Wolf Moon Dogsledding

Location: Northwest GA
Time - 11:08am
Temperature: 49 degrees F
Conditions: Clear with few high clouds
Forecast: Mostly sunny today and tomorrow, lows in the lower 30s

Well it’s colder here in GA. Finally. It was 25 degrees yesterday morning and was 35 this morning. Wilson has decided he enjoys our morning canicross runs after all (last week he decided he didn’t). Unfortunately, running doesn’t seem to have changed his portly stature like I had hoped.

Calypso, meanwhile, has turned into a sleek, lean sled dog. We ran a three-mile loop with the scooter yesterday evening and it was about dark when we got back. She did very well although it was warmer than I would have liked.

No Comments »

Location: Northwest GA
Time - 6:29pm
Temperature: 49 degrees F
Conditions: Clear, cool
Forecast: Clear tonight, partly cloudy tomorrow

We spent Thanksgiving in Charleston, South Carolina at a big family reunion. I like Thanksgiving because it hasn’t become as commercialized as other holidays. I mean, how can you commercialize getting together with some of the most important people in your life and sharing a meal? That is the essence of Thanksgiving. Being thankful that you are alive and have food and friends and family.

We had a great time talking, laughing and watching movies. We were right across from the beach too, and walking on the beach in November is neat. And on this particular beach, they allow dogs! I kept thinking it would be a great place to go scootering - sometime I will have to do that. Although the air was cold, the ocean was quite warm and I waded a little, although I didn’t swim.

We also stayed in the Carolina Sandhills on the way back to GA and I met a beautiful dog that I think must have been a cross between a chow and a malamute.

I meet dogs everywhere I go.

No Comments »

Location: Northwest GA
Time - 7:25pm
Temperature: 56 degrees F
Conditions: Cloudy, wet, windy
Forecast: Cloudy tonight, partly cloudy tomorrow, lows in the 30s

Sled dog sports are featured in the December issues of two very different magazines.

First, The Bark has an article by Peter Bronski called “The Joy Of Joring.” The article, found on page 35 of the November/December 2007 issue is about one-to-two dog mushing. Skijoring, bikejoring and canicross are mentioned. The author describes how he and his dog went to a mushing clinic and learned how to canicross. There are some great skijoring pictures too.

The other magazine to feature mushing is Women’s Health. On page 66 of the December 2007 issue, Zoya DeNure of Crazy Dog Kennel is featured as an “Action Figure.” The feature is GREAT and has a wonderful picture of Zoya and some of her sled dogs. Zoya and her husband, two-time Yukon Quest champion, John Schandelmeier, run teams of rescued sled dogs. Next March, Zoya plans to run a team in the Iditarod. Check out the online version of the Women’s Health article here. Also, check out Zoya’s blog.

We had a good Thanksgiving this year and there will be more on that soon when I’m not so tired!

No Comments »

Location: Northwest GA
Time - 7:01pm
Temperature: 65 degrees F
Conditions: Cloudy, raining, windy
Forecast: Thunderstorms tonight, rain showers tomorrow

Today has been a busy day here at Wolf Moon. Running dogs, scooping poop, sweeping leaves and arguing about the proper way to stir brownie batter (there is no proper way to do this).

It was sunny and depressingly warm when I scootered with Calypso this morning. We only went about a mile. We had a fun time though and Kippy’s feet are really toughening up, I think.

I did not run Wilson today. Yesterday, he decided he didn’t like canicross. I’m not sure what happened but he just stopped running and stood there staring dully at me. At first I thought he needed to go to the bathroom but he just didn’t want to go and I hated to drag him because that would’ve made him detest exercise even more. Yes, I know he’s a hound mix and not a sled dog but I had hoped he would enjoy running with me anyway. And he needs to lose some weight. He looks like a sausage with legs. LOL

This morning, after our run, I scooped poop and the dogs crowded round and “helped.” It was sunny and I wondered where on Earth the predicted thunderstorms were. The wind was knocking all the colorful leaves down and it was like standing under a shower of red, gold and brown.

I did some stuff inside after that. No word yet from Margery Glickman re: the interview offer.

Later, I went out to sweep the leaves off the driveway. By then it was overcast and even more windy and the leaves were coming down like crazy. It looked exactly like November should except it was too darn hot (76 degrees!!!!!).

It started raining late this afternoon.

And I’m not even going to get onto the topic of baking except to say we’ve been busy preparing food for Thanksgiving and it is totally NOT FAIR to make brownies and not be able to eat them because we have to wait for tomorrow night! I really am looking forward to Thanksgiving (and not just because of the brownies) because it’s a holiday unlike any other.

