Following Atticus Book signing

Last night I met a friend and attended a book signing. It was a desperate move in my part to get out of the house, as we have just lost Darka, and I am not ready to face the wailing emptiness.  I had seen a FB post on this author, Tom Ryan, and how wonderful the book was.  I believe my friend Kathy said the book was one of her top 5 favorite dog books of all time, and that is a high rating coming from Kathy!  Rhonda then posted about the book signing and I readily volunteered to meet her there.

It was great!  Tom Ryan is very funny, and I loved his impromtu talk.  His dogs are sweet and obviously adore him, I really look forward to reading his book (the title is Following Atticus).

What I wanted to write a note on was how kindly and calmly Tom Ryan speaks to his dog Atticus.  His other dog Will is deaf and blind so he mostly spoke about Will not to Will.  Anyway, he kept Atticus with him with a few quiet spoken words, asking him to sit just as you might ask someone you love to pass the salt.  It reminded me of an obedience class I went to a few winters ago.  The teacher kept trying to impress upon the class that we must speak in deep voices for our dogs to take us seriously and we must sound firm and, well, bossy.  I told her I simply would not, as I had 25 dogs, and I wanted to speak in my own tone of voice.  There are so many other ways to be the leader and keep everyone safe, healthy and happy.  I can't let my dogs run free as Tom Ryan does his pups, but they are sled dogs and that is not where I want to futily spend my time.  I have many urgent things to guide them through and teach them!

It is interesting to hear my daughter learn to talk to dogs.  I realize she mirrors what she hears from me.  That keeps me honest!  I think often about another little girl who helped in a kennel and how angry and aggressive she sounded as she bossed the dogs around.  It made me sad for her and the dogs.

I am proud to say in the Wicked Local article about us the auther, Rich Harbart, mentioned how gently I speak to my entire 10 dog dog sled tour team.

Here is a link to Tom Ryans blog:
http://tomandatticus.blogspot.com/



-Miss W
Owner and Musher
Barking Brook Sled Dog Adventures, llc
http://www.Barking-Brook.com

Good friends on a beautiful hike

Here is Pearl and Valerie looking at the view on a recent hike up Rattlesnake, right on Squam Lake.

New Tours for 2012-2013 season

We have finalized the lineup of dog sled tours and rides for this coming mushing season.   The dogs will be out in September, getting ready. October we open the doors and start the tours, starting off with fall cart tours of course!
We are officially offering our Learn to Mush hands-on experience.  we are really excited about this, it will be so much fun to share with people.
Come snow we have a new tour, the Runaway Sunday!  It's short, it's sweet, it's perfect.
See our tour page for details:
http://www.barking-brook.com/dog_sled_tours_new_hampshire

-Miss W
Owner and Musher
Barking Brook Sled Dog Adventures, llc
http://www.Barking-Brook.com

Celebrating our first litter

Our first litter, Anuk's litter, was so long ago!  The 4 I have from this litter are now eleven years old!  I originally kept Kubota and Triton, the only 2 boys, but Emma (Leigh) and Darka came back home later and stayed.

At the time of this litter I was still dating my now husband and it was wonderful to include his family in the fun.  My step daughter Alisha still loves Triton and calls him Fluffy But.

The photos below are from a puppy play date at the Berg's house.  They had a litter almost the same age. A few of the people who were getting puppies were there plus some house guests/friends of mine.  It was really fun!

It's strange to finally be doing a dog sled tour business after all these years with these dogs.  2 of this litter retired last year after doing one dog sled tour.  (2 carried on for the rest of the season).  Ironically doing dog sled tours is just what these guys excel at.  They are so friendly and have such eye catching beauty, they pull hard and true in harness, they really are great dogs to work with.

Of the 8 pups only 6 are still alive. Nushka was shot by a neighbor in Vermont, Charm died of liver issues. Two are treasured house pets (Perkins, Juneau).   And as I said 4 live here: Kubota, Triton, Emma-Leigh and Darka.

A lapful of pups with Emma closes to camera, Kubota's face poking out to the left and Triton face half visible on the right as he burrows in.

Jacci holding Nushka.  Love at first cuddle.

Emma's intense and joyful eyes.

In the dog boxes to go home: Perkins, Kubota, Darka and Emma.

Be (Rebecca) holding the dark faced pups: Kubota and Darka.

Rick Holding Emma, Triton and Charm.

-Miss W
Owner and Musher
Barking Brook Sled Dog Adventures, llc

http://www.Barking-Brook.com

Best Friends till the end

Siepa passed away yesterday afternoon. He was in the kennel with all his friends and fellow retirees in the play area. I thought he was sleeping at first, the scene was peaceful. It was a shock and I am having a hard time wrapping my mind around the loss of such a soulful and loving dog, who has been with me since our first dog sled ride. He was one of the first sets of pups and his age mates were the first team. I got him and his sister Nikka right after I bought and moved into my house.
He was a loyal and incredibly loving dog. He was a wonderful lead dog and handsome. His brown eyes were sooooo gentle and told me volumes. I always knew how much he loved me.  Even when he became very sick, our time together was special and he was loving and generous to my daughter Emma.
He is burried right above Blanche in our back pasture. He is wrapped in some favorite batik material of mine, harness between his paws, a love note pressed against his chest.
I hope everyone who reads this knows the true love of a loyal dog.

Hard weather to be old and furry

Mother nature is throwing us some serious heat.   It's not good for the old dogs, especially Siepa who is not doing well healthwise.  He is only 12, and only retired from running on the dog sled tour teams last fall.  But he has a tumor in the sheath around his heart and fluid is backing up in his system despite medication.  he will not eat much (if anything) no matter what offered.  I feel bad for him, and am giving him as much time and love as he seems to want.  What he really wants is some crisp fall weather I am sure. But he enjoys the slow walks with my daughter, mostly poking around the yard, and the adoration I am raining down on him.
He was a great lead dog in his prime, one of those you keep in your backpocket and can bring you home from anywhere.  He learned commands all on his own, from other positions, and one day just floored me showing me he knew them all!
Siepa is one of those dogs who has the most loyal way of loving his person.  ME!

I am grateful everyday I am not one of those heartless people who give away their dogs at the slightest sign they are old, slow or troublesome. It's a compromise, sure, we are not headed for fame and fortune or (puke) cashing in on puppy sales to the aspiring.  We are just US.  Happy.  Together.

-Miss W
Owner and Musher
Barking Brook Sled Dog Adventures, llc
http://www.Barking-Brook.com

Denali...a super cute super furry hot ol gal