As a continuation to the last Blog.
Two more teams were run this week on Wednesday and Thursday getting all the dogs in the kennel run for the first time this season.
Although, would like to get the dogs run more than just once week, this was a start.
The dogs were all excited, as you can see from the above video, they all ran great and you could see the results of last seasons training on all the dogs.
Perfection doesn't happen over night!
It takes time and patience to bring out the best in these Canine Athletes.
However, the strain on me was very evident on Friday were my knees were shot and my back was in pain.
But, Saturday was another day and physically my body felt normal.
Though it was great for the dogs, it was also great for me to get active and not think about the challenges of Covid!!!
I felt relaxed and got great nights sleep.
The dogs are definitely therapeutic!
Yesterday we had rain and mild temperatures causing the disappearance of most of the snow and last night the temperatures dropped below freezing leaving the trail icy.
The forecast is for more snow this week and with it the dogs will be back on the trail.
I also got some good news that my Handler will be arriving soon and then we can get back to running the dogs three to four times a week in two nine dog teams.
​Until next week......

Today, the first run of the new season. 
Just one team of six.
However, they were crazy and rearing to go!!! 
Of coarse one of the dogs in the yard broke their chain. All okay with use of a Drop Chain until after the run when a new chain be installed.
As usual with the first run, I was uncoordinated with harnessing and hooking up.
But once we got started, the run was great!
It was fun to get back running the dogs.
Until a handler arrives, I will be running three teams of six dogs.
​Until next week.......

As the above title suggests, life does go on here even through the effects of Covid 19!
Like most people, I too have felt the frustrations, anxieties and the difficulties to get motivated.
Normal challenges in life seem to monumentous!
However, that being said the daily, seasonal challenges here are eventually being met.
One of the biggest frustrations is getting the dogs run due to weather and mental motivation.
With that being said, the weather here has certainly not been normal.
Two weeks ago,we received some snow, cold weather with the lake starting to freeze up and last few days into some warm September type temperatures.
Hopefully soon, I can start to run the dogs and we (the dogs and I) will get back the positive spirit.
​Even with all that is going on Nature here continues to give us beauty.
Until next week......

The kennel work here on the girls side just about finished with all the holes filled in and houses levelled. But of coarse some of the girls had to make some new digs!
Next the boys side.
Soon the ground will freeze and the dogs digging will be finished!
The weather here this week was crazy.
Rain, snow, torrential rain, strong winds, warm days and below freezing nights.
Four seasons, all in one week.
The forecast in now for a cold dry week coming up.
Hopefully, I can start to run the dogs!
Can't wait!
​until next week.......

It was another wet week here at Miortuk with rain almost every day.
The lake water levels are the same as after the Spring thaw.
However, it gave an opportunity to get a lot of work done on leveling the kennel in anticipating the ground will soon start to freeze.
It feels good to see the progress and rekindle my desire to start running the dogs.
The dogs are all looking good and are anxious to commence the training.
They are getting very active with the anticipation of starting do what they enjoy the most, RUNNING! 
Several of the female are in heat and they are also some of my main leaders.
With the teams being broke down to 6 Dog Teams, it makes it not the best for pairing and accidental breeding's on the runs are certainly not desirable.
Been there and done that in the past!
Lessons learned!
The good news is they won't be coming back into heat until the Spring.
Next week looks like another wet one, so I hope to have most of the kennel work completed.
The forecast for the last week of October is is for temperature highs in the single digits with the possibility of snow flurries.
More ideal for running.
​Until next week.......

The Above photos were taken this morning.
Within one hour, we went from mist to a beautiful sunny experience.
Last week the weather here didn't co-operate to start running the dogs.
This week was mostly rainy, with snow flurries on Thursday and then temperatures in the 20's Friday & Saturday.
The snow flurries were the earliest, we have seen here almost a month earlier.
Even though the training didn't start last week, all the preparations readying for running has been completed with anticipation for starting.
​Until next week........ 

It has been a rainy, dull and damp week here!
It is a difficult time to stay motivated due to the weather and an increase in the cases of Covid 19.
More restrictions are now in place here in Quebec making things more difficult to get help here for this season.
The dogs are also feeling the upset and are restless with the need to run.
Hopefully, there will be a break in the weather and will be able to start running the dogs for their stake and mine.
​Until next week........

Sometimes we all get caught up with the challenges we face.
It is with those times that I like to sit back, listen, observe and let the healing power of Nature take over.
Life here in the forest can be that simple!
Now on the other hand, the dogs are getting more and more anxious to start running. But, the weather here is still in flux as today the temperatures are back into the mid 20's.
If all goes well the running season here will start in early October.
It will be different this year, as there still is no Handler/Trainee available due to Covid, starting the season running three 6 dog teams.
Although I like to train larger teams, 9 to 10 dogs, I am concerned it would take too long to hook up and could cause some problems with over exuberant dogs.
However, on a positive note, this gives the opportunity to work three pairs of leaders on each training day. 
This season, the goal will be to develop Lloyd, Lance and Levi into leaders along with strengthening the lead position of Lilly, Louis and Saphir (Zoe Knight's dog awaiting Zoe's return here when the quarantine is lifted) who were introduced to lead last season.
Luckily there are plenty of seasoned leaders here to assist in the training of the rookies.
​Until next week......

The weather here last week emulates the current climate the world is facing with Covid 19!
Stormy one night and rise the next day to sunshine!
Hopefully soon, we will see a solution to this pandemic!
Although, here we are isolated and have had no cases of the virus, it does affect our lives here.
As an example: the Handler/Trainee Applicants are not allowed to enter Canada, especially if they don't have a Work/Travel Visa. 
It is sad as there are several people that would like to come here and experience life here in the forest with Sled Dogs.
Hopefully soon, the borders will open up to allow visitors to enter.
The weather here is changing with temperatures below zero at night.
The leaves on the trees are turning color and are starting to fall.
I heard the first flock of Canada Geese heading south on Friday night starting their annual migration.
The dogs are also getting excited and ready to run.
Soon another running season will commence.
​Until next week.......

Yes, the weather here is feeling more like Fall. Time to start preparing everything for the start of another season running the dogs.
Harnesses are all cleaned, the ganglines are all checked to be ready to go and now make some new necklines and tuglines for replacements when necessary during the season.
The dogs are all in good shape and ready.
With the cooler weather, they are getting more excited in the mornings anticipating running.
The training here won't start until the first of October, as I don't like starting them too early and then have to shut them down when the temperatures get too warm as they will in September.
Patience is a virtue!
​Until next week.......