| 16.11.2008 |
Water, mud, ponds, darkness... I truly wish, that winter would
come already! Yona got 5 months old today, and more about
her in her Puppy Diary. Below is one photo of Yona, which
has taken today.
Yona 5 months
|
| 27.10.2008 |
Last weekend we had malamute meeting here at Ylämaa. Place was
Metjärvi camping centre as last year and we had nice amount
people there. Morning's rain stopped when all the people had
arrived and even sun was showing itself. First we had nice
conversation session with cups of coffee and we also had
ALMA's equipment sales there. Yona got new collar, because
her earlier was a little bit small. Now she also has true
alaskan collar.
Later during the day Pekka and Mika went to mark the
training route and after that all "big" mals headed there to
train. Route was a little bit harder to follow and some even
got lost for a little time. Route was also little bit longer
than said, but everyone manage to get back well. All puppies
went to walk to "puppy route", so they got also their
"exercise".
Afternoon and early evening was traditional - sitting in
camp fire, talking and laughing. When sun disappeared, storm
was rising and weather changed dark and windy. We had been
planning to test four malamutes team front of ATV and we
chose Nukka (Najanin's X-trail Nukka) and Minto (Salomaan
Salariyok) to front and Yepa and Hino as wheel dogs. All of
them were strangers for each other, but everybody
concentrated to work. Test was only 500 meters, but
again we did see, that it is possible to get mals from
different families to work together. Of course it is
depending of characters but we are pleased, that they all
worked together. If we continue training them together,
maybe someday we'll have a four dogs team to participate
test and races..
At the evening all started to going home, and only toughest
ones stayed there having sauna and sitting by the camp fire.
It was really nice meeting and it was nice to meet all
friends and some new faces too! Once again we have lot of
photos, but I'll put them to albums later this week. Photos
down under are rare material - me with Hino. Usually I'm in
the other side of camera, but now Virpi Salminen took these
photos of us. Thank you Virpi!
|
| 20.10.2008 |
Well, our life has been so normal, that almost nothing special
has happened. Weather has been between +0 and very moist +10
and we have done different kind of training with mals.
Last Sunday was our last competition in Off snow-season.
This time it was Finnish Championship in Canicross
Team-class in Riihimäki. In our team ran Pekka & Hino,
Marja-Liisa and Yepa and our friend Mika Hamari with his
malamute Nukka. Our goal was to be second last, because
Pekka's and mine training has been very low. Pekka had some
problems with his back and last couple months he hasn't been
able to run and I had flu over a month, so my training isn't
so good either. Our placement was 20 of 23, so it went
better than we thought. Hino and Pekka started our team's
performance and it was 12 team starting together at the same
time. It was really nice to see, that Hino clarify it very
well, even there was 11 other dogs side by side with him.
Hino just concentrated to going forward. Me and Yepa made
few passes and it went also like a "steam train" (especially
me...).
We still had really fun and mals did get another kind of
experience. We are very pleased our Off snow-season even
though our placements were not so high. Our main goal was to
get new experiences and race routine to Yepa and Hino before
winter season, where our main goal is.
Yona's Puppy Diary and Gallery are also updated! Next
weekend we have malamute meeting here at Ylämaa and I bet
we'll have a great time there with all malamute friends!
|
| 29.9.2008 |
Well, news about race again... Last weekend was Pawtrekker
Finnish Championship Race Jämi 2008 at Jämi. It was Hino's
first race and we are so modest to participate to Finnish
Championship with him. At Friday we headed to Jylli Hunting
Cabin and there was already many of our friends. After three
hours sleep we went to race place. Trail info and
registration were before 10 AM and start was 12.40. Between
info and start we just enjoyed the feeling and spent time
with our friends.
We had whole pack of dogs with us, also Yona. She tested
"park chain" for a first time and it went really well! Some
people were surprised, when they heard that Yona is only 15
weeks old and it is already her 2. race... More about
Yona in her Puppy Diary later this week.
There was many malamute teams participating, which was nice
to see. 1R-class there was 4 teams and in 2R-class total 7.
Hino was little bit tired before start and Pekka already
thought that he won't participate if Hino don't cheer up.
