Fall, one season closer to Winter ~

Busy with fall training, and fundraising.
I (Jodi) am getting really excited for my big challenge this winter, Iditarod 2011! Thank you all for the continued encouragement and support.

As winter gets closer things are getting busier at Dew Claw. Dogs are starting fall training with the quad, this is always an exciting time. After a whole summer of rest and recovery the dogs are exploding with energy and excitement. We are always so glad to be back to running dogs again too. This past summer we were able to get a lot of work projects done around the house, but now it is time to switch over to dog mode and make sure everything is ready for the exciting winter ahead. The inside of the garage /shop is now finished (well almost...) and ready for Dan to start sled building. We were able to purchase and load up a dump truck load of quality straw for the dogs this winter, having that all taken care of is a nice feeling. And a big thanks to TJ's for the use of the dump truck.

I (Jodi) have been using the last of my time off this summer to continue to work on my fundraising goals for Iditarod 2011. Very happy have been contacted by Paw Partners who will be able to assist Dan's Mom, Meg with bootie support. The amount of booties needed for the upcoming season, racing and training will be substantial. We are also joining B.A.R.K. (buy a round of kibbles) to give friends an opportunity to buy a round for the kennel. See the B.A.R.K. logo on the right.

More Great News: PUPPIES are Here!

Guppy and Gypsy have both had their puppies and the living room is now a chorus of little puppy squeaks and squeals. Gypsy had hers Aug. 8th and Guppy the 11th. So the kids can all grow up together, and you can see that everyone is getting along great. Looks of it Dan and I will have our hands full!
-August 18 2010

Winter Plans are Shaping up: Iditarod 2011 ~

Happy to share this exciting news with our friends.

Jodi here, and although the official sign up is not until the Volunteer Appreciation Picnic at the Iditarod Trail Committee headquarters this Sat (6/26) my entry is on its way there, via Fed Ex; speedy, track it online, guaranteed for Friday, delivery. You heard it here first, I have submitted an entry for the 2011 Iditarod. As a rookie I have also submitted my rookie paperwork, including report cards from qualifying races I participated in last year. Iditarod Trail Committee still needs to review my qualifications before my entry is official. But baring any problems with them, I will be registered as a first day entrant, which brings with it the advantage of an earlier starting number.

With it settled that I will be making my rookie attempt at the Iditarod Dan is now thinking about what he wants to focus on next race season. There are a fewraces he has not had the chance to run that interest him, and we will keep you posted.

More Good News ~

Puppies are planned for fall!.

Yes it is time to grow the Dew Claw family. We have planned and bred 2 litters, join us in wishing health for the moms, andbig healthy litters of pups. One litter will be out of Guppy (at right), Dan's small female leader from last years Iditarod who was injured on the way to Unalakleet. X-rays showed that she had actually broken bones in her wrist when she fell in the sea ice. She is making the transition to house dog, soon to be mom quite smoothly. Although her racing days are over, she has a permanent home in the Dew Claw living room. Guppy was bred with a super friendly Iditarod finishing male, Windex.

The second litter is a sweet female named Gypsy, bred to Dan's Iditarod finishing leader Gutknecht. This will be the second litter for these two. We are hoping the second will be larger then the last, of only 2 pups, Sparrow and Ribdon; but still have all the same energy and drive. Gypsy can be seen on the left with Ribdon and Sparrow 2009 when they were young. Ribdon and Sparrow were running in harness this last winter and looked great, with wonderful energetic attitudes. We look forward to running them with next years race team.