It starts!

Just brought home my second Husky. Her name is Gemma. I have been working with Jaye, a musher friend of mine, learning about the sport of mushing. I had no idea it was this widespread.

This past summer I met her through facebook talking about dogs. She said she has a large kennel of Huskies and asked if I'd like to come see them and maybe get my Luna some playtime with dogs of her own kind. I have to admit I was surprised that someone in my own town, just 10 minutes away, had a kennel full of Huskies. I had been looking for something to do with mine in the winter for exercise and bonding.

Well, I jumped in with both feet. After the first morning of being a handler of sorts, I was hooked. I came back the next training day and everyone after that. Soon, Luna was waking me up before my alarm clock to go out running. 

Waiting to go bike joring in Carrabassett Valley.

We trained on an ATV in the fall, letting the dogs pull us down the local trails. It was hard work getting them ready and they were a handful to say the least. The excitement in the kennel when I pulled in and we started getting the truck ready was amazing. Upon opening the first kennel, a hurricane of fur and loud barking came running at me. All I could do was hug the wall of the house and let them race around trying to beat each other to a spot in the truck.

Cleaning up while Jaye sets up the ATV for training.

Most of them were "self loaders" so they just jumped into a cubby when the door was opened. Some however had to be lifted to the upper deck. I worked up quite a sweat and was quickly learning I was not wearing the right gear for winter activity. Layers are important but the "right" layers are more important. For the first few training days I spent the time in wet cotton layers, freezing jeans and cold hands. 

A beautiful morning for fall training.

I started investing in the right clothing and soon it found my groove. After the hard part of loading, unloading and the pandemonium of attaching the dogs to the gang line,we were off. At first I was taken aback by the beauty and peacefulness of it all. The dogs suddenly got quiet, focused and dug in. They wanted so much to pull and work as a team. All I could hear was the hum of the ATV engine and the sound of 72 paws grabbing at the trail. The leaves were turning for the Fall season and it was a wonderful feeling to be out there.

So, it starts! I'm hooked and looking forward to what comes next.