2013 ManMat Equipment!

My ManMat order for the 2013-2014 season has arrived! The team will once again be outfitted with the quality equipment that they need to perform at a high level. I'm looking forward to running dogs again and it's exciting to be making plans for the coming season. Thank you, Jarda, for supporting our team!

You can view more of ManMat's equipment at: http://www.manmat.cz/en/home/dog

Riley

Meet the newest addition to Livin' a Dream Kennel! Riley is 9 years old and was Richard Macauley's main leader for years. I'm excited to add him to our team!

Kennel make-over!

I've always wanted to build platforms for my dogs like the ones at Nature's Kennel. The kennel got a complete make-over during the last couple of weeks as I built platforms with lumber donated by Wayne Homes. The dogs absolutely love them! Below are some before and after pictures of the dog yard.

Before...

After!

View from the front of the dog yard

Sweetwater Challenge #1!

After 7 1/2 hours of driving we finally found snow! The Sweetwater Challenge was so much fun, and I think it's safe to to say that it was most fun I've ever had... yet. :) The trails there are awesome, very challenging and great for testing your sled driving skills! The weather was amazing both days, and they even got a couple inches of fresh snow the night before day 1. It was so awesome to be completely alone with 5 of my best friends with the only sounds being them breathing and the runners on the fresh snow. We went 12 miles on Saturday, and 8.5 on Sunday. It was an incredible weekend and we're planning on going back up for the Sweetwater Challenge #2 in a couple weeks! Here are some photos from the weekend!

We finally found snow!!!!!!! : )

Strider, Acadia, Zeus, Kodiak, and Zorro (Kodiak is behind Zeus), day 2. Acadia and Zeus only have one paw on the ground!

Thank you, ManMat!! http://www.manmat.cz/cs/news#10

Kodiak and Zorro. I think Zorro's wondering why we're back at the truck so soon!

Good leaders! They're my cuddlers. : )

Kodiak's such an awesome dog!

Strider and Kleio on day 1

Photos courtesy of my sister, Erin (http://www.flickr.com/photos/miss_n_arrow/)

A huge thank you to everyone involved in making this great event possible!
~Laura

Update!

Hey everybody!

It's been way too long since I last posted on here, so please accept my apologies and I'll try to do better from now on. :) Here's what we've been up to!

We made it to Trail Breaker's Dryland Challenge in November and had a great time. I entered 3 classes and ran Strider in 1 dog bikejor, Zorro in canicross, and Acadia and Kleio in 2 dog scooter. Acadia was the only veteran racer out of the 5 of us, and we all had a great race. We took 3rd in scooter and won both bikejor and canicross! The dogs amazed even me, and I have all the confidence in the world that they can do anything and do it well. It was an awesome weekend!

Right now we're getting ready for the Sweetwater Challenge, where I'm planning on running a 6 dog team. Dad and I got the sled trail ready last night with a couple repairs/alterations, and the next couple days will be filled with sewing booties and everything else that needs done before we leave. I can't wait to finally get on the runners and see some snow!

Here is a video of the dryland race:

And some pics:

Kodiak, Acadia, Zorro, and Zohan hanging out at the race

Strider and Acadia after a run

Strider and Acadia in lead, Zohan, and Zeus

Kodiak & Zorro-wheel, Kleio & Zeus, Zohan, Strider & Acadia-lead

Zorro's first time leading! He's a pro!

Yukon :)

I hope you're all having a great winter, and have fun with your dogs!
Happy Trails!
Laura

Fall!!

Ohio's version of the Happy River steps? We'll see the real thing someday. :)

Fall is in the air! 
And with it comes the excitement of cool weather, training, and dreaming of winter. Strider, Acadia, Zohan, Kleio, Zeus, and Kodiak made the line-up for our first run of the season today! I'll post pics soon! :)

Happy Trails!
Laura

Zorro

Zorro had a blast playing ball with L! :)