Aliy & Allen both retired..  With Commando (c). April 2021.  Clyde still racing!  Bridget keeps the "R&B" Team family racing tradition here

COPPER BASIN 300  was one "cool" race!!!  Fourth place for Red Team.

YUKON QUEST 2020 was amazing for its return to real winter - Fourth place for Black Team.  R&B's under rookie musher finished in beautiful shape (imagine doing the YQ300 as the first long-distance race and having Rosebud and Eagle Summit to climb almost right out of the gate)...

IDITAROD 2020 WAS NEXT (AND LAST) -  HERE

"woofsite" (name changed from "DNN")

GLOBAL EDITOR - Chena (Ret.). Will need to rely more on Eagle Brigade/GPS in 2020.    Favourite author for quick mysteries...

ASSISTANT EDITOR:  MAC (Ret.).  Now a part-time position, no benefits.  Lives close to SP Kennel so he can do interviews if he feels like it.

HOT NEWS REPORTER - Job requires aggression and digital skills.  QT, (48lbs) daughter of Quito and  Kosak (from ID#46 champion's kennel), has won this position with her take-down of Red Team musher!




LINKS TO OUR IDITAROD Reports:  in chronological order (most recent years only). 

PLUS the SP KENNEL RED TEAM Iditarod 2014 "Trail Notes" a great read!!!

Iditarod XLIV (2016) Red & Black Team reporting from woof-master.

2017 reports,  Iditarod XLV Red & Black Team.

Iditarod (2018) XLVI   All over but wait 'til next year!  

Iditarod (2019) XLVII page, our reporting complete, SP Kennel musher reports, too!!!


Iditarod (2020) XLVIII page...from the summary of the ID48 journey, at the last, a ground blizzard

Iditarod 2006 - 2014 in our research file no longer online. 

Olivia recommends reading classics such as https://sherlock-holm.es/html/
 

In August 2013 we became Chena's sponsor.  ChaCha was her Grandmother.  Olivia with blue eyes is her Mom.
Above, as a 2 1/2 year old, Chena runs her first Iditarod in 2016 on the Black Team, sharing the lead with Quito for half the race.

CHACHA FOREVER  

 

Blessings to all three wonderful dogs

S P    K E N N E L    N E W S    S O U R C E    H E R E :     http://spkenneldoglog.blogspot.com/

ADIRONDACKS IS WHERE ARTISTS GO TO PAINT NATURE.

REMEMBER THIS WIN? 
And now her inner German Shepherd emerges.  She is no longer ashamed of her big ears.  "Awesome sidestroke, Outlaw"

   
Chena very excited to see AK sunset (4pm), noting that she misses brother Commando.
Her Mom & Dad, below, #2, and a glimpse of her Adirondacks neighborhood - with Outlaw and Chemo.  Below, About Town watercolor "Docking the Skiff, Star Lake"




IT HAS BEEN ABOUT TOWN'S PRIVILEGE TO HAVE SPONSORED CHENA'S ENTIRE RACING CAREER, FROM PUPPYHOOD.  SHY, LONG-LEGGED, AND BLUE-EYED...

    

Chena always wanted to emulate Quito - who by Iditarod 2016 was on the Black Team...and shared the lead with Chena (and Junior).
From SP Kennel video, our Chena portraits left-right:  Summer 2016, Summer 2017, from Official Portrait 2018-2019;  all ears.  Retired to where she'll have fun!
 


CHENA'S RACE HISTORY:  She had a distinguished if relatively brief racing career.

"Leader" 3 times on the Black Team in ID.  To lead in the Iditarod means you have to be trusted by your musher.

In Black Team VICTORY in YQ1000, Chena paired with Junior - in WHEEL.

"Swing" for RED TEAM, winners of YQ200 and...

NOME - COUNCIL 200 RUN BY NOME KENNEL CLUB AFTER IDITAROD
ABOVE:  "Lead" for "R&B Team,"  Chena and Chemo were in lead all the way - after having just run a full Iditarod!!!  Nome-Council 200 victory.

      

 

                 

RANDOM ANALYSIS FOR MONDAY, APRIL 20, 2020


IS RUDOLPH AMONG THE POSITIVE TESTS?
Please note that the North Pole has COVID-19 testing protocol...

DENSITY IS DESTINY:  How is Alaska like Connecticut re: COVID-19 cases as of April 19)? 

• AK population 734,002, CT population 3.5 million.  Weston population 10,000+
  
• AK 1.2 people per square mile, CT 741 per square mile. Weston 492 per square mile.
  
• AK has three "major" cities (defined here as above 30,000 population); CT has 16 "major" cities.   Weston not one of them. 

HOME AT LAST FOR THE RED TEAM
Having fun enjoying "Spring mushing" on their home trails!!!

Record 6th time to Red Team leader
It is given to musher in top 20 finishers (those who were in the hunt for the win).   An article we just found...

https://www.thedp.com/article/2019/03/penn-alumni-iditarod-aliy-zirkle-musher-alaska-dog-racing



WATCH SP KENNEL RED TEAM MUSHER IN TO THE FINISH LINE ON FRONT STREET HERE.  WOOF WOOF WOOF

MARCH 8th IS RE-START IN WILLOW, AK:  RED TEAM TACKLES IDITAROD XLVIII

OVER:  Follow the SP Kennel teams' journeys here

First there is "coronaviris" transmitted from animal to human...

SP KENNEL team member has a high "YQ"
Read more about the race and its significance for SP KENNEL 
 

RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT NEXT?
In the latest video pre-Copper Basin, Bruno shows that he is definitely refining his skills in real estate field - learning to set values for both buildings and vacant land.

We be followed this race via GIS live here.  RED TEAM IN TOP FOUR (4) PAST THE HALF-WAY POINT AND ENDS THE RACE...IN 4th PLACE.
This year bone-chilling cold made the 41 teams entered drop to @28 at the START.  By the first checkpoint we believe there were 7 teams who "scratched."  Click on graphic below for the full story!



Check out how many times has CB300, first race in 1990, not been completed/held?  For what reasons? 

1.  Cancelled due to poor trail (2012)
2.  Cancelled due to cold  (1996)
3.  Twice more with no reason given...we suspect the real reason is, as my late father-in-law used to say:  "Pilot Error."

2019 Copper Basin 300, held on redrawn trail to avoid 6.6 quake affected spots from November 30th earthquake. 

It has always been a race, if Wikipedia is correct, in the more southern reaches of AK ("Valdez-Cordova") that goes from lower elevation to high peaks.  Unpredictable trail!

Snowed just a bit in Weston 12-11-19 - WINTER SOLSTICE on the way in AK.
Had we mentioned that our neighbors from a short distance away have adopted a tri-color, blue-eyed Alaska Husky female (44 lbs)?  I think her name is "Ronnie."



NOW THAT IS MORE LIKE IT - CHENA IS BACK AT HER EDITING DUTIES AND CREATIVE SUPPORT FOR SLED DOG MUSHING WITH CREATION OF...
The "Green New Deal" application for dogs!!!  "Green" in this case being economic benefit for two and four legged mushers who in the off-season can deliver goods/mail/etc in the "Lower 48!"

LYNX FREEZE STORY: 

 
Did Chena lose her taste for long distance races after her her musher was in danger?
First question for Selectmen at "State of the Town" was "What's up with the Dog Park?" 

WOOFSITE RESEARCH DEPARTMENT:
A report on large birds in Weston, CT (furthest inland for Osprey!): 

BREAKING NEWS FOR TRAINING - "FIELD OF PLAY" WITH ALTERNATING PARTNERS.
To start on October 1st, one month late for socializing.  Get to know each other better.  Lots of play!  Free roaming play sessions (above).

