Icelandic Sleddogs?

In November of 2008 Jon and I had quite the Adventure with our two younger boys Kaffi and Jolasveinn. We took them to a "Run what you Brung" offered by Catherine and Eric Benson of Maryland Sleddog Adventures, LLC

http://www.marylanddogsledding.com/Run_What_You_Brung_Gallery.htm

Yep that's Kaffi and Jolasveinns little Chocolate and Vanilla butts in the middle of the Benson's wonderful dog team. It's true what they say, unless your the lead dog the view is always the same

Jon, myself and the boys were introduced to mushing equipment, training and conditioning techniques, and commands. Catherine and Eric put all this information in an easy and friendly format, giving you a hands on experience. The boys learned terms such as "line out" a command to have them keep the lines out tight to prevent tangling and as in the photo above "Gee-over", or move over to the right

Yep, that really is Kaffi and Jolasveinn working as part of a Sled Dog team! Well Kaffi was working, Jolasveinn was playing, poor Kaff' was tired out by now -- or just plain annoyed with Jolasveinn and just really wanted to get away from him!

This Photo was taken by Eric Benson, one half of Maryland Sled Dog Adventures, LLC for more photos taken by Eric from our Adventure go to:

http://pets.webshots.com/album/568720583BHbZub

This was a really great autumn day for Jon and myself out with the dogs, and were the boys ever tired out on the way home. Catherine and Eric have several different programs throughout the Chilly months to introduce people to Dog Powered Sports. I also had the opportunity to be able to join them for one of their Boy Scout Programs... the review the Scouts gave "They all loved it!" For more info go to: http://www.marylanddogsledding.com/Index.htm

In Memory of Runestone Cacao - Hrafn Tinna

On December 28, 2008 Kaffi's daughter, Runestone Cacao, was tragically taken from her family. Treasured by her family she was called Hrafn Tinna. "Tinna" was eagerly learning agility and being trained and handled by one of her girls.

We mourn Tinna's loss along with her family.

In memory of the life Tinna led we are sponsoring one the dogs rescued from Michael Vick's residence who was used in his dog fighting operation. Forty seven dogs were rescued from these horrible activities and Twenty two of the most aggressive and unpredictable dogs from Vicks operation were sent to The Best Friends Animal Rescue, to be housed and rehabilitated. We are sponsoring, Meryl, the baddest of the bad, the most unpredictable and aggressive of Vick's rescued dogs. She was court ordered to remain at Best Friends Animal Rescue for life. She is making progress by leaps and bounds due to the care and attentions of the staff, bonding with her trainer, learning agility, and even making friends with other dogs. The story of Vicks dog fighting operation broke my heart; that these dogs were abused for sport and amusement in the most cruel way possible is far more than criminal.

We will sponsor Meryl, now known as a "Vicktory Dog" for as long as she resides at Best Friends Animal rescue, sending a donation out every September 20th, Tinna's Birthday.

To learn more about Meryl and her progress,

click the link below

http://www.bestfriends.org/dogtown/index.cfm?csid=3789&csii=3790&csit=Set

to read more about Best Friends Animal Shelters role in rehabilatating the "Vicktory Dogs,

try some of the links below

http://news.bestfriends.org/index.cfm?page=news&fps=1&mode=entry&entry=AD2802EC-19B9-B9D5-9D9C19F7DD13ACF1

http://news.bestfriends.org/index.cfm?page=news&mode=entry&entry=C7CE9083-19B9-B9D5-9DBCEF4815A35C17

http://www.bestfriends.org/vickdogs/

http://news.bestfriends.org/index.cfm?page=news&mode=entry&entry=440622EA-19B9-B9D5-9D32E1B37EA45BCA

UKC Champion Fox Meadow Jolasveinn

I'm happy to say that our little boy Jolasveinn ... aka The Little Juvenille Delinquent, surprised us all this weekend by earning his United Kennel Club Championship in Conformation under Judge Austina Heinz at the K9 Connection sponsored event in Beltsville, MD

Fox Meadow Jolasveinn Meets Santa

Kaffi brought his son Fox Meadow Jolasveinn ( which means Santa Claus in Icelandic ) to meet the Jolly Old Elf himself for the very first time. Clearly our little guy was thrilled to meet the "Original Jolasveinn". I'm sure he assured Santa that he had been good all year.

Fox Meadow Trommari update

Tromarri at almost one year with two thirds of his fabulous family on a pretty autumn day

UKC Champion Isi Kaffisukkolathi

Isi Kaffisukkolathi earned his

United Kennel Club Championship

on Oct. 12 of 2008.

He was also named to the

UKC's list of top Ten Icelandic Sheepdogs for 2008

Fox Meadow Bjölluhljómur, "Bjalla"

We are so happy to have received the recent update on Bjalla, Elsie and Kaffi's only daughter. She looks very much like her dad and 1/2 brother Runestone Toblerone.

From Bjalla's Family:

she is stunning and incredibly sweet and funny . She is very athletic , she likes to play Frisbee , jumps high and never misses . if she does not see you throw it she visually searches the entire property and then uses her nose never giving up and always finding it . Really amazing