Fall Sunrise

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Here is a fun little video of a few clips from recent morning runs. Many of the yearlings have had their chance in lead, with Stetson's being highlighted in the video. What fun we've had in the cool 30F mornings!! 

Also, the music in this video is from one of my childhood/high school/college/adult friends: Micaela Cooley. She is a phenomenal cellist and vocalist who could surely win American Idol. 

Fall Harvest  is a song played by her band Barleywine Revue. The lead singer in this particular song is not Micaela, but it's a foot-stompin' song nonetheless! 

 

Nutmeg Pups

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I'm excited to welcome new members to Ryno Kennel- Nutmeg and Nacho puppies! That's right, our family just grew a little larger, totaling the kennel to twenty-two dogs.  Ryno Kennel now has a solid foundation of future superstars to develop in the upcoming years. I realize that everyone believes their puppies are best, and I'm no exception.  I'm so excited to work with such a promising group of young dogs. Stay tuned to follow our progress! 

Changing Colors

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If April showers bring May flowers then maybe rain in September brings a winter we'll remember? Eh? Ok, I'm no poet, but all I know is that the changing colors and colder temps are making me more and more excited for this winter. Twelve dogs are in training (13 if I count Stormy), and we're all celebrating the coming of cold.  

After running all the "adults" (big air quotes) in harness this morning, it was Fenton and the Outlaw's turn for a romp. Rain and puddles didn't seem to slow them down. Each pup is developing their own personality and identity. Belle is the smallest and also one of the sassiest. She loves to play with the pup-sitters, Jezzy and Stormy. In particular, she loves to jump up, snag Jezzy by her griffon beard, and hang. I keep trying to snap a picture, but Jezzy doesn't put up with Belle's antics for long. CJ is Miss Independent. During puppy walks, it can sometimes be difficult to focus her attention on moving with the group. Pancho is the biggest boy and the most affectionate. He's also the most confident of the litter. Lefty can be shy, but warms up quickly. He likes to stay close and eat everything in sight. Fenton is vocal. He barks, howls, and talks constantly. 

Fall Training Is HERE!!

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This past week, Ryno Kennel athletes officially began their fall training. All the dogs have been extremely enthusiastic and working hard in harness. Because most of the dogs are yearlings, I've made a few adjustments. Rather than taking one large team, I've split the group into two 6-7 dog teams. This allows me to not only condition the dogs, but also focus on manners. Alaskan Huskies are natural pullers; however, standing patiently next to their partner, not chewing on lines, or even facing the right direction during hookup isn't always as easy.  Sometimes it's just too exciting. To help with the chaos, Stormy has come out of retirement, at least for the next few weeks. She and Cartel are tackling one group of yearlings while Fire and Ham lead the other. Stetson, Rucu, and Kindi have all had their time in the spotlight, leading the team for part of the run. Each one was a natural leader, although Stetson did almost drag the whole team off the trail after a squirrel. We all get distracted occasionally.

My main goals in the next months of training are 1) create a solid base, 2) teach manners, and 3) make sure everyone is having a good time. Honestly, the third goal is really the most important. These dogs are the future of the kennel, and like in peewee sports, we're not out to win just yet. It's about having a good time and building a solid foundation for future years. Every time we finish a run with wagging tails and big smiles, I know it was a success. 

They're Growing

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For everyone that can't resist super cute puppy pictures, here are a few more! The video at the end shows how well they're getting around now.

Filling the Freezer

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One of the aspects I love most about Alaska is the immense and diverse wild lands. The untamed country is home to a variety of animals that thrive in their natural habitats. Due to this healthy ecosystem, many Alaskans are able to fill their freezers with wild harvested meat like salmon, moose, Dall sheep, and caribou. This past week, we've been busy trying to fill our freezer with salmon and Dall sheep. First I travelled down to the Chitna River to fish for red salmon with my good friend Kristina. This was my first experience dipnetting (holding a large net in the water attached to a ten foot pole) and must admit I felt rather foolish just sitting on the bank with a net in the water. After a couple salmon, I realized the method was pretty efficient! Two days later, I left with Derek for the Brooks Range in search of Dall sheep. All the sunny, pleasant pictures were taken on the day we flew in. The nice weather sucked us in to a false sense of comfort, only to switch overnight to fog and snow. Overall, the two trips were incredibly fun and successful. I feel so fortunate to live in such a wonderful place! 

Too Much Cuteness

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Below are photos of Fenton, Pancho, Lefty, CJ, and Belle. Future musher extraordinaire, Noah Jane, is posing with the pups. 

Puppies

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Ryno Kennel is growing with the addition of new members: Puppet and Nacho puppies! Puppet gave birth to five healthy puppies. More pictures, names, and news to come! 

 

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Dog Walking

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This summer, I’ve had the opportunity to work my perfect job. And just what is this perfect job you might ask? It depends on who’s asking. The uniqueness of the job means there is no established job title, so my answer varies. To buff up my resume, I might call myself a Lead Field Research Technician on a protein study for Marine IED detection dogs. To an inquiring friend I would describe myself as a simple dog walker. Unfortunately neither title adequately describes my responsibilities. The first makes me sound far more qualified than actuality, and the second brings to mind a prim dog walker holding dozens of leashes and strolling through Central Park. Perhaps it’s a combination of both. 

My main responsibilities this summer were to condition 16 dogs from SP Kennel using the military IED detection dog conditioning program. This required incrementally increasing the hours of exercise each dog free ran each week. During the process, the dogs would receive different amounts of protein in an effort to determine the effect of extra protein on a dog’s hydration. Dr. Mike Davis from Oklahoma State University was the mastermind behind the study. The video below provides a window into an average day, if any day can be called average. All the moose, porcupine, bear tracks, ducklings, and fires meant that there was never a dull moment. 

I have to say thank you to SP Kennel and Dr. Mike Davis for giving me the opportunity to work my perfect job. Even with 600 miles on my hiking boots, I’m loving every second of it.

 

The Summer of Fires

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Summer 2013 is the summer of fires. High temperatures (80F-93F) combined with no moisture has turned Two Rivers into a convection oven/tinderbox. A few weeks ago we battled the first fire just four miles from the kennel. The Kanuti fire began near the local watering hole, the Two Rivers Lodge, and made a run at all the surrounding homes and structures. Thanks to the quick response of fire fighters and air attack, the fire was contained with only one shed lost to the flames. This fire will always be one of my most memorable events, not just because of its proximity to the kennel, but also because Derek was one of the fire fighters protecting the neighborhood. Derek is a smokejumper with the BLM Alaska Fire Service, spending all summer parachuting into remote locations and fighting fires across the state. However, rather than driving the 20 miles out from Fairbanks, Derek arrived ‘jumper style,’ leaping from an airplane and landing in Meierotto field next to the house. Out of all the smokejumpers in Alaska, Derek was the one assigned to jump the Kanuti fire. Imagine my surprise when he landed in the field and I drove him to the fire line! 

Currently, Two Rivers is threatened again by an even larger fire, Stuart Creek 2. Beginning in military land, the fire as grown to 30,000 acres and is making its way down the hills towards Chena Hot Springs Road and Ryno Kennel. A Type 1 Incident Command Team has taken over the fire, and with the help of lots of crews, is putting together a plan to protect Two Rivers. The community is currently on Evacuation Watch, meaning that we should be prepared to evacuate if necessary. The dog truck is loaded up with sleds and gear as a precaution. I’ll be sure to keep everyone updated on the progress of the fire! For now, here are some pictures from the Kanuti Fire and the Stuart Creek 2 Fire.