04
Feb

County Line and Cows - 7 miles [2/4/09]

By rednecksleddogs 1 Comment
Categories: Uncategorized

I originally meant to get up early (about 6) hydrate and be gone before 9, but when I set my alarm I almost completely ignored it and was way to tired to get up, despite that was the only time there was any snow left. I awoke at noon, with a sore side (I dont know from what yet) and looked out the door only to see several lonely patches of snow left and the sun shining. You would figure by the looks of it, it had to be 50 out there but when I opened the door I shut it within seconds lol really bitter cold, wind was rough too. Looked up the weather and saw it was 20 degrees with a 15 degree windchill… yay! Hydrated the dogs, and got everything ready and then took my sweet time hooking up. I never try to just hook them straight up while theyre screaming and jumping and then take off, because it just teaches them to be like that. Zorro and Waylon are such good boys and sat patiently as I went to get Stormer who always lines out perfectly. Of course I saved miss hot pants for last (Calamity Jane) because she always screams and harness bangs, but I made her wait too. We took off after a little more waiting, this time a MUCH better takeoff than our others, I made the turn and held down the brake just enough to make a smooth turn. We went up the hill, and I didnt have to hardley peddle at all!! My dogs were slow going up the hill, but I was ON the rig, praising them with everything I had.. already a good start. Almost hit my neighbors mailbox (again) but managed to miss it just in time and made the dogs wait while I moved the rig around it. We took off down the road with a good speed despite me having to stop them at the bottom of another hill to fix my magnet on my speedometer, and we were off again. I yelled “Gee, Girls!” and they did it with no hesitation and then again at the stop sign.. another smooth turn right on cue.

I had to step on the brake most of the first two miles to maintain a easy slower speed (8-10 mph) so the dogs could reserve their energy all the way through the 7 miles. About the 4th mile, Calamity (who is in season, ugh) started to goof around and site see. She eventually gave up because I guess she knew she wasnt going to go anywhere as long as I was on the rig.

We passed the county line into Catawba County and all the cars that were behind me were very nice and passed us with ease, which is a good thing. I never liked running on the highway because some people speed and are just plain jerks. I can;t run alot on the highway though, because it is hard on the dogs feet. Once a week we go try out dirt trails, no way would I run pavement all the time.

Stopping right after crossing the county line (the small sign behind us says “Catawba County”

We also passed a field full of about 20 or so cows. I saw them from a distance and thought “oh great, now all my team is gonna go nutzo”. Zorro, who is usuallly all work and full blown in harness suddenly perked up, tail and ears held high. Of course Calamity (who needs some serious On-By training) wanted to stop and have a sniff… eh a BITE maybe LOL Stormer and Waylon were great and didnt aknowledge the cows much. The cows stuck their heads over the fence as I was yelling at Calamity to “LEAVE IT, ON BY CALAMITY” the entire stretch of fence and they actually were RUNNING along the fenceline! weird! I had never seen cows do that, but they sure seemed interested. I mumbled as I pushed the rig along as fast as I could “dang cows, go away! we dont need no groupies!”. We got to the intersection, took another longer break with some water as I sat down with them and gave them a few head scratches, hugs and belly rubs and also checked their feet, which all was fine. After about 15 minutes and alot of weird looks by spectators, we turned around and started the way again.

We took another break soon after, checking their feet again and all was well. I could tell they had been working hard and were doing very well… I was really pleased. We came across one house, about a mile from our turn taking us back to the road at the house where they have a pretty nosey boxer. This is the same dog who distracted my team the first time on this road so bad they completely tore down into his owners yard and said hello. Calamity wanted to stop again (of course) but I didnt let her, and we went back up the hill. About this time, Calamity suddenly jerked off the road, making zorro and waylon (in wheel) skid sideways across the road. I stomped up to calamity, pointed my finger at her harshly and said “dammit Calamity you and your friggin sight seeing” and then she KNEW what she did. My poor boys, I knew their feet had to be scraped now. Sure enough, I went to check waylons feet and two back nails on one foot were quicked, but had dryed up. Zorro had a small scrape on one paw, but I decided since we were only a little bit from the house, I would treat it with tar oil and first aid spray when I picketed everyone out and take it easy from here. After that break and some more water, we took a pretty slow run the rest of the way home, with some more really great command turns made with ease. We even made it down the driveway hill really good this time, as the dogs crept down it, making it very easy. I parked the rig in the driveway, put everyone on their picketlines and went inside to make them a good warm meal. I fetched the bowls, fed everyone a mixture of lard/egg white protien and kibble which they always really like. After I was done with them, I fed the other dogs in the kennel the same meal… good day to be a dog, particularly a redneck sled dog :)

I sat there for almost an hour, watching the dogs doze off in the sunset sun as I snapped a few nice pictures. It was an awesome run, a beautiful day with the ones I love to spend my time with- My dogs.

