Fashion on the Mountain

Sneezy's not so sure about his new duds.


Even the puppies get some fashion action.


Mickey isn't so sure either.

Hollywood Musher

US Weekly here I come. Rachel and I hit the town with The Dude and THIS is what happened...Love it.

Winter in the Desert

Delhi


Shakespeare

Random Moments of Happiness

I hope these pics make you smile.

This is actually not an angry dog, not a scary one at all, although he looks it. It's my good buddy, Maverick, and this is how he smiles when you come over to say hello. Look at those beautiful teeth.



Starla's Paws



The Dude Smiles

A Gnarly Tree..

This is an awsome old juniper. Beautiful and twisted...
I give you permission to go wild with your own metaphors.

Skijoring

My nordic roots and love for dogs surface. Skijoring basically is harnessing up a dog and skiing behind it. It was a blast.

ThOuGHTs from The BackPOrcH

I have been sitting in this coffee shop for almost four hours, surfing the web, catching up on emails, and fluctuating between being highly caffeinated and slightly less decaffeinated. Mars Hill Grad School is the first link on this blog and I often visit what I have known as "home" last year to check up on the happenings. I also spent some time visiting student blogs and was impressed by the depth, honesty, creativity, and beauty I found. So much so it almost and I mean almost, moved me to tears. Although many tangible and intangible things separate me from MHGS for at least a few more months, I have pleasantly discovered I am still deeply connected. Most of the time I am too impatient to actually read people's thoughts on their blog. I'd much rather just look at pictures. One because photos provide a visual connection, two because I get impatient, and three because sometimes people seem to be trying too hard. And THAT is a person I do not want to be. I must admit, I consider myself to have depth but not always. And so far this blog has leaned much more to the "not always" side. Even when I started this blog I noted my apprehension toward trying to be too much of a philosopher. Because I know myself enough to know I am not. And I'm insecure. If I post more than pictures and short captions will anyone actually read them? And does it really matter if they do? I guess we'll find out because reading other's peoples thoughts challenged me to go out of my comfort zone and share a bit more..

First off, why am I a dog musher? Surprisingly enough, it's not just another adventure, an escape from the "MACP three-year plan", search for a man (although.. I did met a rather stellar guy), faith crisis, or other such meltdown. It actually has more to do with my call to counseling, an ongoing dream, and putting those two together. I've tossed around the idea of using animal therapy, specifically with sled dogs, in a residential treatment program for addiction-for eating disorders. So here I am. After a year of exploring my own story (to tie a nice little bow on reality) and feeling the constant pull of curiosity to know, really know, if this little idea I had would be feasible I decided to forgo the life I knew in Tacoma, the community that kept me there, and move to a town where I knew no one and where my lifestyle would become that of a musher. I wanted to know how to take care of the dogs, if having a kennel at a rehab center would be feasible, what it's like to have 100 dogs as coworkers, but most of all, if these amazing creatures could teach me anything about life, love, and healing. And if they could, how can I share that with others? That's what I'm in the middle of...

The answer to this question is undoubtedly YES. I've learned to think in metaphors, or more accurately ACCESS these metaphors that are hiding in my mind. And to say that sled dogs provide a few metaphors that could be helpful in recovery is an understatement. From everything to food to trust to forgiveness to power to exercise to emotion, these dogs have it. I know that at any moment I can walk out into the yard and have an encore of dogs vying for my attention. I know that I can go and get a big hug from any of these dogs no matter how I feel, a taste of unconditional love. I know that these dogs rely on me. And I know that these animals love well and that they are a gift from God. I know that someday these dreams will come together...My best friend encourages me to always "live the dream." I feel content and proud to say I am.

more puppies

We, and by we, I mean Kerry the mom, had 7 beautiful little puppies acouple of days ago. They look a lot like their papa, Oscar. Check out the size difference between the big white one and the little black one. We hope they all make it. Kerry is being a good mom and taking good care of them.

The Dude

After worrying that The Dude was not fairing too well, we are pleased to announce that after a few doses of worming medicine he is a normal puppy.

Remember those animals I mentioned?

Here is a drive by pic of the crazy lama and sheep..

Check out the Links

Yeah, I know I'm cool and all, but the links just to the right are worth checking out. I wouldn't have put them up there if I didn't think they were important.

Brutus says Hello!

