Friday 26 February 2016

"I Formally Disown Her....."


Bet has been pestering and pestering me to introduce Twig to waffles. Honestly, I think Bet just wanted waffles and was using 'introducing Twig' to them as an excuse, but whatever. Having waffles is not a huge hardship!!






Bet explained to Twig all about the deliciousness she was about to discover.

"I can't wait"

"Can't you cook them faster?"
Patience young Twig...patience!!!!


Ready!!!





Age before youth!


Twig - watch the fingers!!!!







What do you think????

REALLY?????



"Kids", says Bet, "You do the best you can with them, but still......."


"and besides.....more waffles for me".

Tuesday 23 February 2016

Not All Endings Come in Neat Little, Nicely Wrapped Packages.

First off, my apologies for being quiet on the blog this winter. Recent decisions, although solid and needed, have weighed heavily and left me 'non chatty'.

I was very saddened to see the Canadian Challenge Board forced to have to cancel their race for this winter. I had SO been looking forward to it.

An evening on the computer had me 'redirected' onto a stage race in Ft St James, BC this coming weekend.

Training had been going really well, despite some less than ideal weather and I was excited. Stage racing is not the ideal format for my dogs - which tend to be slower than Alaskans, but able to work on less rest. Stage racing format doesn't allow me to take advantage of that but the dogs have been running strong and fast.

And then the weather took another turn for the ick.

Temperatures for Ft St James (and here) are above freezing everyday this week and anywhere from 5 - 7 C for the weekend.

It seemed to me like I was now just simply setting the team up for failure.

That isn't something I feel good doing to my team, so I'm simply not going to do it.

There are some races in March, but I have flights booked and have made a commitment to Iditarod for judging.

For the first time in over 20 years I'm not going to be racing this winter.

No doubt, it hurts - but, in words I've said hundreds of times over the years - IT IS WHAT IT IS.

Just like my last Iditarod didn't turn out like I'd planned, neither has this season - and like Iditarod, there will not be a 'do over'.

It is my intention to find and run some smaller races next season, but I am still done with mid distance racing.

The thing is that this sport that has consumed me for over 20 years has provided me with some of the most spectacular and moving moments in my life - and some of the most horrible and heart-wrenching.  How it ends is just one of the moments. I can either focus on the spectacular and moving moments or the horrible and heart-wrenching.

Anyone care to guess which I'm going to choose to remember?

Yeah, not even a contest.

When I sit in my rocker sipping my coffee (or wine) I'm going to remember great times with great dogs on great trails with great conditions. That is the takeaway.

And those who know me even a little bit know that dogsleds, bikes, sheepdogs, and much more are bigger features in my future than that rocking chair for a LONG time yet.


STAY TUNED!!!

Sunday 7 February 2016

Attack of the Wild Bearfalo (part 2) - Bet

Howdy Ho Everybodies!!!

Sorry for not bloggity blogging a lot, but I've been a busy border coolie.

First, the Musher is trying to find a race to go race with the Pretty Curly Tails.  Apparently the Canadian Challenge didn't have any snow or something, so that got cancelled.

Then, there's Twig.  She's in her teenage years and nothing but a pawful.  She won't listen to anyone, dives head first into everything without thinking, and generally throw temper tantrums when she doesn't get her way.

Case in point... she insists that she can wrestle the wild Bearfalo to the ground.  She knows she can.  She wanted to prove that she can.  I suggested that it wasn't a good idea.

Bet:  Twig, I'm telling you, this isn't a good idea!


She didn't listen

Twig: GRRRRR  I am the Bearalo hunter!!!

Bet:  He doesn't appear to be submitting
Twig: GRRRRR I have you where I want you now!
Twig: BITEY FACE!!!
Bear: Did you hear that??
Twig: You can't fool me with that "there's a monster in the woods" ploy
Twig: fine, bitey face isn't working, so I shall gnaw on your leg!
Bet: Um... watch out Twig, he's getting cranky
Twig: It's clear that leg gnawing is working, gnaw gnaw
Bet: Seriously, I would suggest you stop gnawing on his leg, he doesn't look very happy
Bet: Watch it Twig, he's about to charge!!!
RUUUUUUUN!!!!!!!
Bear: I love my sheeps, they are silly when they play
- Bet