PHILOSOPHY

Our basic philosophy is very simple: our canine family is as much a family as our human family and are therefore accorded the same level of respect and care. Since dogs are not people (thanks goodness!) this means we are continually working to understand dog speak and pack behavior. We pay close attention to each dog's mental and physical well being and do our best to give everyone what they need in order to feel safe, loved and happy. From this foundation, we then strive to help each dog reach their potential. This desire underlies our decisions about kenneling, house time, fun time, breeding, exercise, discipline and training. It also means that any dog that joins our family through adoption, purchase, or as a puppy bred by us, stays with us. We work with the family we have. Since Siberians do best when they have a job, we find a role and a niche in the pack (canine and human) for everyone, changing the role as needed as the dog changes. Everyone runs on the team, some provide friendship to certain other dogs, some help to train puppies, some visit the elderly, and everyone provides us with that unconditional companionship that only dogs can provide. We strive to do our best in anything we do with the dogs, but what we are the most serious about is them; they are our passion!

Ace enjoying a bone.

Lissa with Skye

OUR KENNEL (SETUP, FEEDING & ROUTINE)

Our Siberians live in a 50'x30' area that is divided into fifteen 10x10 chain link kennels so that they can roam. Every interior panel or “wall” has a door so that we can put the dogs into varying groups or let everyone run together in the entire space depending on who needs what. Typically, there are 4-6 dogs in a group on any given day, groupings that change a bit each day so that everyone has visiting time with everyone else on a regular basis. We love this flexibility!

Kennel Setup

Soaking up the sun.

 There are a few dogs that only marginally tolerate one another, but for the most part we are able to facilitate everyone getting along. Fortunately, relaxing at home and working on the trail are two different situations that the dogs recognize as such and those dogs that only tolerate one another in the kennel pretty much ignore one another on the trail and turn their attention to the work at hand. In the kennel, after the day's visiting, we return everyone to the same small group of kennels and dogs at night for the sake of the comfort of routine. We also have a smaller second kennel (our original kennel) that we use when we need to put distance between dogs; for example, females being in heat or an injured dog who needs to be quiet. In the spring of 2008 we plan to fence in a very large area as a play yard off of the kennel so that the dogs can really stretch their legs and romp for fun, especially important in the non-running season. There are doghouses in each kennel and of course many sturdy toys and bones scattered about!

We rotate each dog through visiting time in the house during the day and for spending the night (most sleep on a dog bed, but yes, a few get to sleep on our bed!) so that they get 1:1 time with us and a little spoiling! We also bring dogs for walks and for car rides while running errands or visiting, bringing them in with us whenever we can. All of this is with the idea of bonding, socialization and teaching good manners.

Couch time!

Need help with the laundry?

We feed twice a day, morning and night. Ideally all dogs should have a premium food (basically a food with ingredients fit for human consumption), but if they are working dogs it is essential. We use kibble by Nutrisource (Super Performance, Performance and Adult depending on the dog and the season) judging the amount fed by the number of calories the dog needs, which during running season or for a nursing female can be considerable.

Good To The Last Bit!

Can we have some snow?!

During these times, we supplement daily with either hard boiled eggs (including the shell), beef, or chicken liver for protein and calories on a rotating basis. We still supplement during the non-running season, but not daily, and the quantity of everything is scaled back so that we don't end up with overweight dogs over the hot and lazy days of summer. We supplement year round with canned green beans and fresh carrots for fiber and/or for a bit of bulk to replace kibble for a dog that needs to lose weight, also on a rotating basis. During the running season, we also supplement with ZinPro C & E (primarily a zinc supplement) and fish oil for the omega-3's. Zinc deficiency is common in northern breed dogs and so some of our dogs also get ZinPro's Turkey & Barely natural biscuits for an extra dose of zinc. We use Annamaet's Endure year round, a glucosamine/chondroitin supplement to support healthy joints. Everyone always has fresh water available in the kennel (or ice chips when it is below freezing), but we also put water into their meals to ensure adequate hydration. When stress diarrhea strikes, we use psyllium powder. When a viral diarrhea strikes we use boiled hamburger and rice. Feeding is always a work in process,a near constant adjusting depending on the what is going on with an individual dog and on the season.

As part of the twice a day feeding routine (and of course scooping the poop!), each dog also has the option of individual snuggle time. After all chores are done, we go to each dog's house, call them, and if they want snuggling and conversation, they report to the top of the dog house.

Snuggle time!

Who wants a belly rub?!

This is very important bonding time and the dogs absolutely adore this individual social time with their people; most of the time they are patiently awaiting their turn before we get to their house! It is very rare that someone doesn't come, and when this is the case we check to see why as usually there is a problem. Each dog has their own snuggle/rub down/massage that they prefer and they all listen attentively and offer periodic kisses as we talk with them about whatever, interspersing their name periodically. They are very good listeners and always agree! In our household we have the expression ”dog therapy” as in “going out for a little dog therapy!” About 20 minutes after we leave the kennel at night, a group thank you howl reaches out to us; such a beautiful sound!
 

