Hiking.

One of my big personal goals is to get in better shape and hike more. Some might even say those are kind of linked.

I also really want to be able to hike with my dogs off leash where it is permitted so they can do all their dog sniffing and running around but also stick close and come when called.

We have been working on their recall. They are pretty good most of the time however I took them out for field test they showed we still have a lot of work to do. Out in the mountains they were distracted by the environment. Also the dense vegetation made it difficult to see them even if they were close.

After a failed test I kept them on leash unless we were in a more visible area I also let them get tired as well as explore some on leash so when we tried again they were much better also tired and hungrier so they were better for the treats.

Clearly we have more work to do. I think in the future I am going to let them acclimate on leash for a while first. I also might bring a long leash although in the kind of hiking we did recently it wouldn't work out well and would just get tangled.

I also might only bring one dog. It's easier to pay attention to only one and to keep the attention focused on me. It's also easier to keep track of just one rather than have split attention.

It was still a beautiful adventure and although it showed us that we need to work on and improve our off leash training they were both very good at posing for pictures and staying when asked. Also at the end they both did well after they were a little tired and acclimated to environment. Simon mostly stuck close even when he was ignoring me (good and bad here). Also we hiked for over two hours and I did better that I thought even though it was high altitude.

Lots to work on but over all I had a wonderful time with my dogs and can't wait for our next adventure.

Autism speaks 5K

Simon and I did our first 5K. It was down in Pocatello Idaho for Autism Speaks put on by one of ISU's sororities.

We were told to wear blue so we both dressed up to support such an awesome cause.

I dyed Simon's ears, tail and feet with a none toxic animal safe hair chalk that naturally will wear off on it's own. The next day Simon got his feet wet in a puddle and all the chalk washed off his feet.

My sister had invited us down to to the race with her. She has worked with special needs children and really loved getting to support that cause.

I am not currently in the best of shape but I am working on it so we walked most of the race. It was was also a good idea for Simon although he is in fantastic shape it would have been have been kind of warm for a husky to work out.

Keeping Simon in mind we stuck to the shade and stopped a few times to offer him water and keep him comfortable and happy.

Also after the run they offered us frozen yogurt Simon was happy to help me finish off mine.

It was a lot of fun and I hope Simon and I have a lot more races in our future.

Post race Simon was very tired.

Cache Valley K-9 Challenge/ Simon's first sled race.

Simon and I had our first dog sled race this winter. It was the Cache Valley K-9 Challenge race in Logan, UT.

The beautiful sunrise over Bear Lake on day one.  

It was a beautiful location and a wonderful way to end our sledding season this year.

My team and I finishing the race.

I was really excited to get to experience my first race. I was lucky that not only was Linda there to help me but my friend Amy also joined me so I had a ton of support and lots of friends to share the experience with.

I was excited.

 The trail was a bit of a challenge it had a lot more hills than we normally have also it was a bit higher altitude than normal. For being only four miles it was a lot harder than the much longer runs we have gone on.

New friend New puppy win win.

We also haven't really gotten to do any passing before or running with other teams or any of that so a ton of it was new fun. The other mushers were very friendly and helpful and just wonderful.

Talking to Simon. I do that. A lot.

 The race consisted of going two miles and then turning around and going to two miles back. Most of the first Two miles was going up a giant hill and so most of the last two was going back down the same huge hill.

Simon enjoying a drink.

So the first bit was physically hard and the second bit was more technically challenging. It was so much fun and I hope I get to run that race again.

A friends adorable dog.

It was just so amazing. 

This is Google. 

Loving on a friends beautiful dogs.

Visiting Friends.

This month my dogs have had more friends come over to visit than almost any month before.
I am going to let Sadie and Simon introduce them and tell you what they though of them.

First Kooper came to hang out with us.

Simon: I really like Kooper. Well most of the time. Occasionally.  Sometimes. Kooper can be... How do I put this. He can be a crazy annoying hyper puppy. And I know that sounds like a lot of fun but Kooper is huge. Like massive so when he is being crazy it's a big pain in the butt. But other than that he is cool. Also sometime we sing together.