CHENA'S CV
Watch the video - Chena's last play date with BFF - memories:  https://spkennel.com/2019/07/playful-summer/

• Chena wonders if the fact that Lydia's new home NZ is in the Southern Hemisphere will cause any difficulties (i.e. chasing her tail in the reverse direction)?
• Last night it is reported that Chena watched "Lassie Come Home" on TV in her new home, and wondered if she could make the trek back to SP Kennel...
  

NEWS:  FIRES IN ALASKA BY DAY - OVER AUGUST 8.
Summer in Alaska is hot and dry and fiery...Chena recalls her earliest experiences with this natural phenomenon.

CHENA ANNOUNCES HB6643 PASSED BOTH HOUSE AND SENATE
Will Governor Lamont sign it?  She thinks that he will, since he's all in on regionalizing stuff.

CT news and advice re:  black bears:  https://www.norwichbulletin.com/news/20190517/plainfield-officials-warn-residents-after-bear-sightings

   

CHENA AT THE NORTH SLOPE...2019 (at the top of the page, view from a previous visit).
The whole gang (almost) packed up into Hollywood and took multiple sleds north - to The North Slope.  Located near Arctic Circle and "Cold Foot" RV camp.

   
COLD FOOT RV CAMP COMPARISON
Chena commented on the retreat of the glacier.  "I am not prepared to say definitively"  she said "but in ChaCha's notes on her visit, SP Kennel recorded fewer RV's."

"KOBUK 440" - ALMOST HALF AS LONG (394 MI) AS YQ OR ID.  WITH EYE-CATCHING NAMES AT THE TOP OF THE FINISHER LIST! 

MONDAY - WOOF WOOF WOOF - R&B CRUISES TO FINISH LINE!!!  WOOF!!!

R&B finished in 12th place with 9 dogs - (Driver and Perkie, big boys, had had enough of the Spring Skiing track at last stop prior to finish).
R&B musher should be proud - the highest number of 4-legged athletes on all teams to finish - WOOF WOOF WOOF SP Kennel's team!!! 

1. Hugh Neff finishes with 6 dogs in 6th place.
   
2. R&B musher putting peddle to the metal - more run than rest now...17 teams in the race, now #12...
3. R&B at mile 340...Noorvik.  Next stop...the finish line!
   

This is a race that looks suspiciously like something akin to YQ1000 crossed with sprint racing.  If you are trying to win it! 
We think there is a charge for dogs dropped beyond two ($50 per). 
SP Kennel R&B Team not finished yet...moving average 9.1mph at 310 miles (on the trail again!) - we note that R&B resting as much as running.  Conditions:  Flat and wet.
Stats are lagging, but we believe that only Kodiak is riding the truck.  That's 11 dogs in the line.

PRE-RACE
Links not lynx to last race GPS 2018-2019.  R&B 48 legs in a whiz bang 440 miler.  Super fast!!!  Bridgett on the runners at Arctic Circle
Meanwhile, Red and Black Team leaders also head north via "Hollywood" - to the North Slope for a camp-out adventure!
A phalanx or 20 member 4-legged group join 2 mushers and their Press Secretary ("Crew") to seek one more winter-like experience on the North Slope!
I'll bet that the 440 mile race for dogs is one tough grind:  Sort of like a human tract event of 800 mtrs.  Too long to sprint all the way but you have to go fast all the way to win!  No wonder Nic and Hugh are in it!!!

      

ID#47




TWO RIVERS-100!!!
Next to ID, nothing better than Two Rivers Dog Mushing Association races - WOOF WOOF WOOF - GO R&B TEAM in TRDMA100.  WOOF

RED TEAM 1st in YQ200.  BLACK TEAM 3rd in YQ1000


Chena in swing (behind the leader) on victorious YQ200 Red Team

1.  Lack of snow at beginning of YQ caused rules changes for YQ1000 as well as re-routing YQ300 teams away to limit over use (our assumption). 
2.  This "YQ200 trail" took them past site of Robert Service's "Cremation of Sam McGee" long poem - which took place on...Lake Lebarge outside Whitehorse, Yukon Territory.
3.  Chena proud to have been on only such first place achievement in 2019 although she says YQ1000 of course a more impressive one to win!

Separate page this year for Yukon Quest (300 and 1000)

HAPPY CREW FINISHES 6th!
We note that the 4-legged members did everything they could in this shorter race, but they are trained for longer distances - SP Kennel is the place to howllll.

THE RACE IS ON!!!  HALF-WAY, CHEVIE (NOT SHOWN) HAS TO BOW OUT.
With Commando and Junior in lead, the Black Team is in good paws!  Chena not on the team this year but following its progress!

In years past SP Kennel has fielded three teams - Black Team (with goal of winning).
Red Team (those doggies that did not make the grade for estimated winning team - but some of them, Chena in particular, always had the intention of winning no matter what). 
And the youngsters (Chena ran this at 2 yrs old) with Assistant Musher ("R&B" team) ran it for the experience.

NOT near SP Kennel - NYPOST FIRST WITH THIS NEWS

FROM GOOGLE::  Posted 38 minutes ago (2:16pm EST). in a late morning shock in Anchorage, earthquake at @7 on the Richter scale

"A TSUNAMI WARNING IS IN EFFECT FOR THE COOK INLET AREA AND SOUTHERN KENAI PENINSULA IN ALASKA - Event details: Preliminary magnitude 7.0 (Mwp) earthquake / Lat: 61.300, Lon: -149.900 at 2018-11-30T17:29:28 UTC Tsunami warnings mean that a tsunami with significant inundation is expected or occurring. Warnings indicate that widespread dangerous coastal flooding accompanied by powerful currents are possible and may continue for several hours after the initial wave arrival."

    

     

      

       

    

WILLIE, SCHMOE, DANCER, CREAMER AND BEAN RETIRE PRIOR TO 2018-2019 SEASON.   WE KNOW THAT WAYLON AND TORCH WENT TO NEW ZEALAND PREVIOUSLY

  

NO SNOW YET IN ALASKA...MAYBE A DUSTING A BIT AFTER THIS SCENE.  BUT WAIT...DECEMBER!!!

   

  

    

 
Chena  reports that her mother Olivia (l) is a Grandma of 8...by Junior (r) and Rodney. 
"I of course would have loved to be there to help Junior, but I understand that this was a difficult birth requiring skills only found at the North Pole Clinic" she noted.  Chena  recalls being one of eleven puppies (Olivia/Nacho second litter) in 2013 - that Olivia gave birth to AT HOME just before having to evacuate because of wild fire danger ("Fire" litter).

MORE NEWS:  Chena excited she can finally begin collecting for the Weston Dog Park from her buddies!

NEWS:  Suit filed in May 2018 over  Conservation Commission votes "yes" on Dog Park at Moore Property.

WESTON VOTERS SAY "WOOF" - VOTING 888 to 798 IN FAVOR OF A DOG PARK


CHENA HAD ALREADY TOLD THEM THAT BUT THEY DIDN'T BELIEVE HER
Not to be allowed to vote absentee, SP Kennel racing dogs and Chica (ret.) are upset.  WOOF WOOF

Percy De Wolfe 2018 - the other race to cross the border!!!


Which dogs are still in line for SP Kennel at The Percy? 
That is a tricky question:  Willie is on the team 2018 and was in 2014.  Izzy is not in 2018  Clyde was on it as was brother Outlaw in 2014.  All others have retired from racing.

