A training run last week brought my dog team to a high ridge just to the north of Two Rivers. The view was amazing and simply HAD to be shared. Honestly… it took some effort to dig out my video camera that was buried deep in my insulated under parka pocket (trying to keep it warm.) But I think this video clip is truly worth it. I hope you enjoy.
A very full moon and a few enthusiastic dogs.
Congratulations to The Willette Family who are a fans of SCHMOE!
Schmoe is a true sweetie. He is mega excited to run, eat and howl. It’s amazing to think of all of his amazing accomplishments: he is a Yukon Quest and Copper Basin 300 champion and has run in the Iditarod five times. Along with all that, Schmoe simply makes us smile!
The Willette’s will receive a holiday themed “glam” shot of the puppies (we’ll share that with y’all next week), some SP Kennel goodies and a glossy glam of Schmoe. We hope you enjoy your packet!
We will have a bonus Christmas draw next Friday and everyone who has joined by then and hasn’t already won will be in the draw to win!
Click the button below for more information about how to join:
Click this button to take you directly to the Dog Fan Page.
Gold, Prata and Bronze are growing up. They have had great fun with Ruth exploring many of the neighborhood forests, learning to come when called and racing each other across the fields. But as they become older they have become independent pups. There personalities are truly blossoming. Each pup deserved personal time and soon they will have full time individual homes. This has become necessary as the threesome have recently had a few ‘discussions’ about who is taking up too much space in their puppy house.
In order to prepare the youth for their own houses they are given individual collars and are walked on leashes. Sometimes this happens in a group (quite challenging as you will see) and sometimes individually. This way the youngsters will be completely comfortable adjusting to their own homes. Their houses are situated in a tight group so that the three can play and harass each other as much as they desire but can sleep independently.
Ruth took this video while walking the threesome ~ quite talented!
Thanks Ruth.
Ruth and Chris took some of the yearlings on their first Camp out. This is a ‘big deal’ for some dogs. It’s sort of like a a troop of 9 year old Boy Scouts heading out into a National Park for the weekend. Away from Mom and Dad. Away from your bed. Away from heat, electricity and comfort. Oh my.
Our yearlings (and Ruth and Chris) had a good time. They camped out for several hours and mushed home on some challenging trails. The Yearlings had the following day off (The Mushers should have… but didn’t!)
Here are some photos of the youngsters (Thanks Chris!)
R-L: Chevie, Bruno and Sanka stand near their straw beds whereas Ginger sits in her straw. Barista gets the camping idea! Good Girl!
This is the best photo! McCaw ~ the giant ~ and Bean ~ the pipsqueak ~ can’t understand why they are sitting around near piles of straw with no dog houses nearby. Can you imagine their conversation?
When Spicy was a racing dog, Greg and Vivian from Atlanta were her sponsors. They always kept in touch via cards and letters ~ even after Spicy’s retirement. Unfortunately they never got to meet Spicy at SP Kennel before she went home to New Zealand with Moira.
Last week Greg and Vivian were in New Zealand as part of an Australia/New Zealand cruise so Moira, her Dad and Spicy took a trip up to Auckland to meet them! They took in a local beach, an extinct volcano views of the city and a walk in the park.
We love when our dog sponsors get to meet “their dog” and we’re so happy Greg and Vivian got to meet Spicy. They really went “the extra mile” for her!
Thank you to ALL of our dog fans, sponsors and team members. Your contributions and enthusiasm for the entire SP Kennel philosophy is outstanding. We could go on and on about ALL of you, but let’s just say that the personal attention that our dogs receive from you is spectacular.
And if you were wondering… Yes… when we receive biscuits and dog treats in the mail ~ they are personally passed out (YUMMY)~; when a dog receives a Love Letter from a Fan ~ there is immediately a ‘Dog of the Day’ ~ when a dog gets a special bone delivery ~ he or she enjoys the tasty treat!~ The dogs are the reason we are dog mushers. This isn’t just a saying or phrase… it’s the SP Kennel truth.
So, if you are curious… we WILL be accepting Christmas and Holiday presents for the dogs. All of our dogs have different Santa’s Lists:
After the holidays, we will post a list and some photos of the dogs with their presents.
Office work is H-A-R-D. We are done for the day!
All the goodies have arrived, been sorted, sized and repacked. The packets and boxes brought to Trailside Mail this past Monday.
Hopefully we got them out before the Holiday rush is on.
If you have ‘Joined the Team’ then your packet has been compiled and mailed as well.
Thank good ness for 40 BELOW days or the crew at SP K would never get our indoor chores completed!
The helpful packing crew (Tig, Scout and Scruggs) waits indoors for their next assignment. If you have any dog hair in your envelopes… well… lucky YOU!
Chris and Aliy left the yard with 8 dogs per team. They went on a long afternoon/ evening training run. The teams ran out of the yard 30 minutes before the sun set at 2:49PM.) Needless to say, it was a gorgeous run.
Aliy Heads out of the Yard with Chena, Scooby, Nomex, Spark, Five, Rodney, Sandy and Ernie.
Chris’ Team (Woody, Chemo, Driver, Ginger, Driver, Outlaw, Hotshot, Cayenne and Wedgy) cross the SP Driveway.
