The Road to Alaska

The racing team is headed to Alaska! 19 dogs piled into the dog truck yesterday morning. It is a long journey, requiring several stops, but the dogs were more excited than I had ever seen them.
Instead of running them, I woke up early to feed, since they needed a couple hours to digest before we packed them into the truck. I spent five minutes with each dog, saying goodbye. There were a lot of tummy rubs, head cuddles, and low howls. They were just happy to get the extra love. They didn't know what was really happening until the dog boxes opened. As soon as Bill, Jodi, and I opened those boxes, the yard went wild. Usually, when the dogs are that enthusiastic, we hold onto their collars so they don't evade a quick harness. In this instance however, every dog went free.

With the anticipation of a trip in the dog truck and a run on snow, the dogs made a beeline for the truck. The veterans most likely knew that the truck was going to Alaska, based on the four sleds packed on top. The young dogs just fed off of that excitement. Each dog has a designated spot, based on who they get along with and their size. The veterans knew exactly where to go. They ran up to the truck and jumped up to place their front paws on their box. Then it's an easy task for us to pick up their back ends and place them into their box. They all took a second to arrange the straw into a perfect bed and then settled down.
Juno was the only one that evaded us. She came down to the truck, checked it out for a second and decided she'd rather go see Maverick. For the next half hour we tried every trick in the book, but as a lead dog, she's smart and quick. Finally, we ignored her. Obviously, we should have tried that first.
With all the dogs loaded, Bill headed out. The plan is to drive north through Wyoming and Montana and straight up into Alberta, Canada. They drove straight through the night, so within 16 hours they were able to make it to the border. Every few hours, a "dog drop" is required. The dogs are hooked to the side of the truck to do their business, get some water, and stretch out. Inevitably, dog drops usually lead to tourists taking pictures as well.
So, for the next week, Bill will be driving and making dog drops. It's a long haul to Homer, Alaska, but the benefits of training there will be worth it. Even though I can't be there with them, I can't wait to hear about how they're all doing.
I'll have to make do with my puppies and retirees. All 18 of them...

Preparations

The time has come for the racers to leave for Alaska. Bill will be taking 19 dogs to Homer, Alaska where they will begin long distance training. The week leading up to this departure has been frought with anxiety and excitement.
The dogs weren't quite sure what was up until yesterday when we packed four sleds onto the top of the dog truck. The dog truck is a massive structure containing twenty cubbies for the racers. In between the cubbies, we have packed food, meat, harnesses, rope, plastic sled runners, lead lines, ice hooks, and all manners of other gear. The amount of equipment that goes into sledding is boggling. For instance, for the past three nights, I have been wrapping booties. The dogs wear booties on their feet to prevent ice cuts and to help keep them warm. Thousands upon thousands of booties are needed, as they can quickly get torn up or wet. Therefore, I have spent countless hours packaging them into sets of four. The small details can go a long way in the Iditarod.
Along with packing, we have been training at an accelerated pace. We are going longer distances, in shorter amounts of time, and at twice a day. The dogs need to get used to running 125 miles a day, so might as well start now. Unfortunately, since we've upped the training, we've also increased the room for error.
Running the ATV a few days ago, I had a large tangle that required a lot of work to get loose; thankfully, no one got hurt. On my next lap, the ATV shifted out of gear and refused to go back in, so I was forced to help push it back the mile home. With all of the running, it is also inevitable that we're getting some sore doggies. Osiris has a tense left shoulder muscle that has required us to give him a few days off; likewise, Oly has had some chafing from his harness that requires a few days rest. Thankfully, it's still the beginning of the season and nothing serious has happened. They're all still crazy about running and it'll only get better once they get to Alaska!
The preparations continue. We have to strap down the sleds tonight and put fresh straw in all the dog boxes. Then, tomorrow morning, they'll hit the road! Au revoir, mes chiens!