  

Sons of Olivia and Nacho led the Black Team to victory in the Yukon Quest 2018!!!

WOOF WOOF WOOF DOG PARK BACK IN THE NEWS?
Although Chena knows this is not a holiday for dogs, because they can't or shouldn't eat chocolate, she knows the rest of the 2-legged team at SP Kennel are into it!

Now she can plan for Weston-related dog matters, after winning the Yukon Quest 1000: 
a.  P&Z received dog park application for 8-24 review scheduled at Weston Library, 7:15pm, March 1 P.H.   All written testimony/evidence must be available by Feb. 26.  The Black Team will consider submitting a statement  after YQ1000 is over.
b.  Conservation Commission "walking" wetlands Saturday Feb. 10. 
c.  Park & Rec meeting notice for Feb. 12th here. 

CLICK ABOVE TO SP KENNEL WEBSITE

NEXT UP:  IDITAROD 2018



A MAGNIFICENT WIN FOR ALL:  14  4-LEGGED TEAM MEMBERS PLUS GREAT MUSHER OF BLACK TEAM

NEW PAGE CREATED FOR THIS YEAR'S YQ1000!!!
"This is a challenge because it is not only really really remote, but it requires field reporters to be on their booties!" she remarked. Eagle gathering-place.
 



BLACK TEAM ONLY IN YUKON QUEST (for the long race - the 1000 miler);  logistics too much to handle for very young team to be able to do their best in the YQ300, so Red Team withdraws.  HOWEVER...Red Teammates will run the 300 mile jaunt - their own "no pressure" equivalent YQ300 ("YQ" standing for "Yo - Quickies!!!" as opposed to "Dos Equis" which sort of sounds the same)!  GO BLACK TEAM!!!


We note for the record:  Red Team Leader is the only woman to have ever won the Yukon Quest 1000 - in Year 2000.  Although not as "historic" and well-recorded for posterity as Iditarod, this race is both an endurance test and a real physical challenge for 2 and 4-legged athletes. 

T.R.D.M.A. 200/100  BRAVO SP KENNEL WEBSITE!!!  "ASSISTANT RUNNER" FOR WOOFSITE (R) WILLIE GAINS PRAISE FOR HIS INTERPRETIVE SKILLS
CONGRATS T.R.D.M.A.!!!  NO G.I.S. BUT...PROMPT AND FULL REPORT  BY CHECKPOINT OF TIMES, RANKINGS, DOGS IN AND OUT AND EXPLANATION OF RULES!!!
 
          
1.  OFF THEY GO!!!  Red Team on the move running as #1 out of the starting gate!!!

5.  R&B's scratch at Angel Creek (last checkpoint before the long uphill drive to the finish) - as temperatures plunge downward - good call, right thing to do for this very very young team.

     

6.  Olivia and Schmoe agree - "WOOF!!!"  (Translation - "Great job Teams!!!")
Best thing about the race:  T.R.D.M.A. WEBSITE - very well presented results by check point, coupled with the SP Kennel website was AWESOME.

    

 "CHECKPOINT TIMES"
Where you can find out size of teams after checkpoint departure, other data.  Not as up to the minute as "tracking info"

   
Here's the deal:   Beginning, middle and end.
Below are two charts and leaderboard snap.  Stats from link - left, real times, center, requirements - "calculations" after the race is over. 


     

WHO LETS THE DOGS OUT? 

5

FIRST RACE OVER!!! 

Black Team 3rd, Red Team 4th, R&B 9th in T.R.D.M.A. 50. 

And we are pretty certain Chena "took the bit [proverbially] by her teeth" to make sure the Red Team didn't get passed.

"We knew that start time would appear to gain us some advantage, (#19 in a field of 29) but we raced hard to the finish none the less" she said. 

Statistics proved her correct.

NEW SP KENNEL WEBSITE FULL OF NEWS!

Chena so proud of the people of Weston for coming out to vote 4-4-18.

When the Registrar read the numbers out there was a silence and respect for the process.

Both pro and con arguments, over the past two years brought out a real crowd.  Thank you to all who participated in this exercise in four-legged democracy.  The Town spoke.  1686 voters - 888 YES and 798 NO. 








IDEA FROM ALASKA - COULD THIS BE A COMPROMISE?
As requested online, closer to home, Chena asks if re-invisioning Anchorage green space can include space for dogs?

Now maybe I missed it, but no one covered this meeting live.  So we are happy to provide this service thanks to WGTV.  It isn't that long, so you can watch it!!!

My first impression was that the Town of Weston knew what it was doing.  In fact, the First Selectman was heard at least twice suggesting another revision to the Charter to assure that it would always be possible to have absentee ballots.  The real problem is absentee ballots must first be requested, then sent out to absentee, returned in time to be counted the day of the Referendum, or as per CT Statutes. 

   

Resident and attorney for neighbors asks all the right questions.


GREAT INPUT!
"No problem" getting access to dog park site for EMS.


Sometimes it is so important to get real life experience with the subject matter
Proponent of dog parks in general, having lived in communities that have them, tries to explain that dog owners pick up after their pets.

• Park & Rec visit, later Police Commission gets into it...
  
• Conservation Commission Public Hearing Feb. 22 in Town Hall then...
  
• March 1 in the Library for P&Z "8-24" Public Hearing.
• Town Meeting and/or Referendum?  See below.
  

HOLD THE PHONE...

Petition submitted with sufficient number of signatures to hold a Special Town Meeting (and Referendum to be included?)...

     

Charlie hid on the front deck, out of sight of the fish below, to play at capturing dinner.
Aerial view of the Boathouse and raft.  Two full length decks for taking the sun.  Note:  Upper deck access from master bedroom.

 

NEXT:  Special Town Meeting October 4th now delayed.   Wetlands changes, traffic complaints from Davis Hill;  new entry from Lord's Highway East must go back to Conservation (and also  P&Z???)

PUBLIC COMMENT SUMMARY
No dogs spoke.  One resident to stand up for 3 minutes noted that his cat was unconvinced.  "If you know cats, you know that they would not be interested in any 'organized play'" Chena noted.  This news is very upsetting for all animals at SP Kennel.




GREENWICH has a dog park:  http://www.greenwichtime.com/local/article/Pet-owners-Greenwich-dog-park-in-ruff-shape-12169213.php

FROM OUR REPORT IN FULL:  Since dogs live in the moment and seek to please those they love, in that spirit, we offer this research:  WestonDogCensusAugust2017.docx

A PLACE TO PLAY:  "Rascal" the Jack Russell
He is 13 years old and lives on the east side of town.  There are 16 such terriers in Weston.  Three live in the Lyons Plains Valley.

How Weston goes about finding places for uses they don't really want to have...
The biggest and longest such effort involved a moral question:  Should the town care about where people are placed after they can no longer pay taxes?  This was answered with the drum beat of money only for the schools...

BOTH EVENTS TO BE HELD IN THE CAFETERIA OF WESTON HIGH SCHOOL...PUBLIC HEARING SEPTEMBER 9 AND NOW, SPECIAL TOWN MEETING OCTOBER 4
D O G    P A R K    D A T E S    F O R    P U B L I C    H E A R I N G    A N D    S P E C I A L    T O W N    M E E T I N G    S E T  - Sept. 9 (Sat. 10:30am) and no longer Sept. 28, NOW OCT. 4 (Thurs. 7:30pm)



BOARD OF SELECTMEN MEETING: ENGINEER'S COST ESTIMATE & BACKUP PLUS BOARD OF FINANCE GIVING HIS TAKE OF WHAT WE SHOULD DO CONSIDERING STATE OF CT SITUATION.
Hot time in the old town tonight!  All the dogs and puppies at SP Kennel in Alaska are watching Weston with an eagle eye.  AGENDA for the meeting included Chairman of Board of Finance giving us all the lowdown. on Budget.

