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Welcome to winter in Denali!
We hope that some of you were able to watch the TODAY SHOW story on Husky Homestead that recently aired. You may still be able to catch it at TODAY SHOW on NBC
The summer was an extremely busy one for Husky Homestead. We are happy to have shared our home with over 20,000 visitors from all over the United States and the World. Our “Dream Team” (our beloved staff) went above and beyond providing everyone with a warm and authentic look at our Alaskan Lifestyle and our Iditarod Dogs. Our puppies were especially glad to meet everyone, as well.
The summer also provided Jeff and our dogs with a new training experience. After years of using Goose Lake for swimming the dogs on a very limited basis, Jeff was able to concoct a system of safely swimming a gang of up to 15 dogs at a time. The dogs quickly got the routine down and were just as excited to see the buoyed marine-line come out as they are when the harnesses and sled are dragged out! They acclimated so quickly that they were soon swimming up to 2 hours at a time. Needless to say, their athletic conditioning was fantastic as our winter training season began in earnest in September.
In September, Jeff transformed our indoor kennel into an Altitude Chamber with the help of Colorado Altitude Training (CAT). The team sleeps each night at just under 9000 feet, including the coach. This fall has been spent doing extensive blood testing and research by canine physiologist, Arleigh Reynolds, to document the benefits of altitude training in canine athletes.
As the ice crept across the lake, Jeff was working diligently on an indoor “spa” for the dogs to continue their swim training and to assist recuperation. The heated, doggie tub holds three swimmers at a time and is complete with rubber duckies. Though we have had some serious threats from the thermometer, the temperatures have remained fairly moderate for this time of year; dipping to between 20 and 30 below but hovering closer to 0. We are still waiting patiently for some snow and enviously watch the snow fall reports from places like Seattle and Moab….. Jeff and the dogs remain undaunted and training is going along beautifully. The main team includes our heroes from last year, Salem, Houston, Dickens, Bronte, Berkley, Holstein, Angus, Lindy, Texas, Rumba, Aspen, Bernard, Tin, Tahoe, Spaniel and some new kids, Deets, Call, Maverick, Viper, Claire, Charles, Sussex, UConn, Setter, Springer, and Jester.
Jeff (JJ) Wells is also working hard preparing for his first Iditarod with our team of young hopefuls. His team includes Belfast, Dublin, Shannon, Kerry, Galway, Kilarney, Loafer, Teva, Chaco, Danner, Chandler, Ross, Phoebe, Rachel, Monica, Joey, Victor, Cleo, Piper and Ivan. Be sure to be watching and routing for them in March as well.
As the days become shorter, the excitement grows here at Goose Lake. Races begin this month around the state introducing the competitive season. Jeff and the team will enjoy competing in the Knik 200 and the Kuskokwim 300 in January in preparation for the Iditarod in March. Jeff won both of these races in 2006! Follow the Knik online at www.members.tripod.com/knik200/ and the Kuskokwim 300 at www.k300.org/. |
