Welcome to our Dog tales page here you will find stories relating to our dog sledding trips. We hope you enjoy and we will be adding more stories very soon .

Spring run 2003


The story and pictures of one of our last runs in spring 2003

It was a long winter for me this year I was pregnant with our second child and found myself by the window everyday watching some of the nicest snow falling and I was not able to get out with the dogs and run.   I have often referred to dog sledding as my addiction I think I am one of the few people around this town that watches the weather station to see if it is going to snow and if it is I get all excited. When I finally was able to get out and sled the snow started to melt. I was crushed no sledding this year. But we were blessed with a wonderful down fall of great powdered snow, it was sledding for me I was a little concerned though all the dogs had not been out on the sled more than 8 time this winter season. so the trails were a bit of a mystery.

getting ready for the run    Some of the boys in the kennel

Getting the lines and sled ready

The whole kennel was fattened up with the winters fresh fish and lack of exercise I often joked that we no longer had sled dogs but we had dogs so fat they had stumps for legs.I thought I would hook a team of 8 and only go for a short run, I was no sure how the trails were going to be a few miles into the bush I had not been up to my usual daily grooming. I was so happy as the kennel began to become insane with howling and jumping around as I gathered my equipment, un like in years past I was really enjoying taking my time getting everything ready I was not sure if I would get another chance to run in the snow this year.I decided to speed things up when the dogs grew impatient and started bugging each other. After all were hooked up I took a moment to stop and have a look. cinnda (Lead) was in standing heat and I was re checking to see who was all around her. The line up would have been a little different if she was not in heat. Shilo who is wheel was going insane he was not near his sweetie, I think he was mad kato got to be so close.

Everyone had not been out on sled for a while and i must admit I was a little concerned on how everyone was going to listen. I guess there was only way to find out. So with that I jumped on the sled and checked the sled bag for all the supplies I would need if I were to get stuck out in the back bushes for the night. All was here and I was ready to go with a wave to our daughter who was watching from the side lines who was still very upset with me that she was not coming i let up the snow hook and with a tremendous yank we took off down the field to the trail.   So far so good all were off on sprint and i held them back as much as could, we were sure not lacking in power, with the exception of cinnda and Lyra the team was all male.We started to make the first turn and cinnda had to let rusty (lead)know that she was in control today and had to give him a little pull over. Rusty is a little bit of a hard head sometimes and needs to be put in his place by cinnda.

The team waiting to get going

a break after our 2 mile sprint

we turned the corner at a little more speed than I should have the snow was quite deep here the snow had drifted from the field and the sled sank into the snow and made turning quite the adventure.Of course I never tipped the sled, no good musher ever does:-)   After having straighten the sled I never tipped I was off on the first part of the trail, this is my most favorite part the trail winds very closely in "s" patterns for about a mile through large spruce and pine, it is so quite and beautiful, the only sound around was the chirping of the local insane squirrel "oh I think you really scared off the dogs" I thought as I passed him/her. I had only one more turn on to a cut line and then I was on almost a straight trail for about 2 miles.   The dogs took the turn great cinnda pulled the team around with lots of room for me and the sled well I guess whinger(right wheel) forgot his brain at home he cut in at the last second and just about took out the sled and me with a group of red willows. Thanks whinger. I decided I would let the dogs run full out for this stretch. everyone was doing allot better than I had thought they would it was a blast I soon forgot About the time and the trail, I was having a blast the team was running great and the weather was chipping in and I wanted to not take the next right turn and keep going straight and head up to the family cabin for the night.

But then I found my head and turned cinnda down yet another of the maze of cut lines. Here the dogs really had to work hard the trail was very wide and had drifted with snow I had about 2 miles and we would be at the turn to head back home along the highway. The dogs were doing great the snow had a top layer of soft powder and then a layer of crusty snow and then a deep layer of soft snow again. I was getting a little concerned with the dogs I got off the sled and ran for a while with them I had decided I would take a break just before the turn on to the trail along the highway.   Of course no one wanted to stop but i had to insist I wanted to check everyone over and have my traditional hot chocolate. it could not have been more than 5 minutes and the dogs wanted to go again. So I gathered my stuff and we were off.    the trail along the highway was still in good condition we had to pass a few neighbors still and we would be home of course they are farms so we had a little ways to go yet. I was always concerned with one of the neighbors place they had a dog ,and I always have to have talk to whinger about proper dog behavior when we meet fellow dogs. He does keep me on my feet.I was almost home and no problems with neighboring dogs.

