A sleddning trip in the dark forest

Friday afternoon me and the dogs went for a sledding trip in the forest. It was quite dark outside but when we came out of reach from the streetlight I had a headlamp to lit up the trails. This time Lola did go in single-lead the first 8 km and the remaining 7 km, it was Tiffany's turn. Jada is not yet mature enough to go in single lead when we run the sled but fought well as wheel dog. When we got home we changed musher and Anders took over and went off for another round in the dark woods.

Lola in lead for the first 8 km, always eager to take off.

A film clip that shows when we reached the village and got a little light. We had the old heavy sled and it creaks a lot as we go.

Back on track

Today I went for a afternoon skiing trip with the black ones, Tiffany and Lola. Put some extra sandbags in the sledge so that the dogs get weight training. At first we went after a track that we used to go after but when we haft come more than halv the way the tracks disapear, lots of snow and the wind and on top of it the dusk made it so difficult to see where we should go so we had no other option than to turn back to where we came from. When we where a few km from the start we went for another track that was newly made tracks. Much more convenient and those last 4 km to the car felt easy. 

New sled

A sled for the Nordic style of a 'pulktoboga from Oinakka. There is a lower version of the sled with handbrake and a sled bag. Can hold a lot of packing and will fit perfectly for our purposes. Also available space so that one of the kids can stand on the runners while we are skiing. I think that they will appreciate, this is almost like to drive dogs theirself.

The only thing we lack now is the snow. Can not remember the last time we were without snow on December 1. But rates drop slowly it was 6 degrees above zero and raining yesterday but today we have only a plus grade. Training the dogs is anyway in full progress, we pull tires that we have been weighted up, back training in the sandpit and lots of free play. So they are in good shape when the snow is here. Now it's just up to Jack Frost to do his job. I need hardly say that we are longing!

Reorganization and swedish malamute specialty

Reorganization. We now come to the conclusion that Marie goes out of the kennel. For kennel Snocrib this means no major changes, we will still continue to work towards the same goals as before. The only difference is that my partner Anders will have a more prominent role in the kennel. A more easy-way for both sides in reaching a consensus goals and challenges. Of course, there is nothing that prevents cooperation anyway.
We wish Marie good luck with her future plans. Yourself we look forward to exciting new challenges arising in the winter to come.

We also had time for a show since last time I blogged. This year it was so that the annual malamute specialty was held on 5 November in Piteå. Never before have we had it so close to us here in the north and of course it was a must to go there. 39 malamute notified and we went there with Lola and Tiffany. Lola got excellent in the open bitch and Tiffany got excellent, ck and was finally BIS veteran!!

In this picture Tiffany was 9 weeks old...



Can you imagine that she has been this tiny?

Now she is 8 years and still a beauty



Polardog meeting

Lots of polar dogs and a trail that was 7.5 km, which all had opportunity to drive alongafter. Today it was Anders who run the kickbike with Lola & Jada. Fun and useful to run together with other unfamiliar dogs.

Me and Tiffany stood at the side and acted as photographer for the day

Preparing for the start

Anders with Lola & Jada, Marika with Nanook & Varga and Kristina with her huskys

At the finish line after 7,5 km run.

Playland

The fact that we often go out into the woods to eat breakfast, it is probably no one who missed? Luckily we have friends who also like to do the same and like hanging out to the forest. Our favorite place is the equivalent of the children's playland or amusement park for dogs. They have free surfaces to run on, lots of sand to dig in and runs up and down to have fun chasing games in. When they see that we are approaching the spot, they just saw the eagerness and hardly know any boundaries. Though it's great to be able to give them these opportunities to have fun so often. But as I said many times before, they are well aware that there is freedom with responsibility. And they abuse it but remains always near us and have no fancy to hunt other animals or go away further away than allowed.

Tiffany enjoys beside the open fire



Lola with a stick



Digging Jada





Lola in the smoke from the fire



Husky Cordelia

Bacon & eggs for breakfast

Lola takes a break in the game. They are not as clean as many times as you can see. To dig in the sand and play involves a lot of sand in furs. Fortunately, the sand falls off relatively quickly again.

All dogs show respect and keep at a distance from us when we eat.

This is what Tiffany looks like when you tell her that it is time to go home

International dogshow in Sundsvall

This weekend we went 600 km south of us for the international dogshow i Sundsvall. The show was held in Nordichallen. A perfekt place for a dogshow and on top of it has a great hotel as neighbour.

It was eight malamutes entered at the show. Draco(Snocrib Deepcreek Draco) became best of breed for the day. The judge liked him a lot and he got great critics, she especially loved his strength and power in movement and the critics ended with the words wonderful temper and well handled.

Lola (Cahppes Snowshoe) got best female 2. Lolas sister Thindra won and got best female and BOS. So nice to meet Thindra and her nice owners.
Lola got following critics: Beautiful head with a very kind expression and good pigmentation. Strong neck. Well-developed and elegant body. Good angles. Good move. Good pigmentation and coat quality. Great temper!

I am always so proud when our dogs got the words great temper written on the critics. The temper is one of the things that is most important for us.