This data and more online at the Town of Weston website since at least yesterday - when we first checked.






EVERYBODY'S NEIGHBOR IN ALASKA, OCCASIONAL VISITOR IN WESTON ...

NO DOUBT ANOTHER REDOUBT ?
Chena quite concerned about the eruptions in ocean - Bering Sea - without warning and bad air it produces, too.  Not to mention effects on animals in the region.

There's a story here - "Scruggs' Big Vacation in the Metropolis" perhaps?
Olivia is so thrilled for brother Scruggs!  And so proud of her man Nacho on his elevation to "All Star" status!!!






Chena visits Southern California vicariously
"Isn't this the place that Izzy is always talking about?" she remarks.

DUTCH TELLS THE STORY...
Dutch Harbor is now known as a stop on the transportation route for ships carrying oil - but before that there was the WWII raid June second thru 4th and evacuation of Aleutian.  A longer story from 2012 describes it in more detail.

"IS IT LIKE ICE CREAM?"
When asked about this feature of the Alaska environment, QT says "Woof" quietly, as she is not sure what "permafrost" is.  Mommy Quito isn't sure either, but she thinks it is related to how trees look.

IMPENDING DOOM?

Bruno disappointed in P&Z.   But he is cheered by the fact that the Parks & Rec Commission is still interested!

Encourages dogs to support ALT, develop doggie tours of available preserves in Weston (16)*   And what's this?  First Selectman not giving up on the idea for a dog park!
"Weston dogs are offended that they are not welcome on Town Open Space" he said, while acknowledging that ALT properties, which he discovered online, still his favorite ramble spots!
-----
*Rules found here - dogs must follow special ones on only 3 of the 16.  Paw print required before access to maps.  Bruno would rather make use of existing town facilities.

TIPPY HEARS FROM HER AUNT, AND ASKS IF BRUNO MIGHT BE AVAILABLE TO TAKE A FIRST STAB AT WRITING UP A NEW ZONE FOR DOGS....






CEMETERY v. DOG PARK and threat of negative 8-24 setting up a Special Town Meeting to overturn their decision...
John Conte, Town Engineer sets everybody straight.  Then there is a question about site evaluation cemetery v. dog park.  Moore Property analysis by neighbors' consultant submitted.  We tuned out halfway through.  Not going to happen - JMO. 

As we said...here is BREAKING NEWS from the FORUM of 8-24 report (negative):
http://www.thewestonforum.com/77611/breaking-news-weston-pz-rejects-dog-park/?utm_source=Weston+Forum&utm_campaign=210d49c364-FO_ONLINE_TODAY&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_848b12f59d-210d49c364-193260349

     
Easter Week in Florida watercolor series using three primary colors.
"West Coast Series" (not California) FLA visit views from a few years ago.  Afterward, I thought it was an excellent illustration of what makes color (primaries and secondaries) so clearly identifiable with locations?  Hue is the color wheel (COLOR OR HUE:  blue, yellow, red are primaries, orange, purple, green are secondaries), value (light/dark of a color) and intensity (in watercolor, easy to do - add water). 


CONTINUATION OF PUBLIC HEARING TO APRIL 17th IN WESTON PUBLIC LIBRARY
Based upon our instincts, this will be a "no" forcing the Town to call a Special Town Meeting to override...blame the Governor for this, too.  Here is link to FORUM report:  http://www.thewestonforum.com/77441/weston-officials-ponder-dog-park/





Chena is all excited. 
And we have the right song for her, too!!!  The performers use the name of a breed of animals that might be part of the mix in Alaskan Huskies - WOOF WOOF WOOF!!!

Unfortunately we cannot attend - will be attending the Board of Finance "Deliberation" meeting.

T O    T H E    R E S C U E
  

How will the Board of Selectmen cover the dual meetings?  They actually will share responsibilities!

NOTE:  W.H.S. cafeteria where ATBM held the time all money for purchase of Lachat was removed from budget - pictured above.

Chena now available for following bills from Committee to Committee and back and forth to the floor:  "WOOF!!!"


 
  
Chena to lobby for alternate language ("Woof").  "TRAINING TO RUN THE IDITAROD" language can be added in section one in red; 

Her first bill located on the House Calendar is Substitute H.B. 6999:

AN ACT CONCERNING THE USE OF THERAPY DOGS TO COMFORT CHILDREN TESTIFYING IN CERTAIN CRIMINAL PROSECUTIONS.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Assembly convened:

Section 1. (NEW) (Effective October 1, 2017) (a) The Judicial Branch shall maintain on its Internet web site a section providing information regarding the availability of an accommodation, granted at the court's discretion, for the presence of a dog to provide comfort and support for a child under the age of eighteen during such child's testimony in the criminal prosecution of an offense involving the alleged assault, abuse or sexual abuse of such child. Said web site shall also provide contact information for organizations that provide, free of charge, the use of a dog trained to comfort individuals who have experienced mental, physical or emotional trauma, perhaps caused by running very very long distances or witnessed or been victims of assault, abuse or sexual abuse.

(b) Not later than January 1, 2019, the Chief Court Administrator shall, within available appropriations, develop and implement training for the judges of the Superior Court on (1) the healing value of the human-animal bond for children, (2) the value of therapy animals in dealing with traumatic situations, and (3) the benefits of animal-assisted activities and animal-assisted therapy.
 

     

HOW MANY TIMES THROUGH THE BLOW-HOLE CAN THE SP KENNEL RACERS MAKE WITHOUT ENCOUNTERING FIERCE WIND GUSTS?
Check the link at the right below provided by SP Kennel website - each set of anemometer and other observation numbers applies to a separate indication by hour.



R A C I N G    N O T   O V E R    F O R    S O M E    M E M B E R S    O F    T H E    R E D    A N D    B L A C K    T E A M S . . . O N C E    O R    I S    T H A T    T W I C E    M O R E    I N T O    T H E    B L O W  -  H O L E ?

           
R&B's HIT THE TRAIL THE WEEKEND OF 3-25-26
So 1000 miles wasn't enough for eleven members of the SP Kennel racing sled dog phalanx:  Chemo, Chena, Outlaw, Clyde, Chipper, Amber, Iron, Driver, Lydia, Willie and Nomex.  The Nome-Council "200" doesn't appear to actually be 200 miles...but it sure is steep!   It is 174 miles - along the Iditarod route thru Topkok cabin.



"Hey - we've just been here before but in the opposite direction!"  For those who do Facebook, the Nome Kennel Club has a page.
Chena will wonder if she is being asked to run all the way home.  At least until they make a left at White Mountain - the Iditarod trail keeps following the Bering Sea coast all the way to Unalakleet.

"Topkok Shelter Cabin"  twice and "Council CP"  the checkpoints - we assume there is an amount of time required rest at the latter - if only to equalize start times?  We get the impression that this post-Iditarod event does not get too many takers???  Even with prizes for first to Council (halfway) and an amount of prize money as much as other races we've watched!

AND THEY'RE OFF AT 2PM
Two observation points so far - one at 5:45pm and the other at 10:45pm.  Presently, R&B has a seven mile lead.  If this was the end of the Iditarod, that would be an hour lead - but the dogs are motoring at much higher speeds here.