But when they got to starting line, Hino was so exited and
wanted really to go, so they left. 4,4 km went in time 14,56
and average speed was 18,13 km/hour. Our own time target
came true with fair marginal and both were very energetic
when they finished race. It was really good start for Hino -
he worked really well, had just right speed and when you
look at photos, you'll see that he also had fun.
After the race, there was seminar of Training sled dogs.
Very interesting subject and we learned many good things
there. After the seminar we went back to Hunting cabin for a
short time. At midnight we took off and headed home.
Once again, long car drive and not so much sleep, but it was
all worth it - you'll find some photos of race in
Hobbies-Gallery. I'll try to get all the other photos of
race to new album some time this week.
Yepa and Hino approaching the finish line.
|
| 21.9.2008 |
Yestreday was first race after summer vacation. Hino had a eye
infection last week and because of doping regulations, we
had to leave him home. Pekka participated to 1 dog's
kickbike-class with Yepa. Race length was 4,4 km and their
time was 17.01. That was fast enough to get bronze! Winner
in that class was mixed-breed hound, second was Giant Snautzer
and fourth was another malamute team. Yepa's average speed
was 15,52 km/ h in that race, and we are very pleased of her
performance. Autumn training period has been quite short
because of temperatures and Yepa is pure trot dog. So, it was a
good start for the racing season!
Yepa at Aulanko Race, reaching the finish line
Yona was also with us in the race place, but I'll update her
doings to her Puppy Diary at next week.
On our way to home, we visited our friends, Mika and Sirkka.
We were going to try our long time dream to put Yepa and
another malamute female Nukka to same team. We had thought
this combination for a long time, because every time Yepa
and Nukka has met, they never have had any aggressions
toward each other. Situation was really exciting, but as our
hopes were, it went really great. When they waited eagerly
to get going, they both said little warning growls to each
other, but when they started, they both worked very well.
Course was really short, so they surely will get positive
experience of try-out, but maybe this black-and white
combination will be hard working team after more training.
We were so happy, that it is hard to say, which one gives
more happines - 3. place in the Race or well worked try-out
between two malamute females, which are almost strangers to
each other!
Next weekend is Race weekend again, Finnish Championship in
kickbike classes and we'll be there. I've added photos to
our
Hobbies-gallery, please check them out!
Nukka and Yepa - Girl Power!
|
| 15.9.2008 |
Last weekend we were at Alma's Autumn meeting at Riihivuori,
Muurame. Whole pack was with us - that includes 4 people and
5 dogs. Luckily we have that dog trailer, so traveling is so
much easier with so many travelers.
Friday evening was so fun at fire place with all malamute
friends. At Saturday morning there was "camp opening" and it
was really nice to see all new malamute owners participating
first time. After opening, it was time to dog massaging,
equipment introductions and so on. Yona got to play with her
brother Talut and they had so much fun together! There was
also kids "competition" and Camp competition for adults.
Dogs got to train passing at common passing practice.
Saturday evening we were at the fire place again and it was
fun!
At the Sunday morning was Show practicing and after that it
was time to pack things and leave the camp. Thank you for
you all, who made this weekend so fun! You'll find photos of
Autumn meeting in Gallery or directly from
HERE.
"Hino-lion at the savannah"
|
| 6.9.2008 |
For a long time, someone from our pack participated in a Dog
Show. Yepa attended to Mastery Autumn Show in Helsinki.
Judge was Finnish Juha Kares. Luckily day was sunny (only
one in this week), because of outdoor show, so we didn't get
wet.
This time Yepa participated to Open Class instead of Working
Class and in Open Class there were most of the females. Yepa
got only Excellent in that class and won her class. In Best
Bitch-competition class, she was 3. and got RES-CAC. She got
really great judgment and even though I though that Yepa is
still in "summer condition", judge didn't think so. After
the Show we drove home and Yepa was sleeping happily in back
of our car. You can read Yepa's judgment in Result-page
HERE.
|
| 2.9.2008 |
|
Autumn is coming and we have started malamute's training again
little by little. Summer vacation did good to Hino and now
when there is much cooler, he has so much speed. We even had
minus degrees on the other night. Yepa and Hino are mostly
training separately, so they will better remember how they
need to work.
