Harness Breaking in Virginia (11/15 - 11/22)

Well, I think I actually logged in here a few times and looked at the new post page and thought where do I start? Actually, I meant to write about this trip when I got back on the 22nd.. well, we all know how that goes.

To start it off, I was very excited to be taking the puppies, this would be their first run ever in harness, my adults first run since spring and MY first run with the dogs since my accident. I was stoked! It was even better to catch up with mushin' mama Robin about life and other things in general... It was all so sad to leave and come back to the solitary confinement of me by myself and the dogyard.
We finally reached home (okay, it really is my second home.. I love it and used to spend almost my whole winters there!) and got the dogs settled in. I had just bought a new 8 dog picket in the spring and had only tried it out once when taking a bikejorr and camping trip with Waylon and Calamity in April or May. This was also the longest trip any of the pups have been on, but luckily they all settled in very nicely like they had just been toted up the road for only a few miles. These are the dogs that I did bring -

Kajunn - girl agouti pup, short and demonic, often supplied well with a witty attitude and sharp thinking.

Luke - male gray pup, strong built and very attention oriented, usually does not completely think through ideas fully.

Shooter - male gray pup, quiet and reserved unless something resembles a leash. Usually found trying to scope out way of escape by any means necessary.

Tuesday - girl agouti pup, slow in thinking, loud in speaking. I believe her favorite hobby is rolling her doghouse down the hill.

Calamity Jane - wild child and mama of the youngsters. My irreplaceable leader and brains on the trail (even though she is known to be a great smartass when given the chance)

Gloria - Shy lady of the team. When she is harnessed, she will go out of her way and then some to complete her job well. Often found under the trailer or behind a tree barking at anyone she feels is not worthy of her presence.

Waylon - Macho man, often egotistical but gentlemanly. One of my best team dogs, he always gives 100 percent on every run wherever I put him. He also believes, however, that every intact female should carry his puppies by any means necessary.

Zorro - sweet, outgoing eldest man. As he ages, he seems to get sweeter. Always seen woo'ing at anyone crossing our path and will often jump on complete strangers regardless if they approve or not. A strong wheel boy, he often sight see's but never chases.

I think I might actually be better off telling about our adventure through pictures, since I took plenty of them!

I never get enough of this view, even though it was a little miserable that day with the temperature and drizzle. The dogs didnt seem to mind at all though as I picketed them out on the far dogyard.

After the crew got settled in, we fed and scooped then went inside for dinner and just a fun filled night of catching up. I was humored all night after hearing Robin's boyfriend, Larry, point to Zorro and say "what's that orange thing over there?"  lol! Zorro is supposed to be white, but with our red clay, he never stays that way.
We finally got a plan of two seperate teams we would run each day. One would be the veterans and the pups, the other would be the seasoned adults. I did run my regular four dog adult team (Zorro, Waylon, Gloria and Calamity) one day by myself. It felt great to actually be running dogs again!

We also ran the adult team, (including some dogs from the teams that were already ran, making them run a total of 10 miles that day) up and down the trail. It was good to see my adults still in such good shape and be able to run that good of a distance in the start of our season!

the 10 dog adult string

The puppies, in one word.. did amazing. I would think upon their first hookup that they would be rowdy, getting tangled and neckline. Nope! they pulled into their harnesses and it was like they knew their job before it even started. Tuesday was a little unsure at first and necklined the first mile or so, (went about 3 miles that day) but eventually caught the hang of it and settled in very nicely. I was so happy to see them do so well on their first run! I did not get pictures that day, but I did get some on other runs that they did.
We also went camping, and got some good miles on the dogs that way. The puppies would run their second run with the veterans and go 7 miles down a gorgeous, Laurel traced forest road. The adults would go on an adventure all their own, up another hill (a few, actually) and onto various types of terrain and gravel.

loaded with 19 dogs, headed to Bland to camp and run

 

our campsite

my dogs area

robins dog's area.

chunky gravel, yuck!

more new gravel, the team "comin' round the mountain"

After leaving our campsite, we went to a place a little closer to home, and just ran the puppy team that day because we both (me and robin) were pretty wore out by this point from loading and unloading 19 dogs from there to wherever. The pups, like always did great. Little more hills than the other runs so me and Robin took turns pedaling and helping the pups. Robin was even nice enough to get off and walk up a hill so she could snap a picture of me running my youngsters :)

It was hard to leave.. it always is. The moon was gorgeous that night on our way home, so bright and inviting.. I just wish I could stay.

