Yes, there are Hobbits here at Miortuk!
But, as you can see, they are of the canine verity.
The Hobbits were named by Michele Vasquez when she was here helping me with the dogs as a handler/Trainee.
They are of the breeding from Valerie & Laurent Gonsolin with their famous leader/Stud Indy with Bella (sister to Blue & Fille).
The Hobbits matured at different speeds with Merry being the first to mature enough for racing. Next was Pippin and then last year both Frodo and Sam excelled proving their great breeding.
They are an example that not all dogs mature at the same speed mentally.
Due to patience, they have developed into great Sled Dogs.
They are are all now enthusiastic/confident athletes in the team.
This week, the weather has started to change from a hot/humid start to the week. After a couple rainy days, the temperatures are now closer to normal with the nights getting into the low teens celsius.
The trees are starting to change colors with some of the leaves falling.
Even the Fireweed is starting to go to seed, a sign of the end of Summer and the beginning of Fall.
Soon training will begin.
This week Chloe & Leo, a young couple from France, have desided to join the Miortuk Team for this coming Season.
Welcome, Chloe & Leo!
​Until next week........

Without Leaders a dog team goes nowhere!
Leaders have one of the most important place on the team as they are the ones that make things happen and are the driving force to head down the trail.
Leaders can be both male & female.
However in my case, I have found more females are adapted to be leaders,  more focused and generally less distracted. As seen above, all the leaders shown are females.
Most Leaders are born with the desire to be outfront and leading the pack.
Many are very quiet and reserved in the kennel.
However, that personality changes as soon as they get hooked up in the team.
Their enthusiasm to run sets the tempo for the rest of the team.
THEY LIKE TO BE INCHARGE!
Every Fall, I try other dogs up in the leader position with an experienced leader to see if they have the desire and potential to become leaders.
Even if a dog doesn't show the potential one year, I will give them a try another year as all dogs mature mentally at different rates.
That being said, I can usually tell which dogs have the qualities required when they are puppies. They usually stand out from the rest as being the first ones do everything ahead of their siblings. They are usually real characters!
Of the young dogs introduced last week, four have shown some potential with the most obvious being Lilly.
This week, we had a couple of Thunderstorms during the day and  a couple of the dogs were not easy with them. Even though the storms were far away from here, they could hear/sense them and would seek the shelter of their houses. Within half an hour of them seeking shelter, the storms would arrive.
The weather is getting a little cooler this week after the storms passed and getting a little more comfortable.
​Until next week........

It is hard to beleave these puppies are now three years old.
Time seems sometimes to pass all to quickly.
But, the one thing that is consistent is that they love to eat!
They now have two years running and soon will be entering their third season.
They are a fantastic litter with all being supper performers and loving/happy teammates.
Over the next several weeks, I will introduce you to this years team starting above with the youngest members.
THE "L" LITTER! Louis, Lloyd, Lance, Levi, Lilly and Libby.
Right from their first hookup, they displayed that they all were going to be Super Dogs with great attitude and running ability.
Last season they were all great with some showing signs of Leader ability.
This season, we will give them all a chance at Lead although, if last year was an indication, it seems that Lance and Lilly are front runners.
It looks like another exciting season coming up.
If you are wondering why all the photos of them they are eating, that is the only time I can get them to stand still.
Until next week.....

This week, we had some stormy weather with hot/humid conditions and now a nice cool down to finish the week.
The storm that passed through on Wednesday resulted in huge volume of rain causing the lake here to reach Spring levels. The forest needed the rain as it was very dry causing concerns regarding forest fires.
Along with the the storm, we had another Hydro outage the lasted for 15 hours. This was the second long outage since all the maintenance work in by Hydro in June. The first outage was 22 hours. 
However, the storm departed it left with an incredible Sunset as seen above.
There is always beauty here in the forest if you wish to see it.
The dogs are enjoying the cool down and are a little more active.
Looking forward to the next season of running dogs, it is only a little over two months away.
Had a nice phone visit with Doug McNeill this morning. Doug and I started mushing together about 30 years ago. It was a great visit reminiscing.
Doug was a pioneer in the mushing equipment making some of the best sleds, training carts and Dog Boxes for trucks. He was also a great musher winning an ISDRA Gold Medal in the Four Dog Class.
Until next week......

The heat/humidity returned here this week with worst days being Friday & Saturday.
With this weather, the dogs are being fed earlier in the day due to the heat.
It seems keeping the dogs on their Winter meat ration has payed off unexpectedly with helping to keep  the dogs hydrated due to the extra fat in the diet. Keeping the dogs well watered also helps.
The dogs seem to handle the heat better than the humans staying very relaxed and staying in the shape. They are more energetic earlier in the morning and also at dusk.
It seems strange, but this is the time of year the we are thinking of the next running season and evaluating what is required.
The performance of the dogs last season proved that there is no reason to look for additional canine help.
The equipment is all ready.
Planning is now on which young dogs will be getting more leader training.
Like all sport ventures, the Offseason is planning season.
Until next week......