Yona's register papers are in Finnish Kennel Club waiting
Yona to be registered here in Finland. We'll see how things
work now, when they have got solved jam in Import
registrations.
Only 2 more weeks to Alma's Autumn meeting. It will be so
nice to meet all malamute friends again!
These news are quite short this time. I have to Gallery-page
Yona's own album and also photo album of our visit to Sweden,
kennel Cahppes. Also Yona's Puppy Diary has been updated.
|
| 25.8.2008 |
Yona has come home! At Friday we took off ahead Kausala, where
we was going to take Yepa and Hino to "day-care". After that
we headed to Helsinki, where we got on the boat and headed
to Stockholm. Boat was there in Saturday morning.
At the Stockholm we did some shopping first and then we
headed to Anci's and Henrik's place. Our new GPS-navigator
worked well and we got there without any problems. It was
really nice to meet Anci and Henrik and see all the grown up
malamutes and of course puppies. Day and evening went by
talking about everything and filling some papers. Boys
jumped up and down in trampoline and explored yard. .
In the Sunday mornign we woke up by clock 04.00, so we could
catch the morning boat to Turku. Yona and his brother Talut
were packed in our car and it was time to say goodbye to
Anci and Henrik. We got the boat right time and puppies got
really much attention there. We even had to go and show them
to restaurant's kitchen worker, who had heard of sweet
little puppies on the boat. Puppies were mostly sleeping at
our cabin ja were so brave and happy.
We were at Turku in Sunday evening and we took our car ahead
to home. We stopped at Kausala to pick up Yepa and Hino and
got some coffee also. We were at home clock 03.00, so almost
24 hours awake... Dogs didn't meet each other then, because
it was so late. Yepa and Hino has meet Yona briefly today,
but all have seen each other from a little distance. Today
Talut was picked up to his own home, so now we have only our
own pack at home.
We want to thank Raimo again, for taking care of Pontus and
Veera! Also big thanks to Mika and Sirkka for a taking care
of Yepa and Hino and making us coffee in the middle of the
night. Special thanks to Anci and Henrik, for their
hospitality and your trust for us to puppy buyers!
I'll try to add some photos, when I have time to unload them
from camera. Yona has her own
page, I've also renewed
Dogs-page and Yona's puppy diary can be found
here.
|
| 31.7.2008 |
|
Our pack is going to grow in few weeks. Adorable and happy
malamute girl is coming from Sweden to strengthen our sled
team. Here is few photos of her:
5 weeks
6 weeks Both
photos © Kennel Cahppes
Little "miss" is coming from
kennel Cahppes. Her dad is one of the victorious mals
today, BIS BISS AM/CAN
Multi CH Sno Quest’s King Of Landwood, of which father
is well known BIS BISS AM CH Wind’s Fury Jacob Trailblazer.
Litter's dam is SUCH Silent Ridge Bacardi-Breeze, and her
pedigree includes for instance INT CH FIN CH EST CH FINW-98
FINW-99 FINW-00 FINW-01 NORDW-01 FINW-02 S CH Pandistelle Del Lago Degli Orsi "Hippu"
sekä FIN CH EUJW-91 FINW-93 FINW-94
NORDW-97 Nukilik's Innatauyok. Both parent's has Storm
Kloud's lines back of them pedigrees, for example year's
1994 Iditarod malamutes. We hope, that this new girl will be
good working dog and of course, beautiful lady...
Well, this is quite all this time. Now I have to go to bed,
tomorrow I have radio interview, making up hand-program
sheet
and many more things.
|
| 9.7.20088 |
|
Hurry, hurry... it has been on our vacation and having summer
guests here at our home. It hasn't been hot summer days, but
still dogs are having their summer vacation too.
Even though we have been busy, we got time to go to long
waited hiking trip to Neitvuori-Luonter at Etelä-Savo. This
time we got whole gang with us, also all dogs. They traveled
comfortably at dog trailer and our belongings fit well to
back of our car. Landscape was really beautiful at hiking
route with up- and down hills. Nature changed of dry pine
forests to swamps and almost like jungle. Yepa was a brave
back-pack dog and carried all dog's food in our hiking trip.
