Update from the Kennel

Izzy - 12 Weeks
It’s been an a thrilling 7 days watching Aliy and the other mushers travel over the rough trails in the first part of the race.  It’s also been fun to watch Allen’s puppy team motoring right along. It wasn’t that long ago that Wes and I were out playing in the field with the Latino litter, Outlaw and Clyde-teaching them to come when they were called, doing leash training, and running them the first time in harness. Now, just 2 years later, they are running the CB300, winning YQ300, and now running a steady Iditarod.  It’s been wonderful to watch them grow and mature into the new generation of SP Kennel racing dogs.



L to R: Amber, Hotshot, Bullet
When we take a break from watching the Iditarod trackers, we’re out playing in the field with another batch of puppies—future race champions for sure. The Fire Litter is happily enjoying their romps in the sunshine and deep snow. It’s been a mild and pleasant month so far, with temperatures around 0F at night and up in the 20s during the day.  There was a light snow a few days back, and the Fire litter are running and jumping like crazy dogs and loving every minute of it. Champ and Cayenne keep up with their cousins and usually find some sort of mischief to get into- chasing ravens, finding sticks, or digging up other frozen “treasures” in the snow. The kennel “aunties” Nutmeg, Spicy, Cha Cha, Bullet, and Teddy try to keep up with them all, but usually give up and return to the kennel after a few minutes of play.  They prefer to sniffle around in the snow for lost bits of kibble and forgotten fish snacks.
 
L to R: Spicy, Torch, Cayenne, Champ (in the back)
The Golf litter, along with Lydia, Junior, Kodiak and Dutch get their play time when the harnesses come out. We have been taking them on runs around the neighborhood trails keeping them in shape and exercising them. I haven’t run these puppies very much yet, and I’ve been very impressed with how well they are settling into the routine of running at their age.  They are head down and ears back listening for every command I may give them.   Junior and Lydia are showing impressive skills as lead dogs, while the Golfies are showing strength and control in their running styles. Of course they are being mentored by the mature dogs- Spoog, Ranger, Honda, Shiner, and others who are as dependable as ever.  At the end of the run, they slurp up their dinner and jump on the top of their houses for a good long nap in the sun.  While the drama of the Iditarod continues, and we eagerly await the outcome, it’s been a restful, sunny, and relaxed week at SP Kennel.
- Wes and Wendy