Team SouthernSpirit

Howdy yall!

Hope everyone is having a safe and fun holiday season wherever you are Lots of things happening here at SouthernSpirit. First off, we held the first annual “Wilson’s Creek Fun Run” in Newland, NC the weekend of the 11th-13th of December. Only one person showed up besides us (me, Robert and our dawgs) and that was my ‘mushin’ mama’ Robin. SO great to run with her again though and we hope to try and get together more often. She ran all of her athletes on two seperate strings but mine and miss Autumn followed by on a nice 9 mile run up Brown Mountain Beach rd. A little more traffic than I am used to, but we both have very well mannered teams and the run was very fun and exciting for us all!  I will post pictures soon although I only got a handfull because my camera kept dieing =/

On another note, I want to take a minute to welcome Team SouthernSpirit’s 6 new additions! :]

Calamity whelped 6 healthy beautiful babies on Christmas eve. 3 females and 3 males, all are eating well and seem to be very content. I am keeping atleast one male and one female but will be taking names and information for those who may be interested in a puppy. I cannot tell you which ones for sure I am keeping yet because their full personalities won’t show untill atleast 4 weeks old. They will be going to WORKING homes only via contract. Please email me if you are interested.. Waylon is the sire. You can see their pedigree here~

http://pawvillage.com/pedigree/pedigree.asp?ID=ROIXSMPZPP

Please email me for more pictures (I will be posting some later) or if you are interested. Wishing happy trails for everyone and make sure to check back soon for updates!

-Jessee

I know, it’s been a while. My life’s been kinda eventful lately outside of mushing and dogs in general.. got a new job, found newly bloomed love, learning new things and all trying to balance everything else with getting the dogs out as often as I can… which isn’t much unfortunately

We’ve had some really disgusting and confusing weather here for fall. One day it would be 40 degrees and frosty (usually all week when I am working and cannot run dogs) and on the weekends be back at 70 degrees and humid. The leaves turned early this year though.. but were gone in about a week after downpours of rain. Luckily though, the temperatures have settled down nicely and we average 50 degree days and chilly mornings.

Autumn is growing into a fine girl, and earned her sled dog collar this evening. A very hard headed puppy.. that girl can jump 6 feet in the wink of an eye and be climbing up on a tree limb. She finally learned to sit and wait for her food now and is very obedient She isnt as leggy now but certainly has a build I admire on working dogs. Can’t wait to let her free run behind the team some more!

Anyways.. alot of people have begun to ask me if I’m going to this race, or that race. The question is NO. The only race I plan to go to this season is the Blueridge race up in VA and that is only because it is within driving distance. I’m having a financially tough year and do not have a reliable vehicle to travel 700 miles one way to run a 3 mile loop in 15 minutes, nor do I have a conditioned team for it. Calamity is due on (or at) Christmas with a litter sired by Waylon so I have also lost a valuable leader for the season. I’m working on distance this year and really want to break past that 20 mile invisible ceiling i’ve been hitting ever since I’ve been running dogs.

On that note… another reminder to y’all about my fun run that will be held up in the wilson creek area, Newland- NC the weekend of the 11-13th. It’s just a get together… so don’t expect too much. I just thought it’d be nice to have a meeting of the mushers of sorts down here in Carolina I haven’t gotten a ton of interest in it but hope to see whoever will come on down!

Will update on some more stuff soon. Calamity is due an Xray in the next few weeks so I will update on how many we will be expecting. This is a VERY promising litter and would be an excellent opportunity if you are interested in stepping up your team to the next level. email me if you have any questions or what not…. Happy Trails!!

I think the best way to start off a season is to go camping when the fall colors are just right and the dogs are rarin’ to go. Friday morning we finished packing, loaded the team and headed up to Mortimer campground (Wilson’s Creek area, around where I plan to hold the fun run, although I would love to change it to be held exactly AT this campground, so watch for updates!). We got there and I picketed the dogs out and started packing different little items after I souped the dogs and waited for a bit. Finally got my new cable filled centerlines from friend Dillon in CO, which I know is probably one of my best investments, considering last year Waylon chewed through two sets of mainlines. A neighbor was thouroughly intrigued by seeing sled dogs in this part and chatted and took some pictures. I thought in my head, just like everyone else, he won’t post them and I’ll never get to see them for myself. He then informed us of a loose puppy that someone most likely set out that has been wandering around the area since he has been there, about 2 days. He mentioned he had been feeding it but it never stuck around. About 10 minutes later, guess who came over? the abandoned puppy! She was gorgeous, friendly and you could tell she had ALOT of hound in her. I gave her a pat on the head and to everyone’s amazement - she never left our campsite.