I already miss it so much, so im trying to put things together to go back, again! love it there, love the people and the dogs and the adventure. I took way too many pictures to post in one blog, so if you want to see more, go to my Flickr Set.
Hope to catch up on other things soon. Just got my computer restored finally so hopefully I can stay in touch when things actually happen to write about.
Happy Trails!

"Inside the fire's burnin' me, In my mind you just keep turnin' me, every which way but loose" - (Eddie Rabbit's 'Every which Way but Loose')

Time's a Changin'

Lotta changes goin' on round my hollar, and I think I'm likin' it :)
The leaves are very beautiful right now. Blazes of orange and spots of ruby dotted around the sides with the golden of the oaks, surrounded by the misty color of the evergreen pines. And training will soon begin..

My neighbor's homestead.

For most mushers, this has already been well into session.. but for me, it has only been barely 4 months since my accident and I think I should take a shot at doing the one thing I still have that I will always love - mushin'. I am of course, very nervous. My little rig is no more than a few bars of aluminum with two little steel brake pads holding back anywhere from 3-6 of my riled up rebel dawgs. I am 230 pounds, but even standing on the brake bar with both feet it still will never stop the team in case of an emergency if we were going regular speed. My rig was intended mostly for racing when they were built back in the 70/80's up in the yankee pinelands. Just to think that little rig has survived 30 years of mushin and racin', with all kinds of teams and been from NY to PA, MD, NJ, and WV and survived to hobble on down to the great N.Carolina mountains.

my rig, after i picked it up for $200 in Far north West Virginia back in 2008.

My rig as of Summer 2009, fixed up, with all new hardware and re-finished rims.

Still, some repairs needed to be done. The deck (wood panel holding the crate for supplies) was probably the same deck from those many years ago, and was attracting mold and cracking. So I cut a new, thicker deck using the old as a pattern and hope I can get around to painting it tomorrow.. sure is an improvement!

Cutting a new deck

One thing always gets me on this rig when I'm fiddlin' round with it though... I really really wish people would replace their hardware every few years, so the next generation (muah) would not have to strip it with a dremel or hack saw it off! You would not believe the toggle bolts and all the sparks that flew gettin' them suckers off!

The original (never replaced) brake pads that I hack sawed off last season because I had literally, no stopping power (see wore grooves). I had to get the pads custom cut at a shop to replace them.

Anyways.. Breeze's skin condition came to a result last week when after a vet visit she was diagnosed with Demodectic Mange. For those who do not know what this is, see here. It is non contagious, so thus why I tried to rule it as an allergic reaction because she was the only one affected. I have never had a dog with any kind of skin condition and was devastated when I found out. Since she does come from exceptional lines and sire/dam leaders all of the pups hold great potential and if chance be, the opportunity to possibly pass that down onto further generations. It is labeled "genetic"; however, my vet does give me assurance since there are no past history of it that she could be the first and should be spayed to stop it from being passed on. Of course I am fine with this because health is #1 priority in my kennel and breeding program and I am even more relieved to have it properly diagnosed so she could be treated. I am disappointed though, because Breeze had plans to join another team in hopes of becoming "the next generation" for them as well. But things move on, I guess.. I'm just glad to see her recovering and healing nicely while she is on antibiotics and topical treatment.

Breeze buggin' Zorro

Anyways.. back to trainin'. I hope to soon get my confidence back up with a visit up to VA with my mushing mama, Robin and her team, Clear Creek. It's been far too long since we've been able to see each other or train, so naturally this gal's purdy excited! :) Hope to get Kajunn and Shooter out on the line and see how they fare out as well. I hear the changes, and I'm singin' back.

"Don't let the sound of your own wheels drive you crazy"- [Take It Easy] by The Eagles

The Dog, Not The Season

Yesterday evening I sent my cur dog, Autumn to her new home. Autumn was such a character, and I will never forget the day I found her. I remember pulling up to our campsite for the weekend and here comes this adorable little black and tan pup, butt waggin' her way right up to the van while the huskies screamed and lunged with curiosity. After the first belly rub and morsel of bacon by the campfire, she never left the area again. Later that same night, I also found two of her sisters and crated them since they were not very sociable and were rather shy, but Autumn was not very much like them, and so I found out the next morning on our run. I remember hooking up 5 dogs on that crisp October morning and hearing leaves rustle behind me, taking a double take and there she was... running alongside my back wheels like she was meant to be there :) We did 9 miles that day, and it didn't even phase her. That dog made my heart smile.

