Back in the Saddle

TeamHumDog... Representing SoHum Mushers in the G.ville Rodeo Parade 2008. Pepper and Snoopy played the part of real mushing pups tied out to their rig. (in this case, a '92 Volvo wagon, in lieu of a properly tricked out Toyota 4x !)
The rodeo was a hoot. The day was hot and the crowd was festive. The dogs got to socialize and gain discipline around lots of different people, vehicles, (Harley Run was in town!) horses, other dogs, and even some mini donkeys. The donkeys were the closest to having a run in with the notorious Team HD. Go, Easy, Stop, Leave It, and On By were the main focus of our slow, 4 block adventure. They loved it, and we all hope to return again for the next parade in town. Hopefully a few more mushers will come out of the woods and join us!Pepper...Looking like she's moving, when she's standing still. Below, the still waters of our favorite redwood forest trail.
Why I Bikejor: Tired dogs are happy (and good!) dogs.
I am stoked to report I am back on the trail and loving it. I am taking it slow and must admit, I AM AFRAID! So I initiated a whole new set of rituals that I've added to the outset of our runs; it includes various prayers, affirmations, and outright bargaining with the Gods! "Please let me return alive." My knee injury sidetracked us but good, and it will be a while before we are up to our usual stunts and stellar mileage. In the meantime, I am loving the runs we have done, and am especially grateful to Humboldt Orthopedics, and specifically Ryan, and Dr. Shishido, who have given me superb care. Right now, the whole of inland Northern California is smothered in smoke. So we sadly, have had to curtail our activities yet again! SIDE NOTE: We did get to explore a great beach trail at Table Bluff. If you've not been out there, check it out! The area reminds me of Honeydew. To get there: Head west at Hookton Road for about 5 miles. It is coastal and beautiful. The beach is semi ridable, and there is also a pretty cool 4x trail that heads south out of the park. There is a picnic area, porta-potties, and lots of barely traveled, flat, paved roads as well. I wonder if it's smoky up north....See you on the trail! Oh, and please don't forget to check out my new YouTube videos.

Countdown to Iditarod

Is it time to brush up on your mushing terminology? Just review this list of commonly used mushing and sled dog race words. A well trained mushing dog must have good mastery of basic obedience in addition to any mushing specific commands introduced here.

• Alaskan husky: a northern dog of mixed breed, usually used to denote those bred for racing.


• Basket: the main body of a sled, where passengers or gear may be carried.


• Booties: slippers for dogs, worn while working under certain conditions to prevent ice forming between their toes. Made of a wide range of fabrics, including fleece and Gore-tex.


• Brushbow: the curved piece out in front of the main body of a sled, designed to stop brush from damaging the sled.


• Dog Bag: a fabric bag carried on a race sled, used to put a sick or injured dog into in order to carry him to a place where he can be cared for.


• Dog Box: a carrier for several dogs, most often seen as a wooden structure in the bed of a pickup truck. Styles vary widely, but usually built with individual sections that hold one or two dogs each.


• Driving Bow: the handle that the musher holds on to - also called a Handlebow.


• Easy!: the command for the dogs to slow down.


• Gangline: the main line that the dogs and sled are attached to.


• Gee: the command for the dogs to turn right.


• Handler: a person who assists the musher.


• Harness: a webbing of fabric that fits a dog snugly, to which the Tugline and Neckline are attached.


• Haw: the command for the dogs to turn left.


• Hike!: the command to get the dog team moving.


• Husky: in common usage, any northern breed dog - properly, a Siberian Husky.


• Iditarod: most famous for the name of a competitive sled dog race, but also has native meanings


• Lead Dogs: the dog or dogs in the front of a team. These dogs are noted for their high level of intelligence and drive, and are often females. May be run as Single lead (1 dog) or Double lead (2 dogs).


• Mush!: many people think this is the term used to get a team going - Hike! is most commonly used.


• Musher: a person who drives a sled dog team - also called a Dog Driver.


• Neckline: a short line (10-12 inches) attached to the Harness and Gangline, that keeps the dog in line.


• On By!: the command to go by another team or other distraction.


• Pedaling: pushing with one foot while keeping the other on the sled.


• Point Dogs: used by some mushers to denote the two dogs right behind the Lead Dogs. Others call them Swing Dogs.


• Rigging: all the gear used to attach dogs to a sled.


• Runners: the narrow pieces of wood that a sled rides on. Usually have a replaceable plastic layer to reduce maintenance. The runners extend behind the Basket so the Musher can stand on them.


• Safety Line: an extra line from the Gangline to the sled, in case the main fitting breaks.


• Snow Hook: a large metal hook that can be driven into firm snow to anchor a team for a short period of time without tying them.


• Snub Line: a rope attached to the back of the sled, which can be tied to a tree to hold the team when the snow is not firm enough to use a Snow Hook.


• Stakeout: a main chain with separate short chains to attached several dogs to. May be strung between the front and back bumpers of a truck, or between two trees.


• Stanchions: the upright pieces that attach the runners to a sled.


• Swing Dogs: depending on which musher you're talking to, either the two dogs directly behind the Lead Dogs, or those between the Point Dogs and the Wheel Dogs.


• Tack: harnesses.