Autumn

Anyways, I hooked up the dogs and we took off (on only one wheel, I might add… the dogs were FULL OF IT!). It felt so good to be back on the rig again, new brakes and lines intact. I really liked this part of the forest much better because it was flatter and had less traffic than the furthest south part of the road. It does take a while to get up here, and not to mention the gas! Our van isn’t the easiest on the wallet, that’s for sure. The dogs did excellent, I was very surprised at how well they remembered their commands. Storm got a little tired towards the end but then picked up the pace on the last mile back to camp. Calamity needed minimal ‘leave it’s’ and I was pleased with her pacing the team steadily as well. We finished it off at 4 miles, pretty darn good considering it was still a bit warm and the dogs haven’t been hooked up as a whole team since Mid march.

When we got back to camp we did typical camping stuff - walking around, taking pictures, making a fire, eating, playing with the dogs… etc. The photo guy had left and we had a new set of group campers to our right, all of them dog lovers. I don’t much care about having neighbors at all, but atleast these people really liked animals and had a longer fuse if the dogs decided to give an after-dinner howl. We both started cooking dinner (for dogs and humans) while the dogs were strewn out on the hay, sun bathing in the post run relaxation. I made them soup, with their kibble, added egg protien powder and chicken backs and boiled it over the fire. They gobbled it up happily (except gloria, who was being very picky) and laid back down to continue their nap. We proceeded on to fixing our dinner - boneless chicken, home grown potatoes cooked in homemade butter. You could say dinner time is all of us’ fav time of the evening!  A hiking trail was nearby behind the back loop of the campground and it sure got it’s worth of thread that day! I met a group of hikers who told me (when they met Autumn - the abandoned hound pup) that they had fed and just tryed to catch another puppy, about the same age but way more skiddish. I took gloria’s left over dog food and walked a little ways into the woods and dumped it, hoping that maybe it would wonder down the ridge and find a good meal.

Night came and we bedded down in our matress in the van. I felt no need to really pitch a tent when I could just bring my roll up matress and sleep even more comfortably in the van. I remember dozing off and waking up at 10 pm to one of the dogs raising hell (Waylon) and I got out and sat down in the hay with them. I figured they had just seen a squirrel or something cross their yard and were just a little riled up… untill I turned on my flashlight. I saw Autumn, bounding around with another puppy, and thought that it must be the one the hikers were talking about, but wait.. they said it was black and white. This one was solid black as the night with amber eyes. I sat down and to my amazement one bounded into my lap and I hugged it, thinking it was Autumn untill I noticed this one didn’t have the tan legs like Autumn did. I quickly realised this was the OTHER sister of her, the all black one. I stroked her head and noticed the dogs were still screaming like there was something else, so I went to put the other black puppy into a crate and went back out to look.

There was ANOTHER puppy.

A black and white one, this time I was sure it had to be the one up on the hiker’s ridge and called her to me with a peice of chicken in my hand left over from supper. She was very shy, although I could see her tail wagging a little as I threw the peices down. I threw one closer to me and as she went to get it, I nabbed her by the neck. It was probably the only way I would have caught her, considering I was running out of chicken and my dogs were still screaming and lunging (it was supposed to be quiet time). I put her in a crate with her other black sister and gave them the rest of the chicken and taters. My neighbors were still up and had witnessed me catching the puppies and went back to their camp after we talked and I told them sorry for all the ruckus my dogs were making, but they were very nice and said it was not a problem at all and went back to their camp. Autumn seemed different, more relaxed.. like she had accomplished getting her ‘family’ back together. She layed down in front of the crates and went to sleep, and I crawled back into the van and did the same. I woke a few hours later to a light rain and went outside and covered the crate up. They were all asleep, curled up together with a full tummy, so I went back to bed. I set my alarm for 7 am but for some reason it never went off, but the dogs woke me up at 6:30 instead! It was like they knew what time I was to get up and get ready. I went outside and they were playing and pawing at each other, fully replenished from a good (yet eventful) night’s sleep.

