Winter is still not over with cold nights and on Friday several inches of wet snow that continued throughout the day followed by some rain.
This week we had a big shopping trip to fill up the freezers with meat for the following month and enough dry food to last six months. 
We had an opportunity to have Roxie run with another of our "A"Team leaders, Indigo. The above video gives a great view of the leaders by only running a 6 dog team. 
Cecile also had an opportunity to get Cosmos out skijoring on the 4.5 mile trail. Cosmos has really taken to skijoring due to the good work by Cecile.
Lena returned to the kennel this week after being over at the Gonsolin's kennel for breeding with Indy. Hopefully we will see a mid-May litter.
With Spring weather arriving soon, the dogs schedule is being more relaxed preparing them for a well deserved Summer break. 
Although the nights are still below freezing, the days are being warmed by heat of the Spring Sun.
Until next week.........

It is a joke here in the mushing world that: "Mushing Is The Sport Of Next Year!"
In many ways it is true. As one season is coming to an end, we are already evaluating our team, training methods, feeding/watering schedules etc.
We are looking at what was successful and what we can improve. 
One of the great things about mushing to me is that it is not static. It is always changing creating new challenges.
Looking at this season it retrospect, I see a great leap forward to reaching for our racing goal to finish in the top 10 here in Quebec in the Open Class.
Considering the number of Open Class Teams (usually over 20 teams in a race) and the high caliber of the teams entered, this is a lofty goal. 
Miortuk Kennel has come a long way to achieving this goal in just a few short years with rebuilding the kennel from scratch.
Thanks to the coaching from the Gonsolins and their assistance in putting together first class dogs for our team, we came a long way on our journey this season. The new training, feeding and watering program opened my eyes to see a big difference in the Miortuk Team. Our breeding program has resulted in some great prospects for next season and beyond. All of the young dogs have been harnessed trained and are ready to go in  the Fall. The Yearlings have developed into super dogs that will further enhance the racing team for next season.
This seasons "A" Team is the best team of dogs that I have ever had the pleasure of running.
ALL THE DOGS HERE ARE STILL ENTHUSIASTIC TO RUN AFTER A LONG SEASON!
My Handler/Trainees this year were exceptional giving me the time to devote my energies to running the dogs.  Their ability to handle all the tasks here without supervision was truly appreciated and respected. Their competence allowed me let all three of them drive teams of six  dogs, mostly of my future prospects,  without my concern. 
Julia fulfilled her dream of running sled dogs and experiencing a Winter in Quebec.  Julia has spent her whole life living in Arizona!
Lila came here from France to experience running with a team of Alaskan Huskies in hopes of returning home and starting her own kennel. I am very happy to say that Lila left here with one Miortuk's females, Katie, to fulfill that dream. I predict the Lila will be a great musher with a wonderful kennel. 
Cecile came here to experience a life change and will leave here this Spring accomplishing her goal and will continue her quest in the mushing world.
My thanks for all your efforts and dedication to the Miortuk Dogs. They will miss your attention & love.
Now for next season, I realized this year that the only missing link here was a good experienced Race Leader! With the help of Laurent Gonsolin, I was able to obtain Roxie from the kennel of Rejean Therrien. The Therriens have a long history of several generations of racing Sled Dogs here in Quebec. It is an honor & a privileged to have Roxie here. 
Roxie is an exceptional dog/leader a tribute to the great work of the Therriens. Thank you for the privilege of having her here in my kennel.
The video above and the one on the Training Page shows her first two runs here. I will update the Profile Page & the Pedigree Page soon.
All the pieces are in order for next season!
WAIT TILL NEXT YEAR!
It has been a great season and my thanks to all that have made it so!
The season here is still not over as we have plenty of snow and the forecast of more cold weather & snow to come.
Until next week......

It was a fun week here running dogs & enjoying one of Quebec's great traditions.
As in every year at the end of the season, we all go to enjoy the Quebec Spring Ritual:" La Cabane a Sucre ". This feast takes place at maple syrup farm were we indulged in a meal consisting of: Pea Soup, Baked Beans, Fresh Baked Bread, Creton,Scrambled Eggs, Bacon, Ham, Potatoes, Crispy Pork Rhine, Tomato Relish,Home Made Pickles, Pickled Beets, Poached Egg in Maple Syrup, Fresh Fritters and of coarse an ample supply of Maple Syrup.
This week Julia, Cecile & Lila ran teams of six dogs. I also trained the two groups of puppies & the "A" Team of 12 dogs.
The video above is of the 7 month old puppies on their second run in a team.
Until next week......

 

Due to technical problems by the my internet  provider, I am unable to post photos from this weeks activities. All communications here are through satellite internet, so without the internet we have no way of communication out side of the bush, even in case of an emergency. You would think that today with all the advancements in telecommunication that a reliable service could be provided!
Yes, I am frustrated!
However, luckily earlier in the week , I did post two new videos; one: on the Puppy page highlighting Yoda & Darth's first hookup and two: a new video on the Training page. 
We had a good week here with my trainees getting more sled time running a pair of 6 dog teams on the 3 mile loop on the lake. 
I was also able to do a couple of runs with the "A" Team on the 4.5 mile trail & introduce Hok'ee to his first run at lead. I am very encouraged that I will have many potential leaders to work with next year.
As I  mentioned above, we hooked up Yoda & Darth for their first run in a team. They did great, especially for dogs that are just a little over 7 months old.
The weather here this week showed the first signs of Spring with cold nights but beautiful sunny, warm days.
It was great to feel the nice warm sun on my face.
This is a great time of the season here with a well deserved relaxed schedule.
Until next week.......

With all the pressure off of racing, it was time to try new dogs at lead looking for next years potential leaders. We tried several combinations starting last week with Hurit & Angel. This week:we tried Lena & Willy, Max & Merry, Kira & Cobalt and Pippin & Katie. I was pleased with all the dogs performance for their first time in the lead position. Each potential leader was run with an experienced leader and for only one & half miles on the homeward bound of the training run. The reason for this is that the dogs know that they are going home and will get a treat after the run.
We also set up two 6 dog teams for Julia, Lila and Cecile to get experience running a team. Cecile also continued her running with Cosmos at Skijoring doing a couple 4.5 mile run and one 6 mile run.
Saturday & Sunday Valerie & Laurent Gonsolin came here to visit and train. We had great time running dogs, visiting and enjoying a Moose Chili Dinner.
Until next week........