Wednesday, March 14, 2012
Phoenix moves on....
Phoenix has been a great girl to have here at Fort Illio, and we will certainly miss her, but we know our decision to place her in a home where she can excel was the best for her. She went to live with our friends Mark and Katina Domenach. Phoenix has been running lead for them with former Illio dog Storm, as well as Blazer. She has been an asset to their team, and we know their team will excel with her at the front of their teams! Thanks again Mark and Katina for giving yet another Fort Illio dog a great home!! Enjoy! Below are some photos of Phoenix in her new home.
Monday, January 23, 2012
Eagle Lake 100 Mile Sled Dog Race
When entering this race back in September we had thought that our team would of been much further a long in training by the time we reached the starting line. However that was not the case, due to icey training conditions a couple weeks prior the race, and lack of snow throughout the whole month of December. We were very fortunate for the Dionne's (thanks again guys!!!) to allow us to come and train with them for a weekend on sled, so we could see how our team was doing, in order to make the decision as to run the race, or sit this one out. Our longest run prior the race was only a 35 mile run, and that was on the fourwheeler. After a lot of hemming and hawing we decided, why not and just give it a shot! See how things go, and just take things step by step! Pretty much let the team decide this one! So Friday morning prior to the race, we packed the truck up, loaded the dogs, and off we went up to Eagle Lake Maine.
At the drivers meeting we were assured trails were in great shape, and they weren't lying one bit! Trails were beautiful despite the lack of snow we have had this crazy and bizarre winter! Looking at the weather for Saturdays 100 mile run, was a little worrisome for me, where they were suspecting 36 below zero with windchill. I have run dogs several times at 20 below...so 16 degrees more couldn't be that bad right!? Well all that worrying was pointless, because believe it or not I was actually sweating on the way home during that cold night!
So on to the details of the race! Well I finally picked my team, I think by Friday night. Team was going to be Kaleeta and Watt in lead, Roland and Bones, Kyat and Marocca behind them, Wallace and (Yoda), Rimbey and Lumos in wheel. Yoda had an infection come on quickly Thursday, so we decided to let him sit this race out and allow him for a quick recovery. So to replace Yoda, was a hard choice, but now after the race, I know I made the right decision, it was my yearling Waylon. So that left behind Dixie, Cree, Phoenix, Aryan, Yoda and Rosa. All for numerous other reasons.
Finally it came time to hook up, after hanging out for 3 hours at the race site getting the sled ready and dogs ready, and wait around wait around... We have all 10 dogs hooked up, and several handlers to get me up to the starting line, which was quite a jaunt away. I grabbed Jaye's handler Shane, and had him on the sled with me to help hold the team back, here I was thinking it's only 10 dogs, it won't be that bad. Well they were so strong that all the helpers were having such a hard time hanging on to them, and trying to hold them back, while Shane and I were both on both brakes on the sled. By the time I got to the starting line, 3 people had let go of the team. We got there with one minute to spare, Watt slipped his collar, so Mom had to run up and get his wiggly head in the collar. Meanwhile Shane is telling me how strong my team was, and how impressed he was. At that point my knees just started shaking uncontrollably! Nerves were starting to kick in! Before I could blink an eye, team was shooting out of the starting chute like a rocket, and poor Ken, Holly and Amy Dionne's Dad, almost got ran over, but he jumped in the snowbank with style!
The first 50 miles was a very nice run, like I said before, trail was beautiful! Some plowed roads, that kept you on your toes, but all in all a very good run to the half way point. We made it there before dark, and in 5 and half hours of run time! Very nice run! Once arriving at the checkpoint and getting the team parked, I must announce this because it just amazes me! After running 50 miles, you would think one would be tired...but while we were all trying to park the team, and get everyone situated, Rimbey chewed his neckline. I guess he just never gets tired. I was a little worried about my yearling Waylon who was on the team. I wanted to make sure he was going to eat and rest well. Which he did perfectly! We had 4 hours of rest time, and was set to leave at 8:54 P.M. I went and checked on the team a few times to make sure all were resting well, and were comfortable in their warm jackets mom made them, and their fluffy straw beds! Which they were! About 10 minutes to 8 o clock, I set out to bootie and get things packed up for our departure. Finally the crew came to get me, to help me maneuver around an apple tree and two cabins. Once around all of that 4 of the handlers let go, and left two handlers bringing me up to the starting line on a plowed road. Now knowing how hard of a time we had bringing my team to the starting line was in the beginning, you really think just two handlers was going to hold my team on a plowed road? Definitely not! We ended up leaving a few seconds earlier than scheduled due to no one being able to hold my team! And off we went. The run back was also very good, dogs were all doing great! We finished at 2:52 A.M. With a time back at 5 hours and 57 minutes. I was shocked we did both runs under 6 hours! We came in 11th out of 11 finishers, but 13 teams were entered. So we finished our 2nd 100 mile race! And I am very proud of the team! I just want to thank everyone that has helped me a long the way in one way or another, we couldn't of done this without your support and knowledge! So thank you!
