Mr. Nome

I received a fun e-mail from Mr. Nome's co-owner. Unfortunately bolger will only let me upload one picture.

Nome with his father Dakota

Hi Kay Lee,
I am taking care of Nome while Susan and her family are away in Maine. Dakota and I are having a good time with him, and I think Nome is enjoying being here with us too. The below email is a short update (sent by Nome J to his family) and I thought you would like to hear how he is doing too. It's difficult to not think of Nome as Dakota's "mini-me" because I think they look so much alike. However Nome is definitely his own person with his own funny quirks.

Like the other puppies he was putting EVERYTHING in his mouth. He has been much, much better about this the last few days however. He gets so excited whenever any kids show up - he already knows they mean FUN and playtime. He is thrilled whenever we go someplace new with new sights and smells. Yesterday he saw big orange garbage can things in the road (slow down markers) and his hair bristled all along his back as he went into 'caution mode' but he never stopped his advance to check those weird things out. He's a brave little boy J Nome comes down stairs so fast sometimes that I am amazed he doesn't slide to the bottom in a heap. Nome loves his daddy and really tries to get Dakota to play. Dakota however will only half-heartedly pretend chew back with him and then Dakota is done, getting up and coming to me to be rescued from the advances of an excited pup.

As Susan knows, Nome is still a snuggler and I don't expect that to change. If I am sitting down in a comfy chair most times Nome will come over and try and crawl in my lap. I can't say no so we snuggle for a bit. When Nome is done and climbs down invariably Dakota comes over, jealous of the attention given to Nome and needing to reclaim some love. So Dakota crawls in my lap. There is quite a difference holding little Nome versus his 100lb dad let me tell you! The two of us don't fit well in the same chair, and after a few good rubs and hugs he'll climb down and find a more comfortable spot to lay down. I know this is not the best behavior, but it always makes me smile.

Best,
Alli

Hi I just want to say thanks for leaving me at such a fun place. It makes being away from you easier! We just got back from another walk. I'm learning to not put everything in my mouth and try to swallow. I only picked up one rock this time. This morning we went to this really neat place called Gold Creek Pond. There were so MANY new smells. I could only go a few steps at a time before I had to stop and sniff and roll.I also got wet. There is a big pond there and I walked right in not knowing what it was. It kind of freaked me out but then I noticed my dad went right in and LAID DOWN! So I knew it was ok and decided to try it out again. It was cool and I liked it.That walk was long and it kind of wore me out. We came back and had lunch a l a fresca and then I took a long snooze on the deck.Well I hope you are having fun but thinking of me lots!XoxoNome

Muku (formerly Takotna)

I love getting photos and notes. Here is an update from Muku's forever family:

Here's some new photos of Muku out at Capilano Canyon. She's a happy little girl, and cant get enough of playing with Ben, as well as all the neighbourhood kids, who make sure to visit her every day. Ben has a new run bike (a bike without pedals, to learn balance) and she loves running after him on it (and me running after both of them!)
So far, some of the fun things I have fished out of her mouth are: cigarette butts, chewing gum, hot wheels cars, many rocks and pebbles, and my personal favourite...a giant, and still alive, beetle. She also loves to dig, so we have found her a nice spot in the gravel playground where she can dig to her hearts content, then we just kick the gravel back in to fill the hole. She has made friends with most of the neighbourhood dogs, with her best friend being a tiny little pug. She will dip her toes in the water at the river, but seems to have no inclination to go in any further. Lots of new adventures await her.

Happy Father's Day

Koyuk and Cedar were missing. All was quiet in the bedroom - never a good sign. I grabbed my camera to record the expected chaos. All I found were two innocent looking Chinooks posing on the rug. Don't be fooled. I have been looking for my slipper for four days now. Today I took Koyuk to a large AKC Competition Obedience trial. I will be entering McKenzie for her CD later this summer but have never actually seen a trial. It was raining (what's new) so I did not take the camera but Koyuk won the hearts of many competitors with her nice sit, exuberant down and cute self. She is so confident around people and dogs and loves to show off.

Happy Father's Day to all the BrownStone fathers: Dave, Jon, Sean, Bob, Tim, Chris, Rob, Bruce, Danny, Bradley Jonathan, Charles and Jeremy.

Still Raining

On the 14th I was so excited to see a couple days of sun. Little did I know they would be the last sunny days for a while. It has been cloudy and rainy since then and is pouring out right now.

Koyuk is trying to play Chinook tag with two Pyr Shep puppies. Prosbero, the ever patient, gentle, Great Pyr is acting as the circling object.

The Pyr pups were not too happy about Koyuk getting close to the treat bag they were standing on.
Koyuk still does not have a forever name. I am leaning toward "Libby" or "Shea" at this point.

