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May 8, 2015 by

As Two Rivers is going through springtime melt and is welcoming the summer, here in New Zealand the leaves are turning and days getting chillier. Just like in Westeros… Winter is Coming.

But, it’s not like winter here is anything like a winter in Interior Alaska. We live in Taranaki, on the west coast of the North Island, under the shadow of a mountain, and very close to the coast. It snows on our mountain in the winter but very seldom does it settle on the ground in my town. If it dips below freezing it’s the talk of the town (“Brrr, cold today eh?”) With a mountain so close we get a LOT of rain so our winters tend to be wet.

This climate change has been an adjustment for Spicy. She shed out much of her winter coat before we left Two Rivers in May 2014 and will likely never need to grow it back again. She looks even smaller now – I’d only really ever seen her during the winter with her thick coat on and without it she really is a tiny wee thing.

Another adjustment for Spicy is that she is now, very definitely, an inside dog. She sleeps on my bed and she and Lexie take turns on the couches during the evening. That didn’t take long to learn! She is part of the family and loves my parents and is getting more and more confident around the rest of my family and friends.

She has also made a few friends (canine and human) that we meet regularly on our twice daily walks in the sports ground over our back fence. She loves the walks and she now knows every inch of the grounds and surrounding trees and streams – but there is always something new to sniff or pee on!

Occasionally we go to the beach and she loves to smell different sniffs and meet new friends there. Last time we went, the beach was almost exclusively people walking their dogs so much fun was had by all!


Lexie and Spicy at the beach

It’s a far cry from her days as a SPK racing dog crossing under the burled arch in Nome, or leading a team of youngsters on a training run, but she seems to be enjoying her “retirement” very much indeed. Thanks Aliy and Allen for letting me bring her home!
– Moira

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15 Responses

  • So good to read about "our" dogs, wherever they might be, with the people who love them. I love to read about SPK dogs sleeping on a bed or a couch – it must be a dream come true – to be so loved AND to get to sleep on the bed.

  • Excellent!
    So beautiful and the doggies must be loving it!
    Hey there, Cindy Eckhoff

  • MOIRA–

    What a wonderful surprise to hear your "voice" again.

    Dramatic and beautiful scene at the beach – Spicy seems delighted to be scoping it all out and I am so glad she is making friends and getting comfortable in NZ!!!

    SPK 4-legged team members are smart and obviously, Spicy is a quick learner!

    Thanks again ever so much for your "news" –best regards

    Margaret

  • I thoroughly enjoy reading these adventure updates and it is especially nice to know the SPK canines are forever taken care of. Thank you Moira, your insights are very enjoyable!

  • Thank you for the lovely write up and the beautiful pictures of Spicy. She is living the life in retirement, which she richly deserves. May you and Spicy have many enjoyable years together.

  • Aw! Thank you for the beautiful update Moira.
    Your folks evidently did a good job taking care of Spicy and holding down the fort, so you could be hands on in Alaska.
    So happy to see and hear all our favorite Kiwis are doing great.
    🙂

  • Moira, so great to get an update from you, Spicy & Lexie in New Zealand. Your pictures are wonderful. Spicy looks so comfortable on your couch. You must really enjoy winter, eh. Going from winter to winter to winter. At least the winters are much milder in NZ. Thanks for sharing

  • Great to hear from you & Spicy, Moira! It sure looks like Spicy has adjusted to her new life in a new environment. Sure makes me happy for the 2 of you!
    If you could put in a word for Patricia Lewis & me, an update on Bonita would be fantastic!
    Be well!
    ~Barbara Boucher

  • Thanks Moira! New Zealand has been on my bucket list for a long while. I have made it to Alaska so maybe there also in time. I love how adaptable these dogs can be and there are even some huskies here in the desert SW of the US but I am not sure they are totally happy. Bed dogs are the best kind LOL–I have two!

  • Great hearing from Moira on Spicy and Lexie! The fact Spicy endured a plane trip to New Zealand was in part why I boarded a plan to Anchorage this winter…..hey, if Spicy can do it, I can find the courage to do it to…..thank you Spicy!! Also wonderful to hear how SPK Sled Dogs enjoy retirement…."this isn't like traveling to Nome but wow….this is kind of fun"! Each and every day is a gift….beyond competitive racing and into retirement…..well done Moira! Love the pictures!!

  • It's so nice to have Spicy as a neighbour" across the ditch" 🇳🇿 enjoying the southern skies Woof woof from Denali and Joanne , Melbourne . Australia.🇦🇺

  • Thanks for Moira, not only on a clear description of adjustments SPK dogs inevitably make as they move to a different phase in the life, but some insight into your life in New Zealand.

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