A picture I took of Waylon on the Picket

and one of Zorro

In conclusion, the results were-

Average Speed- 9.6 mph

Max Speed- 19 mph

Time- 44 minutes (an average of about 6 and half minutes per mile)

03
Feb

Goosefeather Snowflakes [2/3/09]

By rednecksleddogs 0 Comments
Categories: Uncategorized

It started snowing today down at the kennels about the time I got done posting my other blog about my yearling run and was scooping and playing with everyone. I noticed a swarm of ’snowbirds’ (that’s what my mom calls them) sitting atop the briar patch beside the run chirping and fluttering aimlessly against the cloud ridden sky. I figured it was going to rain because the clouds were navy colored and collecting behind the house like most rainstorms do, but as soon as I said that I saw a single flake flow out of the sky, and that was that. The others starting coming down at a good pace, so I shut up and stopped playing with the dogs a while so I could finish scooping before and If it layed. It sprinkled the tops of the tarps and across everyones backs as they paced around the run, enjoying the moment. A moment of pure beauty.

snapped one of these of the snowbirds that accompanied us today

It stopped snowing right as I walked out of the door after putting water in the food bucket to feed everyone, but I could still see snow clouds in the distance. I went ahead and fed, collected bowls and gave everyone a hug and belly rub before bedtime and then went to working on my camera mount for the rig. I think I have figured it out, and will have to post a picture of it sometime on here. At about 8 pm, after talking to mom, I clicked my KennelCam Center (webcam mounted to where I have can view the kennels from inside the house) and saw spots cutting through the kennel lights and went to the door and finnally it had decided to start snowing again. I could still see the intense rays of the moon slicing through the snow fog, and stood there for a few minutes just watching it come down. Big flakes too.. not little dinky ones, these floated around in circles when the wind wasnt blowing and reminded me of floating goosefeathers. Something about snow that makes me feel so alive and exuberant, like I can take on anything.

a picture of the snow floating around like fallen stars

I’m hoping it will lay. I have already made plans to get up early (before bobby scrapes the road, grr) hydrate, and run a 4 dog team. My dogs love a good romp in the snow so I’m hoping we will atleast get an inch or atleast something to make it look like it did snow. Maw is at work and I hope she makes it home OK, guess this is a better time than ever to see if our new AWD van can really handle snow!

Will update tommorow after our run.

03
Feb

Crazy Yearlings, 32 mph [2/2/09]

By rednecksleddogs 0 Comments
Categories: Uncategorized

Yesterday It was pretty warm, about 60 degrees. The sky was cloudy and we had rain in the forecast, you could definitly smell it coming. I really needed to get Lux out though, because I needed to give his soon-to-be new owner a report on how he was doing in harness, since It has been a while since I hooked him up.
Right as I walked out the door it started to drizzle, but I really needed to get Lux out. The humidity unusually wasnt all that high, so I was determined to get him hooked up with someone reliable. I ended up choosing Waylon… YES the same dog that used to harness bang, scream and chew lines is now this perfect boy who lines out and waits for commands. So yeah, I am a proud Ma :)
Got them both hooked up in double lead (because I didnt know how Lux would do his first real time in harness running behind a dog) plus it minimizes tangles. Poor boy didnt know what was going on and as soon as I finnaly got to the rig (after I kept having to return up to him and say STAY and push his butt down) park brake off, he automatically went a complete 360 behind the rig (don’t ask, I really dont know what he was thinking lol) and then got frustrated he could’nt go anywhere and flopped down. I lined them out again, and had to do the STAY thing all over again and then quickly hopped back to the rig and pushed it forward saying “OK!”. Waylon either wasnt paying attention or was mad at me for hooking him up with a total nutjob and just kind of walked along as I pushed the rig, making the shock absorber scrape the ground. It wasnt that big of a deal they werent pulling all the way yet because the driveway curve is pretty sharp and I didnt want to cut it too deep. We made it past the curve and then said OK and waylon slammed into his harness like he always does. Lux then caught right on and started pulling like a natural, head and tail down, harness pulled tight tearing down the road headed for the hill. Waylon is one of those dogs you’re not really sure what you would do without him.. I knew he must have read my mind because he went a perfect speed untill we passed the curve. The road hill is very steep and I had to peddle (actually ran up it this time, which is good for me!) almost all the way up it. Almost made it to the top when I had to stop, and then realized I forgot my inhaler.. AGAIN. We managed to average 8 mph going up the hill, which isnt bad in itself.
Made it onto the paved road where I met my neighbor, Bobby and he was asking me all kinds of questions about the rig (of course everyone thinks it is such a cool looking thing) and then about the dogs. He had seen me run my dogs before but we never really got a chance to talk, just a quick hey, how ya doin type of deal. He was lucky and actually got to see a really good take off and haw from my team, even though we didnt go all that far before we then did a pretty nice gee around and came back down the road again. Lux had already memorized the route and saw the driveway and I noticed that look he gave like he was gonna whip down in there but I yelled “on-by boys!” just in time and he snapped back into it. As we went flying down the road I glanced for a second down at my Odometer and read “27 mph” and gasped… I had never gone that fast, as long as I know. I slowed the dogs down a bit, but carefully.. if I push too far on the brakes I would skid and actually get a “wheel” lol (yes, rigs can squeal around turns too!).
There was another hill as we came up to it, and I peddled for the most part, but decided to take a break because Waylon runs hot in balmy weather and the boys did a nice Gee over on the side of the road and we sat there. I went to check the speedometer again to see if I was really seeing things or was we really going that fast, but the magnet slid a little so I had to fiddle with it.. I swear I’m gonna glue it on there. We sat there for what seemed like 10 minutes and even watched a school bus pass by, which waylon seemed to be interested in it and I joked with him and told him he couldnt be chasin’ no cheesebox.
We turned around, this time a little harder and the rig clipped my heels (talk about ouch!) then hopped back on as I yelled Hike and we were off again. As we came back down the hill one of the neighbors dogs tore down his yard and ran right at my team, teeth bearing, snarling and barking viciously, chasing my rig uncomfortably close as we whizzed by. Waylon again made me proud as I yelled “on by boys!” “on by!” trying to just get out of there before one of us got bit. He didnt even glance at the dog and was focused on running, but Lux wanted to take a visit, but Waylon pulled him through it. I praised him greatly for being such a good boy as we got closer to the driveway. I have already told myself if that guys dog bites me or one of my dogs (she, the dog, already is responsible for the death of one of my rescued dogs) It will be her last straw because she is just getting too dangerous.
We came to the driveway and I told the dogs to haw and they did it perfectly, BOTH of them. We stopped for a minute so I could calculate the best way to get down the driveway since it is all downhill coming back, and then slowly let off the brakes a tad and just let the boys walk down the hill, which worked pretty well, except for one point where the boys got carried away when I let go of the brake for a minute but I got it back under control. I let go of the brake totally after we came down the last stretch of hill and we took another haw back into the driveway. I need to make some kind of camera mount for the rig.. I love taking videos of us running.
Anyways… I am very proud of both of my boys, even Lux for his first real run he did pretty well. Another successful run, even at 60 degrees. After I put the dogs up and giving them some water and lots of praise, It started to rain.. now that’s perfect timing! I checked my speedometer when I got back inside and it read-
Average Speed- 9.1 mph
Max Speed- 32.1 mph (WOW)
Distance- 1 mile
Time- 6 minutes 26 seconds (really good considering we stopped for two breaks, and several turn arounds and corrections!)
well, time to go scoop the kennels.. we have some snow in the forecast so I need to get everything done.. fingers crossed!!