We spend our night in our tent, even though there was really
awesome wooden teepee in our night place.
Our boys carried their rucksacks really well whole time. On
our way back home, we stopped at Anttola to buy some
ice-cream. Our dog trailer made all people very curious and
some even took a walk around the trailer, so they could see
all dogs. Before Puumala, we stopped by the lake and dogs
and boys got to go swimming.
After all it was really relaxing and lovely trip to end our
vacation. Maybe in autumn, we'll go somewhere again. Next
year boys are little bit older and more stronger, so we
might be thinking to make a little bit longer hiking trip
somewhere...but we'll see...
Hobbies-album is changed and now there is few more
albums under that main-album. You'll find photos of our
hiking trip there.
|
| 17.6.2008 |
|
Now we have had time to "digest" latest news and normal
routines are back again. Summer has come and malamutes has
started their summer holiday. Summer's exercise are mostly
running free and some jogging with me or Pekka. Harnesses
stays in rack for a sometime and they will be in use again
when autumn is nearer.
Because mals are so big and our four-member family needs lot
of space when traveling, we needed to update our
transportation equipments. Earlier we changed our car a
little bit bigger and decided to get dog-trailer. Now we
have found trailer and it is for four dogs. With obtaining
the trailer, we got help from our team's new sponsor:
LT Granit / Ylamaa Group. Many thanks for them! Here is
few photos of trailer.
I have added new photos to many albums. So you can find
those at Gallery of
following albums: Hino's pics, Yepa's pics, Dog
Friends-album and Nature pics.
Our pack is wishing happy Mid Summer Festival to all of our
friends!
|
| 2.6.2008 |
Well, no laugh at this moment. Yepa and Hino went to
veterinary and their eyes were officially examined. In that
examination vet dropped the bomb; Hino has also cataract
(HC) in his both eyes! Yepa's cataract hasn't developed
anywhere, so that is good news. Also Yepa's PHTV diagnose is
history. But little more about Hino; his situation is little
bit worse than Yepa's, his both lenses are filled with white
mass, so vet couldn't see the bottom of his eye anymore. Now
we must say, we have had really bad luck with our malamute's
eyes.
Now I don't feel like to write anymore.
|
| 27.5.2008 |
Last weekend we took "little" car driving to Rokua. On Friday
we headed to Oulu to visit Marja-Liisa's parents. At
Saturday evening we went to Utajärvi, to visit Kinnunen
family. Time went fast in that evening by chatting and
watching Eurovision song contest.
At Sunday we were in Rokua race. Pekka participated to Bike-joring
with Yepa. Other dogs in their class were Belgian Shepherd
Malinois, Border Collie and Giant Schnauzer, so this time
medals went to them. In other classes there were more
malamutes and so we got some comparison times. Trail was
really soft and sandy and sun heated weather up, so original
5 km length was shortened to 3 km. Yepa did really
well and didn't heated too much. Hino was with us as a
tourist and he enjoyed at "pit-stop" with rock as his
pillow.
Yepa and Pekka coming to finish
On our way home we stopped to eat with Anne, Jokke and Mari
and got a really good pizzas. After lunch we still had 400
kilometers to home. Total kilometers by car were 1300 km and
3 km with bike... quite good combination, don't you think...
;-)
Hino and "rock-pillow"
Thanks for Kinnunen family for your hospitality, all
malamute people for a good company and also for Raimo to
taking care Pontus and Veera at home again! Photos of Race
are in new album
HERE.
|
| 1.5.2008 |
It has been little bit quiet in News but now there is some
news. Yepa went to Hollolla Group Show today and judge Harry
Tast liked her appearance. So Yepa was Working Class EXC/1,
Best bitch 2 and got Res-Cac. You'll find Yepa's judgement
at Results-page. I think she
is really developed more, because she has got only EXC from
last Shows. Now she is going to leave rings for awhile,
because she started to drop her coat off.
|
| 20.4.2008 |
|
Nice weekend at Jyväskylä is behind. At Friday we headed to
Jyväskylä me, Pekka and malamutes. At Saturday there was
Malamute Specialty Show and both Hino and Yepa was going to
attend it. Judge was Barbara Ann Brooks from USA and we were
excited to find out how she would like our mals. Hino's
turn was first and he was showed by Kirsimarja. Judge liked
Hino mostly, but because of his coat he got Satisfying of
Junior Class. Yepa participated in Working Class and she got
Excellent and was 2. in her class. Best in Show was totally
awesome and gorgeous bitch from Norway, Trap Line Jaunty
Jazz and Best of Opposite Sex was Salomaan Salariyok, young
Junior male. Yepa participated also Breeder's Class and
unofficial Best Pair-competition.
