We finally got some new snow so I took the opportunity to take the team out again. The wolf scare is still very real but with a few more inches on the ground I hope that will change things on the predator/prey arena. It seems like the pack that is using pet dogs for food might be habituated to that. Not sure if the other packs in Alaska have made that connection or if our community has 'taught' them about this new prey item by letting their dogs run loose all over...There are a lot of unknowns no matter what questions one may ask about all this. In the end my stand is to take all the information I can gather and use it to keep my dogs safe. Thats all I'm concerned about when we hit the trail, their safety.
So far we haven't seen any new wolf sign in our training areas but we haven't ventured very far. Now the real issue is going to be snares and every Joe Hunter out to 'bag his wolf'. That is something I don't tolerate, ignorance... I could go on and on about how much it steams me to see someone so high on violence and testosterone grab their gun just to go out and kill something but that is not what this entry is for...
... our sled run was beautiful. I met my good friends out at the flood control and we all took out our own teams. I had a head start but did manage to do a head on pass with both teams on my way back in. It looked so messy but when we had completed the pass it was wonderful! I didnt see any aggression, tangles or anything that would cause us to stop. All teams were curious but we had no dogs back down from going on-by and in moments we were passed and headed for the truck. What a wonderful feeling to see a clean pass like that and having the relaxation of practise with such wonderful and understanding friends in case things would have gone wrong... priceless...My GPS quit reading about a 1/4 into our run but I estimate it was between 5 and 7 miles. The dogs came in looking tired and for once I feel like they got to really work their muscles instead of screaming down the trail. It was so delightful not to have to ride the drag pad for the entire trip!
We stayed on the flats for the safety of my loose runners (Spock, Aquila and Mercury) and was even able avoided a walker with a loose dog very easily. Since it was Sunday there were a lot of people out, lots of snowmachines, but the single dogs always worry me the most. Reba wanted to go towards the walker and follow but Juno, my sweet little girl, took my command and drove the team the opposite direction! I was so incredibly proud especially since none of my loose runners, who she usually takes her ques from, were going in that direction.
From day one I knew she had lead potential so it shouldn't come as any surprise to see her doing so well but, well, leaders are hard to come by and a good leader is VERY hard to find! I think once Juno gets some more training under her belt she will be more than just a good leader... she may be the best! Of course, I am bias cause shes my baby girl. : )I'm also training her to come-gee the entire team. Shes getting it but having a few hang ups with getting past me on the sled. She comes right to the runners but is not sure what to do next. With a little more nudging she should have it down and I will be able to depend on her not only to turn the team down the right trail, but to turn them completely around and come back to me incase I loose the team.
We are planning to get out again on Wednesday. In the mean time I will listen to the wolf reports and stay on the flats for a few more runs before going into the dense forest again.
The pups are growing like weeds! Thani is actually getting taller than Boreas! I was so shocked to see those two standing side by side with Thani having a good inch more at the shoulder than his brother. I was certain Boreas would be the biggest of the bunch. And all of them are making little Nyx look like a pup again!
Calypso is growing into a beautiful little love. She is so special and so dainty... I know her brothers are going to dwarf her. And Chronos is getting bigger than his sister now. Shows me that maybe he wont be stunted and that his heart problem may not be as severe as I feared. Only time will tell but I find I am latching onto any hopeful information I can. I want the absolute best for my little boy.
Hermes is still very shy but coming around to me much stronger now. He continues to be so much like Iris and I know him and I will have a bond he wont want to share with anyone else. It is an honor to be a part of his life.
Ajax continues to be the best big-little brother. He LOVES the babies and they LOVE to play with him! Office time is very special for the pups, they get to play with their inside toys, warm up, take naps and tussle with the little man...
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