I'm exhausted, so just a short note.

Today, myself, my husband, and my friend Mallory helped transport a needy wolfdog across state lines. He was an absolutely beautiful animal named Keeyani - likely a mix of Samoyed and Malamute with possibly a little wolf thrown in.



This beautiful young boy had been found languishing in a shelter in Illinois, a state that bans the ownership of wolfdogs. Without transport out of the state by a reputable rescue group, he would have been euthanized without a second thought (whether he actually had wolf or not). So, we agreed to be part of a relay from Chicago all the way to New Jersey, where he would find safe haven at Howling Woods Farm, a sanctuary for wolfdogs and wolves.





We drove up the highway to meet Denise Kinsey, the amazing woman who had brought him all the way to Ohio from Chicago to save his life. Denise and Keeyani shared a heartfelt goodbye before we coaxed him into our truck and took off for Pennsylvania.



The ride wasn't long, but proved to be eventful; somehow we got turned around in PA and ended up going a little out of our way. Still, before too long, we met up with Dan and Tricia, the dedicated volunteers who were taking the "graveyard shift" to drive Keeyani from western PA all the way to New Jersey.

To say that Dan and Keeyani hit it off would be at tremendous understatement.







Mallory and Keeyani were also fast friends.







There was a distinct sense of comraderie among all of us as we completed the transport; mutual admiration and respect for our involvement in the work. Keeyani seemed to be truly grateful, and that's not something I say lightly. As we parted ways, Keeyani came to each of us in turn, placed his paws on our shoulders, and looked at each of us squarely as if to say, "thank you".

I'm always shocked when the dogs finish blowing their coat in the spring. They look so different without their warm parka-ruffs of fur!

So far, Jasper is the only one who has finished blowing coat. As you can see, his winter and summer looks are dramatically different.





He hardly even looks like the same animal!

Wolf Park

I've just returned from an incredible week-long seminar at Wolf Park. My brain is hyper-saturated and I have a notebook filled to the brim with notes and sketches. I have absolutely no words to describe the experience of the whole event - from the incredible seminar topics, all the new information I somehow managed to cram into my mind, and of course, the time spent with the wolves. Truly a life-changing week!

I'm struggling to put it into words, so I'll just share photographs. The shots that include myself were taken by none other than the legendary wolf photographer, Monty Sloan.


Getting wolf kisses from Wotan, my favorite wolf!






More time with beautiful Wotan.




Meeting the adorable new wolf puppies! This was such an amazing experience.




Reudi really enjoyed this backscratch! What a ham!






Randoms of Wotan, taken by myself throughout the week.


Renki and Ayla begging for treats.


Eclipse, the beautiful, shy white wolf.


Pat Goodman working on clicker-training the resident coyotes - this was absolutely fascinating.


My memories from Wolf Park will last me a lifetime.

Transitional times

Every spring, Jasper sheds his fluffy undercoat all in a rush. Shaking out from under the burdens of the previous year, as if he is emerging from the old life and hurtling into the new.

Like a wolfish New Year's resolution.

It's all very poetic, but in the meantime, he just looks like he sat down in a cotton candy machine.

Spring is chugging along at full speed here in Northeast Ohio. After some record-breaking warm weather, it seems that we've all been thrown forcefully into spring. The grass is green and lush, flowers are popping up all over, the dogs are shedding down into their summer attire, and the chickens are laying close to a dozen eggs a day.

As for myself, spring means it's time for work. New grass seed went down where it was trampled the previous year. The garden beds were raked clean, given a new topping of compost, and are ready to accept some new plantings. Tomato seedlings are now growing in the sunroom, and the garlic plants are shooting sky-high already. A couple of planters built into our deck are going to be planted with heirloom carrots soon, and the planters on the deck kennel will be growing zinnias.

I'm also trying to find more creative ways to use up all the eggs that the chickens have been leaving for me! On Easter, my family and I had a great time hardboiling and dying the farm-fresh eggs. To everyone's amazement, the brown, tan, and green eggs accepted the color beautifully, and created lovely, deep, muted colors that were absolutely gorgeous. It's definitely going to be an Easter tradition from now on.

This week I'll be trying some recipes from Terry Golson's "The Farmstead Egg Cookbook". Unfortunately, this book is now out-of-print, but a little Internet sleuthing snagged me a copy at issue price. I would strongly recommend that anyone interested in a beautiful little hardback with stunning photographs and delicious recipes, hunt down a copy of this book.

On the agenda to try this week is the Apple, Brie, and Bacon Omelet, Basil and Cheese Tian (like a quiche, but crustless), Peach Chiffon Pie, and also homemade mayonnaise. I've been wanting to try a homemade mayonnaise for a long time, but I've always been a little paranoid about the raw eggs in the recipe. Not anymore - I've been told time and time again how delicious homemade mayo is, and the curiosity has finally gotten to me. So, that will be my big cooking accomplishment this week.