Powder Day

Winter in Colorado has officially arrived. A surprise storm hit Saturday morning, dropping 7" of snow on the dogs. I don't know who was more excited, me or the sled dogs. The entire world seemed silent and white. The feeling only intensified when I arrived at my new job at Sunlight Mountain Resort.
Sunlight is a relatively small, family ski area. We have 67 trails and boast the steepest grade in the lower 48. We also have the longest trail in the U.S. at two and a half miles.
None of that really mattered though, when 7" of dry, fluffy powder hit the slopes. As a part of my position at the mountain, I am encouraged to take an hour break every day to ski. I cannot really help guests if I do not know the mountain myself. And so, when ski patrol called in to say they had just opened a new trail, I jumped on the opportunity. In ten minutes I was on the lift and headed to the top. My first Colorado powder experience consisted of first tracks down Rebel Trail with snow up to my knees. It doesn't get much better than that.
The only problem with snow up to my knees is that I don't know how to ski it. I'm used to the sheer ice of Vermont. I may be proud of skiing that ice, but it isn't helping me now. I quickly learned that digging in an edge doesn't really help, nor does lifting your uphill ski. Even with these fallbacks, I was smiling the entire way down. At one point, I hit a rock buried under the snow and fell; that was the softest landing I have ever experienced while skiing. It was most relaxing just laying in the powder and taking in the silent world around me.
This winter is going to be good. Powder good.

The Basics

After all this time, I have yet to go over the basic commands of dogsledding. The commands are subtle and change according to mushers, but they are a key part to the process. Without them, the lead dogs would run where they please, when they please.
I have adopted Bill's language when talking to the dogs. Mushers vary from using short, brusk demands to using baby talk with their dogs. I believe that Bill lies somewhere in between. Off harness, we coddle the dogs. We tell them that we love them and how wonderful they are. I confess that a little baby talk squeezes out every so often, but who hasn't given in to that. As soon as we pull out a harness however, the tone changes to that of business (Side note: the dog's barks change while working as well. There is more excitement and less communication involved in their barks).
One of the first things I say every morning to the runners is "easy". This is Bill's word to get them to calm down. My second word is usually "wait". The dogs have learned that 'easy' and 'wait' mean "please don't bark quite so loud or jump on me or trip me". It is amazing how these words take instant effect on the dogs. For instance, Oly can be very difficult to harness due to his high levels of excitement; as soon as I tell him to "wait", though, he sits patiently until I have hooked him into the lines. 
When all the dogs are harnessed, they start to yelp and lunge forward. We probably don't have to ask this, but it is customary to say, "ready?" As soon as they hear that word, it is as if a whole new pitch to their barking has been discovered. I don't think they've ever said no, so it is always followed by a quick, "let's go". For the next few miles, the dogs could be at a full sprint if they wanted to. It is up to the musher to say "easy" again and to set the pace.
Then there are the famous words: "Haw" and "Gee". These are some of these most important words to a musher. "Haw" translates as 'left' and "Gee" translates as 'right'. Without them, the dogs would run wherever they wanted. It is up to a seasoned runner to understand these words. Most of the dogs have never learned their meaning, as they just follow the leaders; however, the leaders learn from each other to understand the meaning.
Even with these commands, if a leader decides to 'haw' when you want them to 'gee', there's little you can do to stop them. In this situation, all you can say is 'whoa' and run up to the lead dog to walk them towards the proper path. It might take a few tries, but they'll get it eventually.
The rest of the time is taken up with calling their names and giving them praise. Bill is a firm believer in positive reinforcement. He has experienced the differences in dogs when you yell at them versus encouraging them. They want to please the musher and they will work their hardest to accomplish what is asked of them. Whenever you say a dog's name on the line, they will look back with a happy grin.
 These commands are just a small portion of racing a team. Without those words though, it would be impossible. Without the positive encouragement, it would be impossible.
"Haw over! Good dog": it's easy to say, but it means oh so much.