ha! proof.

03
Feb

Snow!- Jan. 19th, 2009

By rednecksleddogs 0 Comments
Categories: Uncategorized

So I admit it. I acted like a kid when I saw the snow coming down good Monday night (Jan. 19th). We had been getting an excellent cold front in the south and I was trying to take every advantage of it. I had been keeping close tabs on the forecast ever since I got a glimpse of ‘mysterious white stuff that falls from the sky’ in the weekends layout. I had taken a test run with 3 dogs with the rig Saturday morning (cold as he!l too) but it didn’t turn out so swell and I was lucky enough to get back to the truck because my bolts for putting the steering on were too small and it had too much play in it, and my brake kept locking or not working at all. I finnally got everything by Sunday night figured out and was praying all day that we would atleast get an inch, enough to make it cold and beautiful to run the dogs in. After feeding and scooping, I finished the rig and was prepared (and was still really hoping) for a good snowy run. We went out to take Beth to the grocery store and soon as we hit Morganton we saw flakes! Now I have been to plenty of other places where they got snow, but its been a while since I’ve seen snow here. last year when I was up in VA training, they got a few inches down here, but we also got a good amount up in VA too, so no loss.
Honestly, I also wanted some snow to take pictures in too. I always love a good sled dog team in the snow picture, and wanted some of my own. I didnt have enough time (or bravery lol) to drive my team with a sled up in WV during Thanksgiving and take pictures in the snow too, so I really wanted a good winter looking shot of my team.
By time it was midnight we had almost 2 inches, and it was beautiful! glittering in the street light at the driveway, and shimmering along the fenceline where the kennel lights brightened the night sky. I went to bed and woke at 7, hydrated the dogs at 8 and got all the gear out. I snubbed the rig to the old dog truck’s bumper and stretched my 6 dog picket line Robin gave me across two trees adjacent to the driveway and kennels. I was so grateful she gave it to me, getting the dogs all the way from the kennels to the gangline in the driveway was my least favorite part of running dogs out from the driveway and ultimately the reason why we hardley ever tryed it and made it out, even when I had my trike.
I got Storm (my old red head leader) Calamity (up and coming leader) Zorro (my rock solid wheel boy) and Waylon (runs just about anywhere right now, but has leader potential) and put them on the picketline and harnessed them up. Usually I would just hook the harnesses up straight up to the tuglines and then add the dogs, but figure I would do it my old way for once (laying out the harnesses and then adding the dogs straight onto the line takes much less time, but I was in no hurry).
My last few runs were just hook up fast and get going, but I was fed up with my dogs harness banging and getting tangled within the first minute I hook them up. They are GOING to learn line out and wait (they know wait, just not all that well in harness lol).
I hooked Zorro (who really knows his sits and waits) then Waylon, Then Storm and Calamity last. The other dogs in the kennels were screaming, which I’m sure also gets the team riled, but I let them know we arent going anywhere in a hurry and they will wait, and be nice about it.
and it worked!
I told them “Wait!” and “Line Out” and they followed it like a dream. They did this for a good 15 minutes, and I was really excited. I would really love a team that will wait on me untill *I* am ready to go. I hopped on the rig and we took off down the driveway, and up the hill with ease. I had to peddle a few times, but nothing like I had to do on the trike, GOD I was so happy to have my rig!
It was an amazing run, one of my favorites thus far. My team all pulled magnificently and the scenery was awesome. I was standing down on the brake almost all the time, though, because the ice was so bad and I hadnt quite got the steering down yet. We Hydroplaned once, but the dogs didnt seem to notice.
I’m not sure exactly how far we went because my magnet wasnt connecting or something on my Odometer. I think we went atleast 4 miles, but I put it in my log as 3 miles.
Certianly was a memoriable run in that mysterious white stuff and iced roads!
03
Feb

TBSDC Ohio Dryland Challenge- 11/7 & 8/2008

By rednecksleddogs 0 Comments
Categories: Uncategorized

The TrailBreakers Sled Dog Club hosted the ISDRA sanctioned dryland dog sled race on November 8th and 9th, 2008. Awesome weekend, way to go TBSDC!

We (me and Robin) had been looking at a few ‘near’ races including this one and the Sinnemahoning Dryland race up in PA, but figured the one in Ohio would be a more sensible trip (considering we had to train a little before we ran up to a race!).

