Americano Blue's musher/mushing chat thread

[RezChamp]

(Lead)Burner got bit on the snout when Snowy and Patrick(wheelers) caught-up to him and started chewin-him-up then he turned around to protect himself from the argumentative little curses. An infection set-in after a cpl days. It'll take a bit ofr it to go down. Just the way things work if you don't "rush" it with veterinary "expensive" help. He'll be fine. He has to be. He's the only " GEE" "HAW" leader I have. Ashliegh is a good trail leader but other than "hike" & "straight ahead" she doesn't know the commands.

 

[RezChamp]

My little girl is OK. A cpl small bruises and kinda sore but no lasting injuries. Xcpt maybe ego/pride. Nothing Daddy can't hug and love away.

+7*F is about -15*C. Oooooooo, perfect mushing weather. Not too too cold where a guy/gal would feeze their feet rightaway, but cool enough the dogs don't too overheated rightaway.
I gota go get firewood today for my 2 wood burning cookstoves. 1 is in the garage for auxiliary heat and cooking(we can even bake bread or roast a turkey in the oven) especially during power outages. Although my garage is a cluttered mess it's way easier to heat than my 3 story house. The other cookstove is in the bushes behind the house. I use it to cook for the dogs.
So today the dogs are gona "sing for their supper" by hauling wood.

 

[RezChamp]

So Blue, have you tried hand feeding Meringue yet?

 

[Americano Blue]

So Blue, have you tried hand feeding Meringue yet?

yes and she hasn't choked!! She doesn't approve of it because she likes her bowl, but I think she'll get used to it.

 

[Americano Blue]

Ok so about chaining dogs
This is what another musher I talked to said.

"I don't see chaining as more unfair then other modes of housing dogs. Since sled dogs are on lines when they are running it is imperative that they are able to untangle themselves. Chaining teaches this. Also, I find they dogs are happier when they are chained because they have their own space."

 

[RezChamp]

yes and she hasn't choked!! She doesn't approve of it because she likes her bowl, but I think she'll get used to it.

LOL. Ya, she won't like it much. She's probably just really accustomed to being independant.
I'm glad she ain't choking herself. It may take awhile. Patience and perseverance are 2 virtues that are hard won.
You can be a whnner if so you chose.

 

[RezChamp]

Ok so about chaining dogs
This is what another musher I talked to said.

"I don't see chaining as more unfair then other modes of housing dogs. Since sled dogs are on lines when they are running it is imperative that they are able to untangle themselves. Chaining teaches this. Also, I find they dogs are happier when they are chained because they have their own space." 

I agree totally.
As a matter of fact I firmly believe it's unfair to keep a dog in the house. Especially a very hardy breed like a Qimmiq or Mal, Sibe, Alaskan, Sam,... any dog that is longer coated and/or dbl coated, and is healthy. Qimmiq, Mal, Sibe etc should not be kept anywhere the outdoor temp gets 100*F for any longer than an hour a day for 7 days. They are strictly a cold weather animal and should be respected as such.
I firmly believe all domestic K9's should have their heritage honoured.
Dobeys, can be kept inside when the weather becomes very cold, as Chihuahuas and VasVisla and such breeds, but not the afore mentioned types of breeds.
And ya, happier.
And ya again, their own space.
And ya again, tangling.
However there are a huge number of people that humanize dogs and cats and stuff while at the same time dehumanize or animalize humans.
That all being said I can kinda relate because as I've said before, I have more respect and love for my dogs than most people I've met, and saddly, most likely ever will meet.(because its such a sad commentary in regards to human society).

 

[RezChamp]

Oh ya, before I sign out, my dad came and got me before I got to hook up the dogs. He needed wood to....right away....used his snowmobile and great huge sleigh.
Oh well. Got to spend some nice time with my 80 yr old dad outside cutting wood in - 25*C weather. He is such an awesome old guy. I'm such a lucky man.
The Almighty has sure blessed me.

 

[Americano Blue]

LOL. Ya, she won't like it much. She's probably just really accustomed to being independant.
I'm glad she ain't choking herself. It may take awhile. Patience and perseverance are 2 virtues that are hard won.
You can be a whnner if so you chose.

ok

I agree totally.
As a matter of fact I firmly believe it's unfair to keep a dog in the house. Especially a very hardy breed like a Qimmiq or Mal, Sibe, Alaskan, Sam,... any dog that is longer coated and/or dbl coated, and is healthy. Qimmiq, Mal, Sibe etc should not be kept anywhere the outdoor temp gets 100*F for any longer than an hour a day for 7 days. They are strictly a cold weather animal and should be respected as such.
I firmly believe all domestic K9's should have their heritage honoured.
Dobeys, can be kept inside when the weather becomes very cold, as Chihuahuas and VasVisla and such breeds, but not the afore mentioned types of breeds.
And ya, happier.
And ya again, their own space.
And ya again, tangling.
However there are a huge number of people that humanize dogs and cats and stuff while at the same time dehumanize or animalize humans.
That all being said I can kinda relate because as I've said before, I have more respect and love for my dogs than most people I've met, and saddly, most likely ever will meet.(because its such a sad commentary in regards to human society).

My labs come inside when is gets below 30*f or when they shiver uncontrollably. Meringue and the border collie stay outside.

 

[Americano Blue]

Oh ya, before I sign out, my dad came and got me before I got to hook up the dogs. He needed wood to....right away....used his snowmobile and great huge sleigh.
Oh well. Got to spend some nice time with my 80 yr old dad outside cutting wood in - 25*C weather. He is such an awesome old guy. I'm such a lucky man.
The Almighty has sure blessed me.

Fun! I took Meringue, Cindy and Chloe (The other lab) out again and they did better. Chloe is annoying though because she want's to run lead so badly. It's too hard on her though.