The other pups

I boiled the dog’s up some soup (grounded chicken and water) and gave the left overs and some chicken backs to all the pups and got ready for the run. Mom put on some bacon, eggs and bologna and we sat down for a wonderful breakfast after harnessing the dogs. Our neighbors were awake by this time and we chatted about the newfound sisters and how terrible it is that ANYONE could set out puppies. Even worse, is that they set them out right when campers will stop coming once it gets colder, so there is no one to keep feeding them. We made the decision to take them home, take the other two girls I had found in the night to the animal shelter and maybe keep Autumn. I hooked everyone up and they were even more riled up than the morning before. It was hard getting the snubline to realese because they had pulled so hard against it, but we finnaly took off and mom took some pictures of us coming down to the bridge at camp.

I remember hearing a rustling sound as we came to a corner and looking back and seeing something completely unexpected!!

Autumn was RIGHT BESIDE MY TEAM going 20 MPH!

I tryed to get her to go back, but she didn’t listen. She was so driven, so into the moment.. it was beautiful. We stopped at the turnaround point for a break and she layed down beside Gloria in team just like she was a sled dog herself. I poured them some water and sat there admiring Autumn as she sat in the empty spot like it was destiny who sent her to be with me. Like, It was MEANT for me to come up to this exact campground, on this exact weekend, just so I would find her and rescue her sisters. More importantly, I felt like SHE was sent to be the next member of Team SouthernSpirit, without planning. About halfway through the break, she was already rested up (while the huskies were still panting quiet a bit) and started to whine like she wanted to run AGAIN! I was floored. I think at that moment I made the decision that she was going to stay with me.

Autumn (loose, on right) following the team.

We took off again and she followed us like a champ. I remember seeing her limp a little bit, but no way you could tell it by seeing her run like one of the team that day. We came across seveal trucks and she gee-over’d like she had been doing it all of her life. When we got too fast for her, I slowed down and she caught up in a split second. Looking at her stand and run reminded me alot of the Ellis’ racing hounds. This dog was totally into it.. heart soul and body.

We made it back to camp after another break in the river (warmer today) and mom came down the driveway with a huge grin on her face and yelled “I tryed to get her to come back to me, but she was way to into running alongside you… I think she was sent to be a sled dog with yours!” The dogs stopped at the picketline and I unhooked them and clipped them into their place. Autumn trotted up and flopped down in the hay next to Calamity. I told mom as I was wrapping up lines and taking off harnesses that I couldn’t beleive she had followed me the entire 5 miles, never really slowing up and whining when we stopped.

We kind of layed around the rest of the day. It drizzled on and off for a while and we started packing to go home. I gave the pups some water and tryed figuring out how I was going to haul 8 dogs back when I only came equipped for 5. I eventually settled on doubling up some of my smaller dogs and putting all three pups in one crate. We stuffed everything else in it’s place, but putting the rig back on the backdoors was a PAIN because the stupid rachet tie downs wouldnt work so we had to kind of ‘rig’ it up there.

We made it home, did what we do and put the new pups in the back yard. They bounded around in the tall grass like foxes.. it was hilarious! I could tell they were feeling comfortable and I was happy I had taken them back with me. I was kind of pissed off at the same time… trying to figure out why no one else took them back with them, or atleast Autumn, since she was friendly? and I mean, who would dump off puppies into the middle of nowhere too? I talked with my grandmother and she agreed with my original thought of that they were part of a litter that the hunter was not pleased with so he set them out. Very sad. I try not to think about it and just focus on getting them to the animal shelter (we work with them alot) and get them into new, loving homes!

Overall… this was an excellent, fun and eventful weekend. I also was really glad to spend time with mom because I know how she hates camping, especially with dogs, but she told me she had a blast and wants to (drum roll, please) “do it again before it gets too cold”! I was glad to have rescued the puppies, and hopefully found a new member for the team, even if I didn’t plan it.

of course I took loads of pictures, but I will have to post them next weekend when I have the time.

here is a link to a video I took on the first day

Hope all is well where ever yall are and many Happy Trails!

Ok, thought I’d share this. I wrote this last week when I was down with the flu and it was pouring outside. Please, ask for permission to use! I don’t mind sharing as long as I am acknowledged as the author. Enjoy! ;0)

Ballad of The Southern Musher

~ 

Now here’s a story to behold,

Sometimes you ain’t gotta do what you’re told.

See, down in the south we run dogs without snow,

but Man! it’s good to run against the flow!

 

Mushin’ dust is more fun than it sounds,

nuthin’ like being with our huskies and hounds!

No waiting around for snow to come,

10 miles, 5 dogs, 3 wheels and we’re done!

 

Don’t shush the dogs ’cause they know what we’re doin’,

load up the truck and we’ll get to movin’.