~Fort Illio~
At the drivers meeting we were assured trails were in great shape, and they weren't lying one bit! Trails were beautiful despite the lack of snow we have had this crazy and bizarre winter! Looking at the weather for Saturdays 100 mile run, was a little worrisome for me, where they were suspecting 36 below zero with windchill. I have run dogs several times at 20 below...so 16 degrees more couldn't be that bad right!? Well all that worrying was pointless, because believe it or not I was actually sweating on the way home during that cold night!
So on to the details of the race! Well I finally picked my team, I think by Friday night. Team was going to be Kaleeta and Watt in lead, Roland and Bones, Kyat and Marocca behind them, Wallace and (Yoda), Rimbey and Lumos in wheel. Yoda had an infection come on quickly Thursday, so we decided to let him sit this race out and allow him for a quick recovery. So to replace Yoda, was a hard choice, but now after the race, I know I made the right decision, it was my yearling Waylon. So that left behind Dixie, Cree, Phoenix, Aryan, Yoda and Rosa. All for numerous other reasons.
Finally it came time to hook up, after hanging out for 3 hours at the race site getting the sled ready and dogs ready, and wait around wait around... We have all 10 dogs hooked up, and several handlers to get me up to the starting line, which was quite a jaunt away. I grabbed Jaye's handler Shane, and had him on the sled with me to help hold the team back, here I was thinking it's only 10 dogs, it won't be that bad. Well they were so strong that all the helpers were having such a hard time hanging on to them, and trying to hold them back, while Shane and I were both on both brakes on the sled. By the time I got to the starting line, 3 people had let go of the team. We got there with one minute to spare, Watt slipped his collar, so Mom had to run up and get his wiggly head in the collar. Meanwhile Shane is telling me how strong my team was, and how impressed he was. At that point my knees just started shaking uncontrollably! Nerves were starting to kick in! Before I could blink an eye, team was shooting out of the starting chute like a rocket, and poor Ken, Holly and Amy Dionne's Dad, almost got ran over, but he jumped in the snowbank with style!
The first 50 miles was a very nice run, like I said before, trail was beautiful! Some plowed roads, that kept you on your toes, but all in all a very good run to the half way point. We made it there before dark, and in 5 and half hours of run time! Very nice run! Once arriving at the checkpoint and getting the team parked, I must announce this because it just amazes me! After running 50 miles, you would think one would be tired...but while we were all trying to park the team, and get everyone situated, Rimbey chewed his neckline. I guess he just never gets tired. I was a little worried about my yearling Waylon who was on the team. I wanted to make sure he was going to eat and rest well. Which he did perfectly! We had 4 hours of rest time, and was set to leave at 8:54 P.M. I went and checked on the team a few times to make sure all were resting well, and were comfortable in their warm jackets mom made them, and their fluffy straw beds! Which they were! About 10 minutes to 8 o clock, I set out to bootie and get things packed up for our departure. Finally the crew came to get me, to help me maneuver around an apple tree and two cabins. Once around all of that 4 of the handlers let go, and left two handlers bringing me up to the starting line on a plowed road. Now knowing how hard of a time we had bringing my team to the starting line was in the beginning, you really think just two handlers was going to hold my team on a plowed road? Definitely not! We ended up leaving a few seconds earlier than scheduled due to no one being able to hold my team! And off we went. The run back was also very good, dogs were all doing great! We finished at 2:52 A.M. With a time back at 5 hours and 57 minutes. I was shocked we did both runs under 6 hours! We came in 11th out of 11 finishers, but 13 teams were entered. So we finished our 2nd 100 mile race! And I am very proud of the team! I just want to thank everyone that has helped me a long the way in one way or another, we couldn't of done this without your support and knowledge! So thank you!
~Fort Illio~
Thursday, November 10, 2011
Training is in full swing...
