SPK Dog Log

It’s always fun to watch the dogs when they get fresh straw for their houses. Many of them spend time getting it just the way they want with “this bit over here” and “some more over there in the corner”.

Some of them even take the trouble to create more of an indoor/outdoor flow so they can enjoy a straw bed outside when the sun is around or on the warmer evenings. Sissy and Boondocks are two that enjoy the flexibility of the indoor/outdoor flow.

We recently gave Sissy a “new” house with a larger opening as we believe she might have been slightly claustrophobic in her old one. It’s not the best house on the block – it’s actually the worst house we own but it was the only one she would get in and she seems much happier now.

Looks pretty cozy though huh?

Here’s part two in the series of videos taken earlier this month. In this video Aliy talks a little about her leaders on the day and also how this trail got its name.

The team is: Lead – Quito and Boondocks, Swing – Olivia and IV, Team – Willie and Scout, Nacho and Pud, Nutmeg (by herself) and in Wheel are Bonita and Boris.

(It gets a little wobbly in parts, apologies for that!)

With the temperatures dropping the dogs need some extra winter protection while they are out. Here Aliy explains what the boys will be sporting this winter…

“Everyone knows a Joe Schmoe!”

“He’s pretty excited to run, he’s pretty excited to race… he’s pretty excited for everything” says Aliy. Schmoe is an experienced youngster, he ran the Yukon Quest in 2012 with Allen, and he has desire to race.

Schmoe is working on becoming a leader, he’s not quite there yet but we’re hoping he follows in his father Ranger’s footsteps and becomes one of the best dogs.

Joe Schmoe – look for him on the team.

Vaccinations are a vital part of dog care at SP Kennel and last week it was time for the annual kennel cough and “5 way” vaccinations (for distempter, parvo virus, etc).

The dogs were very tolerant, even with the somewhat uncomfortable bordetella up the nose! Meghan and Moira prepared the vaccines and Aliy and Allen administered them. A great team effort!

This is the first of a few videos from the training run last week up the “fire break” trail. In this video Aliy tells us about the importance to the team of training in the hills at this time of year.

We thought it about time we caught you up with what each of our team is up to this season so we’ve started a new regular segment: The Skunk’s Place Bunch.

First up is Beemer! Many of you already know Beemer – he’s a Rock Star!

Aliy says not only did he have “a ridiculously good year last year, we couldn’t have asked for anything better from him” but also, as you will see in the video, that “he is really good at kissing!”

Do you have a favourite “Beemer” moment?

It was a stunningly beautiful day today in Two Rivers so Moira went out on the back of the 4-wheelers with Aliy and Meghan for a training run to capture some video to share with you. It will take a few days to edit the video so in the meantime here are a few photos; just as a teaser.