After the show we went back to cabin and met Hino's dad,
Thunder. He is so impressive looking malamute, we totally
loved him. At night we celebrated new World Champion in Dog
Sledding and spent really nice time with all our malamute
friends.
At Sunday there was Jyväskylä INT Dog Show and Hino and Yepa
were going to participate also there. Judge was Tamas Jakkel
from Hungary. He gave Hino Satisfying because of his coat,
otherwise Hino's judgement was good. Yepa participated in
Open Class this time and she got Excellent and won her
Class.
Thank you for everyone for a good company at weekend and
thanks for Kirsimarja for handling Hino! Judgements of Hino
and Yepa can be found at Results-page.
Photos coming later.
|
| 13.4.2008 |
|
This weekend includes whole lot of updates, three of them in
two days... ;-) Today our Yepa is reached age of 2 years and
I must say that time goes really fast. In these 2 years we
have had lot of wonderful moments, new comprehensions and we
have learned much about malamutes á la Yepa. In last few
months has shown us, that Yepa has developed her figure and
she has shown us also, that she is really motivated sleddog
and owns a true working moral and ability. Yepa's best
sides are her tremendous kindness towards people, her
persistent character, sense of humour and of course she is
beautiful and has awesome movements, of which you could
watch day after day. From a little purposeful
princess, who acted like a world's owner has became a
pleasantly behaving queen.
Once again we want to thank Anne and Jokke of this
wonderful malamute, who has brougt so much joy to our
family. Thank you!
|
| 12.4.2008 |
Time has run fast again, but at last I got time to update site
and add lot of new photos for
Yepa,
Hino and
Hobby Pics-albums. Snow has gone and it has been time to
lay sled to summer vacation. Our last sled ride was 28.3.
and after that we have waited snow to melt away totally.
Hino got some kind of cough from Lappeenranta Show, maybe it
was even Kennel cough. Week after the Show he started to
cough, but luckily worst coughing lasted only a day. After
that his symptoms vanished really fast. Yepa and other dogs
didn't get same cough, so 2 weeks without symptoms before
Jyväskylä weekend reaches.
Malamute's Specialty Show and Jyväskylä INT Show are only
week away. This time Jere and Tony goes to their friends and
me and Pekka can go there by ourselves. There is a cottage
reserved to us and it will be really fun to spend weekend
with all our friends!
Happy spring for everyone!
|
| 25.3.2008 |
Because of Pogosta Race was cancelled,
Easter holiday has been spent nicely by
relaxing at home. At Saturday we went to skiing and sledding
with malamutes and whole family. Pekka ski to other
direction and I and boys went with sled. Last few hundred
meters Jere and Tony sled with Yepa and Hino totally by
themselves. I think we need to buy kid's sled and license
for Jere for a next winter, he was so pro with kicking and
directing and braking with that sled....
At our destination we started to build a camp fire and
spending some quality time with boys without any rush and
just relaxing. Yepa and Hino also got their part when we
roasted sausages and steaks. On our way back I skied and
Pekka went sled with boys. Hino and Yepa worked really well,
even though there was weight and it was 10 cm new snow in
our trail.
Yesterday we attended to Lappeenranta INT Dog Show. Judge
was finnish Leni Finne and she was really thorough with
judging. First was Hino's turn in Junior Class. This time he
got only experience, because judge thought he has way too
long coat in this time. That's why she gave Hino yellow
ribbon and that means Satisfying. She said, that if his coat
changes, it will also change ribbons color to better.
