The huskies and their musher

I hope y'all enjoyed Feb 29th and  having an extra day in the year! ;)

I (Emily) am finally getting around to sharing some more recent pictures of the puppies and the results of Matt's 2020 racing season.

Matt ran two races with his team this year (the same two races he ran last year.) He was hoping to run a race with a longer mileage this year, but he smashed his thumb wide open (fracturing it and having to get several stitches) just 2 weeks before the first race, which affected his training. So he opted to run shorter races- thumb brace and all.

Race #1 went pretty well, the weather was plenty warm (which was nice for camping but not so nice for the dogs). The trail was softer and slower than last year. However, the team still did the run 6 minutes faster than last year, finishing in just under an hour.

The start of the race.... (Photo credit: Mom who walked down the trail to take this picture.)

The end of the race: it was a race down the home stretch. These 3 teams finished just seconds apart.

Then two weekends later we loaded up and did it again. Race #2 was a nine mile loop. They did this run in 1:07. It was another day that was plenty warm for dogs, so the team had a bit slower average speed. (They like it cold...)  This race starts and ends at a golf course, which is fun because you can see the teams for much longer as they leave and return. So Mom and I have a few more pictures from this race. (Mom has been opting to be a photographer instead of a dog handler...)

 Just before heading to the starting chute... 

 

Hike, Hike! Go team, go!!

Heading for the final curve before the finish line

 Another race to the finish line- Matt passed the other team on the home stretch...

 

Good dogs! Another race completed!

 I had the privilege of traveling and camping the night before the races with Matt. My duties were to be his adult over the age of 18, cook, wash dishes, and be a dog handler. I had a lot of fun camping with him. Our trailer this year was nicer than last year's. (I think I mentioned that Matt bought a trailer before their WY hunting trip- it's tall enough to stand up in and they built a counter so I didn't have to kneel down to cook and do dishes this year.) Despite cool temps at night we stayed pretty warm and cozy. The only hard part is getting up in the morning to start the heater. ;)  

Look how the huskies lined themselves up so nicely for this picture!

 (photo credit: Grace) 

 Notice they have collars on? Matt started chaining them up at feeding time so they each get their own dish now... It was an adventure trying to get them chained up and fed that first time.. Laura and I had battle scars from trying to help. Within a couple feedings though, they adjusted to the new routine, and now are pros at it.

Yesterday was a very exciting day. The puppies got to go on a run with the big dogs!! It was a family project, with extra dog handlers to get the outfit across the icy driveway to the dog sled trail, and to be on standby if help was needed. Matt made 3 laps with his team, and each lap had different pups hooked in, so they all got to run next to a experienced dog.  It went quite well, and overall the pups seemed to enjoy it. There were a few tangles and such. But I was pretty impressed with how smoothly it went.  Only one pup balked, so out on the trail, Matt unhooked her, and just let her run along (sounded like she caused a bit of trouble getting tangled up with the lead dogs,) then later in the loop Matt hooked her back up and she was doing better with it.

 It's so fun to see those pups hooked in with the team.

 Matt had 8 dogs in front of him for the first time. :)