Charged by a Moose

Snow flurries in September and 6 inches in October - a good sign for the season. Training is progressing well, assisted by almost perfect temperatures and a nice base of the white stuff.

Handler, Louis, has settled into the cabin and the routine of training. We have three teams of fourteen dogs, one which is a yearling team. He is focusing on developing younger leaders and addressing a few behavioral issues which will keep our team moving forward smoothly.

So far the most exciting or scary event of the season was my evening encounter with a moose. After work one evening, I took the yearlings out for a short run. It was my first night run and I took a headlight but quickly realized the batteries were fading so I would have to rely on the headlights of the four wheeler.

We had seen quite a few moose around the neighborhood but they always vacated the trail when approached and never seemed a threat to the team. This night I chose to take the River Loop - my second mistake of the night since it is a popular hangout for moose. As we wound our way alongside the river, the dogs ears suddenly picked up and one or two expressed a woof. Out of the corner of my eye I saw a dark figure moving off to my right. I stopped the team and then I directed my light to the front of the team where two bright eyes stared back, hovering above my leaders.


Not thinking too clearly I dismounted the ATV and started to move toward the leaders, waving my arms and yelling. I thought I could scare it away - LOL. Instead of being intimidated by the two legged, noisy being the moose moved off a bit, turned and charged directly toward me and the dogs. There are not many sights more intimidating than a 1000 pound moose bearing down on you. She was mad and nothing was going to stand in her way. I quickly stumbled and dove out of her path and she thankfully ran over the dogs without touching anyone.

We have been fortunate over the years to have had very few moose encounters. I have a friend, Russ, who named his kennel Moose Crossing Kennel because of the numerous tangles he and his team have had. He carries a gun for protection on every training run. I actually had a gun with me on this particular night; next time - if there is one- I think I will pull it out before facing off with the moose.

2009 IDITAROD

Yes, indeed, the Journey that is Iditarod 2009 has begun. The Core team has returned from "Summer Camp" on the Glacier where they worked giving rides to tourists and are now adjusting to life back here in Two Rivers. We will give them a week or so more of Rest and Relaxation and begin training in earnest. Looking out at the group now spinning around in the yard, I am impressed by the view - probably the best version of the Black and Blue team yet!

In the meantime, while they rest, I will prepare the lines and harnesses for a new season and hook up the dogs who did not work all summer. We had seven adults and eight yearlings at home this summer, so they need to catch up to the condition of the Glacier dogs. Teva, our star leader, stayed home so she could raise her two pups, TuTu and Tundra, as did Tina who raised four Olympians, Michael, Dara, Trickett, and Bolt.

I hooked up the yearlings five or six times times in August and really enjoyed the ride. Named after Harry Potter characters - Hermione, Hooch, Muggles, Merlin, Weasley, and Wizard - they are impressive. Although still difficult to harness because of their enthusiasm, they are all business once on the line and very smooth moving like their Mom, Wilma, and Dad, Zorro (Lance Mackey's main dog).

We also have Oak and Holly who were born in December 2007 so are technically still pups. We probably won't hook them up until snow flies although they really want to join the fun now. Holly and Oak were born on the winter solstice and thus named for the two solstice trees. Learn more at http://www.fs.fed.us/wildflowers/plant-of-the-week/winter_solstice.shtml.

Temperatures at night are dropping to reasonable numbers, between 25 and 40 degrees, so we should be able to train early mornings or late evenings. My handler, Louie, does not arrive until October 1 so we will have to work around our work schedules until then.

All for now.