Yepa was registered to Working Class and she was only bitch
in that class. Judge was been really strict and only one
bitch before Yepa had an Excellent. Yepa showed off really
nicely and ring was so big, that I could show her awesome
movements. And so Yepa got Excellent, she won her class. In
best bitch class she was placed 2. best and so she got also
Res-Cac and Res-Cacib. Hino's and Yepa's judgment can be
found in Show-result-page.
|
| 16.3.2008 |
One year ago sharp, we got sms-message with photo to our
mobile phone - malamute litter, 7 puppies had born to kennel
Neatut. This was the litter where we were about to get one
male puppy. That puppy got a name Neatut Kiluagnaq and
calling name Hino. Time runs so fast and today Hino is
already 1 year old! Happy birthday to all Hino's
littermates; Jyry, Remu, Kiibu, Karak, Raid and Pinga all
over the Finland!
One of the first photos of Hino and his littermates © Kennel Neatut
Hino has shown to us, that he is all that we hoped for;
brave, calm, loving to all people, very patient, adjusting
character and has a lot of working ability and will. Hino is
something, that you just cannot help liking him! Thank you
Anne and Jokke very much again for a magnificent malamute!
Hino 12 months
There has been something else too for along few weeks. Alma
Team Finland was really successful in WSA's Sled dog World
Championship in Åsarna, Sverige: Marko Vesterinen and his
dog team won gold and in same serie was Ville Alariesto 6.
and Jouko Mikkonen 7. Success was complete after Mikko Vähä
was 5. in 3x42km class. It is wonderful to be Finnish
malamute-owner!
On the other weekend I followed WC-race from my mobile and
same time I attended to Dog Breeder's Basic Course. Despite
of huge thrill in Sweden, I passed the course and now I
could request Kennel name. Though I don't have any plans yet
and I have no hurry to breed. Future will show, if I ever
will be breeding malamutes. It depends on so many things,
for instance do I ever have a breeding quality bitch, which
would give something new and good to race. I don't want to
breed quantity but quality of malamutes.
In sledding we have been training quite well, even we
already thought that snow would be gone. There has been sad
news about sled dog races, of which we thought to
participate; both Pogosta race and Utakka Race has been
cancelled. So sad, because our last few trains were so
promising; On last Friday I went 5 km sledding with dogs in
average time 14,52 km/h and last Saturday Pekka went same
lenght in average time 15,24 km/h. All our sled trains with
Hino and Yepa has been almost 12 km/h, even those longer 10
km courses. Hopefully we have snow in next winter!
Next weekend there is Lappeenranta Int Dog Show and Hino
will be participating his first official class. It will be
very interesting to hear what judge will like about Hino.
Hino has started to prepare to show by starting to drop his
coat off. Luckily he hasn't time enough to drop it all! In
April there will be Malamute Specialty Show here in Finland
and in same weekend there is also Jyväsylä Int Dog Show.
Well, these are news today. I've added photos to
Hino's
new gallery and to
Yepa's
album
|
| 6.3.2008 |
Well, it's already March. It is time to update news and this
time those are mostly about Pontus and Veera. Pontus has
distinguished himself as a clever and unbelievable sneaky
food thief. If you ask them, Pontus and Veera apparently
don't get food enough and that's why they need to "hunt"
their food...
Our dogs dry food has been kept in plastic containers in our
kitchen and dogs have let them be before. On the other day,
when I got home from work, one of the containers was at our
hall and it was wide open. Veera and Pontus came to greet me
and Veera looked like a ball with feet! Pontus had also some
extra at his sides, but I think he is the brains who opens
everything and Veera only eats them. Pekka said, that
luckily malamutes food container is so hard to open even
ourselves, that dogs can't open it. Not even thinking about
it I said, that I'm sure, that someday Pontus will open it
too. Well, I should had been thinking what I say, because
next day container was at our hall and it was also wide
open. Then we finally learned, that those containers should
be in a lockable closet, at least so far, that Pontus can
open it too...
So, this thing still goes on; After Alma's Winter Meeting,
we forgot bag on the guestroom's floor. That bag usually are
with us in Dog Shows and there was some prize snacks in that
bag. Veera and Pontus were behind that room's door by
themselves and you might guess what happened...?! Pontus had
opened the zippers of that bag, took those snacks off there
and even closed the zippers. Then they had eaten all those
snacks together with Veera. Next Pontus propably will go to
fridge and makes some meat sandwich for himself or
something...