Although she is now living with Robert, I will miss her greatly. I had mixed feelings about her, I wanted to keep her but I knew deep down in my heart that I would probably never run her with the team because of her size. I wanted to eventually hunt boar with her, but Robert hopes to use her to trail bear.. which is along the lines of the best home I can think of! Plus, she's going to be with him and I figure I'll come down and visit her often since she's there. It was also very good to see Robert again, I still miss him more than words will ever say.. I just hope eventually we can see each other more, that boy means alot to me. So they both do.. guess they're a good pair!

In other news, the dogs are doing well.. they stay a little more riled up since they have realized that it has gotten significantly cooler. I stayed the weekend at my grandmothers house so I could stay with them and get some kennel work done. I think they really enjoyed my company as I raked and cleaned buckets and gave away free belly rubs. Also, The pups are starting to get their full coats in and are looking extra sharp :)

Kajunn

Tuesday

Shooter

Will update again soon.. have a doctor's appointment tomorrow and I'm hoping he will give me the 'big ticket' so I can go back to work and running dogs (and not have to pay 400$ a month for insurance). Keep yer pawz crossed, cause if so, it's gonna be Miller Light, Campfire and Mortimer bound!

The Return of Luke

Luke, formerly "smokestack", is now settling in nicely back here with the SSpirit gang. He really enjoys dashin' around the kennel with his siblings, altough his Grandmother Satin tries her very best to keep him in line ;)

I was very shocked to find out just how strong this boy really is. It's amazing! When I placed him, he was a laid back boy with more of a personality fit to be a spoiled pet, but geeze, looking at him now I think he would be one of the better of the pups in pulling power. I couldn't walk him down to the dogyard from the van when we got to there, because he literally about pulled me off my feet and considering the slope down there is steep, no thnx... I ain't really into the idea of falling flat on my face just yet.

I really hated to separate him from his family, but they would not have as much time to spend with him due to some job changes in their household. They loved him VERY much, and bragged about him all the time when we would chat before Church in the mornings. I hope soon someone will come along and give him another great home.. he is such a wonderful boy, just wish I could keep all of them!

Luke

Saturday I managed to get two new stakeouts up.. a big load lifted off my shoulders now that there is more room for the dogs and I really prefer the stakeouts over a kennel any day. We stopped by Lowes and I bought a 10' pole this time (about 50$), rather than buying two 6'ers.. managed to save myself about 10 bucks that way. had them cut it in half, snagged some quicklinks and a swedish snap for 69 cents a peice at my favorite hardware stop and I was set :)

Since the poles were a little shorter, I only put them a foot and half under ground, I didn't want them too short where the chain would be draggin' if the dogs were moving slow on them. I only had one rebar swivel made (a long one, getting shorter ones made soon) so I just had to wrap the chain around the second pole, and put Zorro on that one since he is very relaxed and almost never moves around much. Had to bust up Gus' old doghouse that was cracked and a huge eyesore to make room for the last back stakeout, then raked up some of the gazillion acorns around the kennel again.

I decided to put most of the pups on chains, to help them get used to them plus to give them more exercise. Luke did not go on one, mostly because he was used to being in a kennel at his old home, and he seems to like it in there better (for now anyways). Kajunn is now on the middle stakeout, and Tuesday on Gloria's old stakeout. Tuesday has yet to really love her stakeout, but I'm pretty sure she will eventually ;)  Shooter is still on one of the back ones with the short broke pole, but he is very content on his and has no problem with it being short, so I will repair that when I get time and money for another pole.

Zorro chillaxin'

Kajunn on her new digs

The dogyard looks real good, though I realize now I have reached my space maximum. I have no more room for an extra kennel or another chain. Pretty good to fit one wood puppy kennel (10 x 10), 7 stakeouts and two connected 10x10 kennels in the corner all in a 50x65 dogyard. I guess I just feel guilty because I realized they now have to run around the areas, and not bound around in open space. Next summer, if things go as planned, I hope to move it further in the woods, make it bigger and have it graded perfectly where it isn't all on a hill like it's always been everywhere I've had them. I dunno, reckon that all depends on which way we ride the wind untill then.

I can't explain how much I miss training my crew.. It's that time of the year, the opening of the season and I can't get out to train them because of my damn busted leg. I really want to get out with one or two dogs on the rig or bike and test it out to see if I can handle it, but in reality I'm still really nervous about hooking up and whether I can stand on my leg for that long. This time last year, I was working and didnt train as much because I couldn't find time... and now I have the time and can't train because of every thing else.. IT'S DRIVIN' ME NUTS! and this year I have the ultimate team.. one I have been building towards. I just wanna get out with them so bad and sit by the campfire with a 12 pack and let the pups listen to some of their namesake :)

Will update soon, going to feed dogs by (drumroll, please) myself today and might grab my camera and take some new pics if I can.