It was a quiet week here at Miortuk.
The weather was more normal for this time of year with warm days and cool nights.
It was a good week for getting some chores done and spending some quality time with the dogs.
Although the Stable Flies and mosquitoes were plentiful, the dogs this year (so far) have not been bothered by the either.
The foliage (weeds) around the front of the chalet were cut down taking away the hiding place for these flies and mosquitoes making it much more pleasant for using the BBQ.
However with the cutting, the next couple of days was crazy with the flies migrating into the chalet. After a mass extermination, the problem was solved leaving the windows a reminder of the slaughter.
Now, the next job is to clean the windows to get rid of the remains.
Last week and again this week, a Wild Turkey was seen close to the chalet. This is the first time I have seen one up here.
​Until next week.......

This week was a challenge due to Thunderstorms, gail force winds, extremely hot/humid temperatures and then back to Fall type temperatures.
The storms caused a major Hydro outage that lasted for 22 hours causing concern for all the food (dogs & human) in  the freezers would unthaw.
Had to get the gas generator going to keep the food in the freezers frozen.
The other major challenge this week was the heatwave that lasted for 6 days creating temperatures in the lower to mid 30's celsius with a humidex readings in the 40's. 
The main task this week was keeping the dogs comfortable and well hydrated.
Several of the dogs dug huge/deep nests in the sand by their houses to keep cool. As you can see from the photos above, they did a good job. After the return to cooler temperatures, the houses were returned to being level.
Also, the storms with torrential rain, lightning/thunder and strong winds blew in some foreign species of insects as seen above with the Fishfly that normally is seen around the lower Great Lakes and Southern Ontario.
​Needless to say the flies and the mosquitoes thrived in these conditions!
On Friday the morning temperature was in the mid teens and single digits over Friday Night into Saturday Morning.
The cooler temperatures was certainly welcomed by the dogs and myself!!!
​Until next week.....

The Summer has finally hit the Northern Forest with beautiful sunny days, evening storms and incredible sunsets.
Of Course along with Summer is the onslaught of the Mosqitoes in the early morning and at dusk.
This week ended with very hot/humid temperatures and the forecast for next week is for a continuance with temperatures ranging from the low 30's to the mid 30's Celsius with humidex readings in the 40's.
Luckily it cools down in the evening and cloudy days also helps for the dogs.
The dogs adjust to the heat by being much calmer and staying in the shade of their houses or the shade provided by the trees the surround the kennel. 
Feeding time is a little earlier in the morning and a fresh supply of water is a must.
Our family of Groundhogs have relocated to another place in the forest as I beleave the mother was getting a little worried that her brood were getting to familiar with my presence. 
They were great intertainment.
Yesterday, I saw a Wild Female Turkey very close to my chalet.
This is the first turkey I have ever seen here.
​The forest here is always full of surprises.
Until next week......

This week was the last of the entertainment of my family of Groundhogs.
It was fun watching the foraging for food and exploring. On Wednesday, one of The young ones came right up to my chair as I was sitting on the deck having my morning coffee. It was very curious and not afraid to come for the visit.
However, I think mother had different plans realizing that her babies were getting too used to a human presence and possibly the dogs as well.
At any rate, she moved her brood from here to a new location in the forest.
It was certainly fun and entertaining to see them the last couple of weeks.
The weather here this week has had a few rainy days along with some sunny, hot and humid ones.
The heat & humidity has given rise to the Stablefies, Horse Flies and Deer Flies.
These flies have been pestering to some of the dogs and Lloyd in particular. He does seem to be more irritated by them compared to his fellow teammates.
Maybe they are attracted to him due to his color (white with black spots) or just something with his blood.
He will spend more time in his house to avoid them. On the dull days, he makes up for isolation by being more active and enjoying running around without their presence.
Soon, they will be gone for another year.
Other than that, it has been a very quiet week here enjoying the lack of human activity and the sounds of Nature.
There is still one opening for a Handler/Trainee for this coming season.
There is already a young lady coming here for the season from Finland.
If you would like to join us, please contact me soon.
Until next week......

You never know here who will come by for a visit.
Although, I had seen the mother Marmot (Groundhog) before, this is the first time the babies came for a visit.
She has nested under the deck and this morning the young were out adventuring under her watchful eye.
While I was sitting out on the deck having my morning coffee, one of the babies came up on the desk to keep me company as others were forging for food on the ground.
Great morning of entertainment for me with a good possibility of more to come.
However, the dogs are not so entertained and get very excited when they are Forging close to their area.
It was a relatively quiet week here with some much needed rain and some incredible Sunsets.
Although the Blackflies are still here they are not bothering the dogs.
However, it is fly season and now the Deer Flies are arriving and they can be bothersome to the dogs with light colored fur.
Venus and Lloyd are bothered the most and spend more time in their houses to avoid them.
​Until next week.......