Hunter happily being examined on table for vet check...we had a heck of a time getting him OFF the table..he enjoyed all the attention!
Bonnie wasn't so sure she liked all the attention, on the table!
and .....zoya is back in action-- giving chop chop lessons. not the dancing kind today:)
................after Iditarod, perhaps!
pictured above, right:Motta at Iditarod vet check in Fairbanks
We're going to the Iditarod with a clean bill of health....WHAHOOOOOOOEY!
The CT scan came back clean and we're thrilled.
We're feeling better and moving ahead.
-50 here in Paxson today. Brrrrr.
The dogs will sit until things warm some....our highs midday have been around -25...this is just fine by us and feels quite good compared to the deep cold mornings. Once we leave the lake and head into the hills, things warm up in a hurry. Warm-----as in -15 to -20. The dogs run with coats at these temperatures, booties on all 4's and plenty of fat snacks in the sled.
Bridle has a little frost nip on the underside of her belly I'm trying to heal up, the girl has little hair as it is and is one of the dogs who doesn't tell you when something hurts.
Most of the dogs on my team have real good coats, there's just a small handful of dogs that need more attention in that area.
Moose are a factor on most of our trails right now with all the new deep snow. John was out about 5 days ago when a moose came around a corner 7 miles from home inbound, as he was turning into the woods on a sharp gee turn the moose was alarmed kicking up and running through the team to meet up with her calf that was standing on the opposite side of the trail. The dogs cried aloud and Sebe was barely missed by the kick. Whew. That was a scary close call.
Brianna and I took 2, 10 dog teams out yesterday on a 25 mile run and within the first 8 miles, scared up a resting cow on the side of our trail. I didn't see her until we were on her more or less. She was a big girl and very surprised to see us. She popped up tall and ran across the trail about 100 feet in front of my team. The dogs were not happy to see her as this was the same team that had the moose encounter last week. The cow ran into the woods and kept going. Peak and Sebe were looking back at me for reassurance. Galen thought he might want to chase her down as he lept off trail in her direction from the middle of the team only to get bounced back into team. The leaders happily drove faster as we passed the moose.
Most of the dogs are all snuggled tight in their houses this morning with new warm fluffy straw, Hansel, Catania, Stone are all loose trying to get other dogs out and playing and some of the older dogs ..Sport, Eddie...are in the house with me helping mom with chores, our house dogs are all lazily perched on their beds and everyone is working this morning on drops. We will deliver drops next week Tuesday in Anchorage.
We want to wish everyone on the Yukon Quest good luck & safe travels. They start today out of Fairbanks. Looks like it will be a cold race if this snap stays. We talked to a few friends lastnight who are running it for the first time and we want to reassure you that you're in our thoughts and prayers! We're rooting for all of you!
back soon with more from the ranch.
zd
