2-Dog Sled Ride

We were finally able to get out dog sledding a few weeks ago.  We just beat the January thaw by one day.  

This is Blaze (left) and Chance (right) taking you for a trip down our road before we try and turn around.  Going forward is great, but since we don't have a circuit to run, we have to go down a straight road and turn around.  After that it's just a tangled mess with dogs who think they are done pulling and in charge.  lol

Hope you enjoy!

or watch here;YouTube

One thing I love about dog sledding is it still gives me a rush that can't be matched.  It is an awesome time with the dogs, no matter what happens and it is just a thrill to know they still love doing it.  

And really that's what it is all about.  :)

Dog Sledding Lesson- Don't Let Go of Sled!

Our winter has been warmer than normal and that makes for heavy, wet snow which is difficult to sled through with our two dog teams.  We haven't got out once this year...

So instead we wanted to show you one from last year with Chance and Blaze pulling Mark through the wooded area across from our street.  Mark isn't very good at controlling the dogs, as you'll see he almost panics when he takes off.  And today's lesson is, don't let go of the sled!

The video's about 7 minutes long and you can watch here on YouTube 

Sledding Thoughts and Liar, Liar Revealed

Thanks to all your comments about our sled dog practice.  Both Chance and Blaze were out of the rest of the night.  BOL  They both popped into shape for walk time today.  While I on the other hand feel like I've bench pressed 142 pounds (Chance and Blaze's combined weight)  about 150 times!!  But it was worth it!!  I am still reeling from beginning to sled as a unit.  As I was relaying the scenario to my husband last night, I realized after I got the dogs harnesses on, they lined up at the gate and waited for me to hook them up without dancing and twisting each other up before we got started.  THAT  was some huge progress.  I am so amazed at the whole experience and that we were actually working together.  Usually it is them against me.  They think they have having a free for all, while I'm trying to control these wild creatures.  BOL  I am blown still blown away that giving Chance the command after calling to him, that he was showing signs of responding and that something clicked in me to start doing that.  What an amazing relationship we can have with animals and the gift they bring.  I am still glowing from the entire ride.

The best part is that we got more snow today, so we may have another chance after all!!  Of course I don't know how my body will take to that, BOL, but it may be a little bit easier if I can dig a little further into getting Chance to respond.  It will help that we just went yesterday and a with a good day or two rest, I think we can handle it again.  My husband will be around, so I'll be sure to get some video!  Then you'll all have a really good laugh!!     

And now, on to the Awards seen here.  Thanks to everyone who voted and now the truth will be revealed...

My style............................My husband's

1.  No country music fans here.  I am into heavy metal/hard rock/alternative and my husband likes blues and 70's rock. 

2.  My husband handles tools like they an extension of his hands.  He is an excellent skilled carpenter and can build, fix, remodel or repair anything.

3. Green thumb? I love plants. Simply put our house is like an inside jungle.

My husband's current woodwork skills and a piece of our little jungle.

 
5.  Organized?  BOL!  Being organized in this house means only if it is fixed down!  If it can be moved, it never sits in the same spot twice!

The Real Truth is #4!!

Woke up one day to a giant web made by baby spiders that took up half my kitchen table.

I do love spiders.  Then have a special meaning for me.  In some Native American cultures they are a sign of change.  So our home has become a no-kill zone for spiders and I will catch them and set them free outside.  I do it with all insect really, but spiders are just one of my favorites.  My husband shakes his head every time.

Rudy-the dog with a blog, Mr. Pip, Melissa, and Lavi guessed correctly.  You have each won a hug for your dog from me.  BOL!!

Thank you for the fun!  I had a great time with this Award.

Blaze's beauty

Blaze showing off in her harness. 

Somewhere in Blaze's blood is a natural born sled dog.  She may technically have 1/4 Lab in her, but her temperament and disposition is all Husky.  This goes along with the drive she has to pull.  I have been told that not all Huskies have this drive, but when they do it is all they live for.

When we first got her back, I put on a harness and tie a small log for her to drag, she didn't even notice.  Never once turned around to look at it, just wanted to go faster.  After that I tied her to my 3-wheel bike I use for pulling and she never thought twice about what she was doing.  She was the first dog I never had to teach "how" to pull, she just did it.  I still have to work with her on commands, turning, stopping (very important, lol) and just plain listening to me, but she's smart enough to catch on quick.

Watching her run while she pulls is like watching water flow.  I've never witnessed a dog pull with such fluid and graceful movements.  She moves effortlessly, agile and with strength.  Her body is sleek and smooth and rises and falls like that of a gentle wave.  She becomes very focused, almost a completely different dog, and you can feel the ghosts from the centuries of this old tradition riding along beside you.  It literally takes your breath away.

There is nothing more beautiful than watching a dog do what it was born to to.  There is nothing more amazing than finding and unlocking that gift and watch it come to blossom.  And there is nothing like watching Blaze pull a sled in the middle of snowstorm and the beauty of watching her be the Husky she is.