Another Birthday! Zulu Turns 13 Years Old.

Zulu, last winter, in full winter coat.

Zulu at 13 years old.

Again, I find myself amazed that time flies by so quickly! I can't believe my #1 lead dog is 13 years old. As the story goes, Zulu was the type of leader that could almost read your mind. Just as the command was coming out of my mouth he was on it! He could go down the middle of a lake, not a shore in sight, and go exactly where I asked him to based upon a quiet voice command.

He was fully retired last season. His arthritis didn't allow him to run in harness for more than one hundred yards. His age hasn't stopped his attentiveness to my wishes, however. Now that he is a full fledged house dog he gets some new commands - "Don't kill the toy." "Don't eat that." "Leave Copper alone"(Copper is the little daschound/poodle mascot he tries to steal toys from.) And when I give him the command to get into his crate, he turns on a dime from the other side of the house and runs directly in. It has been a challenge keeping him busy but I've finally found a toy that he can't destroy. He enjoys that in the evenings while we all take some time to relax on the sofa together.

Happy 13th Birthday Zu!

Tuloon Turns 5 Years Old Today!

Tuloon leading with Klaus last winter.
Her daughter, Zala, from the Tuloon/Bazil litter is running behind her.

Tuloon at 5 years old is several weeks pregnant with what will be her last litter.

The princess turns 5 years old today! Time sure flies! I remember just returning from Alaska with her and being amazed that this 9 week old pup was on a mission exploring the huge back yard by herself with all the confidence in the world. Our bond became so strong that she now follows me around that same yard, helping to keep the rest of the pack in order.

Tuloon had an unfortunate injury when she was a pup and had surgery on one of her back legs. This surgery caused her to be "toed in" on that foot. It tends to self correct when the muscle is built up once we begin our fall training. Because of this, she will likely develop arthritis at an early age so she is being monitored closely for any discomfort. So far so good! She is a great leader and trail breaker so I don't look forward to her possible early retirement.

Tuloon has developed a strong bond with the little house dogs and in the off season, spends much of her time watching over them as they cruise around the back yard.

Happy Birthday to Tuloon!

It's 11 Years Old for Isis Today!

Isis at 11 years old.

Isis, a Canadian Inuit Dog, turned 11 years old today! This photo was taken for about the only couple of seconds she was standing still. Just because she's 11 doesn't mean that she can't still do the "crazy dog" run around the yard. If you have a dog, you know what I mean. The "crazy dog" run is the type of run where they zig zag so quickly around the yard you just hope they know what they're doing and don't run into anything.

She and her kennel mate, Tukisi, enjoyed a celebratory piece of pork chop, no pork bones, of course.

Happy 11th Birthday to Isis!

Canicross Hikes 2009; Carver Park

Hiking along the east shore of Parley Lake

Zala was my canine team member today

Annie with her big bushy tail and our unconventional pulling dogs paired up

Roper, the Catahoula mix, and Conan, our German Sled Dog, about half way through the hike. This was Roper's first hike!

Heading back to the trail head

Shirley with Roper

Marilyn with Conan

Rich with Phoenix who is giving Rich a great work out.

Phoenix stands at attention.

Temperatures were cool for our hike today at 50 degrees F/9 degrees C. We had rain the entire previous day so the trails were very wet and soft. Because of the "rain out" conditions, our hike that was scheduled for yesterday was postponed to this morning. There was a little mist coming down as we hit the trail but the dogs didn't seem to mind!

We were joined by two newcomers. Shirley has a Catahoula mix named Roper and Rich doesn't have a dog so he borrowed one of the Points Unknown sled dogs, Phoenix, for the hike. Rich met us off the Gunflint Trail this winter when he and his wife came out on a dog mushing adventure. He was drawn to the Hedlund Huskies and came out to work with one today.

Phoenix did a great job at introducing Rich to the activity. He also taught Rich that unless the dog thinks you know what you're doing, there will be mutiny! And since this was Rich's first hike, he hadn't learned all of the finer points of canicross hiking yet. Phoenix was frustrated that we weren't going faster so Rich decided he would run him back the way we came and meet the rest of us at the parking lot. When almost back to the parking lot, Phoenix went on strike and decided he'd rather take Rich back the other way and all the way around again. They both got some good exercise today!

Roper, Shirley's Catahoula mix, was harnessed for the first time and hooked up to the line. He was hesitant at first, as any dog may be with a new activity, but with proper commands and praise, he soon was pulling up in front with the rest of the dogs. Consistency and practice will only enhance his canicross abilities. The most important thing is that he had fun! And he soon learned that you don't have to be a northern breed dog to be a sled dog! Just look at our official German sled dog, Conan. Marilyn has been working with her German Shepherd for a few years in the Canicross Hiking Club and he does an excellent job. Marilyn also works with dogs of others in her business Pure Spirit.

Melanie began working with Annie, her Siberian Husky, almost three years ago. This was Annie's first hike this season and she was raring to go!

Because of the misty and wet conditions, our hike was shorter than planned but I think it gave the newcomers a good taste of Canicross Hiking and some good things to work on for our next hike.

Please visit this link to learn about Canicross Hiking and to see the hike schedule. We hope to see you out on the trail!

Trumpeter Swan Procession

Oake lake has been frequently visited by four juvenile Trumpeter Swans. The rusty colored necks and heads give away their age. Once they fully mature, they are snow white.

Dog Shots of the Week

Zodiak gives the perfect pose

Klaus' typical intense, blue-eyed stare

Journey's sweet glance

ANNOUNCING: Points Unknown Women's Winter Adventures!

The Points Unknown sled dogs with Oken and Klaus leading the way down Gunflint Lake
Photo by Don Deckert

We are excited to announce the dates and details for our 2010 Points Unknown Women's Winter Adventures off the Arrowhead Trail north of Grand Marais, MN! Please use this link.

In addition to our remote adventures, plans for other women's adventures are in the works with a location within a quick commute from the Minneapolis/St. Paul metropolitan area!

Please continue to check back for details.