The team along the highway Rusty (lead on the right) with his version of keeping the line tight :-)

The dogs along the highway home

I had to admit I wanted to continued passed the property but I had to go home.We turned into the driveway home. the rest of the dogs that had to stay home were howling in delight everyone was home, cinnda and rusty pulled the team in beside the kennel and i start to unhook everyone and put them in the kennel I took one last pet and cuddle and handed out treats water, and walked away from a great bunch of dogs.   It was a wonderful run and I can't wait to get out more with them it never gets boring and I love getting out with them and enjoy the winter season Next time I won't leave my daughter at home and we can do our usual singing of children songs along the trail, scaring everything in our path. Rhaean Bury

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18 miles of heaven

The weather was warm today and the snow was threatening to melt I knew I had only a few more runs with the team and I before the snow melted. I planned the trip and I went out side to get the sled ready for the run. all the dogs laying sleepily in the snow as only their head lifted to watched as I went into the shed not a word. I wondered if they would want to go for a run, they all looked so content laying and soaking up the sun. my question was answered before I knew it.

As I slid the sled form its spot in the shed one by one as the dogs could see the sled they began to jump and howl until the whole dog yard was singing in delight. With a smile on my face I slid the sled past two of my boys, they pawed and jumped at the sled trying to get a hold. I proceeded to gather my gear and untangle the lines and place out the harnesses for the days run. The dogs were getting ever so impatient, and the sound of the screams and howls rang through my head.

I went to get my lead who was smart enough to realise she had no need to howl she knew she was coming along, I have never left her. I put out the harness and said softly "harness up" and cinnda placed her head in the harness and climbed in. oh if only all the dogs harnessed up this well. One by one I harnessed the dogs jumping and pulling at my arms I walked them to the line and hooked up. The dogs could not contain themselves they turned to me every time I left the sled to gather another dog with that crazy look of "get a move on". as I hooked the last of my 6 dogs team I stopped for a moment to oversee my beautiful team of Siberians.

I jumped on to the sled and unhooked my safety line and knew I was in for One fast ride. When the wheels felt the realise I could almost not hold them back. as they jumped and tugged at the line in the attempts to break us free.

With one command my lead who patiently stood firm in place in the front looking back and watching my every movement. Turned and took off will full speed. I watched and held tight as the dogs with ears down and lines tight tore through the driveway, they clung to the gangline to make the sharp left turn on to the trail. Over the bank of snow and flying to the ground we were on our way. This was the most anticipated part of the journey 2 miles of straight packed trail for the dogs to really let loose and burn off the weeks energy. What a wonderful sight to see all the dogs in perfect line and running as one. This was a nice part for me I had no commands to call and nothing I needed to do, just watch my team slice through the snow with amazing speed.

We made a left and came to the main trail that I ran. The beginning of this trail was always a concern the hill angled to the right with trees on the right and a open hillside on the left .the trail under the snow was covered with tree roots, and every time I sunk my brake in to the ground I feared the sled brake would catch, and send my sled one way and the dogs another. As my lead slowly glided us down the hill, the speed slowly started to pick up again as the trail began to even.

The wooded area of the trail was thick with pine and popular trees, in and around trees and passing a number of rabbits an squirrels coming out to have a look at what coming down the trail. the trail winded for another 10 secluded miles through a heavily wooded area until it turned and crossed back to the trail home. It was here I decided to stop for a break.

I hook up the sled to a tree close by, and unlatched the dogs lead lines freeing them up to come and have a treat. All of us were a little tired and needed a little rest. After a snack of frozen meat, treats and water, the team sniffed around and ate the snow as I looked on. I sat on the sled and had a drink of hot chocolate and absorbed the peaceful winters day. The air was so crisp I felt energized by it. 15 minutes had passed by and the dogs were getting anxious to go again.

So I hooked them up and unlatched the sled from the tree and with a soft "o.k" the dogs were off again. The hills we slid down on our way out were the same we were going to have to climb so I slowed the pace of the dogs so they would have to power to climb the hills. As we came upon the first hill which was the major one I jumped off the sled and ran behind to give the dogs a extra push. At the top of the hill I panted and puffed as I told the dogs how wonderful they were. It was not the hill that tired me it was the 25 pounds of snow gear and huge boots, that I wore. We started back along the trail home. Once again we hit the path of a 2 miles that straight and soft. The dogs no long tore through the trail but now slowly glided along. I looked at the passing terrain and thought to my self that this was the most relaxed I had ever felt. Coming to the turn in to the driveway I once again came back from my daydream of this winters day and watched as my lead pulled the team to a stop beside the kennel. No so eager and no longer pulling at my arms the dogs one by one were unhooked, and put back into the kennel. Each praised for the most wonderful day.

After watering and feeding and loving the dogs I stood back and looked at these amazing creatures and thought how lucky I am to be able to experience this.
Not everyone can jump onto a sled and run with a team, and experience the real beauty of nature through The eyes of a musher and their dogs


Rhaean Bury