The week before the race we hardley got a handfull of runs in because it just hadnt cooled off enough. In the tailend of the training, we realized that maybe we were pushing the dogs too much in the heat so we slacked off for a few days, then hit the road, race bound.

We had read the forecast for the weekend of the race before leaving. We expected high 40’s and light rain for both days, boy did someone lie! The day before the races it was like 60 degrees when we pulled into Ohio. We were kind of glad we didnt pack camping gear and camp out, because it would have been really miserable once the temperature started to drop. Race day came, and the rain sure wasnt late… everything was soaked (including the spot we parked at, it quickly became a mud hole). I didnt mind the mud too much since it was mid 40’s when we pulled into the race site. The temperature quickly dropped and I was glad (because I was worried they would call off the race, and you have no idea how pissed we would have been considering the 400 mile trip back home) but quickly got cold, even with my jacket. I think it got low 30’s during our stay, drizzling the whole time. I even spotted a few flurries and ice specks! (note: I only had a hoodie, thermal shirt, jeans and insulated boots on, NO GLOVES!)

Before the Mushers Meeting took place the morning of the first day of the race, I met a ton of really nice people, including Mark Broughton, Johnn Moulburg, Keith Omnerick (maker of Cannonball Racing Rigs) and Sally Dawson (with her Airedale team). Jim parked beside us with his beautiful mushing family and their pretty cool bus turned dog truck. I had saw the Cannonball Racing Rigs trailer at the Red Roof Inn when we passed to go the race site and got all excited “ooooh! look!!! there’s Cannonball!”. When I actually walked over to them at the race site I drooled.. God they are NICE! Full suspension, Disk brakes and a unique steering system. Nice prices too, considered to the Outlaw Rigs. We went and talked to him, got a few business cards and looked at some of the rigs. He had Jan Boots-Ditmarr rig (winningest ISDRA Dryland rig in the curcuit right now) and was selling it for 800$ ( a third of the price!) Robin jumped on it and we both jumped for joy. She probably has the best rig collection ever, more less in the south. A rig for every need!

Robin planned to run the 6 dog and 2 dog scooter ISDRA classes, while I entered the 2-4 dog Novice class. I had originally planned to race Satin, Calamity, Waylon and Gloria but training before the race quickly shot satin and gloria out of the race plans (Satin decided to be along for the ride, and Gloria still needs confidence building). I didnt mind just running a 2 dog team on the little arctic rig, so settled with a waylon-wheel and calamity-lead team (single file). I helped Robin and both her teams up to the chute and led them back to the truck when they returned. Before I knew it I was up.. Robin offered me Cherie (Waylon and Gloria’s dam) to add to my two dog team if I wanted to use her, so I said yes. I put her and Waylon (her son) in wheel and Calamity in single lead. Calamity has always been a great leader, single or double so I didnt have any doubts about my team. We got up to the chute (Robin handling for me this time) and counted down. We were let go and I thought we were on our way, but then a team swept in front of us (1500 feet of head on passing, bleh) and I got tangled in them. I felt so horrible, I was screwing up their time AND mine. I lost count of how many tangles happened that day and was disgusted at my time when we returned (17 mins 36 secs). I had to switch my leaders when we coming up the hill back up to the chute because calamity was slacking the WHOLE WAY and kept getting tangled with my wheel guys. I crashed coming up the hill (foot slipped the runner and I put pressure down) following I had a asthma attack. Joy. I felt so humiliated because I KNOW people were watching and I felt like screaming. I later found out Robin’s leader was doing the same thing and made a centerpeice slack, causing tangles. I had to take two tokes of my inhaler just to calm down and breathe again while she dropped the dogs for me. I hid in the truck for a few minutes then continued on with my day. Glad I was in Novice class, people make mistakes!

my race photo, leaving the chute day 1

I was pretty aggitated too that calamity had a slack tug. She had always been a stellar leader and was thoroughly reliable. After discussing it for some time we settled for the fact that we just didnt have much training time in to experiment with team arrangements and that our dogs are used to the tree-lined forest trails in the south, unlike the open field like trail at the race.

The next day I rearranged my team differently and we made a beautiful run. 10 minutes and 32 seconds was our time and I was pleased. 6th place stinks but we made a huge comeback from yesterday’s disaster, so 5 and half minute miles really arent all that bad. Calamity ran single wheel beautifully and Waylon and Cherie ran an effortless double lead. We had a few tangles that I had to hop off for, but nothing like the day before. We passed teams with hardley more than a sniff whereas yesterday they wanted to stop in the middle of the trail and meet.

Anyways, It was a good weekend. I met some of the most wonderful people and had a ball despite my accidents. We enjoyed staying at the hotel but sorta wished we had went to the Sinnemahoning race too. This will definitly be a race I will attend next year as well. We even discussed the Fair Hill Dryland Challenge (wether we should go or not) when we hadnt thought much about it before. We’ll see about that next year. Before leaving the site for good and saying bye, I put the dogs back in the boxes humming “If Heaven Aint Alot Like Dixie”.

By the way… never stay at Chardon Inn unless you like people calling your phone at 11:30 at night and asking “have you seen my wife?” LOL

More pictures (furthest down on the page) of the race can be seen at-

http://s210.photobucket.com/albums/bb302/_GearshiftTurkey_/Dryland%20Races/

02
Feb

Adventures of Me and Robin [C&O Canal Trail, MD] 10/07/08

By rednecksleddogs 0 Comments
Categories: Uncategorized








Pardon my belated mushing blog..I forgot to post this when I first got back, but figure I would go ahead anyways. This run on the C & O was on 10/07/08.