Head down the hollar or up to the ridge,

find the best spot and park in the ditch.

 

Crank up the CB and holler at ya friends,

chat for a while and tell ‘em how you’ve been.

Bring all the dogs, and y’all come on over,

we’ll sit around the campfire as the night grows colder.

 

Talk mushing, swap stories, might even have some ’shine,

teams wollerin’ in the hay, having a good time.

Listen to some Skynyrd and discuss chickens and Fords,

these are my people, and they all are adored.

 

Wake to the smell of homegrown bacon,

meat soup for the dogs we’ll soon be makin’.

Tighten the brakes and hook up your dogs,

then your off like a shot, rolling through the mornin’ fog.

 

This hillbilly’s happiest when she’s behind this rig,

taking pride in our dogs is what we really dig.

There’s ice on the river, and fire in their eyes,

no other way we’d wanna live our lives!

 

Head back to camp and it’s already that time,

share a cake of cornbread and then we say good bye.

We really love to mush, but it’s that much better here -

Happy Trails to all and y’all come back, ya hear?

Just wanted to fly a little note out here that I have finally picked a date for the Wilson’s Creek Fun Run here in Newland, NC. It will be held on December 11-13th, 2009 - The week after Fairhill Dryland Challenge (which I hopefully will attend). It IS held during hunting season, but is declared perfectly fine to hold a fun run there. To see more details, please visit my webpage:

Wilson’s Creek Fun Run / A Team SouthernSpirit Event

Thanks and Hope to see y’all there!

-Jessee

Well, not really much going on lately. We skip in between 90 degree days or the nice 60 degree evenings, but it’s all like standing in suana - sticky, muggy humidity. I know I sound like a broken record, but I can’t wait untill fall!

Other than just normal kennel duties I did manage to get some 2×2’s on the bottoms of the wood houses we built, which probably could have been done right when the stakeouts were put up. The 2×2’s on the bottom help prevent rot from sitting on damp ground. Also, I took the scrap ends and made a bowl holder for Calamity. I want to make one of these for everyone, or atleast rig a holder on the side to keep the bowls from being on the ground. I have a pretty cool idea on how to make those with a circular bent peice of rebar.

Calamity on her house (w/ new bottom and bowl holder)

I also have been busy trying to hacksaw the bolts holding the brake pads on my rig off. I’m betting they are the original hardware (and pads) ever since it was built, probably back in the mid 80’s. Luckily I was able to get a blade through the backside of the pad to hacksaw one off, but the other is on so tight I only managed to get one bolt cut off, and not sure how I will get the other off. I wish people would REPLACE THEIR HARDWARE after about what, 20 YEARS?

Rig brake pad #1 with bolts. None of the bolts even have salvagable threads, so they had to be sawed off. Notice the brake pad… my dogs wore it completely flat in one season.

Anyways, other than that It’s just been other non-dog related stuff. Making good food and enjoying it, working in the garden, swimming, and doing other minor repairs around the house. I believe I have settled on Mid-December of this year for a fun run in my neck of the woods. It will be a casual, simple get together. The main road (which camping is available off of) is 7.5 miles long but there are other dirt roads surrounding anyone is welcome to run on. I actually wouldn’t mind having it a bit sooner (like in October) but I doubt I will have my rig and equipment all together by then, including me making and ordering new ganglines. If I do, I will still hold the one in December as well.  Hope all is good!

Thursday morning I decided to take Zorro to South Mountains State Park (about 10 minutes from the house) to scout out some trails. I’m glad I decided to do this rather than try running my entire team up (and down!) a trail when it might not be suitable.

First I stopped at the equestrian camping center where Turkey Ridge trail starts. I ran that trail last year (the first part is really nice but barely a half mile, but leads up the side of the mountain after crossing the road) and it had to be one of the worst runs I had ever had. My nerves where tore up that day because I literally had NO braking power coming back down the mountain, so my dogs were full of piss and vinegar flying down the hill at 27 mph.  um, YEAH.  LOL     Anyways, I stopped at Turkey Ridge and took Zorro down it because half way down the first side of the trail there was another trail under construction called ‘Saddleback Trail’. Last year they never finished it but just so happens, it is now! and what a NICE trail as well (as far as I could see anyways). This one is a keeper and can’t wait to go down it this fall.

Here is a picture of the team last winter on Turkey Ridge Trail (the smoother section).

