SPK Dog Log

We’ve had some fresh snow in the last week as you can see from these two pics captured by Spencer. He took the team out east on Baseline and then on a 30 mile loop.

The team is (front to back, left to right):

Kodiak and Beemer, Schmoe and Lydia, Viper and Clyde, Puppet and Woody, Wedgy and Sandy, Biscuit and Chipper.

Here’s a “good morning” that may wake the neighbors!

Unfortunately we have had to withdraw our three teams from the Alpine Creek Excursion Sled Dog Race this weekend. We’ve had some ongoing “dog truck issues” and decided to make the call earlier this week to ensure those on the wait list for the race had enough time to prepare.

The good folks at Auto Trim Design Fairbanks as well as Gene’s Chrysler Dodge have been working with Allen to decipher the cause of the problem. We hope to have all of the dog trucks back at the kennel today. Since our goal is always to race as many SP Kennel dogs as possible, we obviously need reliable transportation to get them to the starting line.

We will stay in Two Rivers this weekend and, as we have had a generous snowfall over the past week, we may just simulate the race on our own trails!

We are disappointed as we were looking forward to racing, but as is a favorite saying here at SP Kennel: “It’s never easy”. We wish all the competitors and organisers a safe and successful race on Saturday.

As we welcome December and a few inches of fresh snow we wanted to update the world on the condition of all the SP Kennel Racers. Instead of doing an alphabetical update, we’ll talk about everyone from the most senior dog to the youngest.

All of the Race Dogs have been in harness since September 1st. Their training mileage is recorded individually. All dogs have had very similar training regimes for these three months; however an individual might sit out a training run or two for a variety of reasons: stomachache or not eating well, neutering or other minor health issues, Mac’s surgery or even tooth cleaning. Beemer was in Anchorage for several days and missed a few runs. It is all individual.

L-R: Kodiak and Scruggs lead a training team from the yard; a view of the team from a “Musher’s Perspective”; Waylon at the peak of health, fitness and confidence during a 2014 race.

The two key elements in successfully training sled dogs is to maintain their overall health and continually improve their fitness level. How do we measure these elements?

A good indicator of overall health is a dog’s body weight. So we monitor and record each dog’s monthly weight throughout the season. As dogs gain more muscle in training, they also gain more weight. We look at these weights as a gauge of health. Each dog has an ideal weight.

A good indicator of overall fitness is a dog’s mileage. At SP Kennel we have a strict regiment of training runs. We use different training techniques at different times of the season. Some times we use a “day on” / “day off” schedule and other times we “push” the dogs three days in a row. We try to increase their fitness levels gradually and positively. As you can imagine, each dog has his or her own rate at which they improve their fitness. So, you will notice in the comments below that each dogs has different mileage. This makes sense since each dog is different.