Monday night me and Robin loaded all the camping gear, rigs and all into the dog trailer. Looking forward to tommorow (well not the drive of course) we got up at 5 am, loaded the dogs and was on our way. We had been talking about it for a few days, what a way to start the season- a camping expedition! Lord if we knew how it was going to turn out we surely never would have left rural southwestern Virginia.



Leaving Tuesday morning, ready to go!


We stopped before we crossed into West Virginia to hydrate the dogs with chopped chicken mixture. No one really had a liking to it, and just nit-picked the chicken out and drank only a portion of their water. I hate it when dogs don’t hydrate! Good thing is the chicken holds a good amount of water itself so it wasnt too big of a deal. Only a handfull ate all the chicken and drank all the juice left in their bowls. One of Robin’s boys Peter hid underneath the trailer (like the rest of her New England yankee dogs do haha) but seemed a little distant. We didnt think much of it, figure maybe he was just a little distraught from the ride. We let everyone do their ‘business’ (and then we whined about how much we missed our forgotten poop scoop) and then back in their dogboxes they went for another handfull of hours worth of haulin’.



Dogs hydrating before continuing up the road


The main point of this trip was 1) a season opener and 2) I needed to pick up my new sled and rig in MD in a few days. We both were really excited for a good camping trip, moreless on the C & O. The C & O is something like 180 miles in total, but we planned to only do about 37 or so miles of it in a stretch of two days (with our rigs loaded with all the camping gear) with my 6 dog team and her (originally planned) 7 dog team.


Robin (Driving) had a print off from a site which had directions to a parking area that allowed trailers and was near good trail access without having to run dogs on the road. After sight seeing along our trip to this ‘road’ that the directions said, we got to a tiny parking area. This was NOT where we are supposed to be. Worst thing about it is, only like a mile of it was actually the C and O.. the rest went straight onto the highway! Pissed off, we couldnt believe someone would post wrong directions on a well used site! I’m pretty sure Robin eventually emailed them and cussed them out. Ha I love her lol.


We turned around, miracously finding the visitor center after a few turns in the heart of the tiny town (Williamsburg maybe?). Right beside the center was bathrooms (thank God) and then a entrance into the C & O. I was thoroughly annoyed, considering the looks all those people gave us. Most of them didnt ask anything, just eye screwed us. I could see that they were intriuged, but they were being silently rude in the same way too. A handfull of people did come up, pet the dogs and make subtle chit chat. I wasnt asking for attention, but with too much stuff to do, we really needed to get the dogs dropped and running before the hydrating we did hours earlier was a waste.


Neither of us were really sure if we could run the dogs here, but we were so fed up with looking for a better entrance, we had to settle. Both of us hated to start our dogs in such a crowded area, but not like we had a wide array of choices. Robin got her Fritz cart down, I got the Blackstarz down and we laid everything out after dropping everyone for a well deserved stretch and potty break. I was astonished at the amount of people here at this parking area. Bicycles whizzed by, so did a good amount of cars, all going to that one entry point. We planned to take a right onto a rock bridge, but after walking up to it we noticed there wasnt any type of safety ledge or bar seperating us from the bridge and the 30+ feet drop below to the river! Neither of us felt like commiting suicide with our crazy hoodlum dogs going 20 mph over a rickety bridge, so we changed our path to take a left instead.


Either our minds were just slow, or just too much stuff was going on, but we had to write out each others teams before hooking anyone up. This was just 13 dogs split into two teams too! I don’t see how those people do it running 2 or 3 12 dog teams. Yogi and Trotter in wheel, Hark and Waylon in team and Lupi and Jove in lead and after alot of screaming, howling, and tieing down I went first and off we went. and i mean OFF! The Blackstarz friction brakes caused the rig to do literally, doughnuts in the dust. We got up to the gate (who keeps them locked are asses) and I realized that I would have to go through the wooden posts. I prayed that the rig would fit through, and before I even let off the brake for a second, lupi and jove were under the big yellow gate and I was smacked sideways into the wooden posts (where I was SUPPOSED to go in) These dogs were full of it and were ready to go, but I was getting aggitated pretty quick. Robin saw me struggling and ran up to help me, even though she had her own team to handle as well (but her rig has like 4 braking systems on it lol). Finnally got the rig backed up, the leaders through where they were supposed to, managed to squeeze the rig in between the posts (I swear there probably wasnt even an inch on either side of me!) and we started all over again. Probably was atleast a dozen spectators googling at the dogs tearing down the trail. We had a few problems with my rig’s steering, but managed to get aligned back up, mostly. I still was constantly straining to keep the steering straight without having to zig zag with the handlebars. Like any rig with a bunch of good dogs hooked up to it and ya slam on the brakes, it skidded across the trail several times, pretty scary. I have no idea how fast we were going, but I bet we were breaking the trail speed limit by atleast 10 mph. I probably yelled “Trail!” atleast half a dozen times passing bikers like they were standing still. I was supposed to run the dogs just far enough for Robin to catch up to me to let me know where we needed to go from there, but I really needed to run the piss and vinegar out of ‘em before stopping or they would start a very loud scream fest and harness banging session on the side of the trail. Ended up stopping to cross a road, but even with me screaming “STRAIGHT AHEAD, NO JOVE! STRAIGHT!” he still wanted to Haw around and mark the road gate. The conclusion of this stop was the worst tangle I had ever had to un-do. He had me saying “how the hell do dogs get tangled this bad?” more than just a few times. Lupi, his co-leader has always been a leader and I didnt have many problems out of her. I always feel so bad for her because when I go up to praise her she hunkers down to the ground like I’m gonna kick her.. Poor girl, atleast she enjoys her work! I really enjoy having a bond with my dogs, especially my leaders.


