Sunday, July 12, 2009

Family time

We had an enjoyable weekend with family, friends & perfect temperatures for some fun at the beach, dining outside and 4 wheeling around with the kids. Seems like we're on the move most of the time, not much different than home except we're doing different things & we're wearing different cloths! Not much time for flip flops and bathing suits in the kennel yard! Fresh watermelon is my new favorite food and Jona has her new things about her...she climbs on everything, not much sitting still unless she's sleeping, teething, lots of that going on right now as we wait anxiously for a 1st tooth, pickles are a new favorite and cherry popsicles.. pointing to everyone-she-meets nose is so much fun, she can pronounce the the letter N, can say Nana...loves the song "This old man" and has become an official "Grandma's Girl"...

Hi everyone, 5 days till we head back to AK..we're still having a ball..here we go again....ready...follow me!



This is my cousin Kaleb with me and Jona. Kaleb & Jona really got along! I sure had fun with the kids, too...If I didn't have dogs, I might have a whole herd of kids! Who knew!



Me and My MUM! There's nothing quite like Mothers Love!



..And here's the proof! Me and my little love!




Beach babies! Sharing a tender moment at the beach!




4 Generations...of trouble!




How many women does it take to flip a burger?? I don't know, Go ask Steve...




Friends forever! Zoya & Michelle and Jona.




Me, Michelle and her fiancee Steve! Michelle and Steve will marry Sept. 5th 2009



Grandma, Kaleb, Me, Jona & Klarissa!



Me with cousins Kaleb & Klarissa..going for another ride!


Joey, Tessa dog and Jona! I'm thinking Tessa could come back to AK with me for a bit and help raise pups, she'd make a great nanny.



Zoya with baby Jona checking out the man getting swallowed by the big Carp! "Sucks to be him!"



Thank You Steve at the Hatfield Sport and Bait Shop! He gave baby Jona a pretty cool gift... a camo polar fleece winter top & bottoms with her name embroidered on the front & his business name and info on the back.



Me & Becca having a swim!

Friday, July 10, 2009

SEBE



Sebe is my little superstar...she's an amazing lead dog, great trail companion and can jump right into house dog status at any given moment..she's versatile! But this is one dog I wouldn't leave home without. GO Sebe! Watch Sebe run IDITAROD 2010

Kennel News updates

Skagway, AK

Our dogs have been there with Alaska Excursions (summer tour co.) now for 3 summer seasons! (counting this season) My Alaskan Quill jewelry is being sold in a few boutiques for the first time...but I still haven't been there myself in person. From the pictures I've seen and the videos John took this spring, it looks like a beautiful place to visit. I would love to go! This is the first time selling in Skagway and it's so nice as I get monthly sale reports on how my jewelry is selling! So far, so good! It looks as though I should have made more but with 30 new markets and being a one man band, one can only make so much jewelry in such a short window of time each spring.

Our dog handler in Skagway gave me an update on the dogs the other day. It was so nice to talk to him and get his email, hearing about how they are doing, what they are up to and how Bligh is..well Capt. Bligh! Each dog has their own distinctive personality making them fun and unique in their own. Makes me feel closer to the dogs when I can talk to Seth or hear from Sue back at the kennel. I actually felt a bit jealous really. Here I am with my family, good friends and our daughter in Wisconsin enjoying all this free time & taking full advantage of it, soaking it all in.... but I am so dog-less! It sucks! DOG-LESS= one without her many several dogs. It's Hard!
Getting tougher by the day! Hardly can wait to get home to my doggies!!

Anyway....where was I? Oh yeah...

This is the first year where I can be in touch by phone. It's been very warm Skagway making the running & tours more challenging by mid day. Sounds like they will have a temperature cut off for running the dogs/tours. We have 3 dogs that are more prone to heating up...Wilbur, North and Harley. All 36 dogs are together now with the same handler. In the past they've been separated into 2 lots with two or more handlers. They're running about 4 days a week, 4 times a day, 16 dogs to one cart on land jogging in one mile loops-- giving the Alaska Excursion guests, a good time to take home. They might see anywhere between 100-500 people a day! There's about 300 sled dogs to share the work & fun each summer.

From the sounds of it, our dogs are doing quite well & there has been minimal issues concerning the dogs. Canoe is just getting over kennel cough and is sitting out until he gets well again. I don't like it but understand that when you have numbers like that, it's bound to move through. I wish I could give Canoe a little healing tea and a belly rub.

I miss those dogs, that crew we sent is really pretty mixed with lots of young dogs ranging in age from 12 months to 9 years. The core are race dogs, a few are new rescues (Ice Buzz and Flint)-am waiting for another report on how they are all doing, a few are tour dogs and a handful or better are yearlings. They are due to come back in mid Sept. I'm counting down the days.... I DID hear that Jericho is one popular dog with the guests. Not surprising, he's a friendly boy with natural charm.