• Biscuit is the oldest dog in training and looks GREAT! His coat has never looked better so he is ready for a cold winter. His mileage is very similar to that of last season. His current weight is perfect at 50.2#. Biscuit is still vying for a spot on the “winning team”.
• Chica shed her thick coat after whelping puppies this summer but it is growing in nicely now. Her appetite is fantastic and her mileage is exactly average for the racing dogs. Her current weight is good at 47.6#. Chica is, as usual, cool, calm and collected.
• Nacho has above average mileage and is very excited to run. His thick grey husky coat is magnificent. He is heavier than normal at 56.6#. Nacho is ready to roll!
• Quito is as confident as ever. She is training several two-year olds for the lead position. She has average mileage and looks GREAT! Her current weight is 46#. 
• Beemer was neutered in October and therefore had some time off. His mileage is slightly below average but he is maintaining his weight better – currently 49#. He has been running in lead. Beemer has been the ‘go to’ man for all the SP Kennel social events. 
• Olivia has the appetite of a starving alligator. She is chunky, currently weighing in at 45#. Her mileage is above average and has the third most miles recorded thus far. Olivia is always excited to go.
• Rambler has some dry skin and coat issues. He is currently on both homeopathic and medical supplements to see if this helps. His mileage is slightly below average. His current weight is ideal at 48.8#. Rambler is happy and strong we just need to understand his coat issue.
• Scout never wastes excess energy playing or acting silly in the dog yard. He enjoys the privacy of his house. But he is always 100% in harness and is one of our main lead dogs. His mileage is average. His current weight is good at 44.4#.
• Viper has been leading the Yearling team a lot. He is vocal and sassy while running in the team and has average mileage. He is maintaining a perfect weight at 48.8#. Viper looks GOOD!
• Boondocks is sleeping in her house this season – this is different from any previous year. She is still hyperactive and always ready to go. She has average mileage and currently weighs a pound less than her ideal at 37.8# Boonie is one of the more vocal characters in training.
• Lester is steady and reliable. He has become one of the main SP lead dogs and is often paired with a youngster. He has tremendous patience. Lester has average mileage and his current weight is good at 44#.
• Puppet has maintained a chunky physique despite steady training. She has average mileage this season and is very healthy with a current weight of 53.4#. Puppet got loose during a training run 5 miles from home and we found her tucked into her house – snug as a bug in a rug – I guess she’s happy here!
• Scruggs has above average mileage right now. He is running in lead often and paired with a novice two-year old. His current weight is a tad heavy at 47#. He enjoys the deep snow and finding his own trail – good thing it’s finally snowing!
• Waylon is muscled up and looks like he’s ready to race 1,000 miles already. He is very excitable right now and can’t believe he is ever left behind. His current weight is just under his ideal at 42.6#. Waylon truly believes he is the best dog at SP Kennel. 
• Willie is happy and warm with his thick husky coat. He never stops wagging his tail. He has above average mileage and his current weight is normal for him at 43#. Willie is delightful.
• Mac has recuperated from his salivary gland surgery but due to time off he is below average in mileage. But he has a great attitude and will soon work back into the thick of training. Mac is muscling up to be the biggest dog at SP again this year. His current weight is 66#. He is slender.
• Schmoe is still the cheerleader on every training run whether he is in swing or wheel position. He was neutered in October and therefore had some time off. His mileage is slightly below average but he is maintaining better weight – currently 49#. Joe Schmoe will be a Rock-Star again this year!
• Scooter is loud and excited to go… all the time! It’s almost annoying. She has average mileage and is slightly heavier than normal at 50.6#. Scooter is a great gal who wags her whole hind end – not just her tail!
• Sissy is high strung in the yard as well as on a training dog team. She seems to be frustrated when she doesn’t get to go. She has average mileage and is currently at her ideal weight at 45#. Sissy is keyed up this season and will be a main player all year long.
• Chemo is enjoying his job and is very strong right now. He will run in lead but seems to have some pent up nervous energy at times so we moved him to swing. He has average mileage and his current weight is just under his ideal at 50.4#. He is really a sweet dog.
• IV has had somewhat of a relapse with her back injury from the summer. Her future as a Racing SP K dog is doubtful. She trained at 100% for 2 1/2 months and now seems less than par. Of course she is still happy, runs around and has fun — she just probably can’t win a 1,000 mile race.
• Felix has become ‘Biscuit JR’. All of the SP mushers have mistaken him for his father at least once this season and that’s a GOOD thing! This means Felix is getting bigger, better and bolder. We have great plans for Felix! He is a little thin at 44#. He is a gorgeous dog.
• Izzy has been running with her mother, Quito, up in lead, the last month. Since she raced 500 miles of the Iditarod in swing, we decided she should ‘graduate up’ one position. She has the most mileage of all the dogs thus far. Her current weight is an ideal 44.7#. Izzy is a high energy and full of sass. 
• Mismo is a horse. He strength is remarkable. He is excited and dedicated too, which will bump him up to the main team this season. He has the second most mileage behind his sister. He is thin at 61#. Mismo is a fun, yet dedicated dog this year.
• Nelson is the most high strung dog in the yard this year. He’ll twist and twirl and will not stand still – even for one moment — this is great considering he is slated to run thousands of miles this winter. His mileage is above average. Nelson has a great appetite and currently weighs 47.2#.
• Clyde is a happy goon. He is still eating like a champion this season. He is fit and trim and has average mileage. Although he eats voraciously, he uses a lot of energy, so he is slightly underweight at 51.6#. Clyde will be super important in every race this season.
• Outlaw seems to barks at everyone – he just likes to talk. He is really proving to be a strong team dog this season and is putting a lot of drive into his training runs.  He has average mileage and has been extremely healthy thus far. He is slender at 53.4#.
• Pepe has enthusiasm and pep, but still no focus. This doesn’t seem to stand in his way however. He has average mileage and is always excited to go. He is a smaller dog but seems to get his job done weighing in at 39#.
• Chipper is a petite dog with a big attitude. Her little legs move at a supersonic rate as she easily keeps the pace with her bigger brothers. She is the second most hyper dog on the race team. She has average mileage and weighs a whopping 33#. She will surprise much of our competition this season as a steady team dog.
• Driver is still all legs. He was neutered in October and therefore had some time off. He is thin at 58.4# but we expect him to gain from now on. His mileage is slightly below average. Driver is a BIG boy who needs to grow into his body and mind. He is happy and driven, he just needs experience.
• Iron is the negative image of his father, Biscuit – similar gait and stature yet he is white and Daddy is black. We have been pairing them together this season in hopes that Iron learns from his All-Star Pop. His mileage is average. His weight is #49.6. 
• Sandy is small and stout. She is mentally high strung, but has more experience than any of the two-year olds and it shows. Her mileage is average. She loves to eat so she maintains her weight efficiently. She currently weighs 39# and could gain a pound of two of muscle. Sandy will be important this season.
• Wedgy has a large learning curve this season since she had a limited time in harness last year. However, she is really rising to the challenges and it’s exciting to watch her! She is also a very pretty girl and eats like a true sled dog. Her mileage is above average and she is a bigger girl – weighing in at 46.4#.
• Woody has stilt legs and a high stepping gait but he goes straight as an arrow down the trail. He has been training in lead with an older dog. He was neutered in October and therefore had some time off. His mileage is slightly below average but we hope this will help him to maintain a better weight – he is currently thin at 51#.
• Dutch puts a lot of effort into his work. He has a strange gait that seems to work for him. He will be a very strong team dog. He has above average mileage. He is a little thin at 44.6#. Dutch is silly in the dog yard but serious in harness.
• Junior has often been paired in lead with Quito on training runs. She exhibits inner drive and determination for such a youngster. She has above average mileage and has the most training miles of any two-year old. Her flaw is her finicky appetite. Junior is a tall thin gal and currently underweight at 37#.
• Kodiak has often been paired in lead with Scruggs on training runs. He is a dedicated sled dog and maintains a fast pace. He is a ‘mini version’ of his Daddy Nacho. He has above average mileage. He looks great at 46.4#. He will be a key player this season.
• Lydia is the youngest and smallest SP Racers but her attitude is HUGE! She has often been paired in lead with Olivia, her Mom, on training runs. She has above average mileage and the second most training miles of any two-year old. She is a slender 31.5#.