Have to Fit Some Fun In!

And the holiday season is upon us! I didn't think that the busiest time of the year would also apply for the dog yard, but it seems as if I have even more to do. With the racer's departure date quickly closing, the kennel is in full swing. We have intense training sessions, lots of organizing, and all sorts of planning to figure out. Since I only have a few more weeks of freedom, however, I'm trying to get in some fun time as well.
The weekend before Thanksgiving, I went down to Colorado College to visit my friend, Laura. A long weekend away of hockey, pottery lessons, cooking crepes, and tons of laughter was a great way to unwind. A few days after I got back, Laura came up to Glenwood to spend the holidays with me.
Bill and Jodi were kind enough to invite us to have Thanksgiving dinner with them and some of their friends. Everyone contributed different dishes, with Lo and I cooking dinner rolls, beets and sweet potatoes, butternut squash souffle, pumpkin cranberry bread, and chocolate cream pie. Needless to say, my house smelled awesome for days!
The day after Thanksgiving, Christmas took over. I wanted to take advantage of an extra set of hands and get a tree. Colorado doesn't have Christmas Tree Farms like Vermont; instead, I had to go to the Forest Service and get a permit for cutting in designated areas. Laura and I spent an hour tramping through 3 feet of snow looking for a good tree up in Four-Mile Park. We ended up with a short little pine that definitely needed some love. The rest of the night was devoted to decorating and dogs.
And then came Saturday: ski day! As an early Christmas present, Laura bought me a day pass to Breckenridge ski area. Although the powder hasn't quite hit and it's still early in the season, we had a blast. We skied every trail that was open, most of them twice. I can't wait to do this every week. I hope to hit all the big mountains at least once this season, but I'll stick to Sunlight Mountain for the majority of my time. The powder should hit any day!
I also think that I am going to have to start a tradition of going to the Vapor Caves after a long day of skiing. These natural steam rooms are the perfect way to unwind and loosen all those sore muscles. I thought I wouldn't be able to walk after skiing Breck, but the Vapor Caves took away all those aches and pains.
Through all of this fun, it's still crunch time with the dogs. I'm training the puppies more than ever; hopefully, I can start skiing with them in the next few weeks. The dog truck, plow, ATV, and snow mobile are all in the shop. Winter is coming fast and we need to be prepared!  

A Little Difference

Over the past few weeks, Juno has undergone a very dramatic change. She was the shyest dog at the kennel, barely even allowing me to be near her. According to Bill, she used to be very social and excited. Unfortunately, a few years back, a former handler was looking after the dogs while Bill and Jodi were off on vacation. When they returned, Juno was skittish and wary. The handler attributed it to her getting loose for a few hours, but she was so nervous, something else must have happened to her. Needless to say, that handler was asked to leave.
Since then, Juno has remained wary. She shows no aggression; she is just constantly scared with strangers around. It was awful to see her like this and I would frequently spend time with her, trying to get her used to me. When training started, she became a different dog. Any time there was a hint of a harness, she would howl and jump on her barrel. On the line, she would jump up onto me and pant excitedly. When the running was done, however, she would go back to her nervous self. It seemed like she would be nervous forever; and then she got pregnant.

We caught Juno and Lynx on the line. We hoped nothing would come of it, but Bill gave her "morning after" pills anyway. While puppies are always fun, this is not a good time. The yard is full as it is and if Juno had a litter she would not be able to run. Therefore, we waited and hoped. A few weeks later, Juno got fat. Bill instantly took her to the vet where it was confirmed. Since it was still early in the gestation period, the vet began a set of shots to cause an abortion. It was hard to come to this conclusion, but puppies really wouldn't be a good decision for her at the moment. She loves running more than most dogs and she is a top leader for the team; and so, we proceeded with the shots.
For a few days, she was mellow and barely came out of her house. I kept a close eye on her and sat with her while the other dogs were running. Finally, after 3 days, the procedure was finished and she perked up. She really perked up. It was as if the shots made her into a different dog. Now, Juno wags her tail anytime I come into the yard; she barks for me to come give her attention; she rolls over for belly rubs. I asked Bill what made her come around and he said it was the pregnancy. Even being pregnant for that short amount of time has completely changed her. The hormones have affected her as they affect many women- happiness.
While I was sad to have to put her through the abortion and doubly sad not to have a new litter, I am so glad that something wonderful came out of this. This pregnancy has made her a happy dog again. Juno is back. 