Missing the dogs isn't like missing other things, it runs deeper than that. They become to intertwined in your daily life and affairs, they are the priority and first thing on my mind. I wonder how I lived without them for so long....like "where have you been my whole life?" kind of thing. So when I come back here to "civilization" I always wonder how I did it. It was pretty normal growing up, crazy how much we can change and how my life now with dogs fits who I am today. It's not the norm for me anymore all though I can run right along with the best of the best back in the western world..I know I could never move back though. My heart belongs to the wilderness & the dogs and Alaska. The work is physically & mentally satisfying. If Alaska fell off the map, we would be going to Europe.

In Film & Production

I got a call the other day from our friend Livia at Renegade Pictures in London. In the middle of a lunch date with friends, I about fell off my seat. Great news! She tells me that the network showing the doc. named Alaska Dogs (Discovery chan) liked the material they saw so much from me and Jericho (a recent rescued sled dog)...They want more! Crazy! So, we have a meeting on the phone quite soon to discuss filming at the kennel around the 20-21st July. They want to meet more dogs back at Maclaren. We'll sort out details soon..stay tuned for more.

In most recent Sponsor News...

One of our team players recently reported she and a friend have booked a 6 day trip to Alaska in March to see me & my team off on Iditarod 2010! And I can't not mention the fact they are dieing to meet Probe-dog. Probe is an Iditarod and Yukon Quest vet with several other races under his belt with an impressive fact sheet; Probe has never been dropped from a singe race, he's been in every 200, 300 and one thousand mile race both John and I have entered in the past 5 years and for 3 years before that and Probe has never been injured. He's always on the line, is there when you need him, can go at any pace and will lead if you ask nicely. He'll be back for one more round if everything goes my way this coming season. Probe is one of those dogs who can just go and go and go. Not much of a people dog all though he's a bit more apt to come around after he's had some time on the trail. Probe is a dogs dog, likes to hang with his pallies and the girls, Oh yes, he's become quite the ladies man.

We welcome with open arms..Jeanne Fuer! This is GREAT News! We are looking forward to seeing you in March!

Pam L. from Montana is going to sponsor again for the second time, the Gin Gin 200 sled dog race Bronze and Silver award medals for 1-3rd places on both the womens and mens division, hand crafted and custom made for the Gin Gin 200, 2009 race.


Thanks for your love & support, tune in for more later! Zoya

Thursday, July 09, 2009

DJEMBE



Djembe is a 4 year old, female lead dog with one Iditarod race under her belt. She finished strong in 2008 and she's back again for the 2010 race. If you would like to sponsor Djembe for the 2010 season, please send your email and request to Crazy Dog Kennels for more info.

Saturday, July 04, 2009

dogs for sale

Yes, we do have quality race dogs for sale as well as sled dogs ready to retire in the house. If you have recently phoned my cell, please follow up with an email at zdenure@yahoo.com

I have had a few messages but they have been jumbled. I am out of State through July but will get back asap if you email me. Please remember to provide the following; name, contact phone and best time to reach you. Please tell me which dogs you're interested in. Thanks!

Zoya

Friday, July 03, 2009

girlfriends

back when we were kids, we used to talk about boys, shopping, our friends, things we had to do, things we wanted to do, what we were going to be when we grew up.....now we're still talking about our boys, our homes, the things we want for our kid(s), the things we're doing, the things our men should do (the to- do list), still talking about what we're going to be when we grow up..some things change and some things will never change.

Happy 4th of July! Enjoy your girlfriends!

Zoya

catching up in the mid west



I have been wanting to write for days now but it seems like we're always on the go or the weather is too nice to be inside writing or we've got company coming or I'm trying to lay Jona down for a nap or we're going into town..... Then, it's midnight before we know it and I'm struggling to stay awake. No complaints however, this time with my friends has been wonderful, long overdue and so good for my soul! It's been 2 years since we've been back and catching up has been too much fun. There's nothing like your girlfriend-time and of course, time with family. It's been nice!
I have a few minutes this afternoon before we get busy again with dinner plans & fireworks at 8:30pm on the beach.

First things first, we sure miss you honey, my fisherman John! We spoke again today when he phoned from the boat and it sounds like they are doing well. He was calling from the top of the boat & we could even hear the fish hitting the net! I was so elated just to hear his voice. Normally, we would talk maybe once over the month he's away fishing because there's been no phone on the boat and we don't have phone service at Maclaren. And when John is on land, in the cannery, the phone lines are usually tied up. So, we would get by with letters and emails. That was ok because that's what we had. He's bought a phone now for the boat, can call between openings and and and we're here, where our cell works all the time. You wouldn't guess we've been together 5 years already. We're still like two kids in love and for this I am so thankful. Makes loving fun & our life extra sweet around the edges. I seriously thank god for my loving family.

