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.

Tuloon/McKenzie Pups 1 Week Old

At one week old, White Feather weighs 1lb 15oz. At this point in her very short life, she has the most dense coat of the pups and voices her issues with the most passion.

Being referred to at the moment as Topa, this little girl surpassed White Feather this week and weighs 2lbs 1oz. Her coat is just about as dense as that of White Feather and it feels more coarse to the touch. Topa is second in line for passionately voicing her issues, however she calms down more quickly.

Tumac is tied with Topa at the moment and weighs 2lbs 1oz today. His coat is dense and the shortest of the four at this time. He is very laid back and doesn't really have too many concerns. He's quick to calm and accept whatever his circumstances might be.



I am just stumped as to a name to reference this beautiful, fine featured, delicate and mild pup. It will come with time. Any suggestions? She weighed 1lb 14 oz today. Her coat is extremely soft, just like Tuloon's. And like her brother Tumac, she has very few concerns and is the most accepting and the most quick to calm. Having said that, when she wants something, (at this age its food) she most definitely does and you hear about it. Unlike her sister White Feather who always seems to want something! Or she's just plain filled with spirit!



The pups' first week consisted of eating and sleeping. By the end of the week they were beginning to notice that they had legs and feet and began putting them in their mouths. They then noticed that they weren't the only ones and began showing a bit of interest in the others.

Their eyes are still closed but the process is beginning as eyelids are wider than a sliver now. Toenails have grown rapidly and the first cutting was yesterday.

Tuloon has bounced back from giving birth and is her old self again. She does enjoy spending short periods of time away from the pups to travel around the back yard, making certain everything is the way she left it. She also likes to check in with the others during evening feeding and play time. If a puppy noise is heard from the across the yard, she is quick to the door, pacing nervously to get back inside. She's a very good mom.

Independent Pups?

This is the usual sight when Tuloon takes a break and leaves the puppies for short periods of time. They each go to their own "corner" of the pool. Independent? This isn't something I've witnessed in the litters here at Points Unknown so it will be interesting to watch how this tendency they each have evolves. As you'll also notice, they avoid the nice cushy fleece pad and head straight for the plastic surface when they want to sleep. And not to mention, they are the plumpest 5 day old puppies I've ever seen!

Bad Dog! (Person!)

Zala

Oken

I've got two dogs that got themselves into some real big trouble today and I'd like to say that it is all them............but it isn't. Dogs are dogs. Usually when they do something we see as "wrong" it is really their person's fault. Dogs like to eat, sleep and be dogs. Everything they do as dogs they are "supposed" to do unless we step in and train them otherwise; unless we intervene to make it impossible for them to do something a dog would normally do because it is an inconvenience for us if they do it; unless we see the real risks involved with whatever the activity we allow our dogs to take part in and make the appropriate changes.

I guess I'd like to say that it is Oken and Zala that are in big trouble today but nope, it's me. Since our arrival on Oake Lake nine years ago, we have never had a dog get out of a play area. We have a 4" fence in our play areas. Risky, I know. Any dog, at any time, could have gotten out if they chose but no one ever has. Never say never. For years, dogs have spent hour after hour in this area while I run inside and do some computer work or something else requiring that I let them out of sight. These dogs are very attentive. A sharp "aagh" and they stop whatever they are doing. Had I been in the yard when Oken and Zala were most likely tempted by a critter to jump the fence, I could have intervened and made the appropriate correction letting them know that this is not allowed. But I wasn't.

When I stepped outside and called everyone, two didn't show up, which is unusual. Walking to the side of the house I noticed Zala, wet and on the outside of the fence. She must have taken a dip in the lake. She ran right to me when I called and in through the gate to the back yard she went. Oken was nowhere to be found. After several more calls I spotted him on the opposite side of the play area and way up the hill. He was also wet, no doubt getting that way by following a rabbit through the reeds and being surprised by the lake on the other side. He would have to run all the way around to get to me. That he did and then went directly into the backyard. Of course, you can't do anything but praise them like crazy for coming to you when called. They don't know what they did was "wrong" and it was so long ago that even if they did at the time, they certainly don't now.

