My little Fury is back out in the dog yard! While it is always nice to cuddle with my dogs, having one live in the house always reminds me that they are working dogs. They have very few manners. Two weeks of Fury was starting to wear thin, especially after she went to the bathroom on my carpet at 3am. It would have been understandable, if she hadn't been outside for 4 hours right before. For the last few days, she was spending nights outside. This was due to the high-pitched howling occurring every night. Whether inside or out, she would bark and yip to her friends up in the yard. It was easier to handle when she was outside. However, the other night, it was so loud that I just brought her inside at 3am. Within ten minutes, she had left me a nice little present.I think Fury was starting to hate being a pet too.
Therefore, as soon as she got her sutures out, she went straight back up into the yard. She did 5 quick sprints around her area and then sat atop her barrel wagging her tail. We both recognized that the dog yard is her home.
Meanwhile, Bill and the racers are traveling south. He's hoping to make it to Montana by tomorrow. As long as the dogs behave and there are no truck issues, they should be fine. Apparently, the dogs are going stir crazy. After racing for so long, they are all wound up. Plus, a few females are in heat, so Bill has to isolate them away from the males. It'll be good when we can get everyone back in their familiar spots. To do so, I'll be spending the next few days fixing chains, cleaning the yard, and organizing the dogs. I am so ready to have all 37 pups back!
Friday, March 30, 2012
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
Homeward Bound
The racers leave from Anchorage this evening! They left Homer last night after spending a few days packing and organizing. The long journey from Alaska to Colorado will take about a week to complete. Only one more week and I get the full kennel back! All 37 dogs will once again howl at me in the mornings...I can't wait!
Friday, March 23, 2012
Healing
Fury is healing well; although, we had a little setback two nights ago. I take her cone off to let her feed and relax whenever I'm home. If I can keep an eye on her, I usually feel confident that she won't attempt to pick at her sutures. I was wrong. I saw her sit down and take one good scratch at her throat before I could jump up and scare her. Instantly, a drop of blood flew to the ground. My thoughts: "crap".
I pinned her down to get a good look at the new problem. It didn't look too serious. The sutures were still in place, there was just a little dribble of blood down her throat. I was able to bandage it up while I called our vet. I doubt that Dr. Thorsen approves, but I really like having his cell number...
He told me to keep the bandage on and bring her into the office in the morning. Within 20 minutes, the wound had stopped bleeding. I put the cone back on, gave her some pain meds, and waited out the night. Thankfully, the next morning, Dr. Thorsen said that she was healing beautifully. The small scratch should heal along with everything else and it actually allowed some of the pus (worst word ever) to drain out of Fury's neck.
The need to scratch is actually a sign that Fury is healing. Until she can get her sutures out next week, however, the cone is staying on. I don't want to give my little pup any more reason to stay away from her friends in the dog yard...even if it is really nice when she curls up in my lap.
I pinned her down to get a good look at the new problem. It didn't look too serious. The sutures were still in place, there was just a little dribble of blood down her throat. I was able to bandage it up while I called our vet. I doubt that Dr. Thorsen approves, but I really like having his cell number...
He told me to keep the bandage on and bring her into the office in the morning. Within 20 minutes, the wound had stopped bleeding. I put the cone back on, gave her some pain meds, and waited out the night. Thankfully, the next morning, Dr. Thorsen said that she was healing beautifully. The small scratch should heal along with everything else and it actually allowed some of the pus (worst word ever) to drain out of Fury's neck.
The need to scratch is actually a sign that Fury is healing. Until she can get her sutures out next week, however, the cone is staying on. I don't want to give my little pup any more reason to stay away from her friends in the dog yard...even if it is really nice when she curls up in my lap.
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
Spring!
With the official start of spring, Sunlight has become a t-shirt haven. There are few things better than skiing in a t-shirt on a bright, sunny day. Seeing how every day here is sunny, you really can't beat it! The snow softens up beautifully in the afternoon and almost reminds me of skiing back east. Of course, it is very important to wear sunscreen constantly (don't worry Mom). I was out in the sun for only 5 minutes and already felt it burn. Colorado is strong, but it feels so good after those months of cold.
The dogs are noticing the change in weather too. They'd rather sleep outside and I've often caught them tanning. The temperature is also affecting their appetite. Since they have little use for insulation at this time of year, the dogs are all cutting back on what they eat. Well, with the exception of the puppies...they still scarf down whatever is in reach.