Well I think it's about time for yet another blog. I want to start off with how awesome the team is looking this year! They are rocking. They are taking everything we are throwing at them, and coming back wanting more! LOVE IT! I swear this team thinks they can take on the world! Which is what we all want!
We are now up to doing longer runs, which take a good part of the day, so on the off days or the evenings it is puppy time. Which means they either come in the house for an hour or so to just hang out, or we take them out in the big yard and let them free run for an hour or so! Well the other morning the impatient piebalds, earned their nickname well. This litter has been impatient sense the moment they came out of their mother, and I can easily blame that on their father Roland, who is one of the most impatient dogs I know! Anyhow the pies were busy while we were on our morning run, and dug out of their yard which resulted with them being loose in the male yard. Well most all of the males were with us on the team, they only got to bug the retirees, which don't pay much attention to the pups anyways. But weren't those four pups prouder than peacocks running around watching us come across the field and back in the yard. So that was the day we decided to introduce the pies to the big dogs, all went great and the pies love having more dogs to pick on and gang up on besides their siblings and mom all the time...plus I liked the ending result of them all being totally crashed afterwords!
Basically just catching everyone up to speed, all is well at Fort Illio. Dogs are doing awesome, and pups are growing up so nicely! Here are some photo's to enjoy, until next time! Happy Trails!
~Fort Illio~
The team
Pups crashed
Rosa
Pups meeting big dogs
Pups running
Pups in the house, They all know where the treats live!
Dixie the clown!
We are now up to doing longer runs, which take a good part of the day, so on the off days or the evenings it is puppy time. Which means they either come in the house for an hour or so to just hang out, or we take them out in the big yard and let them free run for an hour or so! Well the other morning the impatient piebalds, earned their nickname well. This litter has been impatient sense the moment they came out of their mother, and I can easily blame that on their father Roland, who is one of the most impatient dogs I know! Anyhow the pies were busy while we were on our morning run, and dug out of their yard which resulted with them being loose in the male yard. Well most all of the males were with us on the team, they only got to bug the retirees, which don't pay much attention to the pups anyways. But weren't those four pups prouder than peacocks running around watching us come across the field and back in the yard. So that was the day we decided to introduce the pies to the big dogs, all went great and the pies love having more dogs to pick on and gang up on besides their siblings and mom all the time...plus I liked the ending result of them all being totally crashed afterwords!
Basically just catching everyone up to speed, all is well at Fort Illio. Dogs are doing awesome, and pups are growing up so nicely! Here are some photo's to enjoy, until next time! Happy Trails!
~Fort Illio~
The team
Pups crashed
Rosa
Pups meeting big dogs
Pups running
Pups in the house, They all know where the treats live!
Dixie the clown!
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Leaves are starting to change color....
Leaves are starting to change color, and yes that can only mean one thing...fall is here! The cooler weather during the days, the fall breeze and the crisp mornings, sure make some happy huskies in my neck of the woods! So yes consistent training has started for the huskies and they are very vocally happy about that! If you don't believe me just ask Rosa! Where in the early month of August we were getting up at 4:30 in the morning to get the team out while it was cool enough, it has become an ritual for the team to set their alarms off at 4:00 A.m, and 4:15, and 4:30, and and and...you get the picture, they want to run! The team is doing really great this year and we even have a few up and coming leaders. More on that later.
And I am sure you are wondering about the puppies, they have grown so fast and are all so smart. Cree's babies are so obedient and big! As Kyat's babies are just starting to learn about all the adventures, and of course learning how to sit. Most all of them have it nailed by now, but I will tell you it's quite a chore teaching 8 puppies to sit at the same time, compared to only 3! I certainly had my hands full that's for sure! The big puppies play with the big dogs now, and everybody gets a long great. So again all are happy.
It has been a very good and busy summer here at Fort Illio, got a lot of projects done, finished a bunch of stuff...we have been busy with the pups of course! I can easily say I love having puppies around and watching them learn, and get brave! What a joy to watch for sure.
Well that's about all the news here, here are some photos to enjoy!
~Fort Illio~
And I am sure you are wondering about the puppies, they have grown so fast and are all so smart. Cree's babies are so obedient and big! As Kyat's babies are just starting to learn about all the adventures, and of course learning how to sit. Most all of them have it nailed by now, but I will tell you it's quite a chore teaching 8 puppies to sit at the same time, compared to only 3! I certainly had my hands full that's for sure! The big puppies play with the big dogs now, and everybody gets a long great. So again all are happy.
