SPK Dog Log

Here they are! These glamour shots were taken at 4 days old. Naming them has been challenging, but fun. There is a theme, somewhat. There are also a few unique names, but there are quite a few unique puppies. So, what the heck?!
Their weights are from 4 days old as well.

The BOYS:

Spark (12 ounces); Charcoal or “Coal” (14 ounces)

Nomex (12.5 ounces); Hotshot (13 ounces)

Torch (13 ounces); Tinderbox or “Tinder” (13.5 ounces)

Commando (12.5 ounces)

The GIRLS:

Amber (14.5 ounces); Violet (1 lb 2 ounces)

Chena (15 ounces); Daisy (1 lb 1 ounce)

This is the last week of the Summer 2013 Canine Warrior test protocol. Through 90 degree temperatures, drenching rains, monster mosquitoes, troublesome porcupines and a wild fire evacuation, our team of 16 SP canines and 4 SP humans have walked increasingly longer treks on trails near Two Rivers. This is week 7, so the test groups will complete 14 miles each day for 5 days.

During this exercise regime, groups of dogs have ingested different amounts of protein. Blood sampling at the beginning and end of this week will provide data to determine the effects of protein levels on canine hydration during exercise. Results will help to improve the stamina of military bomb sniffing dogs in the Middle East.


Dingle, Tug, Lester, Beemer and Nelson trek through Iron Creek. Note the GPS collars

Scooter, Spicy, Spoog, Jezzy and Ryne begin a trek.

Just a reminder:
Here are the 16 SP dogs who are taking part in the Canine Warrior testing this summer: Chemo, Waylon, Viper, Honda, Rambler, Nelson, Lester, Tug, Dingle, Beemer, Spicy, Spoog, Scooter, Willie, Outlaw and Boris.





Dr. Mike and Amanda transport dogs back to waiting dog trucks.

Dr. Mike Davis, from Oklahoma State University, and his support staff, Christa and Shannon arrived on Sunday to set up the blood testing lab and to help transport dogs to and from the trails. They join Ryne, Amanda, Kristina and Aliy, the dog walkers!


Despite sometimes challenging conditions, both dogs and walkers have enjoyed being free to wander in Interior Alaska hills and forests this summer. As you can see from the photos, they are all smiling, dogs and people. I think they may be sad when it’s all over.


Nelson, the canine collector.

P.S. Nelson gets the prize for collecting the most “stuff” (mud flaps, old clothing, critters, bones) in the 7 week period. Boris gets the prize for having had the most porcupine encounters. A dubious achievement (with no lasting scars).

Lynne Danielson has been Rose’s Sponsor for most of the years that Rose has been racing. Lynne has even been in the incredible position some years to watch Rose as she competes in the Iditarod. Just last year, Lynne was a volunteer in the village of Kaltag!

Lynne and her granddaughter, Kyleigh, came up to the kennel and brought Rose back home with them. So far the reports from the home front are that Rose and her new canine and human companions are doing well.

Anyhow, as the puppies become the center of the excitement at the kennel, some of the veteran dogs are leaving us. It is sad in some sense. For me to say to some of my best canine buddies “thank you for all you’ve given me, now go have fun in the rest of your life”. BUT – if they all stayed here at SP Kennel, we would need a heck of a couch! When an SP Kennel dog is retired from racing, their new home must be a perfect match. Lynne and Rose certainly fit the bill!

So… “Thank You Rose!”

Lynne gives Rose some old fashioned loving; Rose explores her new driveway.

Rose naps with Jan on one of our Natural Extremes Adventure trips.

24 hour old Olivia puppies.

24 hour old puppy; Mama “O”.

Thanks Meghan for taking these shots!

Oh my goodness! Eleven Puppies. Honestly, I can not believe it.

Olivia started whelping at 11 PM (July 20) and had five puppies by midnight. She had four more pups by 4 AM and the last two at 6 AM (July 21).

Twelve hour old puppies nurse fro their Mama “O”.

Of course, I am concerned about Olivia caring for so many pups, so I have kept a vigil to make sure no one gets pushed aside. Olivia seems quite attentive and is not very stressed about the whole situation. (I could learn from her!)

Olivia and pup try to nap; Nursing puppies.

I need to take a few days to make sure Olivia and all of her beautiful puppies are healthy before I announce any names or sexes. I promise to keep everyone up to date and videos will be coming soon.

Oh… by the way, Nacho is fine as well. A very proud Papa!

Who will be first? Both ‘mothers to be’ are due about the same time:
Kate is July 19th.
Olivia is July 23rd.

FIRE
“As of 8:00 p.m. July 15, the Evacuation Watch for residents of Two Rivers along Chena Hot Springs road between Mileposts 16 and 27 has been lifted,” writes the Alaska Interagency Coordination Center (AICC). Hooray!! Our fire is now 57% contained at 84,475 acres. The fire continues to grow slowly to the east and northeast into State recreation land with few people or structures. Our west side is 100% contained. But we remain vigilant.

According to Ray, who is the manager of AICC, our Stuart Creek 2 Fire is now the #1 fire (biggest and baddest) in the US. That’s a title we certainly didn’t want.

VISITORS
Sunday was a first for SP Kennel. At about 10:30 AM a luxury coach (big bus) drove down our mile of dirt access road, into our gravel driveway to the narrow trail at the Skunk’s Place sign. Out climbed the Anchorage Glacier Pilots Baseball Team, 30 young men, and their coaches. The Pilots are a college summer baseball team headquartered in Anchorage. They are among the finest players from colleges throughout the US.

The Pilots’ ‘luxury coach’ couldn’t quite fit.

The Anchorage Glacier Pilots with Aliy and Mac.

So our team of canine athletes got to meet this team of human athletes. The humans learned a bit about sled dog training and racing. The canines learned that baseball players give pretty great back scratches.

Athletes’ mutual admiration.

Three hours after they left the kennel, the Pilots beat the Goldpanners 9 to 1, in the last game of a weekend series. Great job, guys! We’d like to think that SP Kennel helped get you psyched for the game.

According to the AICC website:

The fire activity increased yesterday as anticipated with some isolated flare-ups along with small group tree torching inside the fire’s perimeter. However, the perimeter growth was minimal as containment lines continue to hold.
As of July 14 8:00AM the size of the fire was 84,275 acres with 38% contained.
A total of 730 personnel are working the fire.

A list of Firefighter home states; Becky stands outside Pleasant Valley Store.

The backbone of this community is Pleasant Valley Store. Store owners, Becky and Alex, have always been tremendous community supporters. Even now, the firefighters are treated as family.

Two Rivers residents are still under a Evacuation Watch.

From SP Kennel’s “bird’s eye view” the fire has settled down tremendously after this past week’s rain and favorable conditions. We can still see smoke and occasional flames (at a distance) from the porch, but the fire crews seem to have stopped much of the movement of the fire. They are obviously feeling good about the fire because the hoses, pumps and water tanks that were positioned around the neighborhood are now being collected.

Mickey and Doug monitor fire activity from SP Kennel “bird’s eye view”.

So, we will continue to be wary and keep and eye on the horizon, but overall, we are pleased to be sleeping again at night! (In our own beds!)