No Comments »

Location: Northwest GA
Time - 8:42pm
Temperature: 60 degrees F
Conditions: Partly cloudy
Forecast: Foggy tonight, rain and possible thunder storms tomorrow. Lows in the 50s

Below is a copy of an email I just sent to Margery Glickman, the founder and director of the Sled Dog Action Coalition, an anti-Iditarod group. I know some of you may take issue with my writing her at all, much less requesting an interview, but this is something I’ve been thinking about for quite some time.

My letter is as follows:

Dear Ms. Glickman,

My name is Alice White. You may know who me from
previous communication. I am the writer of Dog & Sled
magazine and have spoken out in support of mushing.

However, I know there are two sides to every story and
am interested in interviewing you for the Spring 2008
issue of Dog & Sled.

I would be asking some tough questions but I have
no intention of turning the interview into a full-blown
debate - though you’d be welcome to question me
as well.

I will ask questions about treatment of dogs during
racing and training and what your campaign goals are.
And yes, I will also inquire about specifics which, so
far, you have not released details about - pictures on
the Sled Dog Action Coalition website, your personal
experience in the mushing world, etc. If you are
willing to answer these questions, I am willing to
print the full interview in Dog & Sled.

I usually conduct interviews by email but I am open
to alternatives.

I hope you will consider this offer and that we can
work something out.

Thank you for your time.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,

Alice White

4 Comments »

Location: Northwest GA
Time: 2:59pm
Temperature: 70 degrees F
Conditions: Mostly cloudy, warm
Forecast: Partly cloudy today, mostly clear tomorrow. Lows in the mid 40s, highs in the mid 70s

We are having the most GORGEOUS FALL I HAVE EVER SEEN here in GA. Really, I have never seen anything like this. It’s beautiful. There are lots of reds, yellows, pinks and even leaves that look almost purple. The colors are so vivid and so intense that walking outside is a sensory overload!

Getting back on topic, during the weekend of November 10th, Calypso, my Mom and I went to Kentucky’s Land Between the Lakes for the 2007 Mush Between The Lakes training run. It was basically a fun get-together for Southeastern mushers and our dogs. There was a great 5-mile loop trail and we ran it several times. I have pictures that I will post here soon. In the meantime, check out some of my other pictures of the event here.

One thing that happened during a morning run was that the back tire on my scooter went flat. That wasn’t fun but the upside was that Calypso had the opportunity to run the rest of the way back to the camp in a team of nine other huskies! For a dog who had never run in a team before, she did AMAZINGLY well. At first, she wasn’t sure what was happening but Chapin, the musher of the big team, kept the other dogs running slowly until Calypso figured out what she was supposed to be doing. It didn’t take long and soon she was running along with the other dogs, keeping her tugline tight.

I tried running Calypso in lead behind two inexperienced huskies later that night but that didn’t work out so well. I am writing a story about this so you’ll have to wait to read what happened. LOL

Anyway, we are back in GA now and are running longer runs when the temperature is cool enough. Last Saturday it was in the 30s and I took Calypso to a trail that is the toughest one I know of. It’s nothing but up and down, although the majority of it is climbing up a ridge. Really good training but also really tough training. At least for the musher - Calypso handled it fine. We went between 4 and 6 miles. I’m not sure of the exact distance because my odometer died on me. Oh well.

No Comments »

Location: Northwest GA
Time - 6:31pm
Temperature: 48 degrees F
Conditions: Clear, cold
Forecast: Partly cloudy tonight with a low of 31, sunny tomorrow

First off, I’ve decided to do away with “The Wandering GA Musher” series. It doesn’t quite fit like I thought it might. If anyone has a major problem with this, let me know.

Second, I think at least one of the Gwinnett shelter huskies may have found a home. I’ll post more info when I get it.

It was 24 degrees the past two mornings and we saw our first frost yesterday. The leaves here are at their peak and the woods are filled with reds and golds, as well as the remaining green. I wish I could take it all in. I’ve been running with the bike the past two days and it made me remember why I prefer my scooter. The scooter is fine and I’ll be using it again ASAP.

Yesterday, I went to Atlanta to a meeting of the Vinings Rotary Club. Georgia’s only Iditarod finisher, Bill Borden, had invited me to come. Unfortunately, he wasn’t able to make it to the meeting but his wife, Brenda, was there. I enjoyed talking to her. Check out some of her pictures on http://www.cooldreams.net/gallery/albums.php and http://www.duesouthphoto.com/

No Comments »

Location: Northwest GA
Time - 9:56am
Temperature: 49 degrees F
Conditions: Mostly clear, windy
Forecast: Partly cloudy today, clear tomorrow. Lows in the upper 20s!