                             
THEY'RE ON IDITAROD FINAL LEG AGAIN;  ABOUT TO HEAD NORTH TO COUNCIL MAKING A LEFT BEFORE WHITE MOUNTAIN  HEADING UP THE FISH RIVER...ZZZZZZZZZZZZZ IN TO COUNCIL.
Other details - R&B took one hour less rest in Topkok Cabin.  We assume there is a scheduled number of hours rest at the halfway point in Council (YES 8hrs.).  In the morning EDT both teams resting for 8 hrs. in Council.


EDITOR'S NOTE:  "Thanks Moira for all you've done this season!!!" Chena exclaimed as she finished up this report preliminary to preparing for the second half of the race.


IT AIN'T OVER 'TIL IT'S OVER - DOGS FIRST
As the 8hr rest for defending champ is coming to a close, it looks like second place - but you never know with the blow-hole still to be negotiated for R&B Team.  As with all races SP Kennel runs, its teams are in it to finish but not to win it (at any cost).

Some may say this wasn't a "race" but Chena, speaking for her mates, says "Whenever you get into harness it is a race for us - we compete among ourselves to see which of us can please our mushers the most."

WOOF!!!

 
Hourly Data Indicators
A sudden drop in temperatures might indicate sharp wind gusts from the north???  Hourly numbers most significant.


More analysis:  Closer together the lines (RGB) the more like a weather event for mushers?
On the way to Topkok cabin, when R&B's spent @3hrs on the way out, we wonder if they rest for as long or longer now?  Ans.  No, less.

Presently they enjoy a lead of 23 miles or so.  This is about a four hour lead give or take...our guess is that R&B's will depart Topkok before the chasing team hoves into view.  (This is only our "armchair musher" theory...).  As it turns out, second place team was tired and resting longer in Topkok cabin.  They finished in the dark - nice video on Facebook page of Nome Kennel Club.

      
WATCH THAT WIND DIRECTION OR DROP IN TEMPERATURE!
Motoring right along, defending champ keeps on racing, knowing that a two hour lead can disappear in the blow-hole!!!  From the reports above, only a dramatic shift in the direction of the winds might be sufficient to bring the convergence of statistic data that would be negative to the R&B's.  J.M.O.  R&B's resting in Topkuk cabin before final push.


Last nine miles...AND NO IT WAS NOT DARK - see below (r) - and please note Chena and musher both looking straight at the camera!!!
Is it dark in Nome?  Maybe not!!!  Hope we get finishing video - well, a person can dream -and dreams can sometimes come true.  Most important to tend to the doggies!!!

  
AND CHENA ALSO WANTS TO RECOGNIZE HER WONDERFUL MUSHER, DAUGHTER OF BLACK TEAM LEADER!!!  AND CHEERING "GO CHIPPER!!!"
OK R&B get your speeches ready (""Woof, woof woof woof woof" said Chena, so excited to be finishing Iditarod yet again!!!  And so soon!!!). 

Chena is upset.  Why are her teammates taking the time to rehearse statements for the press?

"What do they think this is - Iditarod?" she exclaimed.  Upon second thought, she apologizes to her teammates - it is understandable that they might have mistaken the Nome-Council 200 for the finish of Iditarod - "It is on the same glide path to the Burled Arch" she noted, albeit there was no arch or press coverage visible after all!!!  "It was also up hill to the finish, and hard to tell who or what was over the hill..." it is reported leaders both confirmed.

"No crowds were there and certainly not Joe Runyan" (she knows Clyde had a few things to discuss with that former Iditarod champion).  Or did the team get caught in a mini-blow-hole experience?  We'll find out when musher's report comes in.

And then, after a painful wait for the tracker for those armchair mushers watching (doesn't it always do this at the end of races???) bingo!  The bouncing bib number 3 at the flag - a win for Chena - her first, we believe.  Several of her teammates have had this experience at the Yukon Quest and Copper Basin, and they have assured her that the difference seems to mean most...to the fans of SP Kennel.

  
CHENA NEVER THOUGHT ABOUT IT...

How does she feel?  Any different than finishing any other race?  In the morning Chena reviews the stats.  Graphics above show R&B Team starting (l) and finishing (r) 2017 Nome-Council 200.

"It was the speed we showed in the early section that made the difference as well as our musher's decision to take advantage of our Iditarod XLV training."

This means, we think, that the R&B's could have kept up its speed with less time for breaks.  And shorter ones at that.  Which is similar to anyone well trained with 2 or 4 legs.



THIS YEAR THE HALFWAY AWARD AT NOME-COUNCIL 200...
The best part of this all is that Chipper, a previously established leader on Iditarod, who was in lead with Chena at the end of Nome 200, can present her Daddy Biscuit with the "Golden Canine" award!!!

Chena notes that winning this race was good Karma, too. 

"We prepared a speech for future halfway awards.  For example, at Yukon Quest and Iditarod."  It goes like this:

"Woof!!!"

Woof, woof...woof.  WOOF!!!"

(Translation:  Thanks so much for this lovely gift!  We tried our best and couldn't have done it without the great training from SP Kennel's Crew.  And of course, our mushers.)

  

COMING SOON:  M. Clyde of SP BRASSERIE, chef extraordinaire, and his review of trattorias, restaurants and humble home-cooked fare along the "Alternate Route 2017."

• Amazing news!  Chef Clyde reports his sons Scooby and Five completed Iditarod XLV with him on the Black Team!!! ("Woof, woof!")
  
• Zut alors!  Chef Clyde is more pleased at this honour than anything! 
  
• What was his favorite dish?  "Woof!!!"  (Translation:  "Tripe is my favorite!")
• Chef Clyde is working with Scooby to eat his eats!  Chena agrees that eating 100% of your meals while racing is "a given" WOOF!!!  She notes that Clyde is quick to eat your food, too!
• NEWS!!!  M. Clyde's son by Quito, Gold, is  reported to be a big boy and a stout fellow!!!
  

  


H O W    I S   T H E     I D I T A R O D     L I K E   W A S H I N G T O N    D . C .  ?   A   S N O W    J O B     I S    I N    T H E    F O R E C A S T

Although "Making America Great Again" should be left to Quito - ChaCha was heard to say so from time to time - (we source our reports) nonetheless the Red Team cheers for all our leaders!!!   WOOF WOOF WOOF!!!

CONSERVATION COMMISSION WALKED DOG PARK SITE - WOOF!!!  DID IT LOOK LIKE THE YUKON QUEST WITH ALL THE SNOW?   G U E S S    S O ! ! !

        

F I R S T    R A C E    /      2 0 1 7    C O P P E R    B A S I N   3 0 0 :  OVER...

S E C O N D    R A C E  /  T W O   R I V E R S    2 0 0 / 1 0 0 :  OVER...NEW RACE ADDED - over.
 
Who will make the team?  WOOF WOOF WOOF - now over.
T H I R D    R A C E  /   N O R T H E R N    L I G H T S   3 0 0   - getting started @3pm in Weston CTt-time.  Chena reports from off-site.

F O U R T H   R A C E  /  Y u k o n   Q u e s t    1 0 0 0   &   3 0 0 - BIG races, both over. 

F I F T H    R A C E    -   A D D E D   T O    M E N U   -   T R    F U N ! ! !

S I X T H  R A C E  /   I d i t a r o d  /   G O    T O    P A G E    F O R    R E D    T E A M    V I D E O


S U R P R I S E    S E V E N T H    R A C E  /   N o m e   -   C o u n c i l     2 0 0
  
              
Chena  - WOOF.  Click here for NORAD.  RED TEAM wins Two Rivers 100, Chena shares lead in 200 with Chemo and Mommy Olivia right behind!
Found this story on her Mom.  "I learned so much watching Mommy Olivia in theCB300 - had a great time with Woody, and was amazed at all the snow - I though Climate Change meant no more snow storms?" Chena stated.