River Reed Watkins was born at 10:45PM on November 29th.

We are so excited to welcome you to the Family little guy!

Aliy and Allen (“Gran and Poppa”) were at the hospital to welcome the baby boy. Momma and son are healthy and happy.

River will be heading home today with momma Bridgett, daddy Scotty and big brother Timber.

CONGRATULATIONS and welcome to the world young man. We love you!

Like everyone, I was shocked and saddened by Dingle’s sudden passing. It’s always hard to lose a dog, some more so than others. I love all the SP Kennel dogs, of course, but I will admit to having had a few favorites over the years. Dingle was one of them. In fact, we had a very “special” relationship. Here’s our story:

In the December 2008 GinGin 200, SP Kennel ran three ten-dog teams with Aliy, Allen and Bridgett all on the runners. I was the only crew member on hand, and it was only my third race experience.

Late on the first night, I was in Paxson lodge after a 20-hour day of handling dogs, helping mushers, filming the action and posting to the DogLog. I was just about to put my head down for a nap when I heard my name called, followed by words a handler doesn’t want to hear: “One of your dogs has just come back from a checkpoint.”

I bundled up to deal with the -50 degree temps and howling wind — epic race conditions which resulted in this iconic picture of Aliy — then went out into the pitch black night. Being thoroughly examined by a race veterinarian was two year old Dingle!

