After watching the DVD of the 2021 Iditarod Race, it brought back some great memories of the past.
Over the 50+ years of running dogs, most of my time was with distance racing.
I had some great dogs, wonderful teams and incredible adventures with my canine companions.
We got to race in Ontario, Quebec, Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, New York and Pennsylvania.
We met a lot of great people along the way and enjoyed the trail with some notable mushers.
The most memorial times were spent training in some of the most challenging times running in Sothern Ontario running cross country on an old abandoned railway line from Terracotta to Bolton. Passing along the way many suburban communities, crossing a 4 lane highway and transveressing an open sided railway bridge over a gorge. Crazy times!!!!
Then eventually, moving to the Northern Forest here in Quebec where there were miles of unpopulated forest trails with snow arriving in late October and leaving in late April. 
Also the advantage of training right out of my Dog Yard and not having to travel to my training sites as in Ontario.
Many challenges along the way!
But, also great memories thanks to all the great dogs that gave me these wonderful experiences.
​Until next week.....

Sitting here with friends gazing at the moon over the still water of the lake listening to the sound of silence in Nature is such a beautiful thing!
​A rare Blue Moon for August with the next one in 2024.
I am so grateful for the Nature I live in and being able to experience this with some of my closest friends.
Until next week.....

Sometimes, time seems to pass so quickly!
Here is a photo of the last litter here of Blue/Indigo puppies.
They are all grown up now and are all supper stars running here at Miortuk.
Oh, I so miss raising puppies and seeing them mature into outstanding adults!
However, back to the present.
It has been a very hot/humid week here making kennel life here very quiet.
Although, we have had a brief relief this weekend, next week is calling for more of the same hot/humid weather.
Soon Fall will be here and the running will commence for another season.
Until then, patience is required!
​Until next week......

No, we haven't started running yet.
However, the weather this last week and now, feels more like late September/October than the end of July and the beginning of August!
Daytime temperatures in the mid teens and single digits at night.
The change in temperatures are getting the dogs riled up with the expectation of the start of an new season!
It also starts the planning of what we are going to do this next season.
How will we make up the teams, who will get more leader training and who will we couple them with.
It is nice to get excited to think ahead after some difficult times this offseason.
Although this cool weather won't last and we still have lots of Summer yet ahead of us, it feels great to think of this upcoming season and the new adventures to be had running these magnificent athletes!
​Until next week.......

With all the natural disasters happening with the forest fires in Western Canada, the extreme heat in the West and now the terrible flooding in Germany & Belgium, one has to appreciate life here at Miortuk.
We have had sufficient rain to save the forests and some heat/humidity that makes things uncomfortable but not unbearable.
The Manuwan Road is going under construction starting today from the 8 km up to km 53. This will be up past our place and it is a welcomed announcement.
Lets hope they do a proper job and not just another temporary fix that is a waist of money.
Life here is normal for the season and the dogs are doing well relaxing.
Soon the borders here in Canada will be opening for travelers from the USA and Europe as long as they are fully vaccinated.
It will be great to see life getting back to some type of normal!
​Until next week.......

Summer time here is a time for relaxing, reflecting and start planning for the next seasons running.
It was great this week spending some extra time with all the dogs and giving each of them their special attention.
They all look forward to their one on one time with each one getting their special treatment, like having the ears scratched, back scratched, tummy rubbed,jumping up snuggling into my arms.
I am always calmed by seeing their loving eyes as we stare into each others souls.
They display their trust, loyalty and family bonding.
Lucky to be able to have time to enjoy this.
The Sunset above says good night to another Summer week here.
May you enjoy the peace of nature.
​Until next week......

It was a relatively quiet week here getting some chores done that have been waiting attention, mostly cleaning maintenance here in the chalet.
Feels good seeing it accomplished.
The weather has been rainy and the temperatures have cooled down making things much more comfortable for the dogs and myself.
As one bug season ends another starts.
The cluster flies are now in the kennel and attacking some of the dogs ears.
It is easily remedied with the application of Swat to the dogs ears and problem solved.
Luckily, the cluster flies don't last for a long time.
Patience is required if you want to obtain good photos of the Sunset.
The above series of photos were taken last night.
The last photo make another pedestrian sunset spectacular.
​Until next week.......

Even on a stormy day, Nature displays its beauty.
So fortunate to be able to witness this.
It has been a very wet week with a lot of rain and a few Thunder Storms.
However, this wet weather was needed as the forest was very dry and prone to Forest Fires.
The dogs are all doing fine and are really not bothered by the rain.
Things here are slowly returning to the normal rhythm of life.
The Black Flies are finished for another year.
Strangely, I am seeing different types of birds here that I have never seen here before.
Some are very beautiful with some bright orange feathers.
It is fun to sit outside observe Nature and quietly listen to the singing of the birds.
​Until next week.......

The passing of Louis is hard to take and flashbacks continue this week.
His teammates have been strangely quiet this week, as they too have to deal with the loss.
However, life goes on and the daily routine continues.
The rest of the dogs need personal attention and comforting.
It is therapeutic for them and myself. 
I haven't been able yet to write his story and tribute on the Reflections Page yet. But soon!
The temperatures this week have been cooler and the last couple of days rain.
It is much needed as the forest is very dry.
The Hummingbirds frequent the feeder daily, the Black Flies are almost gone for another season and the Mosquitoes are plentiful, the Dragon Flies are feasting on the new crop of Mosquitoes.
Life here in the forest continues.
​Until next week.......

It is with heavy heart that comes with the passing of my beloved Louis.
On the 8th of June, Louis departed this world all to soon.
He subcome to complications of eating stones.
For whatever reasons, he developed a this habit that I was unable to prevent.
A month before, we had the same problem and was able to get all the stones passed through his system. 
After the first episode, the area was cleared daily of any visible stones in his area.
However, he would still dig in the sand and find more.
Some habits are unbreakable and in this case lead to the inedible conclusion with his passing.
Although, with daily efforts and seeing him pass stones, I thought again the problem was being rectified and all would be well again.
Around 1 pm, I heard a commotion in the kennel after the daily feeding, only to discover Louis had collapsed. 
I spent the next three hours comforting him and hoping for his recovery, but knowing that he would not recover this time.
He eventually drew his last breath in my arms being comforted and passing in peace with no pain.
Just before passing, his father, Blue, who is kenneled in front of him, reached over with his paw to tough Louis as if to see goodbye.
The kennel was silent!
The above photos of the sunset that evening seemed to be a tribute to Louis life.
A calm, gentle soul with a great enthusiasm, determinate and desire.
Louis was truly a remarkable dog.
Although his passing was far to soon, his memory and love will be with me forever.
Only a musher can know the pain.
If you are in this lifestyle for just the trophies won at races, you are in this for all the wrong reasons.
But, life goes on and the other athletes and companions here in the kennel need my attention and their needs physically and emotionally looked after.
RIP MY BELOVED  LOUIS!
​Until next week......

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