Ultimate Whelping Box

Sarah Aitken is not only a superior nurse practitioner, she is also an amazing cabinet maker. I had asked her in passing if she would make a whelping box. Her enthusiastic reply: "what a fun project!" Not satisfied with the first one she built out of high grade plywood, she made a second one out of oak. This box is so nice Cedar's pups may never want to leave. I can't wait to sit on the corner benches and watch pups stumbling around in it.

Agile Cedar

Cedar sticks the landing zone

Cedar is still flying around the agility course. Though with pups on board, I have her running through the jump standards instead of jumping.

Her class is working on the teeter and handling skills. She has to figure out where I want her to go and I have to figure out how best to get her there. I have a lot to learn. Looking at this picture, I don't have a clue where I expected her to go next.

Wide load Cedar

Poor Cedar, her appetite is relentlesss and she is starting to look like a wide load.

We had a full day here at BrownStone. Cedar completed her CGC classes and will soon take the CGC exam; McKenzie did some final polishing to get her ready for a CD title along with navigating a 350' asphalt track and Willy worked on more advanced agility maneuvers. I also took advantage of the 60 degree weather to work in the gardens including weeding the one seen here behind the dogs.

92nd Birthday

My dad had a 92nd birthday party today.

(Don't even try to guess how old that makes me.)

This spry guy still square dances. Maybe this year I'll even get him on a dog sled.

Cedar is with Puppy

Dr. Smalley confirmed that Cedar is indeed pregnant and has at least 4 whelps.

Sunshine

After several cold, rainy, foggy days, we finally got sunshine. Today started out cold and foggy. With full long johns, winter clothes, ski hat and an overcoat on, I ran the agility course like a stuffed penguin. But by the time Willy and I got back from agility class, the sun had broken through. I hung the coat and hat and got out the patio chair cushions. Coffee, the paper, lounging in the warm sun, dogs playing on the grass - life was good.

Today was the first time in 2010 that I was able to sit in the sun on the back patio. We have had sun but the ridgeline trees block it from reaching the house until the middle of February. Our very brief winter seams over. Without any freezing cold since early December, many of the spring plants are popping their heads out of the ground. Witch hazel, daffodils, crocus, winter rose and rhododendrons are all in bloom. The weeds in the gardens are thriving. The dogs are shedding their coats.

Cedar is looking more pregnant. Either that or her healthy appetite has put a lot of weight on her. Tomorrow we go for a vet palpitation. We should then know for sure she is with puppy.

Valentines Dakota & Cedar

1st Place

the start

Yesterday was exciting! I borrowed 4 Alaskians, grabbed my sled and raced in the PSDSA "Experience the Next Level" dog sled race. I did indeed experience the next level and then some by taking first place in the Four-Dog. The 4.5 mile trail included a lot of tight corners and one steep downhill. Starting next to last meant I had to pass all but one of the other mushers. Three of us duked it out, with numberous passes, thoughout the race. My dogs were bitches in standing heat making the passes interesting to say the least. The other teams seemed to enjoy the scent chase as much as the lead. After passing us, they would often immediately stop, necessitating another close-quarter pass with my girls. We finally pulled away during the last 1/2 mile for a clean win.

the finish line

Willy on Canvas

Animal artist Dottie Dracos met Moonsong Rocsha and Moonsong Cedar at the AKC Rose City Classic. (Both dogs were there as part of the FSS Meet-the-Breed booth). Dottie asked me to send her pictures of Chinook heads because their ears are so much fun. Today she sent me this wonderful print of Silly Willy. Her work can be seen at: http://www.dottiedracos.com

Agility Dog

Cedar is still flying over the agility obstacles. Her extra girth has not yet thrown her off balance.

Snow Play Day

The dogs and I finally got to leave the valley rain behind and head for the mountain snow. To take advantage of 1" new, somewhat damp, powder on Oregon cement I started the day with several downhill ski runs. I then skate-skied around the bunny slope. Without a Chinook team to pull the sled next weekend, I will be skijoring in the Valentine Fun Race with a tow from Willy. Before I hook him up to me and inevitably crash on take-off, I wanted to see if I could even still ski on skinny skis (barely).

Then it was the dog's turn for snow play. We went to an area where they could run freely. I wanted to take a picture of Cedar to match the one of Dakota, her stud, but alas with only inches of snow, I was not able to replicate his. I did get a lot of great pictures of the dogs thoroughly enjoying themselves.

Cedar totally amazed me with her jumping ability. She easily cleared 10' wide ditches both up and down hill. This is my pregnant girl.

The dogs ran, rolled, explored, caught snowballs, chased and jumped for a couple of hours.

Ah snow - the true element for Chinooks.

Cedar, Willy & McKenzie

McKenzie and Willy

Cedar and Dakota

Another Rainy Day

A trip to the snow will have to wait. After receiving a 6:30 am report of rain at the mountain, the dogs and I snuggled down for a couple hours of more rest. Well, they rested. I had three Chinooks on top of me all vying for the most bodily contact. The rest of the day has been spent once again being frustrated in my attempts to add slide shows to this blog. I do now have an album of great BrownStone Chinook pictures, all neatly labeled, somewhere out there is cyber space.

Sunshine

The rain clouds finally parted. We were able to get outside for one last day of agility before I limit Cedar's jumping. She and Willy made the most of it.
Cedar had a weigh-in at the vet this afternoon. She is up 1.7lbs and deemed to be very healthy.

First Blog

What an exciting day! BrownStone Chinooks finally has a blog! I confess, I was afraid Cedar would have her puppies before I could get a blog page up and running. Training Chinooks is a lot easier (and way more fun) than figuring out computer language.

During the past couple of days the dogs have supervised my endeavors from the couch with breaks to practice on the agility course and play Chinook tag outside.

Cedar is looking more and more pregnant. Either that or she is developing an impressive chest. Tomorrow we have a vet appointment to weigh her and hopefully palpate the whelps.