T O P    S T O R Y    T O D A Y


       


D o g s    F i r s t    N E X T  

W O O F    W O O F   W O O F  ! ! !

COPPER BASIN 300
14 January 2017






ACTUAL RESULTS AT 2AM HAVE ALLEN 4TH - BUT HE HAD THE FASTEST CUMULATIVE RUN TIMES - AWESOME BLACK TEAM, WOOF, WOOF, WOOF!!! 

HERE'S THE STATS ON DROPPED DOGS BUT ALSO TIMES BY CHECKPOINT
And the race folks are just now realizing that doing the math properly will be how the results may end of being determined - so now Bruno with his law school degree he got in the mail from University of Phoenix is going to make his mark!  WOOF! (Translation: "Point of ordure")

   

CHEMO IN LEAD  WITH SPARK
First this year Jan. 14th the COPPER BASIN 300 TRACKER new; and everybody is in it (those mushers from Interior AK and Yukon Territory).  This should be, as is said in traffic planning, like a 90th highest hour situation - slowdowns from sheer numbers of mushers???  Red Team and Black Team entered and R&B/Chris.  No warm up races at shorter distances this season.

According to official race P.R. for CB300, Black Team has established stars, R&B as well, but we don't know that for a fact, and Red Team has experienced yet young up-and-comers with some cuties.  ChaCha reads between the lines of her son Willie's analysis and hopes to see all 4 x 36 doggie legs doing their best...24 plus 120 = 144 (Willie made an arithmetic boo-boo) Total 150 incl. mushers (3 x 2 legs).

Macgellan notes #36 was Black Team's number in 2015 when they won...RED TEAM was #34 finishing 5th
ChaCha used to recall Macgellan advice on CB300 keeping score on who's ahead...just count run time and forget about rest time because it is a short race and leaders don't use more time than they have to (compared to YQ and Idit).  ChaCha remembered sometimes when it was hot in the flat and snowing in the mountains in this race...

WHO IS ON WHICH TEAM?  Chena says "300 miles is a long distance - but 60 miles is DEFINITELY a sprint!!!"  You gotta know when to hold'm and when to let 'm RUN RUN RUN. 

EVALUATION BY MUSHER:  Dogs were super, musher plan did them a disservice 'cause 4-legged team members were all FABULOUS!!!
BLACK TEAM #6 
Musher:  Allen - CB300 info shows Allen dropped another dog, don't know who yet.
Leaders:  Junior, Kodiak
Swing:  Commando, Dutch
Team:  Mismo, Izzy, Daisy, Rodney, Tinder, Champ
Wheel: Chipper, Felix


RED TEAM #31
Musher:  Aliy - had to drop one dog at Tolsana and...it was Sissy, who developed the exact same thing as in the first leg off the race (snow ball in her sock) so will ride shotgun to the end of the race! 
Leaders:  Lydia, Spark
Swing:  Amber, Chemo
Team:  Nomex, Violet, Sissy, Scooter, Clyde, Driver
Wheel:  Iron, Sandy

R&B  #37  - Chena makes the R&B's, formally handing off the duties of Editor to Ret. Editor Beemer, who shares this:  "Woof" (Translation:  Impressive showing, R&B!!!")
Musher:  Chris - Made the decision to SCRATCH at Lake Louise Lodge, halfway to Mendeltna from Tolsona .
Leaders:  Scout, Scruggs
Swing:  Olivia, Nelson
Team:  Woody, Chena, Hotshot, Outlaw, Ginger, Five
Wheel:  Cayenne, Ernie

NOTE:  With heavy snow altho' light in feel, the going is pretty tough.  And we got a report - see SCRATCH for the R&B.  WHAT A RACE 

RED TEAM LEADER GETS VET AWARD;  WINS TR100
TWO RIVERS DOG MUSHERS' ASSOC. 200 AND 100 MILE RACES
20 January 2017


COLD WEATHER COMING THIS WEEK...
SP Kennel's finest - marvelous veterans showing what they can do!!!  Chena grateful for tips in last year's Iditarod from Quito


Race or FACTOR #2 is what comes next (Two Rivers)?  When?  January 20th to 22nd, TR200.  Red Team in 100 miler;  R&B/Ruth in 200 miler and TR100 also for (R&B/Chris) - QUITO pairing with Waylon on R&B/ Chris.  No NACHO to appear in TR200/100 races, we believe because of the super cold weather or because he honored Quito's yearling "QT" by giving up his place on the RED TEAM?


      

                  

TR100
Willie is racing and will have a report, we are sure.  "Woof, Woof, Woof..." (Translation:  "I was right - Quito asked for Waylon as co-leader in the TR100).   Now where else will you get news like this???  And perhaps Willie is on the money here - puppies on these teams.  A really, really young bunch for Red Team dozen, too - with Junior in lead and six Olivia and Nacho doggies out of 12...





         
TR200 LEADER MODE
Chena is on the trail in lead of a team of nine (could have had 12);  one dog is dropped with Chemo and the team includes her mother Olivia and Bean, Sanka, and Hotshot.  

CHENA SAYS "WOOF!!!" AND HAS FUN FUN FUN IN SWING, TOO
100 mi race is over...200 over with SCRATCH because it would take too long for young dogs to complete it and have FUN!  Red Team wins the 100 miler; 

              

Breaking news...on the trail again - closed it out! 

      


Way the heck across Alaska - about the same distance my Daddy would drive to our summer rental in the Adirondacks every weekend.  Shorter trip if you are a crow (Fairbanks to Anchorage) - GO R&B

                

LEADERBOARD

NORTHERN LIGHTS 300 A NEW RACE FOR SP KENNEL!!!  Starts Friday - so team will be on the road way before that...
Chris and R&B Team on a road trip!!!  MAP at right links to distances.  FINGER LAKE, an Iditarod stop, is included (we note that the Happy River Steps are after Finger Lake in Iditarod).

Rules are sportsmanlike;  two mandatory six hour rests plus others total 18 hours.   See map at right showing R&B Team is traveling a bit further to mush than the actual race distance - 300 miles!!!

Chena sitting this one out.  Glad to see that news will be flowing from SP Kennel website too!!!

THE R&B TEAM RUNNING A LONG RACE AND... FYI - we think Waylon and Scout poured it on in the stretch run and so the kids learned what it means to PASS.

     

THEY ARE OFF!!!  WAYLON EAGER TO SHOW HE IS JUST AS AWESOME EVEN WITHOUT ONE TOE!!!

Inquiring minds wonder how many youngsters will take part? A baker's dozen. 
Who's in lead?  Scout and Waylon.
Who's in Swing?  Woody and Sanka.  
Who's in Wheel?  Perky and Barista.
How are they doing?  See analysis!

Chena says not to worry.  "A 300 mile race for youngsters is a big adventure" she explains.  "I did the CB300 when I was a year old, and got pooped just before the end - ended up in the sled watching the race from the musher's perspective" which was a bit of a giggle she noted.


THE SUN IS UP...the R&B team members who did not complete the race... but the cheered on their mates!!!

What an interesting race!  Designed by some famous mushers to give all dogs a chance at a really long race - but no pressure - this is a doggie delight!!!  WOOF WOOF WOOF!!!