One Sick, Nameless Puppy

Puppy-puppy became very ill last evening and throughout the night. I don't have a clue what she got into since everything goes into her mouth - everything. Pretty much all of the plants and mushrooms around here are toxic. Great for deer proofing the landscaping but not so good on puppies. After being up all night and going outside every 15 to 20 minutes she is finally back to her playful (and hungry) self. I on the other hand have not seen sleep for quite a while.

Cedar caring for her sick daughter.

While lying awake with the sick little girl, I pondered her name.

"Koyuk" her litter name - the "uk" sticks on the tongue;

"Trail" - OK;

"Tundra" - sorta;

I could stick with the BrownStone tradition of naming my Chinooks after rivers that Chinook Salmon are found. The Chetco river in southern Oregon is known for it's salmon. "Chetco" - nice sound.

I checked to see which dog was the first to Nome and which one won the Golden Harness award this year. Mackey's "Maple" got both honors. "Maple" could work.

Then I pondered the Iditarod adventurers:

Mackey first four time in a row winner. Winner of this year's Iditarod. "Lance" - nope; "Mackey" I already have a "McKenzie" - too close.

Libby Riddles the first woman to win the Iditarod Race. "Libby" - OK.

Susan Butcher the first 4 out of 5 time time winner. "Susan" or "Butcher" don't work for me.

DeeDee Jonrowe, three time runner up, breast cancer survivor and an a huge inspiration to all mushers. "DeeDee" could work.

I then fondly remembered the woman who introduced me to mushing and many of the 2005 Iditarod mushers. She was a fellow Outward Bound instructor. In Outward Bound we had a motto: Be Tough yet Gentle, Humble yet Brave, Swayed only by Beauty and Truth. Mellen Shea embodied all of these traits more than any person I have ever known. Mellen ran the Iditarod twice and all the other big Alaskan/Canadian dog sled races. A year after she showed me how to balance on runners while careening around corners behind her by 12 seasoned racers, Mellen lost the toughest challenge of all. She died of breast cancer after putting up put up a year long, fierce battle. "Mellen" - works; "Shea" - rolls of the tongue nicely.

Mellen Shea

So there you have it, a list of possible names for little girl.

Koyuk, Trail, Tundra, Chetco, Maple, Libby, DeeDee, Mellen and Shea.

Let me know what you think.

June 14, 2010

What happened to the past three days? Sun happened. My sailboat is off the garage ceiling, rigged and at the lake. The weed pulling has begun in earnest. Between the high winds and a puppy that puts everything in her mouth, I can't use round-up on the really noxious weeds like horsetail. All of the vegetables are finally in the ground (but as nights are still cold they are protected with wall-o-water, mini greenhouses). Much of the ground is under standing water but Dave took care of the remainder with his new mower.

The weather was even warm enough for the dogs to go swimming to cool off. Little Koyuk circled the pond as McKenzie and Willy swam, testing several possible entry points. Finally she went back about 5 feet; took a fast run; and flew through the air into a perfect belly flop. I don't know who was the most surprised, Koyuk, me or the other dogs. Cedar won't go in at all since her technique involves putting her head underwater first which she finds alarming and the other dogs slowly walk into the water. Instinct is a funny thing. I see a future dock dog.

Koyuk needs a name and forever home. I was going to wait for the forever family to name her but without prospects, it is time. I am getting tired of "puppy-puppy". "Koyuk" just does not roll off the tongue and garners a lot of "what did you say?" or "spell that" comments. All of my dogs are named after rivers that Chinook salmon swim in. I could have used "Yukon" as the Yukon river is an infamous stretch of the Iditarod race but, there have been several other Chinooks with that name. Koyuk will be a stand out among Chinooks so she needs a unique name. She is adventurous, confident and fearless. Right now I am leaning toward "Trail".

June 11, 2010

The clouds have parted. This afternoon, I was even able to start the never ending weeding of the gardens. I do have to admit that the soggy soil made pretty easy work of pulling up the suckers.

Chores got a really fun interlude when Jeremy, Oscar and Cora brought Willow over to play.

Koyuk and Willow were quickly inseparable. McKenzie, Willy and Cedar give nookies to Jeremy and Cora.

One hour later and the pups were still hard at play under the supervision of mother Cedar.

Rain, Rain Go Away

Enough rain already! This may be Oregon, but we have had enough rain. The lawn has been mowed 4 times this season and again stands thigh high and is way too wet to mow. In desperation I whacked a path out back for the dogs to work on weaves and a place for puppy Koyuk to go potty. The potted vegetables in the green house are leggy and tall and need daily watering and pollination. I was getting soaked just getting to them so I whacked another path through the high grass to get to the garden.
"Hey it is pouring and we want in". Willy, Koyuk and McKenzie at the door. Yes, puppy Koyuk, she is with us again for a short time.

