Fall training is here!

It was 38 degrees here in Ohio this morning! We started the season out with two really great runs, each with a six-dog team. All the dogs are super excited to be running again, and I must say that I'm in complete agreement with them! Here are a few pictures from the morning.

Yukon, Uri, Riley, Kiana, Minto, and Tazlina back from their run. I love Yukon's doggie smile. :-)

Eureka, Acadia, Paxson, Moose, Kodiak, and Delta back from their run.

The view from the ATV!

Slow Motion

Watching dogs run in slow motion fascinates me. Every movement is so smooth and effortless. This is a video of Delta, Acadia, Kiana, and Moose in January 2013. I hope you enjoy it!

Anticipation!

I've been looking through videos that I took during the past season, mostly of runs in the Upper Peninsula. It's been fun to see them again and they've gotten me even more excited about the coming season. We're starting to get some cooler days and the dogs are anticipating running again. Come on, October!

Here's one of the videos I found. Uri is first to the line, followed by Yukon, Minto, Tazlina, Eureka, and Delta. The last five were 18 months old at the time of this video, I'm quite proud of them all and can't wait to see what they do this year. I love the excitement at hook-up. I'll have to take more videos like this during the 2013-2014 season, they're great to watch.

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