Sadie: Kooper might be bigger than me but he is really just a puppy as such you have to play with him a lot. And sometimes you have to tell him when enough is enough. But mostly you play with him and it's all good. Also when he hangs out Mom takes us for lots of walks to try and make him a little tired so that's awesome.

Next Napoleon hung out with us for a little bit.

Simon: Okay well one thing I do have to say for Poe is that he has gotten less annoying as he has gotten older. However he still follows me around all the time and tries to play with me and get my attention. But when I actually try to play with him he gets scared and runs away. Make up your mind dude.

Sadie: I try to play with Poe but sometimes he gets scared. He is such a little guy. I try to get down so I am as small as possible but he still acts scared sometimes. But he has finally started to play with me and I love that. My only issue with him is I will be trying to nap and then he walks on me. Don't do that Poe let sleeping dogs lie.

Finally Axel dropped by.

Simon: The best thing about Kooper and Poe is that they are not Axel. Axel is super playful and hyper and has no idea of personal space. He even tried to sit on me once! Can you believe it! Once or twice I almost forgot and played with him but then I remembered and didn't.

Sadie: Axle is alright he is brindle just like me so he already has that going for him. He also is really friendly and fun to play with. The only issue is that he sometimes sits on me and I don't really like that. But he has his puppy dog eyes down so he is starting to get it.

Well that is it for the friends who have played with us this month. I am working on writing about the dog sled race Simon and I were in at the start of the month. I hope to have that post up soon!

Simon's new friend.

Just a quick little picture heavy fun post. Had some adorable pictures to share.

Meet Kooper.

  Simon has made a new friend. Meet Kooper the 9 month old German Shepard.

Such a pretty dog.

 I have been hoping to find a training buddy to help be a distraction for Simon, Sadie and I.

Kooper is a little bit bigger than Simon even at 9 months old.

As well as giving me some one else to talk dog training with.

Look at those cute faces.

I also really enjoy getting to train with another person it helps me stay motivated.

Simon's head is about shoulder height. 

Honestly I think Simon has really enjoyed getting to have a friend to do dog things with.

It has been a lot of fun getting to see this young dog start growing up and learning.

Kisses.

Hi mom!

Simon at training class.

Dog Sledding Adventures.

Simon with the other sled dogs and me.

             Something new I have been getting into is dog sledding.  I was lucky enough to be introduced to some fantastic mushers a couple years ago. They are based out of Ashton, ID and run a dog sledding tour called Sliver Sage Mushing. You can follow that link to their website or click here to check out their Facebook page.  After getting a taste of dog sledding I knew I was hooked. I loved everything about it; the thrill, the fun, getting to work with the dogs and see them so happy doing what they loved. It is a blast and if you ever get the chance to give it a try I highly suggest it.

Pulling us up a hill. Simon is the second from the back on the right.

         After meeting and becoming friends with Linda and Rosie I started helping them handle their teams. Getting teams of anywhere from 6-14 dogs ready to go can be a lot of work and I enjoyed the chance to get to learn more about all of the aspects of dog sledding and caring for that many dogs. They have also known Simon since he was a little fuzz ball and watched him grow into the start of a good sled dog.

Muddy Simon face after a fun run.

        It is so much fun dog sledding is my winter passion and I can't wait to have more snow on the ground and bust out a sled.

Happy Rainy and Simon.

        So there is the update for anyone who was wondering what I have been up to. Pretty much work, studying for finals, homework and dog sledding. It's pretty sweet.

12 good dogs.

Busy Bee. Updates

I figured writing it down will help me to be a little more organised. I posted on our facebook but I haven't actually written down anything yet.

On 11/5/15 Simon turned two years old. I wasn't able to get his birthday off work but we celebrated that week by getting to drive up to Ashton Idaho and he got to run on a dog sled team.  Simon and I love getting to go up to Ashton and learn more about dog sledding.

Currently I am working full time and I am going to school as well and trying to manage with the holidays coming up so I don't think I am going to have has much time to post as I would like. Also I have to work on my application for my program.

So I will post as much as I have time for but see you more after the first of the year.