As those of you that have followed these entries for a while may know, July 1 is the date each year I roll back the dog’s mileage to zero and ‘officially’ begin the new training season. Well, yesterday morning was cool and clear – perfect to kick things off!
Because I brought a nasty viral infection of my mastoiditis bone (somewhere in the inner ear) home from Alaska and am on a heavy course of antibiotics and painkillers, I rounded up not only Ronny, but also Mark to assist.
In no time flat we had 14 ecstatic fuzzballs slamming into their harnesses and eager to go. Zipping through the damp and chilly woods it was hard not to dream about the months ahead and this seasons races. There is no way to tell whether this will be the year of our dreams or not, but I choose to think positive. We have the dogs, the motivation and the desire for it to be a great year – so let’s get it started!
I’ll start the diary entries for this season as I always do – with introductions to the ‘pool’.
As usual – let’s begin with the veterans.
With 42 dogs in this year’s training pool, my most senior veterans are going to have to work hard to maintain their spots. I think a number of them are up to it though!
They are:
They are:
 Kara |  Odie |  Loki |  Moses |
Honestly, I think if any of these guys make the team this year, it will be Loks and Odes, but I’ve been surprised many times before.
***
Next up is the group I expect the bulk of the main string to be made up of. A solid 19 strong dogs –
 Crunchie |  Barq |  Hector |  Herman |  Watt |  Q |  Charge |  Boom |  Batdog |  Jr |
 Dasher |  Holly |  Hilda |  Jinx |  Tess |  Spider |  Sprite |  Olena |  Nahanni |
I think any of those 18 are capable of going to Nome. Watch for Charge, Q, Boom, Watt and Jr to become serious forces in the kennel!
Spider, Jinx, Tess, and Holly are all on the verge of being considered top-notch leaders
***
The next group is a small one – but 3 individuals. They are my experienced rookies - dogs that have multiple seasons of good training, but haven’t made my main string.
 Roary |  Togo |  Newt |
Togo should be almost a shoe in for the main string – very talented dog (who raced some with Kim and Kelly Berg last season). Who knows what Newt is going to do!
***
Then there is the unbound less energy of the 16 rookies –
 Irving |  Bingo |  Bongo |  Runner |  Lingo |  Nitro |  Paxson |  X |
 Xena |  Ice |  Wonder |  Flash |  Wolvie |  Banshee |  Fritz |  Minto |
I believe I have all sorts of stars in the wings in this rookie group. Dogs that jump to mind are Runner, who I have no doubt will be not only a fabulous, hard driving team dog this year, but I’m certain will be doing a lot of leading.
X and Bongo have got to be two of my favorite 2 year olds; although I’d be hard pressed to rate them as higher then dogs like Wolvie and Irving!
Nitro is a dog that I’m not tremendously fond of in the dog lot, but he continues to challenge me to really dislike him by putting remarkable performances in in harness. He may grow on me yet!
***
Joining the fray for the first couple months of the season will be the yearlings –
 Gator |  Dew |  Nate |  Comet |  Rocket |  Shooter |  Trigger |  Finnegan |  Casey |  Wifi |
Not much to say about the ‘kids’ yet. I try not to judge yearlings, just let ‘em run and have fun. No youngster is ever considered for a spot on my main string until they are a solid 2 years of age.
Well, that is it – the main string for 07/08. I think they are a tremendous bunch of athletes and I’m proud of them already – but I can’t wait to see them all develop and turn into a team. Makes me smile to think about it!
Karen
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