Life is what you make of it!
Here at Miortuk, I have had the privilege to help others fulfill their dreams of the simple life of living in the forest with Sled Dogs and enjoying their adventures.
At the bottom of this weeks Blog is an example of one persons dream coming to realisation!
Please take a moment to watch.
The seasons here are changing and all the signs of Fall are taking place.
The Humming Birds have departed, the Canada Geese are migrating south, the Grey Jays have returned,the trees seeds for next year are being distributed by the wind, the trees are changing colors, the nights are getting cooler and the dogs are getting excited anticipating another season of running.
The Fireweed are turning to silk forecasting the first snow fall within six weeks.
It is a beautiful time here in the Northern Forest!
Here is Julia's dream!
https://youtu.be/CTpJJi8A0TA
Until next week.......

Although Max passed away a few years ago, I wanted to pay tribute to him here this week.
Max ( brown dog with steal blue eyes) came to here  when was 5 years old from Rosaire Perron, an Eddy Streeper Breeding.
Max was a high spirited, durable and steady Leader. He was always excited to run and always gave 100% effort.
Max was the first real sprint lead dog that I had and it was due to him that I got the confidence to run in Open Class Sprint Races.
With the help of Max, I was able to train more younger leaders here at Miortuk.
Max  may be gone, but he is not forgotten!
​We will run again.
​Until next week........

This week I was doing a clean out and came across some old photos.
The first is a 1940 Chevrolet Convertible that I rebuilt (photo 1963) long before starting with Sled Dogs.
The next series of photos are of my Distance Team here during a 50 mile run and of the kennel after a run.
Over the next couple of weeks, I will post some more.
It is fun looking back at photos of some of the great dogs I had the pleasure of spending many hours on the trail and enjoying the Nature here.
This week the temperatures are still cool at nights but warm/humid during the days.
We have had a lot of rain this week. However, we have been fortunate not to receive the damage other communities have suffered from the hurricane.
​Until next week.......

Well, here we are the start of September just a month before the start of training for a new season.
It was a day of reminiscing about teams of the past from my Distance Racing Teams to the start of developing my Open Class Sprint Racing Kennel. 
It was 2007, that the first litter of the conversion was born to Cannelle & Blackie. Thanks to Rossaire Perron for donating these two dogs to get me started.
The second litter with Cobalt (Brandy/Visa) with Tony (Mike,Ellis, Son) that was a joint litter with Rossaire.
Next litter was from Belle (Popey/Visa) and Indy, From Valerie & Laurent Gonsolin.
I was very fortunate to have great friends to get the conversion off to fantastic start.
What a wonderful opportunity I have had to share the trails with some great canine athletes.
​Until next week........

As, I sit outside overlooking the kennel having my morning coffee, there is a stillness and silence that is so peaceful.
What a great way to start a new day!
The view of the lake offers a majestic view of the simple life here in the forest!
This week, we had a thunder storm that passed here resulting in a drop in temperatures.
Now cool single degree temperatures though the night and early morning.
Signs that Fall is not to far away.
The dogs are enjoying the cooler temperatures and are ramping up their activity getting ready for the start of another running season.
Soon Kira will start her third year of running lead. She has already shown to be a great Leader.
Lance & Levi will start their second full season of running with Lance getting more opportunity at lead and Levi has developed into a fantastic Wheel Dog.
The fun will soon begin!
​Until next week........

Soon a new season of running will begin here at Miortuk!
It is fun and exciting to look back at last season, seeing videos and photos of the dogs doing what they love.
The joy of running a nice team of dogs is something that never gets old.
Although Winters here can be long and challenging, the time on the trail with my canine family makes it all worth while.
​The planning for this coming season is well underway with continuing to work with young Leaders started last season, looking into the the new dogs to be introduced to the lead position and the work with pairings to bring out the maximum performance of the individual dogs.
It is the new challenges that keeps the fire in my soul stoked.
Too say that I love what we do is an understatement!
​Until next week........

Just because it is the off season for running, it isn't a time to be idle!
At the end of last November, Olive arrived here at Miortuk.
Although Olive is an experienced runner & leader doesn't mean that she doesn't have a period of adjustment to her new surroundings, kennel/team mates, diet and a new musher.
It is no difference for a dog than a human learning to feel comfortable to a change in their lives.
Although Olive is a very easy dog to work with, she needs time and attention to fit in with her new life here.
She got a feeling of what it was like to be here last Winter and performed very well.
However with that being said, I feel she has far more potential than what she displayed last season.
It is a mushers responsibility to assist her to live up to her potential!
This off season, I have spent a lot of one on one time with her to bond with me and her new kennel mates.
Olive loves attention and she has received a lot of it this Summer. 
She gets excited when it is time for our one on one time and is very affectionate.
It can't be expressed enough the importance of this bonding!
She has now fully adjusted to the change and I expect she will be more comfortable to have the desire to give me her best.
Looking forward to the upcoming season with Olive.
​Until next week.......

The weather is changing with cooler days and nights. Soon Fall will be here and the new season of running will begin.
The above videos are a reminder how quickly time goes by as they are of the first runs of the "L" Litter.
Last season, they were all running on the "A" Team.
We finally had some rain this week that will help with the dryness here in the forest.
The Fireweed are in bloom and as soon as they go to silk (seed) will announce the the first snow is 6 weeks away.
As I sit here writing the Blog, I hear the sounds of the Loon calling to its Mate across the lake.
The sounds of Nature, I love It!
Until next week........

Longing for the return of Fall and a break from the heat/humidity of Summer.
Today at 10 am, it was already 30 C. in the Sun.
This weekend is the start of Construction Holidays here in Quebec.
Here all construction shuts down for two weeks of vacation.
Busy time here with Vacationers, this is the height of visitors in the forest with many people escaping the cities for a quit time here.
Ah yes, the sound of Quads, Side By Sides and Chainsaws breaking the silence of the forest!
There is plenty of Dragon Flies this week feasting on the Mosquitoes and other annoying flies. They are a welcome site!
We have had a number of storms pass by this week but only leaving a little rain.
The forest is dry and could use some rain to help prevent Forest Fires which are always a concern with more visitors from the city.
The dogs are handling the heat fine as long as they have shade and plenty of water. The way the kennel is setup, half is in shade in the morning and the other half in the afternoon. They can find shade in their houses and behind or along side of them. 
They know how to relax during the day and get more activity in the Evening.
All is going well with getting Handler/Trainees for this coming season with all positions being filled and with applicants on the waiting lists in case of vacancies for this season and also signing up for the next season.
Very lucky to have some great people wanting to come here and experience the life here with Sled Dogs and the Nature.
Until next week.....
​