Merry Christmas

In an attempt to diversify some of my Christmas traditions, Rachel and I enjoyed rather ginormous doughnuts purchased especially for us at the reputable pastry shop, 7-Eleven. They fueled us well for another day of crazy weather at the mountain. It's basically been blizzard after blizzard up there, which I am reveling in because who knows when I'll be immersed in so much snow for so long again. The past few days have been one of those times when I am grateful we just do day trips. Am I getting soft? Really don't answer that. Coming home to a warm house and dry clothes is sooo easy. I hope you all had a chance to savor at least a taste of the holiday season and the Life, Redemption, and Hope that we ultimately celebrate.

Look at ME!

It's official. I am a musher and loving it.

Mushers and Snow

We have good weather days and bad weather days. Blizzards are good for us, but when the sun comes out it is absolutely beautiful. Here is a good weather day with Rachel, Kyle, and I. And me hiding out in the truck during some crazy snow.

have I mentioned where I really live?

I am a proud temporary resident of Alfalfa, OR. Since I've been here I've learned that Bend has a reputation that spans rugged- hippee-outdoors-farmer type people to yuppie rugged-hippee-outdoors-want-to-be-farmer people. There are expensive new houses, expensive botiques, and expensive restaurants, and a few hole in the wall places too. But I actually live about a half an hour outside of the city in a quaint little town where llamas with crazy flowing brown hair run next to the fence when I drive by, where shaggy scottish highland cows could potentially outnumber humans, and horses seem to appear in herds. And lots of cats. I don't claim to know much more about country living than when I arrived, but I do know I love the stars, the animals, the juniper, dirt, work clothes, of course the dogs, snow, riding four-wheelers, riding in trucks, the sunrises, mountains, the view from the outhouse (see below), and then, driving into town to get a latte. Above is the Alfafa Store, everytime I drive by it at night it makes me smile.

Weather and Beef Water

As most of the nation knows, or at least those few Americans who happen to tune into the weather channel, the Northwest has had some impressive weather. In Bend we've had lots of snow and wind but nothing like the big name Pacific Northwest cities. It has been cold here which means whiteouts at the mountain, slow driving, and crazy winds. Chores are a bit different too. Scooping poop is much easier when it is frozen, but watering the dogs is more involved. We make a delicious beef water punch for the dogs to drink. If you care for the recipe here it is:
5 gallons water
1 can beef liver dogfood
1 large masher with Extented handle
Mash dogfood and mix together until blended nicely
Yum

WeLComE to ThE WoRLd PupPIes!

For those of you who know me, you know that one key word in my vocabulary is puppies. Enter three new men in my life; meet Fletcher, Mogley, and The Dude. The dude is ours at the kennel, named after The Big Lebowski of course. Fletcher and Mogley belong to friends. I hope they make you smile and perhaps remind you of the new life we celebrate this Advent season.

Cool like us

I thought I would just throw this out there for everyone to ponder. If you come to visit me like my friends kristy, max, and serena, you too could be a lucky person and get your photo on my blog. I know, the incentives are outrageous, aren't they. I purposely didn't put a question mark in there because really it iis a rhetorical question. In fact I'm kind of surprised you aren't jumping into a car, train, or plane RIGHT NOW.

the mountain

We've been at the mountain now for about two weeks. I love the snow. The mountains are gorgeous, the dogs love to run, driving the sled is awsome. The pictures explain it. call me if you want more of my thoughts.

Eat Dinner on the Roof like Shakespeare

Maverick

It seems kind of awkward to have this whole blog of me. I mean you all know what I look like. But the dogs have so much personality and then of course I want to be in the pic with them so you get both of us. Here's maverick and I. He is a sweetheart and makes the most entertaining movements with his mouth when you get close. It is hilarious. And he loves attention. We go running a lot together and this was taken after a run, he got to spend the night in the house and was absolutley loving it.