R&B sticking to its plan!  (NOTE:  They made it up and down the really big hill...) This was a test for the young dogs especially and what an adventure - picture book finish!!!  And they passed a team in the last leg, pretty close to the finish!!!

  
COOL LEADERS TO CLOSE IT OUT - That darn wabbit showed up again in next to last leg!
Exactly where it was outbound!!!  But this time Schmoe was in lead with Scout and he said firmly "That piece of fluff ain't worth more than a bark or 2."

BREAKING NEWS:  Chena gets the call to share lead on Red Team!!!  WOOF!!!  Thanks Uncle Beemer for temporarily assuming his Editor (emeritus) position.  Chena to return to Editorial spot by Dawson City check point arrival of Black Team .

    


L O N G    D I S T A N C E    R A C E S   U P  -  C O M I N G    S A T U R D A Y  -  B E G I N N I N G    I N    W H I T E  H  O R S E ,    Y U K O N   T E R R I T O R Y  /  F A I R B A N K S    F I N I S H   
As the season progresses, we remind everyone Y2K ("Year 2000") Winner of Yukon Quest 1000 was...RED TEAM LEADER (the only woman to have won this long distance race ever!!!)  Black Team Leader has won twice.

    

Y U K O N    Q U E S T    2 0 1 7   N E X T    O N    T H E    S C H E D U L E :   See the map above and link to distance chart of check points.
SP Kennel in both YUKON QUEST 1000 and YUKON QUEST 300;  this year there was some drama as the Red Team was on the wait list (delay in signing up post operation on foot).


         

WOOF WOOF WOOF!!!  READY TO RUMBLE!!!
Race or FACTOR #3 is the Yukon Quest (1000 and 300) - two races, two teams - since it starts on Feb. 4th, no dog entered will be allowed to attend Speak Up, or as ChaCha calls it, BARK UP.   56 legs +2 and 48 legs +2 participating -  note from Willie. 

Even younger on average than the Red Team!!!
T H I R D    P L A C E    F O R    T H E    V E R Y    Y O U N G    B L A C K    T E A M

B L A C K    T E A M    N U M B E R     E I G H T 
And they are off!!!

    
Black Team :  http://spkenneldoglog.blogspot.ca/p/race-rosters-2.html


Y U K O N    Q U E S T   1 0 0 0 


R A C E    T R A C K E R


W H O  'S    A H E A D    A N D     N U M B E R    O F    D O G S

SUPPLEMENT TO SPK WEB OFFICIAL REPORTS:  DNN COMMENTARY FOR PART TWO OF YQ1000

    
DNN
Editor-in-Chief Chena says "WOOF"  (Translation: "Back to work on DNN this year with Grandma ChaCha").  Now on a brief vacation in the luxurious Doggie ("Doge's") Palazzo.

Y U K O N    Q U E S T   1 0 0 0    P A R T    T W O   -   R O A D    T R I P    C O M I N G 
Staff: 

• Spark, field reporter for Black Team;  Izzy for "colour commentary" on social aspects of race;
  
• Schmoe, historical reference reporter; 
  
• M. Clyde, food critic; 
  
• ChaCha available as needed for the real story.  ChaCha says "Woof" ("thanks") to son Beemer for being acting Editor for the first half of the race.

REPORT FROM DAWSON CAMP, WEDNESDAY, FEB. 8, 2017:  "ZZZZZZZZZZZ" as the Black Team rests up for part two...

SP BRASSERIE

1. Chef Clyde is in with a special report:  "WOOF WOOF WOOF" - which means that the first meal was fantastic, according to sources - WOOF (Translation:  "First of all, it was as much as they desired - plus it was served with 'massages' which made them happy!")
2. On Chef Clyde's suggestion, the handlers and mushers sit down for a fine meal in Dawson City "Woof" (Translation:  "An international eatery with ample portions and great French-Canadian Fries").
   
3. "It was the French-Canadian Fries" Chef Clyde suggests, although no one is sure what cause temporary distress all through the team that slowed them down on the way to Circle City.
4. BREAKING NEWS:  Chef Clyde has a hot tip from an eagle - YES - it is turkey skins and broth being served at the "trail-side trattoria" approaching Eagle Summit!  "Woof" says M. Clyde!  (Translation:  "Although it can get windy here. the view and ambiance is excellent!")
   

    
DOGGIE YQ IS LIKE HUMAN IQ.

1. Schmoe notes his YQ was much shorter than he remembers the race being - "Woof" (Translation:  "Woody ran so fast we finished in what seemed like less than one third the time!").
2. Schmoe is so sensitive he tries to make comparisons for the 4-legged folks - "Woof"  (Translation: "King Solomon's Dome is 3500 feet high [five such peaks in the race] - Mount Rainer is 14,000 high - we climbed higher!!!").
3. With all his experience and sensitivity, Schmoe is alarmed at the Black Team's pace on Saturday.  "WOOF WOOF" (Translation:  "Speed and rests suggest some one is being 'carried' - important to rest the team because after Circle City will be a another couple of very steep mountain climbs").
4. Schmoe's analysis in Circle City prior to actual reports is this:  "WOOF WOOF"  (Translation:  "That's SP Kennel Black Team - cares first for doggies, then fellow 2-legged competitors - great idea to run the windy icy miles to Circle City with a buddy.")
5. Upon second thought, Schmoe notes that he is a team dog, and never had to lead the way up the twin peaks, which he, as a thoughtful animal, has been worried about.  He said:  "WOOF WOOF WOOF"  (Translation:  "Ask Quito, Izzy's Mom, who is a two-time Golden Harness winner here, what it is like!")
6. Here in the end of the race, Schmoe comes up with a terrific idea!  "Woof, woof?"  (Translation:  "Since there is nothing in the rules that expressly forbids it, Bruno has suggested to me that Eagle Brigade develop procedures for next year's YQ1000").  Eagle Summer School suggested.
   

             
Social media Izzy gets her picture taken (this is the link) in lead up Eagle Summit (SP Kennel photo 2015 [l]) looks for data sources for Spark (pic center - left doggie) to research!  Bald Eagles join DNN!!!

1. First word from Izzy picked up from an eagle who reports:  "Cheep!!!"  (Translation:  "Great glowing green necklaces - we'll follow Black Team all the way in and report to Izzy").
2. Izzy does a deal to trade info for glow-in-the-dark green necklaces for eagle-eye on the team!!!  "WOOF"  (Translation [showing sensitivity to air force animals]:  "The crows can have my pink and white blanket, too!!!").
   

SPARK'S REPORTS FROM IZZY'S LEADS:
First his up close and personal report on the sleepover in Dawson:  http://spkenneldoglog.blogspot.com/2017/02/yq-dawson-dog-camp.html

YQ1000 PART TWO BEGINS

AMERICAN SUMMIT LOOMS (L).  SPARK REPORTS "WOOF" - ON THE WAY UP (C) FRIDAY A.M. (EST) AND ON THE WAY DOWN (R) @3PM...team slows down...

1. Spark reports they are on their way 150 miles ahead to the next stop...and he was told there are eagles there "Woof" (Translation:  "Since we are all tied together in a line including the sled we do not fear individual eagle attacks").  Bravely spoken, Spark!
2. And this morning we see that race leader, after a long rest at the base, is now taking another rest after completing American Summit.
3. This afternoon the tracker has "dog fight" between first two mushers - Black Team hangs back, saving their strength for last two of the five uphill climbs???  (This observation from viewing tracker, not from Spark, confirmed by YQ1000.)