I've now got a couple of dogs that have shown the others a new trick. Unfortunately, this changes our kennel routine greatly and until we get a much higher fence, no one can be left in the play area unsupervised. I am just very happy that neither one got hurt doing something that their person could have prevented.

Bad person!

What's in a Name?

McKenzie came with his name

Tuloon has her girlish figure back and spends some time in the yard with Zulu.

Tukisi and Isis also came with their names.

Phoenix

Journey's very attentive stare

Oken is completely naked now that he has shed out.

Ilu catches a glimpse of a rabbit outside the kennel.

I recently received an email from a dog mushing adventure guest. He posed some very fun questions and of course any musher loves to talk about their dogs. I was told that "inquiring minds" might find this interesting so here you go, Mike!


What is the origin of some of your dogs' names?

I've got this one covered on the Points Unknown website. Please click here to go to the "Meet the Dogs" page.

What inspires you in selecting their names?

I am usually inspired by the individual dog, the line/breed, the circumstances in my life at the time of their birth or by other people close to me and their experiences.

The 2007 half Hedlund Husky litter names were inspired by their grandfather Zulu. He is such an amazing dog I thought it fitting to try to use names that began with "Z". However, only two were found suitable; Zodiak and Zala. The third pup that remained at Points Unknown kennel out of that litter was named Oken. You'll find the inspiration for his name on the link above.

When naming the Inuit Dogs I tried to use Inuktitut words when I could so I was always reminded of their heritage.

The recent Hedlund Husky litter comes to me at a time when symbolisms are even more important in my life. I've had a long time knack for finding feathers. Actually, they seem to find me, any and all kinds of feathers. I've got quite a collection from little blue ones with polka dots to very large turkey feathers. I've also had the privilege of viewing on a daily basis, the many white feathered birds that only this year, have decided to call our little lake their home. They have passed by over the years but this year, they remain. After doing some research I uncovered the following information:

In dreams feathers mean travel or the ability to move more freely in life. White feathers in dreams indicate innocence or a fresh start in a spiritual sense.

A quick summary on symbol meaning of feathers:

• Truth
• Speed
• Lightness
• Flight
• Ascension

I was amazed to see that the symbolism of white feathers mirrors my circumstances. And interestingly enough, a very good friend who also happens to be a musher, has had a knack for being found by white feathers. Thus, White Feathers it is for the new little pure white Tuloon/McKenzie baby girl.

I am still waiting for the inspiration for the names for the remaining two female pups.


How long do you generally wait before giving a dog its name?

This depends upon when the inspiration hits. You can have names all picked out and then for some reason, they don't fit the puppy and it's back to square one. I generally don't like to imprint the pups too soon by calling them by a specific name until I know for certain who will be staying and who will be placed with another member of our preservation program. They may be temporarily named so they can be referred to by a name instead of "white tail tip boy" or "gray mask girl" but I won't call them by a particular name until I am certain. They all just get so excited when you call them anything at a young age so I just stick with "puppies!".

Do you take the sound of the dog's name into account by giving thought to how much it might sound like the name of another dog in order to avoid ambiguity when calling out the dog's name in connection with a command?

Most definitely! I've come up with what I thought were some great names and when giving it more thought, realized that they either sounded like another dog's name in the kennel or very much like a command I typically give while on the trail. The perfect name(or so I thought) came about while at my chiropractor's office. He had an informational display for a product made with Goji berries. I loved the name Goji! (Go Gee) How confusing would that be if we're going down the trail and I yell out; Klaus go gee! or Goji go gee! You see, "gee" means turn right and I always add the word "go" in front of that command. The dogs would certainly be confused not to mention poor little Goji. So that name was retired as quickly as it hit me.

The names Ilu, my 4 year old Canadian Inuit Dog and Zulu, my 13 year old retired leader, are close enough to cause a pause or a bit of confusion. Zulu is now retired and not in the dog yard which makes it a lot easier on both of them.

Thanks so much for the questions. As I said, any musher loves to talk about their dogs and I'd be happy to answer any more from any and all "inquiring minds".