Finnally, we started slowing down a bit. I saw that Jove wanted to piss on everything green, which means he was getting into the groove. Jove is a typical male, wanting to mark anything including boots. I figured It was time to take a break, and was surprised as Waylon started screeching not even after the team had stopped for a minute. This was his second really progressive run with the team and was already acting overly enthusiastic. Other than him, the other dogs lined out, tongues lolling out as far as they could get and some of the biggest siberian smiles I had ever seen.



Taking a break, finnally.


We went a little further and stopped again, hoping Robin would catch up soon before we got too far out. I went down the line, giving everyone a good head scratch as I peered back down the trail for hopefull signs of the female team (I had the males, except for Lupi, shes female). I started to see a red blob and what looked like lots of little legs and knew that must be her. Eventually she came up behind us and parked. I noticed Wyatt in lead and realized she must be a dog short, then she walked up and told me peter was really sick and how she had a hard time getting through the entrance gate too. We had come all the way up here to camp and open a good season, but a sick dog meant to turn around and do what we needed to do. She seemed really worried, so we watered the dogs quickly and got everyone turned around. Torra and Calamity (the trouble girls) on Robin’s team were being ultra stubborn but I just couldnt help myself as I hung my head on my rig with the brake pressed in while my team lined out perfectly and chuckled as Robin stomped up to the “trouble girls” (who were doing some serious line tangling for the third time) yelling “You little bitches!” and right as she got up to them to grab their necklines to untangle them, a couple on two bikes came up and stopped, watching her do the whole thing LOL! Robin turned around, face red, “omg, Sorry!!!”. I still laugh out loud when I think of it.


We got about a mile down the trail, done a little bit of passing and On-by (the dogs did fantastic) and then what seemed like 8 or more kids on bikes and atleast a dozen adults walking blocking the trail, coming right towards us. Robin looked back at me and I rolled my eyes. That’s just what we needed. more chit chat while a sick dog sits in a dogbox waiting .. from us. Robin was in front, trying to slide by without having to stop, just so someone can see the dogs. I get really aggitated with people wanting to pet my dogs when they are moving, even if it is slow. One day Im going to buy some working dog “Do Not Pet Me, I am Working” patches to sew on their safety vests. I dont care if they have never seen a team of sled dogs before in the south, we are out here to run dogs, not to socialize. After what seemed atleast 15 minutes and a little pushing, the people turned right in the direction we were going (figures) and we let the dogs go at it. We caught up with the people in no time, but we were so fed up with all the people we just yelled “Trail!” and went on through without waving. I only had to peddle the rig 3 times and that was because I wanted to go faster, there was no slack.


Didnt take us long to get back to the truck, where we parked our rigs and Robin hopped off to check on Peter. I was bent down undoing straps when I heard her say “oh my god, Peter!” and looked up and there was peter, crunched up, shaking and slobbering. She went off to the grass beside the truck and asked for the water jug to water him down with. Peter was in really bad shape, and I knew we needed to get out of there fast and find a vet. Robin grabbed her phone and started calling everyone for numbers and advice as I unhooked and unharnessed all the dogs, dropped and fed them (i fed them because i figured this would be the only time for a while they would get dropped). Robin called her regular vet and got ahold of an emergency vet local to where we were. I loaded all the dogs, we both loaded the rigs, peter and everything else, put the bars on all the dogboxes and hit the road, again. We had no idea what could be wrong with peter, he had ate and drank fine the day before, was kind of testy this morning when we loaded him and seemed to have gotten worse from there. After getting lost (again) we managed to get to the vet’s right before it got dark. Robin rushed him in while I called my crew to update.


It was about 10 pm before we left the emergency vet’s parking lot without a well peter. Not going into details, but peter is scheduled for an necropsy to find out what took him so early. I felt so helpless, I wanted to just hug the crap out of Robin and tell her it was ok, but I was never good with showing love except with the dogs. I felt kind of cramped up and thought I should give her some space, but didnt want to look weird. I was totally out of my element and felt heartless for not being able to say much to her. I still regret not doing more than I did for her that night.


I was dozing off in the passengers’ seat by 11 when we hit the road so we pulled off in a walmart parking lot and called it bedtime. I pushed back my seat, snuggled in and went to sleep, praying for Peter and Robin. I awoke several times during the night to look out and see nothing but parking lights. I had to pee once, but had to hold it because the biggest bush was a thick patch of grass on the shoulder of the parking area. Robin awoke once to a really cold truck so she turned on the heat but went back to sleep and left it running. I awoke at 8 am (heater was still running) and shot out of the door with my clothes in my bag, headed for the McDonalds a parking lot away. The maintenence guy there came in like 4 times saying “maintenence! anyone here?” the last time I said “I said I’ll be out in a minute, ok?” lol.


I knew the dogs had to use it, so as soon as I got back I helped Robin drop them all. After the morning routine (which included me digging in garbage cans for plastic bags to use as poop bags). You gotta love compromising. We called up Kathy (the lady who sold me the sled and rig) and made the trip over to get them. Not much happened between there and the trip home. A potty break, a food stop, bluegrass and the way to Wytheville to drop peter off for his necropsy. Rest In Peace, Peter Cottontail (Alaskan’s Peter of Anadyr)



Last picture taken of Peter


A few days went by and we tryed this season opener again. This time we went with trusty ole New River Trail out from Robin’s with a 8 dog team (4 puppies and 4 experienced) and everyone did great. We did another run before I left to go back home on another part of the New River trail with two teams, Robin’s 3 dog team and my 5 dog team. Another successful run, even with two bitches in heat.