This is our first year with the drift boat operation in Naknek, AK. So far, so good. It's a bigger boat and fishing operation offering more opportunity (if one is willing to fish hard, that is) to have an abundant season. We talked about switching over for a few years, considered drifting and it just made sense. And so it is. John knows fish and has set some goals for the season. We sure wish we could be there too for at least part of the season and when Jona is a little older, we will be. She'll learn how to fish from her mommy and daddy in Naknek on her boat. Yes, her boat. Our 32 foot boat is now called the Shawnee but we're discussing the new paint job with her name painted across it. Every good working boat needs a proper name and Jona will like this when she's older. And when you have 60 dogs, it's just not fair enough to pick only one!

We've been sending John care packages in the mail with yummy foods, chocolate, gourmet coffee.... letters with pictures of Jona from our summer trip and once in awhile, Jona helps me email her daddy. She loves to hear his voice on the phone--she bounces up and down and her smile stretches ear to ear. I played a few home videos from the kennel the other day and this also makes her very happy. She LOVES her dogs and to hear them bark...like music to the ears! And me, I too MISS the dogs like CraZy.

We have morning coffee visits at Becca and Joey's house next door, (very important that we get our animal fix everyday!) about 8 am before starting our day. Becca and Joey have two friendly horses named Sneakers and Jeniveve and a black lab named Tessa. Tessa is a huge sweetie, likes her cats and horses and looks forward to her bacon flavored treats. She knows we keep plenty on hand here at the house, just for her. Sneakers is a tall dark Arabian with a passive nature and Jeniveve is a cute little blond miniature horse. She's the boss, clearly. It's pretty funny to watch her herd Sneakers away from her hay stash. What is it about little animals possessing these huge personalities? Hilarious! This morning about 9:30am, the Farrier came over to trim Jen's hooves. Jona glanced down and then wanted to sit with mom on the ATV...she was more interested in Becca's 4 wheeler than Jens hooves! Jona watches things closely, you can just about see the wheels turning.
We're going riding on the ATV later this afternoon, rounds and rounds the field.

We're here for another few weeks with our family before heading back home to Alaska. The weather here has been moody with full to partial sunshine, clouds, rain, major thunder storms, full blown sunshine, rain....repeat. I think this is pretty normal for around here!

We'll then be home long enough to catch up with Sue (our summer helper) before she returns to Utah, play with the puppies, catch up with all the dogs and enjoy a little time together back at the kennel before getting Marion settled in for the month of Aug. Marion is coming over from Estonia to care take (and paint portraits of the mountains and lakes!) the kennel. This is the summer of travel, I guess.

We will be driving a car down to WI for my grandma in August, something we have been trying to do for a few years. A road trip will be a nice thing to do! Now is the time! Her old car has gone ka-put, she can't afford to buy a new one and this car we're bringing her is in very good condition, low miles and one we don't need. We'll be visiting friends in WA that need help on their B&B cottage, enjoying their ocean view and morning beach walks...and we'll have a visit with John's kids in MN. Last year when we were back in WA, I was 30 weeks along & just day dreaming about the day we would walk the beach together, with Jona. We have plans for a trip to Europe to see my family in Germany and friends in Switzerland and Norway but I'm thinking now this will have to wait until spring 2010. I want to get home after this next trip and stay home with the dogs, I have a big season ahead of me as far as training for Iditarod and other races go...its what I think about everyday. I've worked many hours on organizing our help with Jona, with the kennel and our races for 2010 and I'm ready to get the ball rolling.

The updates from home come pretty often and it sounds like all is well. The weather is warm, too warm to run dogs from the sounds of it. I hear from friends back home that Meier's Lake sold (can't hardly wait to meet the nice family I keep hearing about) and our pups are getting bigger, stronger and now eating soaked food and visiting outside the dog house more regularly. Salty, the runt is working on catching up, she is the shyest of the bunch, too. I do look forward to getting back into the groove with several dog walks daily when we are home, time with Polar, Sport, Patsy, Puck, Sebe, Pheobe & Naked on loose walks...and getting the dogs out running on the atv. I have Demon, Bongo, Clyde, Robin, Galen, Sebe and Bridle on my mind..we have some catching up to do. I miss them all so much but I know they are in good hands with Sue and she's enjoying herself with them and our guests. I talked to Seth yesterday, our handler in Skagway and he's running all 36 dogs. He's going to take some pictures for me next week...the film crew from London, England asked for updates yesterday on Jericho for their Animal Planet documentary.

We have a sponsor list to post, I will get on this very soon next week. We have some major team players in this years season as well as sponsors/friends coming for the big race. My updated bio & pic should be up on the Iditarod site soon and John is creating a monthly newsletter for sponsors of the kennel on my Iditarod 2010 season, training notes, trail description, dog progress, etc (his idea!)...what a sweetie huh? He will be taking over most of the kennel management while I focus all my attention on my team and Iditarod 2010.