In sleddog news, a new training rig will be arriving here within the next couple of weeks. Since the temperatures are so warm, it probably won't see heavy use until the fall, but it's nice to know it will be waiting for me when the temps drop. In the meantime, I've been going out in the morning, training with 1 - 2 dogs at a time on the Erie Canal Towpath, using a scooter. I'm afraid those days are numbered, though, as the temperatures continue to climb.

It's all for the best though, because as the training season begins to fade, the hiking and kayaking season comes into full-swing. I certainly can't complain about that.

*Edit: So I made that Apple & Brie omelet... wow. I think that the cookbook just paid for itself!

Spring training

Just a short video compiled from a solo training run today - running just Bandit with the scooter along the Erie Canal Towpath. We worked on on-by, using Byron on the bike as a surrogate lead dog at times. I'm so proud of Bandit for bravely facing the tunnel and working so hard! Good Boy, Bandit!

Buzzard Sunday 2010

I just have to share these wonderful photos, taken by a friend I made today while out socializing Tempo.

The story is, every year, our quirky rural town hosts the Annual Return of the Buzzards. They serve up a huge pancake breakfast, and then everyone goes over to the park to spot buzzards and chat. Despite the carrion-eating bird theme, it's a great time, and a fantastic oppurtunity for socializing puppies!

Tempo went along, carried in my arms, since her vaccinations are not completed yet. We spent most of the day hanging out at a picnic table. All in all, she met close to 80 people today - kids, men, women, elderly, all different races, folks with weird hats, costumes and masks (all buzzard-themed, of course). She did beautifully and showed not a hint of shyness! She got fed tons of treats, performed her Sits, Downs, and Touches, and licked and wagged and wiggled her way into so many people's hearts!

One of these folks was so enamored with her, that she spent a good portion of the day snapping photos of little Tempo.


This girl was the photographer's daughter. She and Tempest hit it off! I love how they both look like tough cookies here!


How sweet are these two? Look at proud puppy-dad Byron in the background!


She has already grown up so much since she arrived at our home.


This buzzard mascot was downright creepy, but Tempo LOVED IT! She chewed all over the costume and tried to peek into the eyeholes, and even wagged happily when the big, creepy wing-arms descended on her and practically smothered her. She's a brave soul!


All in all, a great day. Tempo's baby blues won her a lot of new fans!

The chair-biting vampire

This photo series cracks me up.

Overdue puppy photos

I realize I've been negligent in posting new photos of our little Tempo. This is likely because I'm running on very little sleep - constant puppy supervision will do that to a person!


The most recent pic of her and me, taken by Tempest's breeder, who is also a professional photographer, great friend, and a wonderful musher and mentor.


Willow is just an obstacle to be conquered...


"I love you, Bandit! You smell good!"


"Uh wait, I'm allowed to sniff you, but who said you could sniff ME? Um, you're really big and a little intimidating!"




Fitting right in, playing with the big dogs!


This little puppy is extremely toy-motivated. She is a tennis ball fiend!

Incoming

If I could pick one photo that perfectly sums up Tempo, this would be it. She is a maniac.

New race photos

I was fortunate to have these additional photos from the Punderson Sleddog Classic sent to me by a photographer who attended the race, and thought I'd share them on the blog. I am so thrilled to have such great shots of my team blazing down the trail!

Puppy reunion

Today, Tempo's first mom came by with two of her beautiful siblings to have a littermate play date.

I wasn't able to snap any photos myself, but Shannon took good care of that angle with her wonderful blog post, and video, of the happy event! (Tempo's first puppy name was Bolt, thanks to the bright lightning mark running across the nape of her neck.)



Enjoy!

Spring forward

Here in Northeast Ohio, the air is charged with the vibrance of spring, and as the snow melts, you can hear the songbirds filling the woods with chatter. I caught a glimpse of some geese returning to the North, and the chickens are beginning to bravely poke their heads out of their coop, after a whole winter spent hiding from the cold snow.

I have some exciting news to post, but for now, here's a little video from TIME that just about made my day. With the snow melting around here, this musher's thoughts are turning from "sled" to "wheels", so this is very fitting.

Today on the Hoof & Howl Farm blog: A rare glimpse into the life of one very exhausted (but supremely happy!) puppy mother!

Mmm, antlers

The chewtoy of (future) champions!

The littlest member of the family...

Has finally arrived!



Meet our beautiful new little Alaskan Husky puppy! She was bred by my good friend and sledding mentor, Shannon Miller of Lazy Husky Ranch. When I found out last fall that two of my favorite dogs on her team, Gwennie and Yeti, would be having a litter of pups, it didn't take much to convince myself to bring home a puppy from her litter.

At just 7 weeks old, she is tiny, sweet, and adorable.



Of course, don't let that fool you; this tiny bundle of puppy fuzz will one day grow up to be an energetic, crazy young dog, just like all puppies do.

But in the meantime, I'm enjoying this time of frequent napping, cuddling her in my arms, and helping her learn about her new world.