Cross your paws...

In a mere 3 sleeps

(I've been counting down since mid-June)

We will be getting on a plane and jetting away from here!

21 hours & 3 flights after we leave home, we will arrive in

Costa Rica!

Yes, we know it's the end of their rainy season.

No, we don't care!

Warm tropical rain sounds more appealling than

the freezing rain we had today!

We'll be checking out one of the world's most active volcanos!

Volcan Arenal

Lounging in some hot springs

EcoTermales

Hanging out at the beach in

Tamarindo

Checking out where our coffee comes from

and whatever else comes up along the way!

So cross your paws,

not for us, not for good weather,

not for Tropical Storm Tomas to move on

not even for safe travels

But

for the brave friend who has agreed to take care

of this zoo while we are away!

And hope we are still friends when we return in a couple weeks!

Godspeed Sweet Girls...

This is the saddest day in the history of Wandering Spirits Kennels.

Two of our canine pack moved on to whatever comes next this morning. Two of our firsts; two of the dogs who were here almost from the begining of all this craziness.

Her Royal Highness, Queen Sleet.

Our first Yukon dog, Sleet arrived here just a few months after we did. Stuart was taking a training course for volunteer firefighters and went for coffee with a couple in the course after class. He came home and said "Trish sent something home for you." I had never met Trish at that point and wondered what a stranger could have possibly sent me.

I opened the truck door to find a slightly frightened and confused black and white sled dog. Trish has since become a close friend and Sleet is without a doubt the best gift anyone has ever given me.

Sleet was already seven when she got here. Still an active working sled dog, but one who was not so interested in spending her days outside, unhappy in a traditional dog yard setting and not quite as fast as she used to be. At the time, I only had three other dogs, purebred Siberians who had no idea they came from sled dog lines! Sleet spent several years happily leading a growing team down the trail. If it hadn't been for her, I'd probably still be standing in the driveway, dogs going crazy, harnesses tangled and lines chewed, wondering what the hell to do next. Sleet got us started, got us home when the musher insisted on taking the wrong trail, taught the young and the scared that pulling was fun. In life Sleet was sweet and submissive; in harness she took no crap from anyone and was all business.

She did not enjoy winter nearly as much in the last couple years. She spent more and more time inside, curled up on her bed in the living room. The other dogs all knew that even if Sleet wasn't on it, that was her bed and they weren't to use it. Time took it's toll on Sleet's body as she slowly lost control of her bladder, lost her strength, mobility and energy. Her vet records show she was born in June 1994, so she had over sixteen good years. Still somehow doesn't seem long enough. I've never really known Yukon life without Sleet; there will be many adjustments without her.

We woke to several inches of snow this morning....a fitting send off for one of the finest lead dogs to ever pull a sled.

Minutes after Sleet left us, Goldie joined her. Goldie was the first dog who ever looked at me from a shelter kennel and as plain as a day asked me to help her. Her face, those soft, scared brown eyes at that moment are forever burned into my memory. My silly husband actually said " you have three dogs that's enough!" If only he knew what the next few years would bring! Two years later, eight dogs were here and Goldie was still wasting away in the local shelter. She came here in April 2002.

Goldie's life was a battle from day one. Her front legs were curved, likely from malnutrition as a puppy; she was found as a yearling, in heat, fending for herself, terrified of men. Then over two years in a shelter; prolonged confinement like that does funny things to a dog's psyche. Goldie came to us with issues and immediately started to battle here too. She hated Preacher and tried to beat him up every chance she got. She randomly started fights and ended up spending much of her time isolated from the other dogs. In an effort to figure out what was wrong with her as it seemed her life was not much improved from the shelter, we had multiple tests done at the vet.

Turned out that Goldie had a fractured pelvis. Her vet thought she had been kicked viciously. The break was never treated and by the time she got here it had healed all wrong. It was the root of Goldie's aggression; she moved wrong, it hurt and whatever dog was closest to her at that moment got bite! She started immediately on pain control and anti-inflammatory medication. Within in days, the sweet, gentle, fun dog I knew was in there came out to play!

Goldie developed a strong bond with Chase. They shared a pen and their lives. A funny looking pair indeed...short, fat Goldie, long, lean, tall Chase, but they adored each other and were never far apart. Chase stayed by Goldie's side even as she took her last breath. She was lucky to have him; he added joy, canine companionship, play and security to her life. I am lucky to have Chase and hope he will be able to adjust to life without his dear friend.

Goldie's final battle was one we knew she could not win. She had bone cancer in her ribcage. She made it eleven months with the cancer, much longer than originally anticipated. The tumor had grown so large that no amount of medication allowed her to get truly comfortable. She had trouble walking and no endurance.

Such different dogs in almost every way, such wonderful dogs in so many more. It was a privilege to share your lives.

Godspeed my girls. You will be deeply missed for a long time.

There was a time....

There was a time, not so long ago, when this would have thrilled me!

Over six inches of heavy snow fell yesterday. We often get snow this time of year, but I've never seen this much snow in September and it's not melting with any great speed!

The dogs are happier about winter's early arrival or at least they were happy I survived the drive home so they didn't miss dinner!

The ancient and the sick dogs are less than impressed. Sleet clearly thinks I've lost my mind every time I suggest she should go outside! Goldie is quite thrilled with sleeping in her crate and needs some convincing when it's time to go back to her pen.

The aging out of my dog team and my lack of a reliable leader is seriously dampening my enthusiasm for winter!

To any other mushers reading this...NO NO NO NO, I am in no way interested in that young dog that didn't make your team, the older leader who needs a semi-retirement home,the puppy with leader potential, ect, ect, ect.....This crew is here to stay until nature takes it course, but there will be no new additions for several years at least!