SPK Dog Log

We got in the other day from training dogs and Moira echoed my feeling entirely when she said “How are we supposed to get anything done today? It’s already nearly evening!” SP Kennel mantra has always been: “There is too much to do!” Since dogs always come first, the Dog Log, Fan mail and correspondence (other than canine correspondence) come second.

But, Moira is dedicated to our Dog Sponsors, so as soon as she thawed out, she went directly to the printer and began her ‘non canine job’ at the kennel: computer guru and printer whisperer.

It isn’t all fun and games when a person sits behind a computer all day long. So, to reduce “office frustration” Moira had a little help from 8 week old puppy, Cayenne. She wasn’t sure about the MacBook Pro – she might be more of a Windows 8 dog.

SP Kennel will be fielding three teams in the 2014 Copper Basin 300!

The race starts on January 11 in Glennallen, Alaska and will run in a counter-clockwise direction. Checkpoints include Red Eagle Lodge at Chistochina, Paxson Lodge, Sourdough Creek, Lake Louise Lodge and Tolsona Lake Resort. The race finishes back in Glennallen at the Hub.

Reigning CB300 champion, Allen returns to the race he has run 11 times and won four times. The Black Team will go out in 30th position. Aliy, who has run this race six times, will run the Red Team and leave immediately after Allen in position 31. This will be Meghan’s rookie CB300 and she will be running the Red & Black Team. She leaves Glennallen in position 41.

Team rosters will be posted on January 10th so watch the Dog Log!

Check out the Copper Basin 300 website for more information (click the logo below)

We are extremely happy to introduce you to Champ (left) and Cayenne (right). Their Mother is SP Kennel All-Star Nutmeg (from the Spice Litter) and their Father is a current SP Kennel Superstar, Nacho. This was a planned breeding before the arrival of Olivia’s Eleven in mid July. Meg’s pups were born September 7th. She had complications during labor and needed a c-section. Meg was a first-time 9-year old Mama, but she and the pups are doing well now. She is sleeping with both pups during the nighttime but spends most days in a pen right next door.

These two puppies are such a great reminder for us of who we are and what we stand for. The Spice Litter was a phenomenal litter because we gave them the chance to be great. They weren’t the huge, burly male dogs that so many mushers “need” to compete. In fact, they were far better. They got us up the ladder in dog talent and desire to please. And of course, their parents were some of the best dogs ever at the Kennel – AJ and Ash. Aliy can still picture AJ winning the Yukon Quest with her 13 years ago. The Spice Girls (and boy) were all HEART and when they were racing, they were dedicated to US. To breed that with Nacho’s genetics, physical talent and happiness is exactly where we want to be now! It’s exciting to connect the past with the future.

Cayenne is sponsored by Lynne Danielson (Spice Girl Rose’s longtime Dog Sponsor.)
Champ is sponsored by Eunice Thaeler (Spice Girl Meg’s longtime Dog Sponsor.).

Early November training is going well. The SP Kennel adult racers are on a similar schedule to last season’s plan. We are gradually increasing their mileage which improves their endurance along with their attitudes. We like each dog to come back from a training run and be tired but not exhausted.

The yearlings are training at a slightly slower rate than the adults. These youngsters are basically teenagers who are experiencing everything for the first time. Our yearling team learns from positive reenforcement and praise. There’s nothing better than training a young dog to love the sport of dog mushing as much as we do.

Chemo and Beemer lead the team on the left and I.V. and Ranger lead the team on the right. There were a total of 31 dogs, two mushers and two ATV 4 wheelers on this 3-hour training run.

Training sled dogs is challenging. Our dog always give 110% in harness. So, it is our responsibility to never ask them to do more than is good for them – physically or mentally. The ultimate goal is to bring healthy and happy dogs to the starting line of some fantastic races later this season.

The FIRE litter is getting older. They are no longer tiny little puppies. They turn 4 months old this coming weekend. As the pups grow they are changing in subtle ways. Spark’s fur seems shorter, Tinder’s nose seems pointier, Coal’s black stripe seems lighter, Nomex’s ears are lopsided and Commando seems HUGE. They are becoming individuals.

The eleven pups go on two walks per day – morning and evening. They spend the afternoon separated in two play groups (randomly selected). They spend the night together in a large pen snuggled in their ‘duplex’ accommodations.

Each pup gets quality time indoors as well. We have a brand new “Coffee Table Kennel” in the living room and everyone is getting a chance to check it out.

Nomex spent the afternoon indoors a few days ago. He played with toys, chewed on stuff that he wasn’t supposed to chew on and taught Aliy and Allen the correct way to howl. All in all, it was a very entertaining day.

The Fall Training Howler is available now for you all to enjoy!

In this issue we give you a run down on fall training and tell you about the retirees from last year. We also put the spotlight on the “Outlaws”!

Read the Howler to find out about website updates and improvements and upcoming features including the “Dog Fan Program” and about other outreach opportunities Aliy and Allen have had over the summer.

Click on the image to the right to link with the November Howler.

Halloween according to Pud.

“I went into the house this evening excited about visiting with my Mom, Auntie Bullet and that silly floppy eared black dog that chases balls around the yard. But when I got upstairs, the mushers were dressing us in odd dog jackets. It’s not even cold inside. What were they thinking?!?

“So, I got dressed in this ridiculous outfit – obviously the mushers have their reasons. I usually get a biscuit when I come inside, so I waited at the door for a treat. The mushers kept giggling and saying … UNCLE PUD WANTS YOU! Whatever.

“Soon there was more commotion and wouldn’t you know… Ironman showed up at the door. Generally he’s held in high regard, so I thought maybe he brought me a biscuit. No such luck. Ironman spent all his attention with the Lady Bug and the Blue Monster.”

“So in the end I decided Ironman was a chump and I found my own biscuits on top of dining room table. It was a ‘help yourself’ kind of night.”

Biscuits?!?

The Fire Litter (L-R): Chena, Spark, Coal, Torch, Daisy, Hotshot, Commando, Violet, Amber, Nomex and Tinder.

The Fire Litter are 3 1/2 months. Check out the Puppies Page.

We had a heck of a time getting individual glamour shots for the eleven pups. But, thank goodness Meghan and Moira are patient “puppy snugglers” and don’t give up easily.

It takes very special individuals to be part of the SP Kennel Crew. We are very pleased that Meghan and Moira have committed to us for another season. A long mushing season lays ahead and there is always “to much to do.”

As these guys know… there is never a slow day at SP Kennel!

So, thanks Gals for being who you are!

To the right: Moira and Spicy.
Below: Meghan and her two girls: Tina and Char.