Some words about mals too. Yepa and Hino has been in
intensive course of sledding along this week with us. Our
goal is to prepare Hino to Utajärven Utakka Sled Race in
29.3.08. Training results are surprised us; Hino is really
good and he has also durability to pull. We have been little
bit worried, mostly about his quite big size, quite short
train distances and we were thinking, that he might not have
enough strength to run that Utakka's 15 km. But he has shown
us along this week even in 10 km sled round, that he is much
more durable than we thought. We have still time to train
and we will not decide Hino's participation until it is last
minute to register to that race.
Hino ja Yepa finishing 9,5 km sled round with Pekka.
Hino and Yepa were in Match Show last weekend, practicing
different kind of behavior. Hino was in Puppy class and
judge really liked him. She said, that Hino is in really
good conditions and gave him a red ribbon. Hino continued to
red puppies Group class and finally he was 5. in puppy
class. There was over 50 puppies participating. Yepa got red
ribbon also, but she didn't qualified in Adults Group.
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| 25.2.2008 |
A long time waited Alma's Winter Happening was in last weekend
at beautiful Hyvärilä. Early at Friday morning we direct our
car ahead to Nurmes. 400 km and very different kind of
weather; it rained water, wet snow and snow. Road was wet,
icy, slushy and snowy. We still got there alive and started
to unpack our belongings and dogs. At Hyvärilä we were happy
to see, that there was over 50 cm snow and really beautiful
landscapes.
Friday was our day off, we didn't have any competitions in
our mind. In the evening Pekka went to ski-joring with our
dogs so they got to exercise a little after a long car
drive. Hino saw skis for a first time, but he didn't mind
those at all and pulled really well. After sauna and roasted
sausages early awakening took it's toll and we went to bed quite early.
Saturday morning came with beautiful sunrise but clouds came
fast and it started to blow and there was also flurry of
snow. After breakfast it was time to water the dogs and wait
for musher's meeting. After the meeting and getting start
numbers we started to get ready for competitions. Hino and
Pekka were going to participate for a 3 km ski-joring. They
had start number 2, but because of little incident they had
to start first. That wasn't really best for Hino and at the
beginning Hino just bounced and played... But it was his
first time and they arrived to finish, placement 7/8. In
short ski-joring participated also Hino's 2 sisters and one
brother, so Neatut K-litter was represented really well.
Hino at his first ski-joring competiton with Pekka.
Later that day there was 9 km long sledding competition and
it was my time to participate to that with Yepa and lend dog
Wido. My very first sledding competition and I was really
nervous. Mostly because I wasn't sure how my own state of
strength would last. Yepa and Wido took flying start and so we were at
the trail. Trail was quite good, though there could have
been a little less hills to climb. After 4,5 km there was so
many uphills that I almost thought that we don't make it to
finish, but we did! Yepa and Wido worked so hard and I think
I did that too because we were in 10. place of 14 and
malamutes 8/12. Yepa was still in really good condition at
the finish line and that gave us references that she has
also tireless movement and strength in addition of hard
work.
Yepa and Wido at the finish line. Notice musher's
relieved expression...
After the competitions there was Alma's yearly member's
meeting and there was time to vote new member's to board of directors
and also some committee members. Because of Test- and
Competition committee's chairman left her place, that place
was offered to me. I needed to think that a little for my
approval, because I had thought that I haven't that much of
knowledge for that place. But relying of former chairman's
and other committee members help I did approve to take that
place. Thank you all for your trust!
Afternoon there was also children's sled competition and
Yepa worked there with our sons. Jere was third and Tony was
fourth in that competiton. Tony's and Yepa's first start was
so wild that Tony fell off the sled, but they got to
renovate their perfomance. After the sauna there was lottery
and boys got many prizes of that. In the evening we sat
beside of fireplace and talked about races and had really
fun!
