First Day of Training!

It here. The temperature was 29 degrees this morning. I guess Mother Nature has decided to cooperate with us today.

The dogs are excited and the Mushers are excited. What a GREAT day to start training. The first team of the year is a mixture of young and old.

Pud is in lead with Scruggs. Pud is flying to New Hampshire next week for his retirement from SP Kennel so we thought it was only appropriate for him to step in and run as the primary leader on the first team of the season. Why not go out in style?

In swing is Dingle and Nacho. Both Rock Star solid SP dogs.

The next two dogs are very young. Cayenne and Champ turn one year old on September 7th. This was a big day for them and they were happy to be a part of it. Each of these youngsters is attached to the mainline with both a tug line and a neck line. They are running by themselves so that they don't get confused with a partner. This is necessary on the first few runs so that they get the "forward" concept from the beginning. As you can see by 1/4 mile down the trail… they got it! (Of course, Aliy did run in front and beside them for just a little ways!)

Puppet and Woody are next in the team. They are a nice solid, long legged pair.

Nelson is in wheel by himself. His twirling and crazy nature hasn't seemed to let up through the summer -- thank goodness!

Here we go!