We'll be back later with more..

Thanks for tuning in, will post pic's soon. Have a Great 4th of July and Enjoy your summer!!!! XO
Zoya

Monday, June 29, 2009


Ah, to be a dog! So simple, so basic, so perfect.

FaceBook

I finally did it, I caved in and signed up for a Facebook account....how fast do we need to speed ahead, I wonder? So many gadgets, widgets and wockets! We'll see about it over time, I'm slow to come around but I come around. There's this part of me that resists and says..I just don't have that kind of time....it's tough enough to get on here these days and I love my journal, seems more personal all though it's not, really. One thing I know for sure is that I was born in the wrong century and now making a great effort to keep with it ..to stay on top as to not get too far behind...the times, that is. I don't want to be totally old and clueless when Jona is say, 16. We can only guess at how much these things will change by then! z

Sunday, June 28, 2009

CLYDE


Rolling cool..


and rolling and rolling and laughing...

Iditarod sign up update

Wasilla, AK. June 27, 2009) The 2010 Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race first day sign ups began at 9:30 am Alaska time at the Iditarod Trail Committee Headquarters. By the end of the first draw deadline (3:30 pm Alaska Time) sixty mushers had signed up. Four time Iditarod Champions Jeff King and Martin Buser joined three time Iditarod Champion (2007,2008,2009) Lance Mackey along with a number of top ten Iditarod Finishers at today’s sign ups. So far 19 rookies have signed up for the 2010 Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race.

More than 500 volunteers and mushers gathered at the Iditarod Trail Committee Headquarters. They were served a barbeque luncheon by the Millennium Alaska Hotel (The Official Hotel of the Iditarod trail Sled Dog Race). Jeff King (Denali Alaska) and Robert Nelson (Kotzebue Alaska) won their $4,000 entry fees back in a final drawing that marked the end of the 2009 Volunteer Appreciation Picnic.

Below is a listing of mushers (in order of their draw):
Position Status First Last City State Country



1
Matt Hayashida Willow AK

2
R Kurt Reich Divide CO

3
Ken Anderson Fairbanks AK

4
Ryan Redington Wasilla AK

5
R Jane Faulkner Kasilof AK

6
Lance Mackey Fairbanks AK

7
Karin Hendrickson Chugiak AK

8
R Nancy Yoshida Thompson ND

9
Jessie Royer Fairbanks AK

10
R Newton Marshall St. Anne Jamaica

11
R Quinn Iten Kotzebue AK

12
Sue Allen Wasilla AK

13
Lynda Plettner Houston AK

14
Cindy Gallea Seeley Lake MT Canada

15
Jeff Deeter Wasilla AK

16
Jim Lanier Chugiak AK

17
Robert Nelson Anchorage AK

18
Cim Smyth Big Lake AK

19
Jeff King Denali AK

20
Sven Haltmann Willow AK

21
Terry Adkins Sand Coulee MT

22
Ramey Smyth Willow AK
23 Michael Suprenant Chugiak AK

24
Hans Gatt Whitehorse YK Canada

25
Sonny Lindner Two Rivers AK

26
R Emil Churchin Anchorage AK

27
Kirk Barnum Seeley Lake MT

28
R Kim Darst Blairstown NJ

29
R Justin Savidis Willow AK

30
R Kathleen Frederick Willow AK

31
R Hank Debruin Haliburton Ontario Canada

32
Ross Adam Grande Prairie Alberta Canada

33
Linwood Fiedler Willow AK

34
Martin Buser Big Lake AK

35
Allen Moore Two Rivers AK

36
Mitch Seavey Seward AK

37
R Tamara Rose Fairbanks AK

38
Gerald Sousa Two Rivers AK

39
William Pinkham Glenwood Spring CO

40
R Scott White Woodinville WA

41
Dallas Seavey. Seward AK

42
Zack Steer Sheep Mtn. AK

43
R William Johnson Unalakleet AK

44
R Pat Moon Chicago IL

45
Sebastian Schnuelle Whitehorse YT Canada

46
Blake Frekking Finland MN

47
Fabrizio Lovati Brenua Italy

48
R Dave DeCaro Denali Park AK

49
R Michelle Phillips Tagish YT Canada

50
Zoya DeNure Gakona AK

51
Aliy Zirkle Two Rivers AK

52
Dee Dee Jonrowe Willow AK

53
Paul Gebhardt Kasilof AK

54
R Wattie McDonald Stonehaven Scotland UK

55
Karen Ramstead Perryvale AB Canada

56
R Chris Adkins Sand Coulee AK

57
Ray Redington Jr. Wasilla AK

58
John Baker Kotzebue AK

59
R Kristy Berrington Kasilof AK

60
Warren Palfrey Quesnel BC Canada