Mush for Kids

Yesterday was the Mush for Kids event and I was amazed at how small the musher pool was. There were a fair amount of dog trucks at the beginning and a few showed up a few hours in but compared to last year, and even the year before, the pickings were slim.

The weather was weird with blowing snow and overcast. As always the turn out for the free rides was huge. The temps were good for the dogs but with the heat from the day before the trail was total 'mush' (pardon the pun).

Kathy was there to handle my dogs and was a HUGE asset the ENTIRE time. I took my team out shortly after the first group. Juno was up front in single lead, Remus behind with Calypso (her first real working time in harness) with Griffin and Thani in wheel.

I wanted to watch the pups to see how they would do but the trail offered so many challenges that I could only steal a few glances. What I did see impressed me greatly! Both had very tight tugs and a willingness to work even through the noise of the event.

The pups didn't stay in long though... after our first few passes on the course not being able to stop at the pick up point to load riders due to there being no base to break, we only picked up a few kids for one ride before we opted to come off. It was the 'lake' that made my decision to bag early.

Every year it cracks me up how non-mushers talk about the trail set up, about the hill right after the loading area that is such a kick for the kids. From a dogs point of view, and a mushers, 'the hill' is not the best launching point with excited dogs ready to go from a dead stop. Its doable but not ideal. This year 'the hill' had an added element... 'the lake'.

My tobboggan floated nicely through gliding over the water and picking up little for my passengers. I on the other hand got a good dunk with my mukluks. First pass was fine, the second, third and fourth I made the call to come off... my feet were getting seriously wet.

I told the person in charge that I would stand by as a reserve if needed, hoping there wouldn't be a need... there was... I pulled more dogs out of the truck who hadn't run yet. Off we went, again, getting dogs and feet soaked over and over. But at least the dogs were getting some good overflow training in warm weather!

When I felt the water squishing in between my toes it dawned on me that if my feet were that wet how much worse could it be if they got any more soaked? It sure did beat standing around getting cold and constantly thinking how much my feet ached and later my shins as the cold worked its way up to my aching muscles...

Our second team had Juno up front again but paired up with Ichabod and Reba switching those two out as their mental status wore down. I cant remember who was where but I do know that Iggy, MollyAnna, Salmon, Buddy and Boreas all got to run in our second team. Kathy was spot on taking dogs to and from the truck when I needed. We left a few tired dogs on the picket line so they could see our team pass and gain a better mental perspective on where they really wanted to be. That worked out VERY well! I was able to use dogs more than in past years and all their attitudes stayed VERY high.

Juno was the highlight in the mushers pit. EVERYONE noticed her and shes getting a bit better on receiving attention. She was talking up a storm and leaving many mushers in shock at her antics. She talked back to many handlers, came back to the swing dogs barking to tell them 'straighten up!' (handlers didn't know to line her out or leave her alone!) and even pulled the team back on the trail after Ichabod pulled them off up to the swing dogs before anyone could come and help.

The volunteers that day were superb... they get better and better each year... but Ive found that the dogs and I are having trouble getting that help that they are so eager to give. We run out in the woods so much that my guys bond with me and only me. The dogs correct many errors themselves or with my help. Most times Juno needs only a moment to figure out the solution or if a tangle happens the team dogs only need a few strides to correct it. Out in the public with all that help available I find that so many come at the team to set things right that it takes the dogs completely out of their element. Its an interesting problem... and a very minor one at that...

Yesterday was hard, hard work. The dogs held up well, Kathy was EXCELLENT but I was spent beyond reason both mentally and physically. There were times when we hit 'the lake' that the sled couldn't get up the last few inches on the other side. I had to jump off into water up to my shins time and time again, pull the sled up then lunge for it as the dogs pulled the rest of the way.

Even though I was falling apart the dogs really shined. Juno ran the entire course never taking a break, Reba pulled through as leader long after Ichabod was tired of the trail that never seemed to go anywhere and Boreas, little Boreas, shined so bright despite the many trips he was taking and through the water no less!

Over and over I changed out dogs but Boreas was the last on my mind for a change out, he was doing so well and never showed signs of stress... well, actually he did, but that was only when Kathy took him out of the team and forced him to go back to the truck for a rest! : )

There were a few times I was thinking of taking him out worried that he would add too much power to the team! This little pup! Too much power? Crazy!

There were many, many wonderful comments from mushers and handlers about how calm my guys were in the pit and on the trail. I also received a very treasured compliment from the woman in charge who told me it was a delight to see the interaction and my bond with my dogs. She said this really shined through and gained a lot of her respect... I was deeply moved to know that our bond shined out so brightly. That bond is the most important thing to me whether in the public eye or alone her at home. Life is not complete with out my team and the trails we have shared...

In other news Iggy will be spending the summer in Kantishna!! Its a little road house deep in Denali park where tourists stay and are entertained by a short dog sled demo. This will be right up his alley, short runs, lots of exercise and maybe he will open up more for attention from strangers. Im so excited for him!!