Robin and the teams parked


A truely emotional, exciting and adventurous run.. One I will hold close to me for all time and cherish.











02
Feb

catching up

By rednecksleddogs 0 Comments
Categories: Uncategorized

yep its been a while. Just been far to busy although I kept telling myself to update this blog sometime. Well, reckon I will now.. only 6 months later LOL.

Anyways… the next blogs are ones I should have posted earlier and never got around to it. The dates are in the title or in the thread itself.

Enjoy! -Jessee

P.S. Did I mention I finnally got a rig fit enough to run a good team with?! :)

28
Sep

Fall’s Evil Tricks

By rednecksleddogs 1 Comment
Categories: Uncategorized

The last couple of days it has been wonderful here. I never get too excited when we get a 60 degree day, just seems so early for fall to be popping up. Last year the leaves didnt even really start falling untill late october! Fall must be giving me a nicely done faux cover, I was right! supposed to be mid 70’s- low 80’s next week. Argh!

I’ve been wanting to run dogs the last two days since this fake fall weather is showing its face, however I just never get around to it. Was pretty sure I was going to today, but then turned around and made a handfull of lame excuses. “Oh well that means I need to pump up the front tire again, and match all the lines, then Line out and untangle everyone myself…” I dont want to start training early and not commit to a full schedule to work with them. I’m sure most of the northern mushers have been getting miles already, when I havent even ran anything over 4 miles! Stupid southern heat.. No wait.. its the humidity that kicks butt. I swear, If i won the lottery me and my dogs would be out in the middle of nowhere in South-Western rural Virginia.It is SO beautiful there.. it just has something about it. Besides there, Alaska has my heart but is that really realistic to think of moving there for some time? probably not.

Actually anything would work at the moment. I miss home. I don’t call anywhere home right now, it’s all just a place where I lay my head and where my dogs can stay, just so I can have them. I am much too hard headed to give up my dogs. They are my life, my dream and my passion.

I did happen to get a good slew of action/play shots of the dogs playing in the large kennel run. Not really satisfied with them, I am determined to get one of Calamity jumping into a pile of dogs like she always does. Have my eye on two local (well, sortof.. central VA and NE WV) dog rigs. I NEED a rig. My trike is awesome but I am limited to running 4 dogs because I’m just not stupid enough to run anything more than 5 on it. One is a chambers’ (haven’t been made since the late 80’s) that needs new rims and tires, but I offered 200$ for it. The other is a very nice Fischer Dune Cart in central VA. Its probably well worth 600$, but I only offered 4 for it. It is still in new condition, and has been kept indoors and folds up! The Chambers rig folds up too, but hasnt been folded up in forever so the bolts would have to be replaced, IF I can get them loose. I like the Chambers better, its lighter so I can add bags of sand for extra weight in training and take it off when racing. Perfect. Crossing my fingers she accepts my offer.

Well, I should be doing school work but its already midnight so the hours would go as tommorow, which is lame. If i wanted to do it tommorow I will do it when my mind matter is fresh. My self discipline sucks.

No one to talk to.. just blank I guess. The only person I really talk too never answers their phone and cant make up their mind. Go figure.

28
Sep

Whiny Pet Husky Owners

By rednecksleddogs 0 Comments
Categories: Rants

I HATE it when people are like (not only husky people, but they seem to whine more) “My dog keeps running away” and “he pulls too much for me to walk him” or “he’s too hyper”
DERR! let’s see….if you went out and bought that cute little blue eyed husky that is now sitting in a small kennel all its life because your just too damn lazy to even try working with it… i dont understand why you even thought about getting a dog, moreless a working breed. get rid of it, take it to a shelter. Atleast there it may get a daily walk or find a home where someone respects their will to run and pull.
I mean, do people even research up on a breed before just going out and getting one from the paper cause it was so darn cute? evidently not.
Like the other day I was reading a profile (not on here) about a dog and it was saying that it runs away alot and doesnt get out for walks. Well, have they ever considered ordering a harness and a line offline and hooking them up to their bike for a few minutes a day?
I can understand that alot of people just want huskies for pets, which is wonderful, and perfectly fine. But my rant is about people who went out and bought it, enjoyed it for its cute puppy stage, and then the first time it got loose they kenneled it up and probably never take it out for walks.
it makes me SICK. I love my breed and hate to see one ‘wasting away’, when it doesnt take much to get the dog out for some exercise.
1) get off your ass and walk your dog.. if it pulls, then TRAIN it not too (yes it IS POSSIBLE), or get a halti head collar
2) Order a harness and a line. even a leash will work for a line. If you dont have a bike, then get one from a yard sale or the like.
3) Actually ENJOY your dog… if you are just throwing food and water out there everyday and petting it for like 10 minutes a day, thats not enjoying your dog. Find something fun to do, and again, walk him or play.

I did not mean this to be appointed to people who own escape artists. TRUST ME lol i have been there many many times and still own quite a few of those myself. I can understand if you own a dog like that and it keeps escaping.. but remember, a tired dog is a happy dog.. the more exerize and mental stimulation he/she gets, then the higher the possibility it has to not try to escape as much.

Ok my rant is almost complete. I will never give up on stupid working dog owners like these, especially in huskies. There are just way too many stupid people owning siberians/working dogs these days. Like i mentioned in the beggining, I didnt want this to be direct at huskies. I know other breeds get treated this dirty too.. so you get the point either way.
I hope someone is affected by this blog.

