also with the development of Willy into a leader. This year Cobalt was introduced to lead & ran the whole season with Max. She has developed into a terrific leader & ran her first race at lead in Wolburn. Willy has shown this year, he will be one of my main leaders next season. He is fast, focused & great attitude. Katie, Lizzy , Annie, Vicky & Indigo all were introduced to the lead position & will receive further development in the future. However, from what I witnessed this season, I feel Indigo will be the next great leader in the kennel. For running in here yearling year, she has never ceased to amaze me with her ability & attitude.
As you can see, I am very proud of my team mates!
Over the next couple of weeks, I will continue to review the accomplishments of this season so far.
This week, we also hooked up Hinto & Hok'ee for the first time in a team & pulling a sled. I was very happy with their performance on their first run.
Until next week........