SPK Dog Log

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!)

Allen was invited to be a special guest Tuesday, July 9th, at the Fairbanks Chamber of Commerce meeting. During the lunchtime event, the Alaska State Legislature honored Allen for his record accomplishment during this year’s championship Yukon Quest run.

The Honor plaque is framed with the Seal of the State of Alaska. It is signed by the Prime Sponsors: State Representative Tammie Wilson and State Senator John Coghill and was co sponsored by the entire State Legislature.

This goes to show that the State of Alaska certainly does take it’s dog mushing seriously!

A hearty congratulations to our respected and honored champion: Mr. Allen Moore!

Well Pet, the dog food manufacturers who make our premium racing sled dog food:
Eagle Pack Natural Pet Food, have really stepped up to the plate in Alaska this summer.

An article in the Fairbanks Daily Newminer talks about the company donating several ton of dog food to the flood evacuated dogs along the Yukon River.

It’s great to see a company giving back to their patrons!

EVACUEES RETURN
On Monday evening the evacuation order was lifted for Two Rivers. We are grateful for heavy rain showers, reduced humidity, a change in wind direction and about 700 firefighters attacking our Stuart Creek 2 Fire. Our 4-truck caravan brought us all back to SP Kennel at 4 PM Tuesday. The fire is still active and we could be asked to evacuate again if Mother Nature wills it. But, for now, we are safe and happy to sleep in our own beds/doghouses.

The Alaska Interagency Coordination Center provides current news on our fire and other fires in Alaska.

FAMILY
Thanks to all who sent offers of help, good wishes and prayers our way. We are so fortunate to have our loyal SP family and friends!

Here is some family news that was overshadowed by fire news this week. Our SP family is about to get bigger. And we are all pretty excited! Olivia and Nacho are expecting their second litter of pups on July 23. Big O is a petite blue-eyed spitfire, overflowing with strength and determination. Nacho sports a happy-go-lucky and friendly personality. In harness he is a long legged, smooth running all-star who never gives up. Aliy and Allen are eager to see what combinations of their parents’ traits these new little athletes possess.

Parents-to-be Nacho and Olivia pose with Aliy. Their yearlings Lydia and Kodiak play in the background.

Meghan and Dutch last October

Meghan and Dutch last month

MORE FAMILY
Last week Olivia’s sponsors (who are surely part of the SP family), visited the kennel with their granddaughters. The girls shadowed Aliy and learned a bit about Alaskan huskies. They were among the first to learn that Olivia is expecting. We always love our sponsor visits.

Ironic, isn’t it, that we should house the flood evacuated Galena dogs for five weeks only to have to evacuate ourselves? I’m not sure what it all means, if anything, it’s simply ironic. I’ve been thinking about things a lot lately.

Our current situation away from our home in Two Rivers is far from a hardship. We are fortunate enough to have family, friends and even simple acquaintances who go out of their way to help or send well-wishing’s.
So.. DO NOT worry about us. The dogs are fine, we are fine and the whatever else happens is out of our control.

Our evacuation was uneventful. The caravan of dog trucks and trailers made it’s way to Bridgett and Scotty’s home south of Ester, Alaska. There were spots ready for each individual dog underneath a groove of tall spruce trees over looking the Alaska Range Mountains to the south. We brought a ton of Eagle Pack Dog Food with us, so I guess we could spend the month, should we like it better on this side of town!

Allen looks over the Alaska Range with the dogs.

I was reminded yesterday during our evacuation that: Our dogs are the best. They get along great with each other – no arguing or bickering. No running away. No panicking. They are well behaved. We expect them to listen to us and they do. They are truly awesome dogs and I thank them for their cooperation.

A photo of twenty evacuated SP Kennel dogs.

The race dogs have taken everything in stride and many are stretched out in the shade and cushioning of the forest understory. They must be thinking “I wonder what kind of adventure Aliy and Allen are taking us on now?”

Scout, Bonita, Pud, Tony, Boondocks and Bullet aren’t too stressed.

The young dogs are acting like they are at Summer Camp – and for some of the them I guess, it must seem like they are! Lydia, Dutch, Junior and Kodiak went on their first dog truck ride yesterday – ever! Woody, Wedgy, Chipper, Sandy, Iron and Driver are camped under the trees, playing with twigs, as if it were an afternoon picnic. (I have to admit that Driver did chew the internet cord to the house last night. Opps, sorry Scotty. But, I’m sure he thought it was just a twig!)

Tatfish and Dutch check out the lawn; Schmoe ignores Sandy just before she pounced on him!

The sixteen Research Study dogs are in their own “area” because their special meals must continue despite the evacuation inconvenience. They might have a few days off from exercise, but we have plans to start that up again in a different location, if needed.

The fire fighters are doing their jobs and are trying their best to control the fire. Our house is safe, as of now, and folks are in the area watching it for us.

Howdy!… Macgellan here… I just texted with Aliy… This is all I know!

I’m sure you all join Happy and me in wishing all our friends at SP Kennel — canine and human — a safe relocation and a speedy return home!

At about 1:30 pm, we received the evacuation order for Chena Hot Springs. The kennel and the surrounding family was prepared and swiftly got ready to leave the area. Aliy, Allen, Kaz, Sammy, Mickey, Doug, Wes, Wendy and all the dogs left Two Rivers. SP Kennel has safely arrived at Bridgett and Scotty’s home and are setting up a temporary kennel.

Ray, Ryne and Derrek, who are all wildland firefighters, are working with the hundreds of other firefighters to protect our homes and neighborhood. 

Thank you for all your thoughts and prayers.  

We have NO EVACUATION orders yet.

We are trying to keep a normal routine despite wind changes and smoke. The view from our porch changes constantly.

Here are some fantastic sky photos that we have to share.

The sun on a smokey afternoon.

Sun hiding behind a cloud.

Oh yea… this is SPK Dog Log, isn’t it??? So, here’s a great dog photo too!

Sissy lays in the wild flowers last week.