Blue Eyes and Spitfire

Click the logo above to visit my new mushing site. You may need to refresh a few times if the page doesn't load correctly. I'm still working out some kinks with the domain.

Things have been really crazy over here -- thanks to my new puppy, pictured above! Little no-name (we're working on it!) came home on November 6th. He was adopted from Sixth Angel Shepherd Rescue, although he's clearly mixed with Siberian Husky. So far he's been a good little guy -- only two accidents, and both I should have seen coming. He's learning our daily routine, mostly by watching Dexter and Denali.

Denali has been surprisingly good with him. She can sometimes be a pushy jerk around new dogs, but she's been almost motherly with him. She does get a little too rough from time to time (like when she tries to carry him by his back fur), but she's still a puppy herself. I have to keep my eye on them both.

Dexter, on the other hand, has been uncharacteristically shy with the new puppy. He was very excited initially, but has since become almost afraid of the 8-pound monster. He's even grumbled at him, which has me worried. He was a little more patient with him this morning, so I'm hoping his wariness will fade.

I don't have too much more to say, as it's only been a few days with the new guy. I'll post again when I take some better pictures. I can't wait until he's big enough for the training harness!

Fair Hill Challenge

I filled out the registration documents for my first official dog-powered race. The Fair Hill Challenge, hosted by the Pennsylvania Sled Dog Club, is December 10th and 11th, in Elkton, Maryland. I'll be competing in the 2-dog bikejor sportsman class.

I'm hoping to add a few more races before December, but details have yet to be posted for any Jersey Sands events. I'll also be picking up my custom-made sled from Arctic Star sleds at Fair Hill!

If anyone is interested in attending a race or checking out a training session, just let me know. There's usually room in the truck for anyone willing to support my weird hobbies.

Edit: The first Jersey Sands Sled Dog Racing Association race is the Saturday after Thanksgiving. The second is December 3rd. Be there! If you want. ;)

Dog People

My weekends are quickly becoming consumed by furry, four-legged beasts. This past Saturday, I took photos at the Howling Woods Farm clean up event. I spent the day hidden behind my viewfinder, narrowly avoiding massive dug-out canyons and poop mountains -- both products readily manufactured by the woofers.

Sunday I returned to the Pine Barrens for my second day of mushing -- well, my first real day. I borrowed Bolt and Spirit, the same two leaders as on my first run. Dexter once again took the wheel position -- this time, with no hesitation at all. Rob road with me at first, but hopped off once we hit softer terrain.

We road just under 2.5 miles in about 20 minutes, with our average moving speed just under 7 miles per hour. The lead dogs were a bit tired from their morning run, and I kept a relatively slow pace so that Rob could keep up on foot. Dex also decided he needed a poop break mid-run, so that slowed us down a tad. Our max speed was 14 and 1/2 miles per hour. The take-off is definitely the most exhilarating and terrifying part of the ride.

This Sunday, I'm going to get to the race site as early as possible and have Dexter run with my mentor's full team. I hope he doesn't mind being referred to as my "mentor" -- although, technically, everyone I've met thus far has offered lots of help and advice, and could be considered a mentor.

To conclude this entry, I will leave you with a short video from our Sunday run. This was taken by Rob as he dangled off the back of the cart, and he spent a bit too much time filming my dirty hair and goofy face -- so please, ignore that and enjoy the dog butts.