23
Aug

First Run of the 08′-09′ Season

By rednecksleddogs 0 Comments
Categories: Uncategorized
Tags:

Well, I’m putting it in my log for the first run of the 08-09 season
anyways.
I’m making some changes this year. First off, I’m starting a log. I
keep down conditions, time left and returned, number of dogs (and the
names of who i run) and i need to buy a speedometer/odometer for
speed and distance so i can keep everything accurate too. I looked at
the computer version in the files of one of the groups I am in.. but i decided it
would be easier to keep this one in notebook, but i may keep an
online one for reference later.
It was 72 degrees and 74% humidity, slightly cloudy, wind was
steadily stirring and the dogs really seemed to enjoy laying around
in the large run most of the day. Well untill i brought out those
harnesses LOL everyone saw em and just started screaming! I figured
since it was cooler and we were going to do a short run I could go
ahead and run my 4. I hydrated the four i was going to take; Storm,
Satin, Calamity and Waylon (formerly Robin’s Herald, this was his
first time being hooked up with the team).I finnally got around to
tightening my brakes on the trike, set up my 4 dog line and was ready
to go. I bought a snub line right before last season ended and never
got around to using it.. but there was nothing in the driveway that i
could snub the trike to, so i just put the parking brakes on. I
grabbed my three dog coupler and my double ended leash and got all
four at once. I literally, no joke, almost fell face first. I barely
got the kennel gate latched when they tore up the hill towards the
driveway where they knew either the truck or the trike would be
waiting. Everyone was way excited and didnt take long for them to get
tangled in the leash before hookup, and the other dogs down in the
kennels were screaming their heads off. After about 10 minutes at
hookup (and waylon doing 360’s, screaming and slightly biting the
line) everyone was ready to go. Thank GOD my parking brakes are
tight, although it did move a little bit because the gravel shifts.
here comes my neighbor, little 6th grader Ashley (oh how she loves my
huskies) with something in her hand for my grandmother to sign. I
told her i didnt have time, that i had dogs to run. She got all
bright eyed and said “I’ll lead ‘em for ya!”. I agreed and kept the
dogs pretty slowed down untill we got down the driveway into the road
below, but not as soon as we hit the road and i was ready to go, here
comes Amy in the dogtruck waving at us as we tiptoe by. Waylon was
getting aggrivatted and started chewing on the lines, but with a
sharp “NO!” he looked back at me like “well, why not we dont seem to
be moving” lol.
After lining everyone out again i let go of the brakes (our road is
like a rollercoaster, big hill and little slope)and they were TEARING
up the hill. My jaw dropped at Waylon… he dug into the hillside and
up we went. I am just super happy with how he handled that hill. I
didnt really expect him to pull much in this run, although i had done
several sessions of training with him and his sister, Gloria.
I felt terrible because i had to stop at about 3/4 of the hill and
get off the trike and push. I kept meaning to put the chain back on
it… oh how i would love to have a rig you can just pedal as you
wish and have room doing it. I hate how the back tire digs into my
calf when i push and when the pedals are always in the way when youre
just scootering along. I knew stopping on the hill was NOT good and
definitly not something waylon should get on his first experience.. i
dont want it to be a habit. I am sincerly hoping to get a REAL rig
this fall or winter, even if i have to get a local welder to make one
(so tough finding one in my budget and one that isnt gigantic).
After defeating “THE Hill” we made it up to our street up above. Not
a favorite place to run because of everyone’s loose dogs suddenly
jumping out of the bushes everywhere you turn, but i decided a few
times up and back would be good for today’s run since it still is
considered very warm. Ashley was still toting along when we reached
the street, and then i let the dogs pick up speed. My two lead girls,
calamity and satin listened perfectly and did every turn with ease.
Ashley was determined to run a team of dogs but i was hesitant. I let
thhe dogs ride on the brakes while i trotted alongside the trike and
let ashely ‘attempt’ steering LOL I think she put way too much
effort into it, and almost flipped the trike. I couldnt explain why
she couldnt steer my trike, when she rides her bike all the time.
After letting the dogs visit a neighbor (oh how i showed them off and
they met their pit bull, bandit) we went back and fourth about three
times. The last time we turned around she wanted to steer again, but
i let her know that i really needed to just let them get a small run
in and we could do all this training later on in the season when it
was cooler. She insisted that she go get her bike and run two, so i
said fine, and came back and hooked two of my more experienced girls
up to her bike and off we went. I told her the basic commands, but it
didnt matter. Storm and satin both know their commands very well and
arent the kind of dogs to all of a sudden whip off in the grass after
a bunny like calamity or waylon would. Satin is the master of Gee and
Haw around by the way… dont even have to get off my trike for
that.. i just call her, say Gee around (or Haw around) and she does
it first try. I took calamity and Waylon and we both kept a nice
speed. The whole time satin and storm were pulling ashley along on
her bike she was yelling “yahoo! this so so much fun!!! I LOVE DOGS
and MUSHING!” LOL
Unfortunatly i stripped the threading out of my camera i use most of
the time (dont ask, it was a STUPID move) so when i do take videos
and such from now on im going to have to use my little HP camera. So
I cant tell everyone how that mount worked, because i didnt get to
try it. I did happen to get a few still pictures though.
So yes… It was a great start to the season. I’m welcoming fall more
and more and the air is seemingly starting to get more crisp. The best
part about it is i figured waylon would be the one who would need
training on that run, but in reality, I had to train my neighbor. :p