#1
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Was it worth it?
Camping in the truck with the dogs at -22C?
![]() You bet it was! Every year not too far away from me there is an opportunity for mushers to go stay at a hunt camp and do some training on the nearby trails. This is the first time I've gone. Of course, pretty much everyone else has northern breed dogs that live outside, so they stay in their dogboxes while the mushers stay in the camp, complete with bunkbeds, woodstoves (2) and even a sauna. My spoiled guys however are more what you'd call "sled pets" and are used to not only living in the house, but sleeping on the furniture and bed with me too. Wasn't sure how the whole camping in the truck in the middle of winter thing was going to go, but I decided to try. I figured that if I stayed with them in the truck not only would I be adding one more body for heat, but also I could monitor how cold it was and if necessary start the truck every now and then and warm it up. I wasn't accounting for the fact that once in my sleeping bag and pinned down by several dogs I could not move to start the truck or risk loosing my spot (and the sleeping bag!) ![]() ![]()
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Beware of Mushers...They will suck you into their addiction! If your dog thinks you're the best, don't seek a second opinion! http://www.racingrescues.com http://www.goodbyegoose.com |
#2
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Here are a few more. This is the camp we were at, and a friend of mine who competes in skijoring.
__________________
Beware of Mushers...They will suck you into their addiction! If your dog thinks you're the best, don't seek a second opinion! http://www.racingrescues.com http://www.goodbyegoose.com |
#3
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Looks like a beautiful area, Gail! How long were the trails? From the pics, you got in a good bit of training
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__________________
"We are--each of us--dying; it's how we live in the meantime that makes the difference." "It's not what you gather, but what you scatter that tells what kind of life you have lived!" "Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle." |
#4
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Quote:
The dogs were very happy to have a new place to train, and one where we're not doing laps around the same short trail. Even by the end of the runs they were still very strong and eager, especially once they were within earshot of the other dogs at the camp that were barking, they would go blasting back up the driveway and over to my truck. Really nice to see that kind of energy ![]()
__________________
Beware of Mushers...They will suck you into their addiction! If your dog thinks you're the best, don't seek a second opinion! http://www.racingrescues.com http://www.goodbyegoose.com |
#5
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Wow, sounds like a great facility for training! Do you typically run shorter distance races?
__________________
"We are--each of us--dying; it's how we live in the meantime that makes the difference." "It's not what you gather, but what you scatter that tells what kind of life you have lived!" "Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle." |
#6
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Now that is my kind of weekend, looks like a beautiful place to sled with your dogs
![]() ![]() "Sled pets" ![]()
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Cat maid to: Rose semi feral, a cpietra rescue, female tabby (approx 13 yrs) Jasper RIP (2001-2018) Sweet Pea RIP (2004?-2014) Puddles RIP (1996-2014) Snowball RIP (1991-2005) In a cat's eye, all things belong to cats.-English Proverb “While we are free to choose our actions, we are not free to choose the consequences of our actions.” Stephen R. Covey |
#7
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Looks like a great place Gail, crystal blue skies
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#8
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this all SERIOUSLY looks like SO. MUCH. FUN.
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Owned by: Solomon - black DSH - king of kitchen raids (11) Gracie - Mutterooski X - scary smart (9) Jaida - GSD - tripod trainwreck and gentle soul (4) Heidi - mugsly Boston Terrier X - she is in BIG trouble!!! (3) Audrey - torbie - sweet as pie (11 months) Patrick - blue - a little turd (but we like him anyways) (6 months) __________ Boo, our Matriarch (August 1 1992 - March 29 2011) ![]() Riley ![]() ![]() |
#9
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Quote:
![]() ![]() Love the ones you posted ![]() ![]()
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"Education is a progressive discovery of our own ignorance." -Will Durant |
#10
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That all looks so fun and exciting.
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#11
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Quote:
For training I try to work between 4-6 miles to keep the speed up. I want them to be conditioned to run a fast 4 miles. The dogs could go further, but they would adjust their pace to a more moderate speed that they can maintain for a longer time. That's the sort of thing we'll do after the race season when we go out and spend a few hours on the trails at a time. Do a few miles, stop for a rest/snack/water break. Do a few more, stop for lunch etc. Lots of fun. Last year the most we did at the end of the season were a couple of runs of 8 and 10 miles. Maybe we'll do more this year now that we've got more dogs ready. More dogs doesn't give you more speed but it does give you more power, so it's easier on all the dogs on hills etc. and they won't tire as quickly. Quote:
The Ontario Federation of Sleddog Sports (OFSS) also has a schedule listed here http://www.ofss.ca/schedule.htm The races I'll be at are: Feb. 6/7 Kearney Feb. 13/14 Haliburton Feb. 20/21 Cannington Feb. 27 Apsley Quote:
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Beware of Mushers...They will suck you into their addiction! If your dog thinks you're the best, don't seek a second opinion! http://www.racingrescues.com http://www.goodbyegoose.com Last edited by Gail P; January 3rd, 2010 at 11:44 PM. |
#12
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Sounds like it was a great trip
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Avoid biting when a simple growl will do The Spirit Lives As Long As Someone Who Lives Remembers You - Navaho Saying |
#13
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That's what I thought too, but I ended up with a pretty sore hip the way I was crammed in. If I could find a way to get more comfortable I'd definitely prefer to be with the dogs, I love having them on the bed with me at night and waking up with them all snuggled up. I think the center divider just makes it a little too narrow in the truck.
__________________
Beware of Mushers...They will suck you into their addiction! If your dog thinks you're the best, don't seek a second opinion! http://www.racingrescues.com http://www.goodbyegoose.com |
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