Chilkoot´s New Life

Chilkoot was the "last bird to fly out of the family nest", as the old Czech saying would call it.

Since he is one of our top favourites from the "CH" litter out of Star and Canuck, it was hard to let him go, and the thought he will live with our neighbours, so we can see him often, was one of the few comforting supports of that decision.

Chilkoot stayed with us until he was 5,5 months old, which made it particulary dificult to part with this cheerful, always happy-go-lucky, and very easy going guy.

Nonetheless, yesterday it was time for little Chilkoot to move to his new family and pack, with Alexandra and Thorsten and their huskies.

We took some pictures of him, meeting his new buddies, and he sure enjoyed playing in the dog yard with them.

Chilkoot and Goofy saying "hi"

Ooh, three big guys!

Chilkoot found a friend and a big "bro" in Yuma

We wish Chilkoot a happy life full of love, adventure and fun in his new home!

You can follow his future adventures at Alexandra and Thorsten´s website and blog.

Share on Facebook

Kitty Tracks

For all the cat lovers, who wonder if our kitties are still alive and for those of you, who keep asking me who Ronja and Pippi are doing, here is a little proof of their existence :)

I´m sure I´ll be able to take some pictures of them soon, as they spend more and more time indoors lately. Most likely in their favourite positions on the tv armchair, sofa or - the place most favourite above all - our bed.

Share on Facebook

First is first

I love the first time puppy walks. I usually can´t wait and count the time, till they get 8 weeks.

The anticipation in their eyes and the joy of the freedom and space around them, when we open the gate and let them out of the garden.

What will the next litter be like, how will they react to things? Who will be the fastest, the most daring and courageous one? Who will chase their siblings and win any race, and which one of the guys will come up with various games they play in the woods.

And so it was with the Northern Exposures (Rizey x Balto´s puppies), couple days ago :)

The pleasure for the puppies and us always is, when we can let their mom run loose. In case of Rizey, who´s grown up roaming the woods with her siblings until seven months of age, we do have such luxury.

Joey and Holling can´t wait to get out of the kennel to run, run, run.

Holling out on the meadow

Following their mom (and Helena with the kibble bucket)




Holling, sporting his big puppy ears :)

Joey and Maggie learning to come on the "kuciii, kuciii" call

Share on Facebook

Sharing a tender moment

When I came back from the long, cold and dark run yesterday, Jachym´s camera cought me and the leaders (Ginger and her aunt Star), sharing a tender moment.

A mutual thank you for the team work and acomplishment.

The bond between musher and his/her dogs is strong, pure and beautiful, and people, who have never experienced it, can never fully understand and apreshiate it.

It´s a relationship based on trust, unconditional love and mutual admiration.

Share on Facebook

Some more dog houses..

As you can see, we work in any weather and time of the day! :)

Our "good soul" Ake came to help Jachym with two large (2 dog) houses

The guys have become a settled team already.

No matter how serious a job, it´s neccessary to reduce some of the preasure. Jachym is expert in that:

Keep smiling and have a good day!

Share on Facebook

Another walk through the frosty forrest

This year, puppy walks are a huge part of our daily activities. To me, there is no better way of spending time outside, besides training dogs, and it is my favourite way of excercising myself at the same time.

I do have to admit, though, that without Helena´s help, it would be a bit tough, given our this year´s hectic schedule, to take the proper care of and give the needed excercise to all the 15 puppies, as they grew to the age, when they demand more activity, more human contact and bonding. With two litters outside now, and the youngest ones (the "I" litter) inside, it is somewhat "evenly" spread :)

These are the "CH" guys (Star x Canuck), at 5,5 months already!

Chisana leading (as usual) her borthers and sister under the "gate bow", as we call this birch tree, bended over the trail. The "hill" on the right is a huge ant pile.

This is Chip (officially Chippewa Kipp d´Amundsen). Such a handsome, sweet boy.

Chilkoot loves to get belly rubs. He is a big guy with a golden heart.

Chisana seems to be chewing on something every time we take a photo of her. She is such a smart gal and reminds us of her mom Star more and more each day.

