Parents and Puppies

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After duck hunting, Mom and Dad tackled kennel projects while I was in class. Dad built a beautiful harness rack (see the pictures below), and Mom completely reorganized and outfitted our minimal kitchen.  Not only that, but they managed to find time to give the puppies lots of attention! The final three pictures are of Katy human and Katy canine!

Duck Hunting

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Last weekend, my parents arrived from Colorado for a week-long Alaskan visit. This is their first time seeing the dog yard, playing with the puppies, and getting a taste of the Ryno Kennel lifestyle. First on the schedule: duck hunting. Derek recently discovered a great duck hunting location in the Minto Flats. Even though we had a combined total of four days of duck hunting experience, Derek, Mom, Dad, Andy, Jezzy and I hit the slough.

At first we had some slight hiccups (ducks flying away when I blew my duck call, Jezzy retrieving the decoys in impatient excitement.) However, we finally started to have success. The only real natural in the group was Jezzy. Jezzy instinctually knew how to retrieve ducks, drag them across the slough, wait quietly by the decoys, and scout for grouse in her spare time. Watching her work and perform the job she loves to do was more rewarding than getting my first duck. It reminds me of a quote from the movie Juno  when Vanessa was in the process of adopting Juno's baby. In reference to her natural desire to be a mother, she asked Juno's father:

Vanessa : Have you ever felt like you were just born to do something?

Mac : Yes. Heating and air conditioning. 

Jezzy would have responded, "Yes. Retrieving ducks."

 

Straw, Snow, and Fish- oh my!

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The first pictures are from the beautiful fall days we've been experiencing. But fall is quickly changing to winter with a few recent snows. These early snows don't last long, but the teaser gets everyone excited for winter! In anticipation for the cold, we've been stocking up on straw, fish, and meat. Derek and Andy have been helping in the preparations. 

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.