BrownStone Iditarod Trail Elim - River

Today I received wonderful photos of River and her family and this note: "River has also started puppy kindergarten with Julie, which is going to be great. She's very confident with the other puppies and owners--in fact, she may be the most confident pup in there. One of the activities we do in class involves introducing the puppies to agility equipment and other large, brightly colored, potentially scary objects. We're told to praise and treat the puppies just for approaching the equipment, which is overwhelming for some pups. River, on the other hand, takes one look at the tunnel and goes galloping through it. She was also climbing up the slide--the largest and scariest item out there--and sliding down it for treats. And all this was on her first day."

River checking out the resident chickens

So what will those ears do? Day at the beach with her family.
" She had a great time and continued to prove that she intends to be a water dog, even plunging right into the ocean up to her chest"Yup - ears will be up like Cedar's.

BrownStone Iditarod Trail Song (Kaltag)

Kaltag is living near Seattle with Cedar's breeder, Carie Taylor. Carie also got another new Chinook, Honey. She said that Honey and Kaltag are seldom apart.

Kaltag, nine weeks old, in his new digs.

What a handsome boy! Kaltag, 11 weeks old, and best friend Honey.

Party, Puppies and Babies

My brother-in-law Chuck had a surprise birthday party today. Actually, he was the one throwing the party and it was a surprise to us. My niece, her husband and their two children are in Oregon for a visit. We thought we were going to see them. The birthday cake was a big bonus.

Chuck reading a birthday card to JB

Cadence could not wait to sample the ice cream. The scoop proved to be an ideal spoon.During the visit, I got great-aunt duty with my foster niece, JB. While holding and watching her, the uncanny similarities between a 12 month old human and 12 week old puppy were glaringly evident:

1) If it fits in the mouth, it belongs in the mouth. (I have a great picture of JB crewing on her shoe much the same way Koyuk did my slippers. Because she is in foster care, I can not show the picture - use your imagination.)
2) Barriers mean nothing more than speed bumps.
3) Speaking of speed, it is amazing how fast they can disappear only to be found off on a new exploration.
4) Life is full speed ahead until they crash asleep.
5) Parents are chronically sleep deprived.
6) Snuggles are the best.

My dad and Iris enjoying the festivities.

Koyuk Goes to Her Forever Home

After my morning shower, I found my missing slipper in it's default location - with Koyuk on the dog bed.

I sure hope those ears stay down. Poor girl has bat ears like her mother at that age. Koyuk before leaving to her forever home with new dad Travis and mom Kara.
Cedar, McKenzie and Willy saying good-buy to Koyuk

One last good-bye from Cedar.

As I took this picture, Willy was trying to get in the front seat. Travis and Kara are way-OK in his mind. He would have gone home with them too.

In the time it took me to read through today's e-mail, Koyuk dismantled part of my office.

BrownStone Iditarod Koyuk Day 1, 10oz

BrownStone Iditarod Koyuk Day 84, 20lb 3 ozenough of this posing

Potty Time in a Downpour

Record rains in May and already three days of record rains in June. Poor puppy has to go outside and squat in soaking grass taller than she is. Poor me out there along with her in the slippers she has chosen as her favorite chew toys and managed to un-thread the seams. We both come in soaked for our efforts. But as wet as I am after the most recent trip, I know I will be wetter from tears in days to come when she is no longer with us. Koyuk will be missed.

Koyuk has learned "leave it" to a treat set in front of her nose; to "touch" a target on command; to sit and wait to be pet or to go in a door and even, finally to lie down to a signal. Her recall is bounding with ears flying. Her unending curiosity has led her to remove all items on lower shelves in my office - a favorite is bubble wrap another is file folders and envelopes. Today she didn't just swipe a sock from the laundry hamper, she grabbed the handle and wheeled the hamper down the hall into the great room for all the dogs to empty. None of the other dogs have ever even imagined such a fun activity.

Koyuk new queen of the landing

Only two more nights of dangling a finger into her crate for her to kiss until we both fall asleep. Only two more still dark, early, morning potty times in a downpour.

Puppy Condo is Dismantled

Koyuk has sharp teeth indeed. Among the items used for teething was the squirt bottle with vinegar water. It is rarely used and was almost forgotten until I noticed a huge wet spot going under the whelping box tarp and the near empty squirt bottle beside it. The only way to clean up the wooden floors was to dismantle the entire puppy condo. The up side is that as soon as the floor dries, we get our great room back.

Ms Mulu (Takotna) Any bets on her future ear set?

Mr Nome and best friend Meggiehandsome Mr Nome

video of a tired Nome taken by Meggie