This is Lucky (Chatanika Kipp d´Amundsen). She can´t stay still for a moment. Ever :)

Share on Facebook

Puppy Update: The "I" Litter @ 6 weeks

Without any doubt, Mouse and Nugget´s puppies are wearing the cutest status around here right now.

Since they´ve been so small right from the beginning, they seem to have developed a bit slower, in the sense of personalities. That they weren´t so pushy and competitive either, so they all acted like one :) It is only the past week, that they are starting to be naughty, comic, and - the typical puppy way filling up the house :)

The "white" pile

Mouse had a rebelious period, but after some convincing from us, she started to take care of her babies properly again :)

And here are the seven little cuties, with a bit of their personality description:

Indian Summer

One of the calmer, nicer sisters. She was a bit "unsocial" with humans in the beginning, but lately became one of the biggest kissers and huggers :) Totally adorable little girl, whom many fall for, including myself.

Ikiaq

Smart, fast, widely opinionated and wild! She is the dictator of the litter and she likes to put everyone into their place, as well as challenge the others for some puppy wars. Whomever invented mischief, had to have Ikiaq in mind :) Totally lovable little monster!

Iceman

This calm, sweet and very gentle, kind natured and sensitive boy has a living hell with his sisters. Being the constant object of their brutal attacks, picking on, torture while he sleeps and other mischevious acts, he learned to seek the protection in my arms. Helena and Jachym often tease me for spoiling him. Ok, let´s admit it, he is becomming mama´s boy :)

Inukshuk

His role is being the big brother, watching over Iceman. He is a goregous little brat with a kind heart and reminds us more and more each day of his daddy Nugget, whom he undoubtadly inherited his big heart from. Inuk is wherever I am, he follows me like a shadow, which is another feature that his daddy had in the same age. Inuk is simply human-adict :) Very inventive little guy too.

Ikiak

Our little foxy-girl is the sweetest and nicest from the girls. She has this wise and calm intelligence glowing from her nearly black eyes. Sweet to the bone and smart like a fox.

Iluq

Seems to be her great-grand uncle Ford in trasformation. Intelligent, quiet, yet strong and willing to show her position and opinion, when necessary. Independent, yet cudly, crazy yet wise looking. A definite favourite around here!

Inuit

If Iluq is our good old Fordy in transformation, than Inuit is her grandpa Lass. The resemblance of looks combined with personality, is scary! Inuit is also a freaky copy of her mom Mouse. What a strong gene of our first litter! Funny, with a wicked sense of humor, a non-stop energy ball, smart, inventive and mischevious. She sure knows how to wrap everyone without exception around her little paws.¨

Gosh, it´s getting harder and harder with every litter, to let anyone go! :)

Share on Facebook

Our Extended Family

On November 8th, Magneto became father of his very first litter!

Lisa (Icey Blizzard Kipp d´Amundsen) gave a perfectly smooth birth to seven big puppies, at our friend Ola Lindgren´s Candymans Kennel.

You can follow the development of the four girls and three boys at Ola´s blog: http://www.fulufreak.blogspot.com/.

Yeah, time flies so fast - one becomes a grandmother before you even know it! :)

Magneto was handing out cigars the other day and he started working tripple hard in the team now, that he has become a daddy. He wants to set a good example :)

As I just uploaded this post, I found a cool entry about Magneto´s father (the litter´s grandfather) Herman, on my friend Karen´s blog: http://northwapiti.blogspot.com/2009/11/dog-of-day-herman.html

Share on Facebook

Onto the Frosty Trails

Granite and Magpie leading Tuesday´s team

Spotlight on Balto

and Chilli - the rising star of the main string team this fall

and off we are, into the wild, on the frosty trails

Share on Facebook

Over the Swamp

While I had the camera with me during Monday´s run, I had to try to shoot some pictures of the team crossing the Lillsjön swamp and creek.

Here is what I got (after a lot of sorting out of blurry, shaken shots):

Descending down to the Lillsjön swamp trail

Running on the swamp, through frozen bogs

And crossing the creek

By crossing creeks, swamps, puddles, bogs, mud holes, and other natural "obsticles", the dogs learn to deal with many different situations on the trail.

Share on Facebook