We're transferring back to our winter blog, www.winterspk.blogspot.com.
The summer season is winding down and we are all happy to have cooler weather and thoughts of runs to be.
Wildlife seems to be very active and enjoying the cooler temps as well. Interesting scats on the trails.
So head into fall with us at the winter blog.
Tuesday, September 25, 2012
Saturday, September 22, 2012
Straw
Our winter straw count has begun. Yesterday we picked up four new bales, totaling six bales of straw for winter, 2012, 2013.
While Alaska is being torn apart by winds and floods (sounds like it's merciless), we are experiencing an early , very welcome, cool down. From hot to frost in one week.
The winter prep is slow as each house must be assessed and repaired. We're lucky enough to have new pallets, as well, which requires lifting each house and replacing the under pallet. The dogs appreciate the repairs so much that they vie for the newly repaired houses as they come along.
They actually have 'sit ins'... the first dog to get the house stays in it, pretty cute.
Actually, the house dogs do the same thing. They vie for the best dog bed and play musical beds at bed time, moving from one to another until one 'wins'. I can't see the difference in the house beds, but I think it's positioning... wherever they perceive the best view or position to be.
While Alaska is being torn apart by winds and floods (sounds like it's merciless), we are experiencing an early , very welcome, cool down. From hot to frost in one week.
The winter prep is slow as each house must be assessed and repaired. We're lucky enough to have new pallets, as well, which requires lifting each house and replacing the under pallet. The dogs appreciate the repairs so much that they vie for the newly repaired houses as they come along.
They actually have 'sit ins'... the first dog to get the house stays in it, pretty cute.
Photos from last night's bedtime trail walk.
Tuesday, September 18, 2012
End of Season, Winter Prep
While it pours rain the next few days, and we appreciate it, we are working on winter prep for the pens. Each house will get a new door and all already have their first fresh slices of straw.
Straw and corn are both up this year. We are getting corn (for deer) at $8 now but it is as high as $11 locally , for 50 lb. The midwest drought will be felt in all supplies this winter, we suspect.
Bow hunting season is on, thus, we are doubly careful of securing dogs. However, at 3AM, Ruthie , our chief dog excavator, appeared on the front porch. Helpful and vigilant Copper simply got up from his bed and sat facing the front door (he's the silent type). I awakened, saw him sitting, and found that Ruthie was sitting on the other side, having somehow escaped. So, out I went in the rain ,to secure her until morning, in a closer pen. Copper galloped alongside, herding her. Since all is silent right now, I'm hoping she is still secure.
A friend of Jim's brought us new pallets, so each house , slowly but surely, will have a new and sturdier pallet to lift each off of the winter ground. That is a lot of house wrestling.
I've been a bit under the weather all summer, but it appears that I'm on the mend, so hopefully we have an active winter ahead for dogs and humans. We all love the fall cool air and beautiful colors.
Straw and corn are both up this year. We are getting corn (for deer) at $8 now but it is as high as $11 locally , for 50 lb. The midwest drought will be felt in all supplies this winter, we suspect.
Bow hunting season is on, thus, we are doubly careful of securing dogs. However, at 3AM, Ruthie , our chief dog excavator, appeared on the front porch. Helpful and vigilant Copper simply got up from his bed and sat facing the front door (he's the silent type). I awakened, saw him sitting, and found that Ruthie was sitting on the other side, having somehow escaped. So, out I went in the rain ,to secure her until morning, in a closer pen. Copper galloped alongside, herding her. Since all is silent right now, I'm hoping she is still secure.
A friend of Jim's brought us new pallets, so each house , slowly but surely, will have a new and sturdier pallet to lift each off of the winter ground. That is a lot of house wrestling.
I've been a bit under the weather all summer, but it appears that I'm on the mend, so hopefully we have an active winter ahead for dogs and humans. We all love the fall cool air and beautiful colors.
Friday, September 14, 2012
Retiring Sled Dogs
Can you imagine anyone with more of a need for an active ongoing life than a retiring sled dog?
Over the past 18 years we have been so fortunate to provide a place for sled dogs to retire from 1000 mile races and extreme temperatures, but it certainly has not been a sedentary existence for these amazing dogs.
We have bred some of these retirees and with their expertise and help we have trained our own teams, but' in the lead or team we've always had retirees, as well. The races we've run have ranged from one to 30 miles, all ages of humans, but the training for these has been every day activity and enjoyment for all of the kennel dogs. Those who can't run in teams run free every day.
