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.......

This video is of the last race we entered.
This team is the result of five years in the making converting the kennel to a new line of dogs.
The two leaders (Kira & Venus) was there first race along with Louis & Lilly first race.
Today , both Lilly & and Louis are now running lead, the rest of their litter mates show leader potential and will be getting more experience in that position this coming season.
As a Musher, it is wonderful to see the evolution of the kennel!
It is still a great thrill to hook up these athletes and see them perform.
A new season approaches and more thrills are to come.
​Until next week........

Reinvention is the way to new beginnings!
Due to conic knee injuries suffered from over the years of athletic activities, caused me to rethink my continued racing activities in Mid/Long Distance racing. I felt that my ability to safely look after my dogs in these events was questionable. I never want to put the health and safety of my dogs in jeopardy for my pursuit of personal desires.
So, I was faced with a decision on either quite mushing or reinvent the type of races I wished to participate in.
After participating in an Open Class Sprint Race for fun here in Saint Michel, I decided to convert my kennel to Sprint Dogs.
The above photos of of my team of Distance Dogs competing in my first Sprint Race. I even used my distance sled for this event.
I truly enjoyed the experience and had fun.
Thanks to a new found friend (Rosaire Perron) who gave me to of his sprint dogs for breeding, I commenced on a five year program to produce a competitive Open Class Sprint Racing Kennel .
And so a new adventure with Sled Dogs began!
​Until next week......  

 
During the Covid 19 Pandemic, has given me time to reminisce about some of my adventures racing dogs over the years.
​I have reflected on some of the great dogs that I have had the privilege of sharing these adventures with.
When I moved here to the forest, I really had the opportunity to train, develop a kennel of dogs to pursue my desire to run mid/long distance races.
Here I found the perfect place to have trails that suited the conditioning and training for these advents and the freedom to develop a kennel required.
I had the privilege of working with these amazing athletes over miles of beautiful, uninhabited forested trails.
The above photos are of two of my teams running the last of my mid/long distance races.
The last race at Eagle Lake 100, my older leader Aurora, Lead me to the finish line when I froze the cornea in my eyes and was unable to see.
That bonding and her devotion to me saved the day.
What more can be said of the faith I had in my dogs.
​Until next week....... 
​

Who would beleave that after 40+ years, I would still be running Sled Dogs.
Still enjoying the adventure, thrill and the beauty of seeing these canine athletes run!
But it all started when I got my first Sled Dog, Aloak (soft black stone) a male Siberian Husky Puppy! 
Like many mushers, I started with one dog, then two, then three.
Due to limitations on the number of dogs you could have in the city, I would go and borrow others dogs from people and a kennel that didn't run their dogs.
On training nights, I would go and pick up the other dogs from three different places. Then drive 3/4 of an hour to my training sight, run the dogs, then drive 3/4 of an hour back to Brampton (where I lived) drop off the other dogs return home, feed my dogs and then go to bed getting some sleep before getting up to go to work the next day.
This routine, through the fall, Winter & Spring, would be repeated four times a week. 
Aloak was my inspiration, my companion and my mentor leading me through many adventures of exportation during training and many Mid-Distance Races in Ontario, Pennsylvania, New York State, Massachusetts and Maine.
Aloak was an incredible Sled Dog running Lead, Wheel and was also a Champion Weight Puller!
Aloak loved attention and the cheering on of the crowds, that would come from all over, to see him perform.
His last pull was in Hamilton, Ontario at the age of 12.
He was up against his main rival, a big Red & White Male Siberian Husky named Igor.
As normal, the contest eventually came down to Aloak & Igor for the final pull.
If I remember correctly, the weight on the sled for this final pulls was just over 1200 pounds.
Igor was first to try the pull off, he jumped up and lunged trying to get the sled to move.
​After several unsuccessful attempts, It was Aloaks turn.
Before the final pull, the organizers had to repaint the finish line in the snow as the paint had worn off during the competition.
I hooked Aloak to the sled, told him to stay and went to my position at the end of the pull are behind the finish line.
The crowd was silent!
I called "Aloak Come", he slowly crouched down, leaned into his harness and started slowly to move the sled.
He was at the finish line and he stopped!
He smelt the new paint on the snow and it startled him.
I said softly to Aloak, "come".
He again crouched down, leaned into his harness and pulled the weighted sled over he finish line.
The crowd cheered loudly showing their appreciation of the efforts of this superior athlete.
He finished his last pull retaining his Championship and undefeated over his Weight Pulling carrier.
Aloak was a loyal, always willing to please and most importantly, my companion.
Without him, I would never have started down this road to find my destiny!
​Until next week........
In the photo from left to right staring at lead.
Roxy/Goosak
Princess/Amorok
​Bandit/Aloak

​

This is an old Mariners saying: "Red sky at night sailors delight. Red skies in the morning Sailor take warning."
First appeared in the Bible in the book of Mathew, "Red sky at night, shepherds delight. Red sky in the morning, shepherds warning."
It was later adopted by mariners.
The red sky at night means there is a high pressure system coming in from the West meaning the next day will be dry and pleasant.
At any rate it is very beautiful!
Last week was warm, humid and several thunder storms.
The above was taken Thursday night and Friday was dry and pleasant.
All is good here and the dogs are all doing great.
At this time of year the kennel is experiencing more shade as the trees that surrounds the kennel is blocking the sun most of the day.
The dogs have all gained weight and are exhibiting good muscle tone.
They are in great shape for the upcoming season.
​Until next week.......

It has always been a goal here to produce leaders ether in training new dogs to the kennel or through our own breeding program.
Not all dogs are cut out to be leaders and not all leaders are Race Leaders.
But leaders can run anywhere in the team from Point to Wheel.
Having multiple leaders allows a musher an opportunity to keep the stress of this position off the leaders by having the flexibility to rotate them.
It is one thing to have a philosophy about breeding leaders or dogs with a strong leader pedigree and to prove the results of that philosophy.
In the above video the two dogs running wheel (Louis on the left and Lilly on the right) are only seven months old and running their 6th time in harness.
You can see their desire to run even at this early stage in their development.
Both have very different personalities with Lilly being crazy, outgoing and the center of attraction and Louis very reserved, gentle and quiet.
Lilly last year finished her second year at lead and last year was the partner of Venus running lead every second run in rotation.
Louis started lead in around December, just a check to see how interested he was in the lead position.
To our surprise he relished in that position, showing his desire to be up there.
He was paired with Kira and the two became regulars in the lead rotation for the balance of the season.
The other dogs from that litter were also tried at lead and showed leader abilities.
This coming season, they will continue their leader training on a regular schedule.
This is not the first litter that has produced leaders from breeding leaders.
It is proven here that breeding leaders will produce leaders!
​Until next week......