After that we went up to Cicero Branch Parking Area, which also has nice camping spots right near the Little River Trail turnstile. Unfortunatly, I think the trailhead was too small for me to get a screaming team of dogs through. It also had a no biking sign.. but lucky me, we’re right between a horse and a bike so who’s to tell where I can’t run? ;)     The first part of the trail was pretty decent, then there was a small creek crossing. I decided to take the bridge instead of crossing the creek because I figured we would do that on our way back. We started up the trail again and I saw hills. At first thought I said “ok, maybe it will just be uphill for a little bit then even out like the HQ trail does” (HQ trail is great!), but boy was I wrong. We probably went half a mile up it and it just kept getting worse and worse, steeper as we went along. At that point I decided to turn around and give this trail (or atleast this section of the trail) a solid 6 for sled dogs - on a scale from 1 to 10.

first part of the trail, leading from Cicero

trail intersection-

creek crossing/bridge to second (uphill) part of Little River Trail -

Uphill section (western) of the trail -

On the way back down I took off my shoes and socks and me and Zorro got in the creek to cool off. I remember vaguely the weather report being mid 80’s but at that time it sure felt a heck of a lot hotter. I also took some nice pictures of him there as well.. and we sat and watched the baby trout dash around the rocks.

After spending about 30 minutes in the creek I decided to take the alternate route to the western side of Little River trail, which crosses over the main road. It also, was steep and by that time It was starting to get late and hot so we decided to take another break at the top of the mountain where the view was breathtaking and then headed back down to the parking area.

Zorro at the top:

Eastern end of Little River Trail -

Of all the trails I have ran in South Mountains by dog team, the best ones so far seem to be HQ, part of Turkey Ridge, and Saddleback Trails. There is still lots of trails to try but it would be a long walk if I were to do them alone. Hopefully I can take the suitable trails and discover them by team when fall comes. Will update when I check more out!

This morning at 6:30 am I watched the sky lighten and decided to take Waylon for a run on the bike, the first time I have hooked any one up since late May. I had actually already set up the bike a week ago in case there was a cool morning that needed to be taken advantage of, including my bike light and odometer set up. It wasn’t the coolest morning (roughly 65 or so with 70% humidity), but it’s august so it’s just swell to get out in any morning like that! As soon as I hydrated Waylon and went to push the bike up to the driveway, everyone started pitching a fit.. Oh they knew what the bike meant! It was even worse when they saw the leash, and the harnesses, and then as I put on my helmet….He was one happy dude! We went down the road like a shot but I got off the bike and pushed it up the hill.. I didn’t want him to overwork himself this early. My glasses kept fogging up all the way, but then when we got to the top of the hill I also realized it was very foggy in general. It lingered like smoke against a cornflower blue sky dotted with pink clouds. The road was misty and you could see the sun shatter against it, and all I could think about was how beautiful it was… such a nice morning for a run!

I was really impressed at how well he did today. He has always been very good at ‘leave it’, but today he barely had eyes for anything but the road.. He was pumped!! Even when we ran beside of a field of horses and they galloped alongside us.. All I had to say was “leave it” and that’s all it required. We went 2 miles and took a break, where I also managed to squish a red ant hill and had them all over my legs. I’m sure Waylon thought it was quite humorous. When I looked down to brush the ants off my legs, I saw Mimosa Tree sprouts and nabbed one. I hope it lives, they are one of my favorite trees and we haven’t managed to get one to grow since the old farm house in Salem.

Anyways, he didn’t miss ONE turn command.. Very promising since he was having trouble with that last season and spent most of his time in wheel. It was good to be back behind the dogs again. Can’t wait to try out some new trails we scouted this summer! They say it should start cooling down enough (enough to run the entire team more than 5 miles) by mid October this year, Yeehaw!

Ah, Yes. Fall is closing in fast and I have many plans for my team this season. I live close to Pisgah National Forest (Grandfather District) and have decided to hold a fun run sometime this winter. Just WHEN is the question!

I’m thinking about either late October or December. Depends on when it really starts cooling down, but I hear we may actually have a good fall starting in October so will have to see when that time comes. Jeff in KY is planning his late November, so I don’t want to run too many things together. The area is right near rugged Wilson’s Creek, a majestic streak of rushing white water adorned with huge boulders and frost covered pines. All Around the area are dirt roads rarely shorter than 4 miles, with very little traffic. A southern musher’s paradise!