Fury is feeling the weather as well. Being stuck inside with a swollen face and the cone can be a little depressing. Every now and then, she catches her reflection in the mirror and her head drops from embarrassment. We've been going on walks together and as soon as we round the corner to the house, she pulls hard on the leash to go back up into the dog yard. I'll let her back up as soon as she gets those sutures out. Until then, my little girl is going to have to make do with sleeping on the couch and eating beef and gravy dinners.
The dogs are noticing the change in weather too. They'd rather sleep outside and I've often caught them tanning. The temperature is also affecting their appetite. Since they have little use for insulation at this time of year, the dogs are all cutting back on what they eat. Well, with the exception of the puppies...they still scarf down whatever is in reach.
Fury is feeling the weather as well. Being stuck inside with a swollen face and the cone can be a little depressing. Every now and then, she catches her reflection in the mirror and her head drops from embarrassment. We've been going on walks together and as soon as we round the corner to the house, she pulls hard on the leash to go back up into the dog yard. I'll let her back up as soon as she gets those sutures out. Until then, my little girl is going to have to make do with sleeping on the couch and eating beef and gravy dinners.
Sunday, March 18, 2012
Fight
There was a fight in the dog yard Friday morning. It's common for a pack of sled dogs to fight, but mostly it consists of little nips and shoves to show dominance. This dog fight was serious and could have been to the death.
After I fed the dogs and cleaned up the yard, I let everyone off to play. I've done this several times throughout the winter and the dogs love it every time. They go ripping around the house, trying to be the fastest sprinter. There have been a few bumps and bruises here and there, but like I said, it was all to show dominance...nothing intense. Fury is one of the dogs that needs to prove herself. She is the smallest dog in the kennel; a pure white tiny little husky with a big attitude. She'll often growl at the other dogs to let them know that though she is small, she is mighty.
On Friday, everything was going well until Fury growled at Qjoa. They usually get along fine, but for some reason Qjoa snapped. She's about twice the size of Fury and had her pinned down in a second. I was only ten feet away, so I was able to get there quickly. I screamed myself hoarse as I tore them apart. Everyone tells you not to get in the middle of a dog fight, but when you see any animal resort to such primal instincts, what can you do? If I hadn't waded in there with my hands and feet flailing at both of them, one of my dogs might be dead. I would do anything to prevent that from happening.
I could instantly tell that all the damage had been inflicted upon Fury. Qjoa had her pinned down so effectively that Fury didn't stand a chance. I cradled her in my arms and ran to the warehouse. I couldn't get a good look at her with all the other dogs barking and distracting me. In the warehouse, I first saw the wound in between her ears. A large chunk of fur had been ripped away revealing her scalp. Then, I noticed a big wound at her neck. On the left side of Fury's throat, Qjoa had sunk her teeth into the muscle. Fury was still animated, but the depth of the wound worried me immensely. I ran her to my car and we drove instantly to our vets.
On the drive down, I could tell that the fight had affected my little Fury. She crawled to the front of my car and lay in my lap shivering. By the time I got to the vets, my pants and hands were covered in her blood. The vet is a calm, older man that I would trust any of my dogs to. As he gently handled Fury, he assured me that she would be fine and that she just required some sutures. Her throat had taken an awful bite, but it would be ok. If I had waited any longer to split them apart, she might not have made it.
I had to leave Fury there for several hours since she had to undergo anesthesia. When I finally got to pick her up, my poor girl was very drugged up and swollen. Two days later, she is doing pretty well. The swelling has gone down due to the antibiotics and she has been sleeping fairly well. She has to wear the cone of shame to prevent any scratching at the sutures. I'm also giving her a steady diet of soft foods since her throat still seems to be bothering her, even with pain medication. Hopefully this will teach my little Fury to stop growling at the other dogs and to play nice!
After I fed the dogs and cleaned up the yard, I let everyone off to play. I've done this several times throughout the winter and the dogs love it every time. They go ripping around the house, trying to be the fastest sprinter. There have been a few bumps and bruises here and there, but like I said, it was all to show dominance...nothing intense. Fury is one of the dogs that needs to prove herself. She is the smallest dog in the kennel; a pure white tiny little husky with a big attitude. She'll often growl at the other dogs to let them know that though she is small, she is mighty.
I could instantly tell that all the damage had been inflicted upon Fury. Qjoa had her pinned down so effectively that Fury didn't stand a chance. I cradled her in my arms and ran to the warehouse. I couldn't get a good look at her with all the other dogs barking and distracting me. In the warehouse, I first saw the wound in between her ears. A large chunk of fur had been ripped away revealing her scalp. Then, I noticed a big wound at her neck. On the left side of Fury's throat, Qjoa had sunk her teeth into the muscle. Fury was still animated, but the depth of the wound worried me immensely. I ran her to my car and we drove instantly to our vets.