It has been a very good and busy summer here at Fort Illio, got a lot of projects done, finished a bunch of stuff...we have been busy with the pups of course! I can easily say I love having puppies around and watching them learn, and get brave! What a joy to watch for sure.
Well that's about all the news here, here are some photos to enjoy!
~Fort Illio~
Monday, July 25, 2011
Puppies, puppies and more puppies!
The Rock Band Litter is growing so fast, they are already 7 wks old, and are such a joy to teach things to. They new sit at 5 wks of age, and now they do it consistently! We have taken them on adventure walks, where they have to go over and under blown down trees, through water, and tall grass, nothing phases this litter one bit. Cree and Watt should be proud parents for sure. Here are some photos of them at 7 wks old!
Sable
Hinder
Shiner
Shiner
Sable
Hinder
We also have more exciting news, Kyat who we leased from our good friends Blake and Jennifer Freking from MN, was bred to Roland, and now we have 8 happy healthy puppies! They are all piebalds, and there was 5 females and 3 males. Kyat went into labor early Thursday morning, she would not let me leave her side. Around noon her water broke, and than we waited and waited for pups to start coming out. Finally about 5 hrs after her water broke it was time to start worrying...we went to the emergency clinic, and sure enough on the xrays show two pups stuck, one in front and the other was T Boning the stuck one. Not good! While looking at the xray I was counting heads, and was shocked to see 8 pups in there! WOW! The Vet strongly suggested a C section, which kind of bummed me out, but at that point what needed to be done had to be done! So that is what we did, and the best part was I got to watch all of this happen and learn, and help revive the pups! WAY COOL! I am pretty sure I am hooked and ready to be a Vet Tech for sure! All 8 pups survived and are growing like crazy, and momma is doing great as well! Here is a photo to enjoy!
That's about all the news for now!
~Fort Illio~
Sable
Hinder
Shiner
Shiner
Sable
Hinder
We also have more exciting news, Kyat who we leased from our good friends Blake and Jennifer Freking from MN, was bred to Roland, and now we have 8 happy healthy puppies! They are all piebalds, and there was 5 females and 3 males. Kyat went into labor early Thursday morning, she would not let me leave her side. Around noon her water broke, and than we waited and waited for pups to start coming out. Finally about 5 hrs after her water broke it was time to start worrying...we went to the emergency clinic, and sure enough on the xrays show two pups stuck, one in front and the other was T Boning the stuck one. Not good! While looking at the xray I was counting heads, and was shocked to see 8 pups in there! WOW! The Vet strongly suggested a C section, which kind of bummed me out, but at that point what needed to be done had to be done! So that is what we did, and the best part was I got to watch all of this happen and learn, and help revive the pups! WAY COOL! I am pretty sure I am hooked and ready to be a Vet Tech for sure! All 8 pups survived and are growing like crazy, and momma is doing great as well! Here is a photo to enjoy!
That's about all the news for now!
~Fort Illio~
Sunday, June 26, 2011
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
Coming and going....
About a month ago Blazer headed out to be with his buddy Storm. Blazer went to live with our new friends Mark and Katina, (the same people that have Storm) They loved Storm so much, they wanted his partner in crime (Blazer). Blazer hasn't been on the race team much the past two years, due to him having issues running anything over a 20 mile run. So we decided that Blazer would be best off in his new home, where he can set the pace of the team, and be spoiled, which we have no doubt that is what he is getting! Thank you again Mark and Katina for giving our loved boy a wonderful new home!
Now the more exciting news is we now have puppies!! Cree gave birth to three healthy puppies early Sunday morning. 2 males and 1 female. They are just the cutest little things, and are already keeping me on my toes. I have a feeling this litter is going to be a handful. :)The litter theme is names of Rock Bands. So introducing....
Fort Illio's Saving Able "Sable"
Fort Illio's Hinder
Fort Illio's Shinedown "Shiner"
Cree and her babies
Thats all the news for now!
~Fort Illio~
Now the more exciting news is we now have puppies!! Cree gave birth to three healthy puppies early Sunday morning. 2 males and 1 female. They are just the cutest little things, and are already keeping me on my toes. I have a feeling this litter is going to be a handful. :)The litter theme is names of Rock Bands. So introducing....
Fort Illio's Saving Able "Sable"
Fort Illio's Hinder
Fort Illio's Shinedown "Shiner"
Cree and her babies
Thats all the news for now!
~Fort Illio~
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