However I am concerned about who would want to come. I believe Virginia has the largest amount of mushers in one state down here, which traveling for most isn’t a over bearing trek. Unfortunatly, I have come to realize that alot of mushers also tend to stay on flat, even cinder covered rail trails unlike what I run here (mostly because of smaller teams). I’m not saying an easy trail is bad, just that I think a little variance would be nice. The road I plan to camp and run on is FR 982 (Craig Creek Rd.) Part of it is Nat’l Forest while the other is just ‘God’s Country’ or that’s what it’s been called for I don’t know how long. These section of roads are located in Newland, NC - about 20 minutes from my kennel.

Like most fun runs, there will only be primitive camping and running ‘at your own risk’. I will be camping somewhere along the beginning of the road, but depending on where your directions take you, you might have to travel to find me, but the whole area on any of the roads is scattered with camping spots. I have talked with several rangers and have gotten the blessing and permission to hold one, and everyone is just absolutely intrigued by the idea of Dryland Mushing.. so we might have a small crowd of rangers as well. Hunting seasons right into each other, so there is really no way to avoid them all together. I was informed that everyone should wear bright vests, but we shouldn’t have any trouble because there are not many hunters who travel out that way anyways. I already have several from surrounding states interested, even though some may think of it as a challenge. These roads (FR 982, which will be the main running area, stretches 7.5 miles) have big hills, kiss-yer-butt curves and uneven surfaces in areas. Other than that, it is such a gorgeous place to run and I am blessed to have discovered it by dog team. If we plan it just right we might get snow as well!

More than likely it will be open to all, even if you don’t have a rig or bike, it’s a great place all together for a good time. I’m sure me and other larger mushers can lend equipment to newbies if need be…Although I do believe I won’t hold it as a club event, to avoid conflict of interest among groups. Good to be NC Director, can’t wait to see all those who want to come!

If you are interested, click here for mapping and directions.

Please let me know if you have any suggestions on a date that would be best, and check back for updates as fall is nearing!

So besides sittin’ around and singing the summertime blues, we’ve been hard at work on taking our entire kennel setup apart (in 10×10x6 sections) and turning it into one HUGE dog yard further back in the woods (to prevent flooding) but kept three kennels, and put three ’sled dog style’ stakeouts up. Majority of the mushing kennels this far south are small and do not require dog yards, and if they do they usually use kennels like I had. After spending much of my winter at a friends kennel in VA (and her dog yard is all stakeouts like the ones they use in large northern kennels) I fell in LOVE with them. For some reason the dogs are always tidy about where to poop and even when it pours, little mud is made - unlike inside individual kennels. I have found in my experience that kennel panels create a wall when it rains with all the mud. In a stakeout (where the chain is lifted off the ground on a pole) I noticed there was nothing allowing the mud to build up on.. WIN!

So I had a total of something like 32 panels? Anyways, The new dogyard is 60 x 75 x 6′ and the dogs LOVE it!!. I kept two kennels in the far back (temporary untill I can get more stakeouts up), kept the wood floor kennel up front and put in three stakeouts in the back. I designed and had a welder to make the swivel tops of the stakeouts for free! I am also glad I went with panels instead of rolls of fencing in the long run because I’m always moving around, and it makes things so much easier. I’ve lived here for 2 years but there has been slight mention of possibly moving further into the mountains next spring, but nothing is promised. If I do stay here a little longer and get all stakeouts up, then I might buy a roll of wire to make seperate male/female yards even though currently I only have 7 huskies. The pictures really don’t do the area justice, it’s really quite impressive if I say so myself!

Here is what the kennel setup looked like before, in early summer. This was also when we had terrible flooding problems.

This is what it looks like now-

(from inside, looking to the left)

from inside, looking upwards and to the right (wood floor kennel home to Waylon and Satin)-

the dogs’ playcenter around the big 200 year old Oak tree-

Calamity’s Stakeout (on far right top)-

Storm’s Stakeout (in back)-

Gus’ Stakeout (in back) as well as dog trail leading to far back temporary kennels-

Temporary kennels (home of Gloria and Zorro for now)-

The crew dashed around in the woods for hours-

and they just couldn’t contain themselves

Ever since I managed to slim down my kennel I think It will be better for me in the long run. If I do decide to travel up north (not making any plans in cement yet, we are still having crippling financial problems) I can pretty much take all my dogs with me so I don’t have to rush back because I don’t have anyone to feed them for me. Got an exciting fall coming up, get to use the rig for a whole season (atleast when the brakes are redone), got my team picked out, and am done with school for now.

More updates to come soon, still need to do some trail scouting before it starts cooling down.