Acorns and Stakeouts

Fall is on it's way.. and I'm lovin' it! :)

Lot of things going on lately...I'm healing nicely and have been getting around with a cane, as well as spending all the time I can with my dogs. I actually scooped the WHOLE dogyard last weekend, as well as raking the stakeout and kennels to keep the acorns and leaves down. I've fell plenty of times on those things in the past, and really don't need to be falling with my leg right now. The dogs sure enjoy eating them though! Leaves are changing, and so are the temperatures. It regularly dips down into the low 40's or mid 30's here most nights.. it's great to be living in the higher elevations of the county. One day last week It blew snow up in the higher peaks along with a steady snowfall up on Mt. Mitchell, but from what I have heard on my weatherband that nothing significant layed. A bit early for snow though, by any means... especially before the leaves have fully turned! We were also about 6" behind in rain but last week we finally were blessed with some nice soft showers.

The puppies are really growing nicely. Tuesday will be joining Robin (Team Clear Creek) soon, and I couldn't be happier :) Robin is a very special person to me.. a great friend, mentor and very much like a mother to me. She is the breeder of Gloria and Waylon, two of my finest team dogs as well as Waylon being the sire of said 'Skynyrd' pups.

Tuesday

Kajunn is a little on the small side, so will probably not be able to train this season if i get around to running dogs again.. so hopefully when I switch her over to a stakeout and maybe do some bike-jorring with her, she will build up some muscle. Her build is awesome though, and boy does she have her mama's attitude!

Kajunn

Shooter.. oh boy Shooter..lol. He is something else. In case you might not know, I re-named over his 'Skynyrd' name (previously "Hatter" named after the song "Mad Hatter") because in real life, Waylon's (Yes, the epic country singer, who I also have a tattoo of) son was named Shooter, so I thought it was only natural I followed that through in the kennel names. I have not found a home for him yet, but certainly will not turn anything down if someone is interested. He is one powerhouse of a pup and is enjoying his time on his stakeout, probably the strongest out of the whole litter. A racy build like his sire, but the stockiness and smarts of his mom. I imagine if nothing steps forward for him, I will be very glad to add him to my own team!

Shooter

Breeze is doing well, although a little shy and reserved. She is very smart though, and is always the first one to know what is going on. Like her sister, she is on the short and small side, but I imagine will soon fill out nicely. She has been having a little bit of a skin issue for the last week though, so I have brought her home with me, bathed her in oatmeal and she has been spoiled inside for the most part :) I hope soon she will be Joining Steven in TN and his team so she can begin her training and showing off for her new family.

Breeze

Tomorrow I will be bringing back one of the former skynyrd kids, "SmokeStack" who is now renamed Luke. He had a great home, with a loving family but due to some changes at their house we have decided to let him come back. He is now neutered, and has grown quite significantly! Although I am very short on space, I am really looking forward to him returning for a little while. In the meantime I hope I can find another good home for this handsome dude, although I do already have one person in mind for him. I will get pictures of him tomorrow and update then.

It's going to be a busy weekend as well. I finally got some stakeout swivels made and will be buying some poles for them in the morning after picking up Luke. I have one area clear, but the other circle will have to be cleaned of fallen trees and leaves before I slam a pole in. I got offered two free doghouses too, so it must be my lucky day! One is a barrel house and the other is one of those plastic ruff-haus type deals that the owners of Luke are giving me. I can use all the houses I can get, old damaged or dirty, atleast untill I can get better enough to build some wooden ones. Going to swing by Tractor Supply too to pick up a few things as well as some water buckets. I really want some stainless buckets, but will settle for plastic ones for now.

All the other dogs are doing very well, but I miss them dearly. My next Dr appointment is on the 19th and I hope he will release me enough to stay at my grandmothers for a little while so I can spend some time with the crew. I have been seeing them every weekend, and it makes me feel better instantly. I let them run loose and they rough house and snack on acorns all day long if I would let them :)

Calamity slammed into Satin.. hahaha!

Tug of warrr!

Tuesday, the 'mud baby' savoring the last bit of water in the pool.

After I switch around some dogs and put the new stakeouts up, I will try to remind myself to post some tomorrow. Hope everyone is doing well and I'll catch yall on the flipside!

The Many Faces They Make...

Well since the photo capability of this blog is SO much easier, I thought I'd share some of the hilarious faces and actions my dogs do sometimes.. Oh how they never cease to make me laugh on the darkest of days!

And finally, one of my personal favorites...........