Sunday morning's view of our room's window
At Sunday morning there was over 20 minus degrees. At the
Weight pulling competition was 27 registered malamutes, but
only 24 started. Participants were both experienced and
first-timers. We saw great performances and also not so
good. I was judging that competition and it was quite cold
in there. After 4 hours there was winners and Alma's Winter
Meeting was about to end. After the competition Yepa got to
try also and 75 kg was easy for her. Yepa's pulling style
was so good, even we haven't trained that at all yet. We are
waiting really eagerly her to participate to Weight Pulling
in next winter! (In Weight Pulling test or competition dog
has to be at least 2 years old and Yepa is born in April.)
We had really fun and great time again and we want to thank
all those people who organized that weekend! It was really
nice to see also all new people working with competitions
and arrangements. Thanks also for Tero and Virpi for lending
Wido again and for all malamute people, with whom we spend
time there! Thanks also for Raimo for taking care of Pontus
and Veera at home!
Lot of photos of Winter Happening founds in new album
HERE!
There you'll find among other things World's smallest
musher, the biggest participant with the smallest dog in children's
competition and of course many sledding-, skijoring- and
weight pulling photos.
|
| 20.2.2008 -part 2 |
We got sad news today; Yepa's mom has passed away to
sled dog's rainbow bridge. Our sorrow
is little bit easier to carry, because we know that now Nana is happy and well!
Our deepest sympathies to Anne and Jokke!
|
| 20.2.2008 |
At last winter has been stayed here, we have had even some
minus degrees! Malamutes has been training both with sled
and kick-sled. Last individual train went really well, both
pulled eagerly and with speed. Yesterday they went to train
together and that went awesome too. It is really good to see
how the work like we have hoped. Yepa's heat is over and
malamutes are back in same fence again. They really had
missed each others company and played all night long...
I signed both to Lappeenranta International Dog Show. That
will be start to our this year's show round. We have thought
to go few more shows this year than last year. Hino's
judgment is something that I'm waiting for; Gorgeous boy
with good looking structure but he is little bit big and his
coat will be the most mysterious thing in judgment. But then
we will see...
Alma's winter happening is only a few days ahead. We have
really waited that! Hopefully our both mals gets to
participate all activities. It's totally nice to see all
friends there and spend nice weekend off.
These are our news at this time. After weekend there will be
more. |
| 3.2.2008 |
Well, really much has happened again. We got lot of snow and
last weekend we picked Wido up. Yepa and Wido are old
friends and they get along very well. Yepa started her
season last Monday and we were afraid that we couldn't
participate to Official sled dog test in this weekend. But
Yepa's season is quite long and didn't get high. Wido took
her season cool and we could train them whole week.
Today weather was really windy and it whirled snow. Official
sled dog test was in Kasari, in Ylämaa. Lenght was 12 km and
it was both Pekka's and Yepa's first. Despite of Yepa's
season and Wido's short train period, they got REK3-result
of that test! REK3 is 30% over basic time, which is counted
of average time of two best malamute times. We are very
happy, this is good result of first test.
I didn't got time to take many photos, because of dog's
handling, but here is one of Wido and Yepa. Really big thank
for Tero and Virpi for lending Wido to us! Also we want to
thank for Anne, Jokke, Mari, Anne A. and Marko for company.
|
| 12.1.2008 |
It's January and it'll rains water and snow in turns. Last
Tuesday we went sledding for a first time in this winter.
About 3 km long trail and both Yepa and Hino worked very
well. Concluding of their smiles I think they had really fun
too! Hino needs new harness, he has grown too big to his
current ones.
Yesterday we went walking with Hino and Pontus. First they
only played together and they haven't any tension with each
other. Hopefully this situation lasts forever.
Yepa has had her coat back and she is so different looking
again. Chest looks like much wider and she looks like as
malamute again. Too bad, that there are no Shows near by
before March. It would be our luck that she drops her coat
again just before Lappeenranta Show...
Race-calendar is planned already; few races for Yepa and
late spring also for Hino. First race is in February and in
that will participate Pekka with Yepa and borrowed dog, Wido.
Hopefully there will be snow before that race, so we could
pick Wido up and train few times before race.
I've added few photos to
Hino's Puppy pictures and
Yepa's album. Below is comparison photos of Hino and Yepa
in our car. Hino has grown a "little" bit...
Malamutes do grow fast!!
Hino 8 weeks with Yepa.
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