GOALS

Our primary goal is a kennel of happy and well trained dogs who work well with each other and with us. Dog sledding is our main activity and so a second goal is to simply run as much as time and energy allow and to also be able to be “in the mix” in mid-distance races (15-60 miles). To this end, we are always working to improve our training regimen; how is each dog's diet? Conditioning? Mental state? Where does each dog run best? Is anyone new ready to lead? How is the equipment functioning? Is it time for a different kind of harness? And on and on! It's a work in progress, but that's part of the challenge. Our other two goals address our desire to share these wonderful dogs with others. We would like to formally certify some of our dogs as emotional therapy dogs so that they can go into hospitals, nursing homes and assisted living facilities. We also hope to offer dog sled tours soon!

HISTORY

So how did we get here?! First and foremost, we simply love and are intrigued by large breed dogs, particularly working and sporting dogs. I (Kathy) grew up with many such dogs and then when I was 19, began a love affair with a golden retriever, Sean, that lasted 15 years; through college, my first jobs, graduate school, my first marriage – a long time! We were inseparable as we grew up and older together, sharing many adventures and a friendship that knew no bounds. He taught me the wisdom and power of unconditional love and forgiveness as I began to see the world through his eyes and to learn dog speak. Since Sean, four other golden retrievers have graced my life, two of whom were the parents to many litters.

Sean.

Elizabeth with our Goldens.

As my daughter, Elizabeth had no choice but to grow up with dogs! Right from the start, she snuggled, played and interacted with the golden retrievers, newborn puppies and adults, and developed a passion for dogs. She also liked the outdoors, and as she grew up, took the golden retrievers on long walks, often hooked up to a wagon in summer or a sled in the winter. The writing was on the wall! When she was nine, she expressed an interest in learning how to dog sled; I didn’t need to think twice about supporting this interest! She undertook a mentor ship with Lissy Heminway of Vermont Dogsledding in Shoreham, VT and was hooked. I will never forget the expression on her face the first time she drove a team on her own; she was in heaven!

Elizabeth running Gus & Sienna.

So the stage was set. The summer Elizabeth was eleven, we adopted two older, well trained lead dogs, Pickett and Spyder, who could help train us. My husband, Alex, built her a rig, we all built a kennel, I mowed trails through the fields on our property, and our learning curve about dog sledding began. From there, it all came came together with something akin to serendipity. We attended a rig race put on by the New England Sled Dog Club with an eye to just watching and learning, but once there, Elizabeth wanted to race. With a mother's trepidation, she did so, and earned a blue ribbon! That event got me thinking more seriously about dog sledding. I began talking with people and reading about it and the more I learned, the more I knew this was also for me.

Elizabeth with Spyder

Elizabeth with Spyder & Pick

Then I read Running North by Ann Cook, a marvelous and well written accounting of her family's move to Alaska to run the Yukon Quest dog sled race. She and I began an e-mail conversation and a short time later Elizabeth and I were having tea with her and husband George Cook at their home. Shortly after that, we picked up Xandra and Jet from their kennel, Alkasi'ber Siberians, along with Taka from SecondWind Siberians. Thus began our first dog sledding season and life with Siberian huskies.

Elizabeth running solo

Kathy running Braeburn's first 5 dogs.

It also was our entrance into a world of like-minded people who are also passionate about working northern breeds and the sport of dog sledding, people who have willingly and openly shared their experiences, their stories, their equipment, their advice and their enthusiasm. We have developed an on-going relationship with some and others we connect with more intermittently, but all are friendly and supportive; such a fun community! We can't mention everyone who lent a helping hand, but there are a few people we'd like to acknowledge; people who have answered a zillion questions and helped in a myriad of ways: Shawn Linendoll of Happy Husky Kennel; Ann and George Cook of Alkas'iber Siberians; Kim and Kelly Berg of Kelim Siberians; Corina and Scott Alexander of Kiana Siberians; Lidia Dale-Mesaros of UKTOUSA Kennel, Whatleigh Torsey of Barking Brook Siberians, Gail Castonguay of Second Wind Siberians and Jaye Foucher of Sibersong Siberians.

Training in Sandwich Notch with a group of friends.

Resting in the Green Mtns.

People often comment that it must be a lot of work to take good care of so many dogs, and it is. But when you are passionate about something, it doesn't feel like work. Yes, there are days when we come home bone tired and/or grumpy from a long day at work or school when it is dark and raining and cold and we think, “Oh my, I have to scoop poop, hose out the kennel, and feed the dogs. Hmm, a shower and dinner would feel much better.” But you know what? It never does! The second the dogs see us coming, they always run to the fence, tails wagging, talking to us in their various permutations of barking and howling. The day's weariness falls away and we are renewed by unconditional love and true happiness that we are there. We can't imagine a day without our canine family!