I've read that getting into sled dogs is like jumping on a cliff , you grow your wings in the air. Our first retiree was Scuba and she had raced with Susan Butcher. She was anything but retired! She raised her pups and trained them in spite of me. I hung on while she taught them to pull and me to drive, literally. The first ride she ever took me on was in a wilderness setting. She dumped me and kept on going. I like to say she was waiting at the truck with a "Where were you, rookie?" attitude when I reached her, after I had walked several miles. She knew what SHE was doing, I just had to catch up. So I grew my wings under the tutelage of some amazing dogs.
In the meantime, I learned that they acclimate better if you follow their rules. They come here and let us know who they are and what they need, in various ways. Some are more forthcoming than others. But we find that, when we've listened to them and given them a nice home with amenities and safety, they settle in and learn trust, the basis for memorable relationships. They don't come as prima donnas, , but they
are to be honored and given dignified treatment. For that, they are grateful and the trust grows between us.
We love to see them settle into trailwalking and companionships and house visits.
As I reflect on how we welcome and accomodate these lifetime friends, it occurs to me it is not too unlike
retirement settings for humans. They want physical and mental challenge that they can select; they want companionship or they don't; they appreciate and need love and attention and good medical care. And, as 16 year old Lillen would tell you , they aren't done racing yet. She walks on a lead now for safety, but her return is always a race to the finish line, she's clearly used to winning. She can't see her walking partners too well nor hear them, but she's just winning, out in front. Every day she wins and we cheer.
PHOTO:
Great team with 'retirees' Martin, Skinny, Frita, Stella, Lillen and their offspring, on six mile run.
Over the past 18 years we have been so fortunate to provide a place for sled dogs to retire from 1000 mile races and extreme temperatures, but it certainly has not been a sedentary existence for these amazing dogs.
We have bred some of these retirees and with their expertise and help we have trained our own teams, but' in the lead or team we've always had retirees, as well. The races we've run have ranged from one to 30 miles, all ages of humans, but the training for these has been every day activity and enjoyment for all of the kennel dogs. Those who can't run in teams run free every day.
I've read that getting into sled dogs is like jumping on a cliff , you grow your wings in the air. Our first retiree was Scuba and she had raced with Susan Butcher. She was anything but retired! She raised her pups and trained them in spite of me. I hung on while she taught them to pull and me to drive, literally. The first ride she ever took me on was in a wilderness setting. She dumped me and kept on going. I like to say she was waiting at the truck with a "Where were you, rookie?" attitude when I reached her, after I had walked several miles. She knew what SHE was doing, I just had to catch up. So I grew my wings under the tutelage of some amazing dogs.
In the meantime, I learned that they acclimate better if you follow their rules. They come here and let us know who they are and what they need, in various ways. Some are more forthcoming than others. But we find that, when we've listened to them and given them a nice home with amenities and safety, they settle in and learn trust, the basis for memorable relationships. They don't come as prima donnas, , but they
are to be honored and given dignified treatment. For that, they are grateful and the trust grows between us.
We love to see them settle into trailwalking and companionships and house visits.
As I reflect on how we welcome and accomodate these lifetime friends, it occurs to me it is not too unlike
PHOTO:
Great team with 'retirees' Martin, Skinny, Frita, Stella, Lillen and their offspring, on six mile run.
Coexistence
It's a peaceful valley at this time of year at Summer Place Kennel. The deer are foraging for leftover berries, which are scarce, and are eating the last downed apples, which have also been fairly scarce.
The dogs are cooling off after the hottest summer on record in Wisconsin. Wisconsin topped the charts of the lower 48 for most extreme, record heat. Accompanied by a drought, this brought hot
and sandy conditions for most of the summer.
Saturday, September 8, 2012
Saturday, August 25, 2012
Siberian Husky needs new home
A two year old, neutered male, purebred Siberian Husky named Chewie (Chewbacca) needs a new home.
He is currently living in Neenah, WI and needs room to run and friends to run with him. If you can refer him or adopt him, please call : Rachel Leary, 920.216.6076 or message us on Facebook or on this blog.
Thank you!
He is currently living in Neenah, WI and needs room to run and friends to run with him. If you can refer him or adopt him, please call : Rachel Leary, 920.216.6076 or message us on Facebook or on this blog.
Thank you!
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