Canicross Hikes 2009: Minnewashta Regional Park

A cool water break

Limestone path adjoining to some of the grass and dirt path trails

Walking along the low lands near the lake

The trail takes on some elevation as we head back to the trail head

The dogs learn to keep working and moving forward even when a tangle occurs.

The weather was just perfect for a canicross hike with dogs that have not yet fully shed their winter coats. It was 70 degrees F (21 degrees C) in the sun with a nice breeze. There were a few patchy clouds in a washed-out light blue sky.

This is a regular Canicross Hike location so we did a little bit of exploring in the park today. At the end of the hike, each dog enjoyed a dunk in the lake. Some enjoyed it more than others.... poor Annie was surprised when she found herself swimming when it wasn't in her plan.

2 Weeks Old

Puppy Pile! Everyone is distinctly different in color, coat and markings.

They are just beginning to move out of the "guinea pig" stage and actually look like and act like little dogs.

White Feather tackles Tumac and it doesn't go without protest.

Talk about precious!

The nose sucking has begun.

The whole bunch

Topa isn't quite sure what to make of this.

Big beautiful puppy yawn!

Topa gets back at Hana with a little neck nibble.

The puppies changed dramatically this week. At 10 days old they couldn't even see yet and were beginning to clumsily toddle around their puppy pool. Eyes began to open late on the 11th day and by the morning of the 12th, all puppy eyes were open.

Toenails were cut again this week when I discovered tiny little scatches crisscrossing all over my forearms.

We've had a few close friends over to see and handle the puppies after a very thorough hand and arm washing. The pups have blossomed from all of the people attention and are beginning to seek it out when voices are heard. They continue to be entertained during the day by the classical music of Minnesota Public Radio. It is interesting to watch their little ears perk and twitch to the music when more spirited pieces are played.

The heat lamp that had been shining down on the puppies since they were born was taken down this week. They are out of the critical stage when warmth is of great importance. The have enough coat and body fat to maintain their own temperatures nicely at this stage.

Tuloon has become used to the routine. Feed, sleep, drink, eat, go upstairs to hang out with people, go outside to check on her backyard and for a quick potty break then check in with the pack and over again. She continues to keep her puppies and their space spotless.

Tuloon/McKenzie Pups; 2 Weeks Old!

White Feather at 2 weeks old weighed in at 3lbs 3 oz. She has become used to being handled and doesn't protest. She is still the spunkiest of the four but relatively mild compared with Tuloon's 2007 litter! This would be thanks to McKenzie, Mr. Calm himself. White Feather has a coat that is extremely dense and the longest of all of the pups at this stage.

BIG girl Topa rose above the others in weight this week. She is 3lbs 8oz at 2 weeks old. She did a lot of sleeping this week compared with the others. One can only imagine that she was also feeding quite a bit more as well! Topa was very mild mannered this week and has gotten used to being handled with no protesting. She did utter the first growl heard from the bunch when she apparently was getting awakened too often by her siblings who were playing a bit too near.



Tumac weighed 3lbs 5 oz at 2 weeks old. He's a doll. Being very content to sit in a lap with his paws outstretched in front of him while being scratched, he is still very laid back and accepting of whatever happens to be going on at the time
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Hana is tied with Tumac this week and weighed 3lbs 5 oz at two weeks old. It was like a light switch went on, literally, when her eyes opened! This passive girl at one week old began to have very strong opinions about things. She was the first one to wander across the pool to me when I called out "puppies!" after her eyes were open. She is still very calm and quiet but is a lot more active and initiates play more than the others at this stage.

Mid Week Puppy Photos by Hailey

The beige/strawberry blond girl, now referred to as Hana which means "flower" in Japanese, is facing the camera.

Topa nestled behind Tuloon

White Feather stretched out across Tuloon's legs with Tumac to the left and Hana to the right

Tumac

Topa stretched out over White Feather and Hana

Hailey Photos

Zala peers into the distance on Gunflint Lake this winter before a run.

A great shot of Tuloon taken by Hailey prior to their run on Gunflint Lake this winter.

Tuloon lounging on Blue a few weeks before the puppies were born.

More lounging...

Zala is in that darn hole again!

Now she tries to squeeze out.

Journey relaxing on the deck.

Those Nasty Flies!

Hailey is trying to convince Phoenix that this pink goop is a good thing.

McKenzie does the submissive, "helicopter head" when it is his turn.

No more flies!

The flies in the dog yard have gotten thick lately. Not wanting to overuse chemicals on the dogs, we only begin to put fly repellent on their ears when it becomes an issue. It was time! We use a horse product called SWAT. It is a pink goop that is blotted on the ends of their ears because that is what the flies like best. This can be used to keep flies off wounds as well. When the pink fades, its time to reapply.

Some of the dogs aren't too crazy about having this pink goop on their ears and some rub themselves in the dirt to try and remove it. The majority, however, just forget about it and move on, happy that the buzzing around their heads as stopped.

Busted!

Oken and Zala in the backyard holding pen after the "incident".

I caught him red handed and got a good verbal correction in as well. What a sneaky boy, scooting UNDER the fence instead of over it as I had thought! I suppose thinking out of the box or "out of the fence" should have been the way to go. I just assumed that Oken and Zala jumped the play area fence going after a critter.

Those two were getting their now supervised play time of the day with a few others and I noticed the group heading to a portion of the fence that I didn't suspect the other day. I called them back to me several times as I was in the middle of some lawn work and wanted to get done before I stopped to check it out. Once I finished and began to head that way, I see Oken on his belly, scooting under the fence. I immediately let out one of my famous loud growls accompanied by an "Oken No!" and I ran to secure the others before I ran out after him. At this point, I was fuming but had I continued my scolding, Oken would have come nowhere near me but would most likely run in the opposite direction as he has seen that crazy woman come out in me before and you just don't stick around for it. So, ever so calmly and with a very upbeat tone, I began calling him. He quickly came to me. I opened the fence gate, popped a treat in his mouth and said "Good, Oken!"

He quickly joined the others in the "holding pen" while I did what little securing of the fence I could without the necessary bits. Those will have to be picked up later, but until then, plastic zip ties worked well to secure the fence to the post because, you see, some clever dog decided that if they just chewed off the bottom aluminum fence tie, they could more easily slide under. I've also done what has worked for hole diggers in the kennel. I began collecting the dog poop from the yard and deposited it all along this area of the fence. It should work the same way - one look and the interest goes away. A more proper fix will be to purchase some metal stakes to stake down the bottom of the fence to the ground and for additional durability, I'll weave a metal strip into the fencing all along the bottom. But for now, I've used what I've got and it will work for the short term.

Now the test. Upon letting all dogs out of the holding pen, they made a beeline for the area in question. One look (or maybe sniff) and everyone turned and ran right back. Another hour of yard work and not one more time did I see either of those two wander to that area.