WHAT'S NEXT?  From experience I have observed all three leaders have not spared their teams engaging in "race" techniques.
ChaCha offers her ideas..."Woof"  (Translation:  "It is always down to the number of dogs").  As we call it a day, we note that the leader dropped another dog.  But you never know - the final two hills at the very end of 900 miles will be the test. 

And then, how much will the 4-legged athletes have left in the "tank" to use an expression. 

Chena pipes up with the fact the the trail goes through the "Chena River Recreation area" and hopes this inspired her brothers and sister (Commando, Spark and Amber) who are still with the team on the trail!!!  At that point, eagles will flood the skies for Black Team!!!

DATA MISSING?  BUT WAIT - WE FOUND IT!!!

   

When we got to update Sunday...

    

Chena says to keep up hope for a healthy Black Team!!!  Black Team spent less time in check points than other leading teams.
Based upon her analysis, it may be significant that Black Team may have been taking breaks more often.  We say that because as was pointed out by SP Kennel, the teams are incommunicado until Circle City so it is anybody's guess!!!  Leaders are chasing each other out of Circle City...all the way up the twin peaks?

Here's hoping all SP Kennel athletes - 12 doggies in the line and their two-legged musher - are OK!!!  Extreme cold (and reportedly windy on the river...).

   

Has the Black Team been camping out along the way?  Or just going a bit slowly?  Chasing moose?  We'll find out soon!!!

• While Spark is getting some food and liquid and rest prior to reporting, Chena prepared her own comments based upon previous YQ events. 
  
• "Last year, when the YQ300 began in Fairbanks, I was dropped at Mile 101 - because my Musher detected that I had developed a limp on the way to the line to leave.  So I did not get to experience the twin peaks."
• Schmoe was consulted.  He suggested asking Quito as well (above right).
• Quito had a lot to say.  First of all, she noted that gamesmanship prevails with 2-legged Mushers at the Yukon Quest more than other races. 
  
• Quito notes that one time the leader fell asleep in a cabin and Black Team passed them without even noticing - "But we finished 2nd.  I took the wrong turn on purpose toward the end - we didn't want to win that way."
  

  
ON TO CENTRAL!
Black Team healthy now.  So happy all dozen are continuing on!!!  It isn't fun when you have the runs in 40 degrees below zero.
 
       
First cold and wet, then "twin peaks" of Eagle Summit...Izzy's "eye in the sky" reporters gets to the top before lead teams do.
In years past it has happened, if we recall correctly, that 2017 number two and number three teams' Mushers at this point helped each other over Eagle Summit.  Eagle Brigade shown above offers their services to ferry full team AROUND the Summit.

 
Whoa!  Procedures not made official BUT a great way to involve more animals in YQ!!!
With the previously mentioned number two musher out of the race now due to concern for dogs, the previously mentioned number three musher is in hot (or cold) pursuit of leader.  Considering that the topo seems to suggest a sharp uphill coming for the leader (s), we hope no further doggie problems will occur.  Winning isn't everything!!!  Chena sends her best and warmest thoughts to Black Team, however.  SP Kennel prepares to cheer for the Black Team as it may or may not pass their mailbox.
BREAKING STORY ON TRATTORIA!

  
TEN DAYS ON THE TRAIL - DOGGIES MUST RUN PAST KENNEL - THE TOUGHEST THING FOR A DOG TO DO AFTER 912 PLUS MILES!!!
Snap shot of train in Eagle Summit general area.  Rooster below want to organize eagles for summer training prior to next year's Yukon Quest 1000.  Into Mile 101 at 10pm EST Monday.  We checked at 4am EST Tuesday and they had arrived Two Rivers!  FYI - Chena has asked the more mature dogs back at the kennel and they are thinking that this race was very long.  Can't wait to hear stories!!!! 

S E C O N D    P L A C E   F O R    T H E    V E R Y    Y O U N G    R E D    T E A M
Woody finishes in single lead.

                   

R E D    T E A M   N U M B E R    S I X   -   R E P O R T    C A R D S    I S S U E D :  http://spkenneldoglog.blogspot.com/2017/02/yq300-red-team-wrap-up.html


   
Red Team :    http://spkenneldoglog.blogspot.ca/p/race-rosters-2.html

Red Team dropped a dog in Carmacks (and another before the last push plus a brief ride in the sled toward the end for another youngster). 

YQ300 RACE UPDATE LINK

TRACKER (FOLLOW THE DOGGIES)

Chena is so very proud.  See her musher's report.

Chena "flips" for R&B TEAM
"What a performance" ...joking that this is a Kiwi version of "What I Did On My Summer Vacation!"


       

               

B U R G E R    R U N   S A T U R D A Y   M O I R A   I N    C H A R G E    M U S H I N G
She will be taking a team of nine: Quito, Nacho, Woody, Hotshot, Five, Cayenne, Ernie, Dancer and Jefe (pictured above).  And Chris for crew...

T H E    I D I T A R O D



FACTOR #4 is The Iditarod. 

• REMEMBER TO UPDATE MEMBERSHIP IN ULTIMATE INSIDER/done! 
  
• And a great interview with Red Team leader available to INSIDERS!!!

EDITOR CHENA is so pleased that Willie has so quickly assessed the season: 
"WOOF."  (Translation: 4 races with sub-races built in;  multiplied by numbers of teams fielded per race per dog multiplied by number of legs [not toes]).  Editor Chena notes ChaCha's correction, suggesting that Willie does his stuff "on the fly" and is remarkably accurate all things considered.

...For too much of 2016, we in the news media — with many stellar exceptions — sometimes were mindless mutts that barked at everything. Partly because of that lapse, the country today needs a robust fourth estate more than ever. We should be infused with a renewed sense of mission. So, for a New Year’s resolution, let’s try harder to be watchdogs, not lap dogs.

      
Now three, Chena just joined the Dog Fan Club on her own as a "fan" of McCaw. Happy Solstice!!!  Woof!!!  Merry Xmas & Happy New Year 2017!!!

  


WOOF WOOF WOOF  Check out the sunset - that's the Alaska Range in the distance in violet...
PORTRAIT OF CHA CHA'S AWESOME SON SCOUT, FROM PHOTO DURING RECENT "WRAP" SESSION!
FYI - CHA CHA is the mother of 4 litters of wonderful dogs, among them:  Olivia and Clyde who are carrying through her genes.  Iditarod 2017 coming...

2016 QUITO-CLYDE BABIES - "Prata" (above, line drawing)  is a chip off the old block!!!  And sister "Bronze" is a looker, too!  And how about "Gold" - the big boy.


SNOW WATCH:
Oh my - this is not good news, we think!  But our snow dance having some effect...in CT
https://www.adn.com/arctic/2016/11/17/the-north-pole-is-an-insane-36-degrees-warmer-than-normal-as-winter-descends/

Clyde is thrilled to let everyone know that The Tree will remain!!!  Tree Warden Public Hearing that Clyde watched online here.

• "Woof, woof" (Translation:  Two children speak up for The Tree);
• "WOOF"  (Wow, what a crowd!!!)
• "Woof, woof, woof" (First Selectman announces Town will take responsibility for stop signs and other improvements, with the permission of the private road owners);
• "Woof?"  ("What is a leader if you are a tree?" Clyde asks.)  His Mom ChaCha points out that there is a Red Team and a Black Team at SP Kennel and thus "4 leaders" so dogs should oppose proposals to cut down any part of The Tree.
  

Yearlings Rule - names added based upon ID from 300% version of pic!

• Easier to tell the Golden Harness Litter apart (above) than the 
• Coffee Litter - but that's why the SP Kennel website has larger pic of that litter?