Amaruq 9/1/01 - 10/10/07

Amaruq during his final BWCA trip in February of 2007.

I took Amaruq to the vet yesterday morning because he didn't eat his breakfast and when it came time to go out to play, he just walked slowly versus being his usual boisterous self. The last time he behaved this way, a pound of rocks was found in his stomach as he had been known to eat a rock or two.

All of his blood work was normal and the x-ray didn't show any rocks only a stomach full of food which should have passed by this time. He stayed at the vet clinic over night and when given fluids, pinked up nicely. The vet had him swallow little beads of different sizes called "bips" to see how well they passed. The x-ray this morning showed that only a few of the smaller beads had passed so there might have been a soft obstruction such as a piece of a raw hide so they decided they needed to take him to surgery to find out. While preparing him for surgery and giving him the same types of things he received when getting neutered years ago, he went into cardiac arrest. After trying to revive him for 30 minutes, he passed away.

This was all so very sudden and I am still in complete shock. I just returned from the vet to see his body before he is cremated. When all this was going on, I was out on a run with the other dogs, the first run of the season, and I was thinking about how we would have to help Amaruq get up to "speed" when he recovered from his stomach surgery in a few weeks by cutting back the miles and going slower. I had no idea that yesterday when I dropped him off and said "see ya later, Amaruq" that it would be the last words I said to him.

Amaruq was from the very first puppy litter I ever helped raise. He was the most sweet and loving dog. Being an extremely powerful puller, he loved his job intensely. Amaruq was born the day before the tragic 9/11. I remember his litter being a very bright spot of hope in the horrific turmoil our country was in at the time. Words can't describe my bond with this dog and how much he will be missed in my life and in the team. This is a very sad day.

Tuloon/Bazil 1 Week Old Female Pups

"T" girl is a little spitfire and still the most vocal. She is the most assertive of the females and is beginning to enjoy being held without squirming. She weighted in today at 1lb 10oz.



White eyebrow girl(I know what you're saying, "please come up with something more interesting than that!") enjoys being held and appears to always be content. 1lb 10oz was her weight today.



White nose girl is very similar to White eyebrow girl. She is sweet, mild and enjoys being held. Her weight was the same as the other two girls; 1lb 10oz.

Tuloon/Bazil 1 Week Old Male Pups

The "Z" boy is the biggest of the bunch at 2 lbs today. He is still the most assertive when it comes to food which may explain the size. He is becoming more accepting of being held without a constant squirm.

Rusty is the second largest boy at 1lb 14oz. This boy shows no apparent discontent and is one of the quietest of the pups, thus far.

Flash is still one of the mildest pups and, like Rusty, shows no apparent discontent. He is a cuddler and loves to be held. He's the smallest of the boys at 1lb 10oz.

Tuloon/Bazil 1 Week Puppy Update

Tuloon and puppy crew

Two girls

Girl to left and boy on right

Tuloon's first week of motherhood has gone by so fast! (for me, maybe not for her) She has turned out to be the perfect mother; attentive and diligent, however knows when she needs to take care of herself and take some time away from the pups to hang out with me and the little house dog mascots. The slightest puppy noise during her absence and off she runs to investigate.

Her returning appetite has increased her energy level and Tuloon enjoys at least one walk a day to stretch her legs and take in some fresh air.

This week's milestones included the first puppy toenail trimming. Tiny eyes are beginning to open and the little guys are highly mobile, "swimming" around in the plastic pool, AKA whelping box. A bathroom mat with a sticky rubber backing turned out to be the very best option for a comfortable island away from the slick surface of the pool. A cushy fleece blanket, even though a desirable comfort option, can prove to be dangerous to those pups who venture under the blanket and can't get out.

This litter is truly special. Watching them grow and take on their own personalities, teaching them good puppy manners, socializing them with people and other dogs and then thoughtfully placing each that will be leaving Points Unknown in the perfect home is not only a joyful and exciting experience, it is an honor.

Points Unknown at Gunflint Lodge

Gunflint Lodge is located 45 miles up the Gunflint Trail from Grand Marais, MN.

Gunflint Lodge

Gunflint Lake and distant view of the burning that occurred this year on the Canadian side.

Points Unknown is excited to announce that we have been contracted by Gunflint Lodge to create, manage and execute their new dog mushing program. From December through March, Points Unknown will be providing educational dog mushing adventures that range from hands-on dog sled rides to custom guided adventures that can include your own team of sled dogs. The Gunflint Lodge property and the adjoining Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness makes for a breathtaking and magical experience in of itself. Now just add the dogs and it doesn't get any better.

Gunflint Lodge was established in 1927 and has been providing dog sled rides for many years. We're honored to be a part of its transformation to more educational-based guided adventures.

Come see us at Gunflint Lodge!

Tuloon/Bazil Female Puppies

The little light girl with white triangle between her eyes weighed in at 14.7oz at birth. She has been the most vocal so far and is the most assertive of the girls, at this stage. Since she has Tuloon's coloring, she'll be referred to as the "T" girl for now.




This little girl with the white eyebrows and white nose has been as quiet and easy going as the male with the white flash between his eyes. She weighed 14.9oz at birth. I'm afraid I am not as imaginative right now with a reference for this little girl. She'll be referred to has White Eyebrow Girl, for now.




The white nosed little girl with the dark black and copper face seems to always be at the milk bar. She is not as assertive as others but when there is an opening, she's right in there. She weighed 14.8oz at birth. Again, imagination escapes me and this little one will be referred to as White Nose Girl for now.

Tuloon/Bazil Male Puppies

This male has his grandpa Zulu's coloring. He'll be referred to as the Z-boy for now. He was 16.4oz at birth and is one of the two most assertive at the milk bar. He is also one of the more vocal at this stage.

This brownish/copper faced boy was 16.8oz at birth. He is also very assertive at finding his place at the bar. He'll be referred to as Rusty for now.

This little dark and copper boy with the white flash between his eyes weighted 15.1oz at birth. At this stage, he is not the most assertive and is always up near Tuloon's head. This guy will be called Flash for the time being.