• Team Dogs: all dogs other than the Lead Dogs, Point Dogs, Swing Dogs and Wheel Dogs.


• Toboggan: a sled with a flat bottom instead of runners. Used when deep, soft snow is expected instead of a good trail.


• Tuglines: the main line that connects the dog's harness to the Gangline - the line that the dog tugs on.


• Village Dogs: a derogatory term for poorly socialized dogs of unknown breeding.


• Wheel Dogs: the two dogs right in front of the sled. These will normally be the heaviest dogs in the team.


• Whoa: the command to get the dog team to stop. Mushing terminology/dictionary written by DogSled.Com

DogSled.com also has a great collection of links for all things Iditarod.The Iditarod starts tomorrow, Sat, Mar 1, 10:00 a.m. (Anchorage time) at Downtown Anchorage at the Corner of 4th Avenue & D Streets. With the real start (restart) set to occur Sun, Mar 2, 2:00 p.m. departing from Willow. A great overview of anticipated trail conditions is HERE. Considering the immense and ever changing landscape and shifts in the weather that one encounters during this intense race, it is anyone's guess what the conditions will be in the end. There are 96 entrants this year. HERE is a good run down on who to keep an eye on, in terms of placing and winning this incredible race. And the musher line up is very interesting as well, for they each have a story to tell. I am psyched to see how the race goes and am rooting of course, for all the dogs mostly. Racing images are from (ADDENDUM:have ALL been deleted. TO view visit :) Iditarod photo gallery page or (addendum) HERE for daily photos from the trail, like these beauties taken at the ceromonial start Mar 1. Notice Lance Mackey's dog, airborne in its excitement to go!Additional pics from Magali P on FLICKR (she has a pretty cool, and biligual blog) as well, with lots more dog related prose and photos.
Note RE: OBEDIENCE CLASSES: If you took my advice last week and adopted a new pup you are eligible for free obedience classes starting tomorrow, and every Saturday, from March 1, through April 12 - at 12:30 (puppy) and 1:45 (adult). These classes are at The Farm Store at 3956 Jacob's Avenue. Cost is $65, but the first three classes are FREE to anyone who has recently adopted a dog. Farm store # 707 443 7397. Classes are taught by Michelle Stone, and cover the basics,and beyond. It is so important to invest both good energy, and discipline into your dog. The years you share together will be enhanced by this groundwork. If you think you love your pup now, take him/her to obedience classes and you will love your obedient dog even more! And your obedient dog will trust and obey you for a lifetime. Sweet and happy days will be in the future for both of you. See you there, or on the Iditarod trail! Photo below from Here.

Welcome Aboard Part 2

I am so into this - thanks for checking it out. I was forced to start this blog for my reports and ramblings about my love of dogs and all the fun we are having bikejoring together, as my homesteadingblog was becoming a platform mainly for my latest crash, or Pepper and Snoopy's antics! So I gathered up all my killer mushing links and started with a fresh template. The NewBlogger stylee is worth the switch - it is SOOOO much easier than HTML.

If you look through some of the links you will find all the information and gear (even dogs !) that you will need to start a great new activity with your canine friends. This sport is set to sweep the nation - now is the time to be at the head of a new wave of fun! Running is a dog's reward, and running your dog will reward you too. For after a good run, escaping, barking and chewing things, all seem like work! Tired pups are good pups. It is a total blast! So, If you like dogs, nature, and speed, mixed with a bit of danger, daring and exhilaration, you must try dog powered sports! The bond that has been formed through our strenuous outings is like no bond I have ever had with a dog; and I have had a good number of dogs.

First and foremost, before you hitch Rover up to the BMX, is obedience training. Any dog owner interested in tapping into the amazing power contained in their pooch, must first have a good command of that dog. Basic obedience, such as focusing on you, sit, stay, stop, no, and leave it, are all essential for staying alive while hitched to your dog(s). Keeping in mind a good heel may not be a valuable skill in this circumstance - if they pull on the leash they'll probably be great at mushing!

An easy, citified way to run your pup, when obedience is not so solid yet, is the WalkyDog. It is not exactly mushing, but provides a great way to run your dog. It is ideal for dogs that are too small to pull, but are blessed with abundant energy (we love you tyke!) The one disadvantage if you want to eventually train them to pull, is that they must learn to run in front after the WalkyDog has conditioned them to run at the side. I still like being able to use it. It is ideal for urban situations, where you need to be in absolute control of your dog and not take up too much space!

We took a few pics at the park yesterday, I will post them soon. I must admit it has been difficult to document this process with very many photos, as the speed and danger elements seem to dominate! ;}

Welcome Aboard!!

This is the maiden post for the SoHum Mushers! Friday night the 7th of December, SoHum Mushers was represented at the 2ND annual Garberville Parade of Lights by the sole member of this fine organization, Jojo and her two dog team comprised of Snoopy and Pepper. They completed the first loop from the Cal Trans lot into Garberville and back again. With just two near dog fights, and lots of distracting lights and sounds, it was a raging success with the dogs performing impressively. "It was a blast! We will be back again next year, hopefully with more dog teams, and happy dog drivers!" report by: Jojo Roxx : Team HumDog... sorry - no pics :(