I can’t post pictures or words, or even a new Blog entry.

Please follow us to this location…HERE.

I’ll explain when you get there…we’re on a new trail~!

But not to worry, it’s smooth and easy and beautiful.

You’ll like it!

See you there!

Meet our new pup ~ AKC Siberian “Penny”.

She’s just a little peanut of a gal.

Full of spunk and spirit.

Learning the ropes with assistance by AC Ellen.

Fluffy-coated brother “Knik” (aka ~ Nik) joins in.

Led by the pro duo of Star and Windows, “Shaw dogs”, on loan from the Fortier kennel.

They’re off~!

Pure power…

Pure pleasure…

Teamwork.

A new life.

One that will be filled with pride, wonder and new adventures.

Penny and Knik ~ welcome.

Until tomorrow ~ God willing,

Woodswoman

How many times in your life, can you be both the teacher…and the student?

For Miranda, the Mustang trainer, it happened this past weekend.

She went from graceful elegance and total control…to…

Dog power!

Because Miranda (Mandy) grew up with horses, and is an experienced horse trainer, she was an easy lesson.

And caught on fast.

Although her experience that day was truly “Baptism by Fire”, by no fault of her own (Union picked THAT day, on the trail, in lead ~ to decide she was truly retired…), we have no doubt she will be back for more this weekend.

I would bet money on it…

Anyone who runs barrels, laying a horse on its side, can handle a dog team.

Beauty Power Spirit.

Canine or equine ~ the saying fits.

Until tomorrow ~ God willing,

Woodswoman

To see other exciting news, check out our other Blogs:
Meet the Mushers
and
Our 40 ~ The Simple Life at Russ-Stick Acres.
A daily blog of adventure tidbits.

In the world of dog mushing, there are different phrases.

The one which holds the highest regard is an Honest Dog.

An Honest Dog is one who gives his all.

Not just now and then.

But every moment he is hooked up to the sled.

Our new dog Malakai, is new to mushing.

Not really…as deep in his heart, he knows this.

He instinctively understands.

As with all new dogs, we place him nearest the sled, in the wheel position, so he can be watched and easily hear his master’s calming voice.

He not only pulls, but he pulls from deep within his ancestor’s gene pool.

The sign of an Honest Dog is one whose tug is always tight.

Ranger, our leader, is an Honest Dog.

Shiloh, our other new addition to the kennel, is pursuing an Honest Dog title.

Malakai excels at a tight tug.

It stirs an emotion within me to see a dog find himself.

Tears meet the cold air.

To be happy, and content.

To wonder what is next…what adventure awaits.

To dream…

Until tomorrow ~ May all your dogs be Honest Dogs ~ God willing,

Woodswoman

Our sage veteran main lead dog, Ranger, was ready.

Rustic Russ was ready.

I was more than ready.

Our friend, AC (Animal Control) Ellen, came by mid-morning to run her team and get them used to our trails and dogs.

Ellen, along with several of our “doggy” friends, will be assisting us this year with our dog tours.

She figured it would be good for her…and good for her dogs.

It’s what we like to call, a win-win.

It was a day of “firsts” in several ways on this snowy, sunless, cloudy Saturday.

The first day on sleds.

The first time our little gal, Little Feet, ran in lead (with Union). (Click to read her story.)

And the first time Ellen’s pup, Tug, was hooked to the gangline.

And… the first time Ellen and Russ did a head-on pass with finesse on our tight wooded trails.

Ellen will be a permanent fixture as lead sled driver for guests, sharing duties with Rustic Russ.

She has been mushing for 10+ years.

Many of our dogs over the years, have come from Ellen.

Old harnesses tell a story of dogs who traveled all the way from northern lower Michigan to Alaska.

Bambi.

Ellen is a consummate musher.

Her little guy, Tug, has now grown up. (Click to read his story.)

We were all proud of how he took to the sled.

It is in his blood.

Most of all, AC Ellen was proud, as Tug is now officially doing what he was bred to do – be a working part of a sled dog team.

We’re looking forward to Ellen and her team of Chummer, Jack, Wiley, Possum, Tug, Nera, Kara being at our place on future snowy Saturdays.

I know Russ will appreciate the expertise Ellen brings to the table.

It will allow us to offer more sled dog experiences, to more people.

And have fun doing it…

Until tomorrow ~ God willing,

Woodswoman