Ripper

My absolute favourite photo of Ripper.

Thanks to Tamara for taking this lovely shot back at the 2005 Dash for Cash. We dashed, but didn't get any cash!!

Ripper came from another local musher when he was about 4. I've had him 2 years now I guess? He's an awesome dog! As you can see below, he's clearly insane while running in harness!

This year was really his year to step up to the plate and take on the main leader responsibilities. He's done really well and we've worked well as a team this year.

He's really a sweet dog. Here he is on a skijoring trip with Loki and me.


He loves the skijoring. So much, in fact, that slowing him down for the gravelly road crossings is impossible.

His submissive side:


The crazy, slobbery faced Ripper. Looking through my thousands of dog photos, I'm really hard pressed to find more than a few where his face isn't covered in his own saliva.

Ripper is a great worker. His former owners referred to him as one of those "honest dogs" - dogs that just work their butts off. If he's slacking a bit, then there's something wrong with him. Pretty reliable guy.

He's been in lead a lot and keeps up a speedy pace. He's a bit stubborn though, so we're working on commands. He often feels HE knows better than I which way we should go at times.


Shake it Ripster!!

Octane

Floppy eared, houndy Octane. He's a big sweet dog. I got this guy when he was about 6 (he's about 10 now). He was apparently from Doug Swingley's yard, but sold to the Sonny King/Ross Adam Iditarod team. Ross and Clint (who ran the team for them a few times) were heading back from Iditarod and passed through. There was a lot of dog swapping going on between a few of us, and I got Octane out of the deal.


He's a totally reliable sled dog and I use him in lead quite a bit. It turns out he really knows commands well, but isn't too forceful with the other dogs he's leading with. He's consistent and a hard worker.


He is also a happy, somewhat goofy dog at times. Every once in a while he'll go zooming around the yard, for no particular reason - just by himself. He's easily entertained I guess. And here Ripper is chasing him, joining the Octane game.


The other dogs sort of pick on poor Octane once in a while. Kate really likes to give him a beating. And the thing is - is that once in a while, it's like he's just had enough and he'll stick up for himself and fight back. When he does that, he comes out ahead - it's usually the other dog who ends up hurt. He can be a tough bugger. But most of the time he's submissive and quiet. That's one reason I think him and Loki are so good together, they're both the shy, submissive type.

Kate

Kate - the older, wise one.

Looks pretty regal here eh? Well, she should. This old girl is 13.5 years old now and really, knock on wood, shows no sign of slowing down. She is completely unbelievable. She still loves to scrap it up for no particular reason in the yard other than to show the other guys she's still got it. Problem is, she isn't as strong as she used to be, but most of the other guys haven't figured that out yet. She's fiesty and full of energy.

I got Kate from another musher when she was 9, because he thought she "might still have a good couple years in her" - no kidding. He told me a great story about her as a yearling - he was walking a few dogs out on the lake - and Kate when let loose just started ripping around the lake, circling it dozens of times. I couldn't imagine her energy level as a youngster! During one time around the lake she came screaming up behind him, didn't even attempt to slow down or avoid him - instead she plowed right into the back of his legs, knocking him on his butt! And she kept on going. She is still like that to a degree. When I go to hook her up, she bounces on her front legs like she is totally incapable of standing still. She walks beside you like she is attached to your leg and I'm always tripping over her or stepping on her. But, she's a sweet gal.

She is a great leader, and here she is with her son, Rupert. They run really well together - mostly because she is the only one who can stand him as he's screaming his head off and doing backflips while we hook up.

I've attempted to retire her a couple times now, and put her on a slower, shorter distance team. But after she comes back from those runs barely breathing hard, I put her back on the faster team. In lead. And she keeps those youngsters moving!!

Ivy and Kate share the couch. They never let the males on it. Females rule.