Summer Place , new Handy "Man" , Katie

Katie is a professional photographer who will be relocating in the Spring. For now we are fortunate

to have her nearby , not only with her photographic eye and skills, but with her knowledge and abilities with handling sled dogs.   Recently we asked her if she would be our new handy 'man' .   All rolled into one,  Katie is as skilled as anyone on a sled, in the various tasks involved in handling these great dogs, and, first and foremost, as a sports photographer.  She is a racer , at heart, and if the chance arises this winter, watch for Katie ! Wow, Katie, thanks for joining us!

Photo:   Center, Katie, right, Kelsey, background, Julie, readying dogs for a run.

8 Dog Team photos

Karen Klenke, photographer, visited us with Bobbi Samme, Florence Mining News and we ran an 8 dog team for them to view.

These are some of Karen's great photos.  Thank you, Karen!

Photos courtesy Karen Klenke,  top to bottom:

Navy, awaiting his turn.
Jim and Katie harnessing Herman.
Eight dog takeoff:  Ruthie, Buffy, Navy, Eos, Rosie, Kiddo, Herman, Sherpa
Eight dogs returning.
Katie, Rosie, Kiddo, Julie, Jim

Races coming

The Alaska Dispatch, http://www.alaskadispatch.com/article/alaskas-fastest-dogs-take-center-stage-mushing-season-gets-rolling  has an article on the upcoming Alaskan races to watch.   Aliy Zirkle
and Allen Moore will begin their exciting to watch race season on December 15th.

The Wisconsin Trailblazers sprint organization has published their sprint schedule on their site. The Land O Lakes race is the weekend of February 11-12.

The UP 200/Midnight Run/Jackpine 30 are the weekend of February 14th.  See: www.up200.org

Why Orange?

It is the orange time of the year.... rifle deer hunting season.  The dogs wear orange ribbons, *see their collars*...  the trees wear NO HUNTING signs, and the dogs get restless from shortened exercises.   We don't let them run free when the risk of hunters is around.   Some of them are a bit shy of guns , so it is a long week for them.   Michigan's season opens tomorrow (one mile away) and Wisconsin opens on Saturday.

Photo:  Ruthie, Herman, Buffy, Sherpa, Navy, (white Yeti in background) and Katie await three more dogs for an 8 dog run.   Missing from photo:  Rosie, Kiddo and Eos.

More Frita

In the top photo Frita is in lead with Skinny, both from Aliy's kennel and such topnotch leaders.
Julia was driving this team and I believe was the year they placed third out of 30? not sure.  

Second photo shows them about to receive their soup after the 30 mile run, Frita, Skinny and Quattro.

Frita, sweetest of all, Frita, rest in peace.

Beautiful, tough headed, gentle, smartest lead dog, sweetest dog, Frita,  has been a joy to know for
the years she has been with us.  Everyone who has run with her in lead wanted her again. She raced and won/placed in several short races here.  She injured a leg along the way and retired from running, but she was the matriarch and firm guide/teacher of her pups.
As tough as they come, to look at her you wouldn't know it.  She had a gorgeous coat and a sweet smile, literally beaming, when she was happy.
Thank you to Aliy Zirkle for sharing this beautiful dog with us in her retirement from Alaska.  Frita's daughter, Bullet, has been a mainstay leader for Aliy for numerous years, she , herself, now retired
at Aliy's.
Our hearts are heavy as we say Rest in Peace to dearest Frita.   She had multiple health issues and had begun having seizures.  She emphatically did not want to be cared for in the house.   To the end she wanted to be with her pups (who are now nine).  She taught us so much.  It's hard to say enough to pay tribute to such a wonderful dog, but 'thank you' is the main tribute.  Thank you, dearest Frita.

Her pups are:  Yo, Yuki, Swix, Yeti, Tsunami and Zoom .  Two pups,Yuri and Yepa predeceased her.   Martin, another great dog from Aliy, was their father.

Visitors today. The Florence Mining News, Bobbie Samme and Karen Klenke.   The dogs were excited to run and did well , although it was a bit warm.

Photos:  Most by photographer, Katie Richard, with kennel camera.  Thanks, Katie!

Top:  Bobbie and Zoom 
2.   Jim and Katie harnessing dogs.
3.  The team runs ahead while Bobbie and Julie talk dogs.
4.  Fantastic eight dog team...  see the photo of the lineup chart.
5.  Navy, Buffy and Jim
6.  Lineup chart for today.