Having been dropped from a race for the first time — in only the second race of his young career! — he looked perplexed and disappointed, but was visibly reassured when he saw me. I greeted him with a brisk pat and asked him, “What in the world, Dingle?!?”

Apparently, the flap we attach to the underside of the male dogs’ wind jackets — to protect their “private parts” — had blown loose on Dingle. Being particularly well-endowed, the lad had been exposed to the fierce winds and had picked up a bit of “frost nip” on his, um, “Little Dingle.”

After examination, the vet assured me that it was a minor “nip” and that he would fully recover with no problems. He would, however, require some special attention over the next 48 hours.

In brief, his treatment regimen had two parts:

First, avoiding internal infection by keeping him thoroughly hydrated such that fluids frequently flowed through the affected organ. Second, avoiding external infection by keeping the affected area thoroughly lubricated with a liberal amount of ointment.

That was all the instruction I received. With the all of the Kennel’s actual dog experts out on the trail, it was up to me to figure out how to comply with the doctor’s orders.

The first job was pretty straightforward. Although there’s only so much clear water a dog will drink, there’s almost no limit to how much “fish soup” an Alaskan husky will lap up. So, I got a cooker going and made Dingle a huge pot, mostly water with chopped up pieces of salmon and a little kibble for flavoring. Every hour I fed him a big bowl of it, then walked him until he relieved himself of the previous dose.

Besides being time consuming and a bit of a drag to be outside in the dark, cold and wind half the night, the hydration order was easy to accomplish. I would do anything for the dogs, especially for my little pal Dingle.

Saying I would do anything for Dingle brings me to the second job. At -50 degrees, the ointment/salve had the consistency of clay, not something you can just dab on with a gauze pad. In order to apply it, I had to briskly knead it in my hands while inside the lodge, then run outside and manually massage it onto his booboo.

Picture yourself in the arctic night, massaging a dog’s private parts every hour and you probably won’t even come close to how ludicrous it seemed to actually be doing it!

The first time I did it, Dingle was more than a little surprised. After that, I swear the cheeky rascal smiled at me every time he saw me coming out the door.

Various humans couldn’t resist getting in on the act, taking turns to make comments on my activities.

One grizzled veteran handler got a laugh out of everyone — and even a grin from me — by declaring, “You’ve sure got a special relationship with that dog!”

It was worth it, of course, for Dingle to make a full recovery, even despite forever being chided by various members of the mushing community whenever they saw me with the SP Kennel team: “Hey, which dog is your special friend?” If they only knew.

Dingle was very much my special friend, and not just because of our weekend in Paxson. It’s always a risk to anthropomorphize a dog, but with him I’m proud to do it: Dingle and I have a lot in common.

Other dogs were flashier and more famous, like ChaCha, Quito, Nacho and other superstars of the Kennel. Dingle was a quiet, competent, hard working dog who rarely got — and never sought — the limelight. Being good at his job was its own reward.

Everyone who knew Dingle always knew he could be counted on to do his job, to do it well and to get it done. He always had a smile on his face!

I like to think of myself that way, or at least aspire to his level of quiet, solid, reliable performance and positive attitude. Dingle was my role model.

This is my favorite photo of Dingle. It’s how I will always remember him.

Farewell, my special friend… Thank you for the honor, privilege and great pleasure of knowing you.

Congratulations to our latest winner of the Fan Club draw – Charlene Kellerman from Pennsylvania. Charlene is a fan of FIVE and wins this fantastic SP Kennel tote bag and some other goodies!

Five and his siblings had a tough start to life but they are now thriving! Five can eat… boy he can eat! He gets that from his father, Clyde, who is well known in the kennel for eating everything, voraciously. This is an excellent trait for a sled dog!

We are thankful to you all for joining the Dog Fan Club! The next Dog Fan Club winner will be announced on December 12th and everyone who hasn’t already won and all new members will be in the draw to win.

Click the button below for instructions on how to join:

Click this button below to take you directly to the Dog Fan Page.

The challenges of life surround all of us, everyday. We all suffer loss, misfortune and unhappiness. Despite all of this, we still feel that we are fortunate for everyday that we are alive and living to the fullest.

Today, on Thanksgiving Day, we would like to thank all of you who have carved out a special spot in your hearts for: our dogs, our mushers and our adventures.