Thankful

I am thankful for many things.

The recent snowfall.

Our tour guests.

Our gentle dogs.

Did I say gentle?

And thankful for brothers {in-law} who love to help in the chores.

Thankful for my hubby's good care of each and every dog.

And truth be known...even the dogs are thankful.

And tell us daily.

"O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever."
1 Chronicles 16:34

Until tomorrow, dear friends.  God willing.

Winter is Truly Upon Us

After receiving 8 fluffy inches of beautiful white powder yesterday,

winter is indeed, 

truly upon us.

One {1} degree this morning and tour folks scheduled.

Are we happy?

Until tomorrow, dear friends.  God willing.

Hans - A Furry Farewell

If you've been to our sled dog kennel, you've met Hans.  

He was one of the "big boys", always happy to see folks.

Whether doing a fun run with a tour guest or family, 

or leading Russ into the finish line of the 2003 Midnight Run, 

Hans did it with gusto!

Often times, stopping to "water" trees along the way.

That was our Hans.  

Years ago, we were so impressed with Hans' father,
Kiwi,
we knew we had to add Hans to our kennel and join his "daddy",
who we had purchased months before.

So we made a trip up to the U.P., Michigan's Upper Peninsula,
to Iditarod musher, Al Hardman's, cabin to retrieve Hans.

As we picked up Hans,
Al and other local mushers were heading out on a 100-mile 2-day run.

.
After saying goodbye, we loaded up Hans in the cab of our truck and headed home.

Smiles on our faces.

Especially on Hans' mug,
after we introduced him to "fast food" upon crossing the Mighty Mac.

Home.

We knew he was to stay with us forever.

The big guy captured our heart, just as his father, Kiwi had done, upon his arrival.

The last half of his life, Hans battled illness.
 
It began with vet visits, films sent to MSU, and many discussions, with many vets.

In the end, it was diagnosed that Asthma was the culprit.

So from that point on, each month, we gave him an injection for his Asthma.

After a day or so, he would proudly bark, loud and clear,
showing us his strength from within.

It never kept him off the trail. 

He actually did better on the trail.

But as the end of the year was coming to a close, so was Hans.

This Christmas Eve, at 3:55 p.m., Hans quietly slipped away.

We knew it was coming.  
He knew it was coming.

He had stopped eating, and was sleeping and resting most of the day.

He died as he had lived.

With dignity, respect, and very loved.

It wasn't Asthma that took him, but a long life.

Thirteen years on the trail. 

The trail of adventure.

We will miss you Hansey Boy.

Your buddies miss you.

You and those big feet of yours left a void in our kennel, and in our hearts.


Until tomorrow, God willing.

Winter is in Full Swing

Today has been very special.

First, our dogsledding tours began today.

Click here...to see.

Second, we have overnight guests staying at our Bear's Den cabin.

It's always exciting to read their journal entries upon their departure. 

Inspiration comes easy without electricity and running water.

Poets are born.

Photo taken in previous year.

This overnight couple will be our 2nd tour of the week.

The dogs are happy to get the "show on the road".

As are we...

Until tomorrow, dear friends.  God willing.

Fall Focus

It's time.

to turn our beautiful mornings

into training sessions for the sled dogs.

Running and training sled dogs isn't "black or white" for us.

Why, you ask?

Because we have older dogs...12-year olds who love to run.

But we have younger dogs too.
Two-year olds.

So we just have to find the right blend.

And that's half the fun.

We'll check in when we can, God willing.

Happy "Fall" to everyone!

Puppy Breath ~ The Essence of Life

Featuring our friends, Joann and Larry (and young Ana) Fortier of
 Coyote Run Kennel.

It was time to take a hike over to their place this week for a dose of puppy breath. 
It was well worth it.

Two litters worth.

We got to see puppies in action.

Featuring "Juneau", from the Alaskan-themed litter.

Love flowing.

Woodland adventures.

Cuddles with future Champions.

(Read about Joann's 2010 Midnight Run 90+ mile Championship here...)

Lead dog training.

Coming when called.

Perseverance displayed.

Playfulness.

Oh, there is so much to learn as a young pup...

Thank you Joann, for sharing your time, passion and pups.

And most of all, your friendship and caring.

For those of you who don't know, Joann and Larry act as a "feeder" kennel to us.

Their dogs wrap up an incredible life on the race circuit, 

followed by training new pups on the trail,

and then begin a new adventure,

which allows them to finish out their amazing lives doing what they love,

at our place, just down the road.

Running trails.

We have received the following dogs from Coyote Run Kennel over the years.

Ranger, a "Shaw dog", who has been Russ' main leader for years.

And super "Shaw dog" leaders, "the Girls", Windows and Star, who run our guest teams.

Or just help out around our 40-acre farm, hauling wood from cabin to cabin, and such.

We are grateful for our treasured friends, the Fortiers.

And for their gifts of life. 

Not puppy breath, but breath with the knowledge of life.

The older, experienced, seasoned canines that come our way, to begin life anew.

Until tomorrow, God willing.

P.S.  We did get a new dog, actually a yearling, this week from the Fortiers.  Stay tuned.

 



A Time for Everything

There is a time for everything,

and a season for every activity under the Heavens.
Ecclesiastes 3:1

Today, we are knee deep in snow.

But soon, spring will emerge.

And with it, a whole new set of chores.

The focus will be off dog power and on to horse power.

Our boy Raz, is still in training from last year.

But coming along nicely.

We can't wait to see what spring holds for us.

What about you?  We'd love to hear your plans...

Until tomorrow, God willing...

And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus,

giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Colossians 3:17