On the drive down, I could tell that the fight had affected my little Fury. She crawled to the front of my car and lay in my lap shivering. By the time I got to the vets, my pants and hands were covered in her blood. The vet is a calm, older man that I would trust any of my dogs to. As he gently handled Fury, he assured me that she would be fine and that she just required some sutures. Her throat had taken an awful bite, but it would be ok. If I had waited any longer to split them apart, she might not have made it.
I had to leave Fury there for several hours since she had to undergo anesthesia. When I finally got to pick her up, my poor girl was very drugged up and swollen. Two days later, she is doing pretty well. The swelling has gone down due to the antibiotics and she has been sleeping fairly well. She has to wear the cone of shame to prevent any scratching at the sutures. I'm also giving her a steady diet of soft foods since her throat still seems to be bothering her, even with pain medication. Hopefully this will teach my little Fury to stop growling at the other dogs and to play nice!
Saturday, March 17, 2012
The Finish!
Congratulations to Kuka Kennels for finishing the 2012 Iditarod! The team arrived in Nome last night at 4:15pm AST. 11 dogs crossed under the archway and all 11 looked extremely energetic. Bill and the team placed 42nd overall and couldn't have looked happier.
I am unbelievably proud of this team. They worked their butts off in this grueling race. To top it all off, when they stopped at the finish line, they kept lunging forward to keep running. Apparently, a fellow musher walked up to Bill and immediately offered to buy Spur when he saw his enthusiasm to run.
The last hundred miles went well. It was cold, windy, and desolate, but the dogs made it through. Now they get a long rest and lots of love at home! I can't wait to give them all big hugs and kisses! My Iditarod dogs are coming home!
I am unbelievably proud of this team. They worked their butts off in this grueling race. To top it all off, when they stopped at the finish line, they kept lunging forward to keep running. Apparently, a fellow musher walked up to Bill and immediately offered to buy Spur when he saw his enthusiasm to run.
The last hundred miles went well. It was cold, windy, and desolate, but the dogs made it through. Now they get a long rest and lots of love at home! I can't wait to give them all big hugs and kisses! My Iditarod dogs are coming home!
Thursday, March 15, 2012
So Close!
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| The team racing back by McGrath checkpoint....they've come so far! |
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
The Coast
Well, the team is still "coasting" along (forgive me, but it had to be said). At 3:12am AST, Bill and the team left Shaktoolik checkpoint on the coast of the Bering Sea. They are currently at mile 740 out on the barren ice.
Yesterday afternoon, they left Unalakleet checkpoint out on the coast. They had already been at Unalakleet for 10 hours since officials were asking mushers to wait out a dangerous storm. Finally, they were given permission to head up the coast and battle the harsh winds and biting cold. Many mushers decided, instead, to scratch from the race. They seemed to drop suddenly; 12 mushers in all have now scratched. That leaves Bill as the only musher from Colorado to continue in the race! I knew our dogs were tough...
Early this morning, it seems that Bill took off with the team and then had to turn back a few miles out. I am assuming that the winds were severely limiting the team's sight. Out on the ice, the cold and wind can wear down at you with no place to hide. After waiting it out a bit, the team turned back north and continued up the coast. They are about halfway across Norton Bay and heading straight for Koyuk checkpoint.
From there, they will be able to stay mostly on land and avoid the desolate ice. At Koyuk checkpoint, it is 123 miles to Nome. I believe that my team will arrive sometime tomorrow evening.
Meanwhile, the leaders have already finished the race. Dallas Seavey, a 25-year-old musher from Alaska, came in first place. He is part of racing legends and a 4th generation musher. He held onto an hour lead all day yesterday to beat out Aliy Zirkle. The frontrunners were all able to miss the storm that hit Shaktoolik and caused the other mushers to delay in Unalakleet. Therefore, they could push hard over the ice to Nome. While the winners have completed the course, several other mushers are fighting hard to survive. Racers will trickle in over the next few days. I'll certainly be beaming with pride when my team crosses that finish line!
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Early this morning, it seems that Bill took off with the team and then had to turn back a few miles out. I am assuming that the winds were severely limiting the team's sight. Out on the ice, the cold and wind can wear down at you with no place to hide. After waiting it out a bit, the team turned back north and continued up the coast. They are about halfway across Norton Bay and heading straight for Koyuk checkpoint.
From there, they will be able to stay mostly on land and avoid the desolate ice. At Koyuk checkpoint, it is 123 miles to Nome. I believe that my team will arrive sometime tomorrow evening.
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| Dallas Seavey coming into Nome |
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