Puppy Training

My darling puppies are getting big. Very big. As they grow, training will get more and more intense. They're almost a year old, which means that it's about time that they experienced the team setting. Up to now, training has been relaxed and fun. Mostly, they just ran in circles and played their little tails off. I would take them for walks and wrestle with them. It's important to get them to understand at a young age that humans are fun. They need to associate people with happiness; that way, when I come up the hill with a harness, they'll be excited to see me and do whatever I ask of them. It's also important for them to see the older dogs enjoying running. If the veterans are all excited to run, the puppies will naturally be curious about what the big deal is. 

Whitey in early July, 6 months old

The next step, as with any puppy, is to get them used to a leash. If anyone has ever owned a puppy, you know that first try is always difficult. After months of freedom and romping, being attached to a rope is pretty surprising. Most of my puppies stayed low to the ground, their bellies hitting the ground as they were unsure how to respond. Only Kuka trotted right along next to me like nothing in the world had changed. Unlike other puppies, a sled dog is commended for pulling. That instinct to pull is exactly what you want to see; even if that means that my shoulder is constantly yanked on.
Next, you harness them. Again, they all put their bellies flat to the ground. Each puppy whips their head around to see what I am putting on them. After a few shakes to no avail, they accept it and move on. Niva even strutted a little bit in her red harness. They associate these with the big dogs, the cool dogs. As soon as they're used to the harness, I can hook a leash to the back to act as a tug line. This gets them used to pulling from their hind legs. Inevitably, there were some pretty tangled harnesses and leashes, as some of the pups would rather just jump on me. It will take continuous work to get them used to it and to get them enthusiastic about it. They have to develop more interest in pulling than in me while the harness is on.
If the puppy really excels at pulling with the leash, they can go straight into the team. Today was Whitey's first run with the racers. He was the most interested in running out of the litter and he absolutely worships the big dogs. After the racers ran ten miles, we hooked Whitey up next to Zion. He looked tiny in comparison and instantly rolled on his back with his tail tucked between his legs and his ears flat back. Zion didn't give him the time of day. As soon as we started, he leaped into the air and tried to side step it. It only took him a second to realize he wasn't going anywhere. The journey down the driveway can make or break a puppy. Either they awkwardly shuffle their way down, or they set down their back paws and drag. Thankfully, Whitey was the awkward shuffle. He kept running into Zion and bouncing off; I don't think Zion even noticed.
As soon as we made it to level ground, Whitey took off. He pulled like he had never pulled before. His tail was constantly wagging and he kept looking back at me as if to say, "Hey! Hey! Look at me! I'm running! I'm running with the big dogs!". I swear I have never seen such a huge grin on a dog before. All hesitation left him and he ran full out. The puppies haven't adopted the classic sled dog trot yet; they don't know how to preserve their energy effectively. Instead, Whitey was stretching out to his full length in a goofy lope. Of course, we ran the dogs slower with him in the line, but he just wanted to run faster and faster. For two miles, he wagged that tail and that grin never faltered.

Sled dog Whitey!

We gave him plenty of breaks, but if we stopped for more than five seconds, he started lunging to keep going.  Even when we got back to the house, he was ready to run more. As soon as I reached him to unharness, he jumped up to give me kisses. This is definitely a sled dog. He's a tired puppy, but he now knows what the big deal is.