Here are pictures (from photobucket.com) of the dogs from the previous post. They need to be adopted immediately, as they are in danger of being put down any time.

Click photos for larger images

ABOVE: pen 157 / id 7706 husky, black/white M, 65# - one blue eye, one brown
eye. STRAY HOLD UP 11/7

ABOVE: pen 112 / id 7691 husky, red/white M, 65# - blue eyes, NEUTERED - STRAY
HOLD UP 11/6

ABOVE: pen 117 / id 7751 husky, black/white F, 50# - brown eyes, SPAYED, 5 yrs
old. originally adopted from shelter now dumped by owner - URGENT

No Comments »

Location: Northwest GA
Time - 9:56am
Temperature: 49 degrees F
Conditions: Mostly clear, windy
Forecast: Partly cloudy today, clear tomorrow. Lows in the upper 20s!

I have just recieved an urgent message about three Siberian huskies at the Gwinnett County Animal Control in Lawrenceville, GA. The Message is as follows:

*PERMISSION TO CROSSPOST*

Gwinnett Co Animal Control
884 Winder Hwy
Lawrenceville GA

770-339-3200, dial 0 and ask for rescue officer chris hughes

see individual listing for date out. once stray hold is up, the dog can
be euthanized at ANY time. this shelter stays FULL

adoption fee is $75 (spay/neuter, rabies shot & microchip)

rescue transfer fee is $45 (spay/neuter, rabies & DAPP shot, microchip,
HW test; if dog is already altered, fee is only $20 and includes shots,
chip & HW test)

pen 157 / id 7706 husky, black/white M, 65# - one blue eye, one brown
eye. STRAY HOLD UP 11/7
http://s119.photobucket.com/albums/o153/svkinsey8/gwinnett/?action=view�t=7706m.jpg

pen 112 / id 7691 husky, red/white M, 65# - blue eyes, NEUTERED - STRAY
HOLD UP 11/6
http://s119.photobucket.com/albums/o153/svkinsey8/gwinnett/?action=view�t=7691M.jpg

pen 117 / id 7751 husky, black/white F, 50# - brown eyes, SPAYED, 5 yrs
old. originally adopted from shelter now dumped by owner - URGENT
http://s119.photobucket.com/albums/o153/svkinsey8/gwinnett/?action=view�t=7751F.jpg

If transport is your ONLY issue with saving a life, please let Officer
Hughes know. The shelter has volunteers and we may be able to work
something out to get the dog to you.

These three dogs are NOT listed on the shelter’s Petfinder site. If they are, I will post information here. Please help save these dogs.

No Comments »

Location: Northwest GA
Time - 8:08pm
Temperature: 57 degrees F
Conditions: Partly cloudy
Forecast: Showers tonight with a low of 47, partly cloudy tomorrow with a low of 27!

CALYPSO GOES TO THE VET

Calypso loves going to the vet! She’s the only dog I know of who does. Every other dog I have ever known slinks into the office, head down, tail tucked and often has to be practically dragged in.

Not Kippy (Calypso). We took her to the vet for her annual checkup last Friday and she pranced in like she owned the place. Tail waving in the air. In case nobody noticed her presence, she trotted to the reception window and said “RWUUUUOOOO!” Then she examined everything within reach. I told her to down stay and she rolled around happily on the floor.

When the vet assistant told us to come on back, Calypso leaped up with joy and practically dragged ME into the examination room. Then she proceeded to play with our vet. She tried to jump up on him and he held her paws. “Oh, you want to dance?” he asked. Wag wag wag.

Calypso continued to wag her tail even while getting her shots. I don’t think she really noticed them. Funny dog. However, she did NOT like it when the veterinary assistant took a fecal sample (not that I can blame her on that).

I said “Calypso pulled me two miles yesterday.” and my vet said. ” Well I drove a hundred miles yesterday!” But you weren’t running and pulling.

Anyway, Calypso got a clean bill of health. The only thing is that her teeth need to be brushed. I did that after our run this evening (only 1 mile since it was warm) and it actually went really well.

An interesting thing happened at an antique mall today. I found a print of a portrait of a racing sled dog.

At an antique mall.

In NW GA.

No, I didn’t get it - it was kind of pricy. But still…

No Comments »