Maui

CB and I

I like CB, he makes me smile

what i've been reading

I don't know why you would be interested, but if I was a celebrity you probably would be. This is what I've been eating up with my eyes lately; Currently The Brothers Karamazov, Under the Banner of Heaven, Angels and Demons, Grace and Addiction, Seeing is Believing, and National Geographic. Feel free to let People Magazine or US weekly in on the gossip. If you tell one they probably all will find out.

things I am thankful for

In an effort to bring Thanksgiving a bit closer to my heart this year I have compiled a list of things I am thankful for. This year is, perhaps, the farthest away from thanksgiving I've felt. At least in the proximity to turkey, stuffing, and family. We do have a unprecedented amount of cranberry sauce in our pantry right now so every morning when I glimpse in to get the cereal I am reminded briefly of the impending holiday. I'm sure that after the holiday the cranberries will still be there. I have never lived out in the country and Alfalfa, OR definitely qualifies as "country." As a result driving in the evening is uber dark, I mean really dark as a result I am very thankful for anything reflective; specifically reflective paint. I also have a deep appreciation for those reflectors on shoes and jackets. Other material items I am thankful for: pilot precise V5 extra fine pens, coffee with cream and sugar in the raw, chocolate, dogs, snow, my ipod (I include my because I enjoy my music), danskos, down comforters, chopping wood (although I suck at it), russian literature on a stormy afternoon in front of a fire, canoes, water, jewelry, yoga, cookies and making them, journals, my mountain hardware fleece, carharts...the list could go on but that will suffice for now. I hope you all take time to contemplate those things that you are thankful for. My list was tangible so if you feel left out don't worry, I didn't mention anyone or any metaphysical element-so you're cool.

I apologize for not using spell check more often.

In second grade I scored 100 percent on every single spelling test. That legacy was lost long ago. Perhaps next time when I am not as highly caffeinated I will look more closely at my letters. But you get my main thoughts.

the morning commute

yeah I know it's cheesy. But this turn is absolutely stunning when it is below freezing and therefor frosted. I can feel my MN roots coming out. The other day it was 8 degrees when we started. (As an aside my room was a balmly 44-not bad under my down comforter but getting out of bed to put the clothes on is more of a challenge.) As my coworkers were commenting on how chilly it was I was delayering and saying that really it's not that bad. Could have been the caffeine.

Our family outing

I felt special today as Kyle, Josh, Jessica, the baby (Kyra), cody (the crazy looking little dog), and I took a field trip to Costco to load up on groceries. I've never been part of a large family so it was a taste of what it would be like, if only for a few minutes. No fighting though, and no parents telling us that no we can't get that sugar cereal. Such the life. Attention TV networks: we'd make a cool reality tv show. But too bad for you, we don't want to have one. Talk to our agents. Josh, Jessica, and Kyra arrived about a week ago and we've been having a great time since they arrived. Now, as a amendment to "A Typical Training Day" I must insert sit in living room and let baby entertain us. She is a sweetheart to say the least. And the first baby that has actually excited me about potentially being a mom someday. Yeah, my mom is pretty excited about that statement. Josh and Jess are coming off a summer working up in Alaska mushing dogs on a glacier. They are super laidback and fun. We can sit around and talk for hours. The pace of life is definitley slow here right now and I am savoring it because it doesn't happen all that often. One of my favorite parts of the day is coming in from chores sitting around eating toast from Great Harvest, and conversating with everyone. We eat a lot of bread from Great Harvest, a lot.

alison plays lead dog

Being the lead dog is tough work. To train the puppies we use a human leader and walk the puppies around the house a few times. I naively thought that being the lead dog would be fun and not too difficult. Wrong. It is quite a good workout. But hey I look pretty cool up there huh? That's really what's important...

view from the outhouse

Shakespeare and the Phatties

Our tour dogs tend to be a bit more, shall I say robust, than our racers. They tend to be quite a bit furrier, bigger, and don't get to run as much because they just don't need to. There are a few dogs that we endearingly call fat. So besides being a good name for a band, shakespeare and the fatties, happens to be one of my favorite teams to hook up. If only all Americans were as excited to go for a run as these dogs are, obesity would perhaps not be on epidemic terms. When you think about it these dogs have it made. First of all they LOVE to run. As soon as we walk outside the kennel erupts with barking, jumping dogs all trying desperately to get your attention to harness them or at least give them a pet. Otter is the only exception. He is a bit apprehensive to put the harness on and perfers to make himself blend into the hay. They really have a sweet training program. Perhaps if I had someone who got me up, got me dressed, brought me to a team that was ready to roll, and then gave me the pace, distance, water, and breaks, I'd probably be in better shape than I am now. Then to top it off, these dogs get their food delivered right to their house, take a mid-morning nap, play with their neighbor, and lounge around after working hard. It's quite the program. I think I would get tired of the same food though everyday. Anyway that's a picture of shakespeare, he's about 12 and pretty awsome. His eyes are some of the coolest I have ever seen.

16,721

That's how many pounds of dogfood were delivered acouple days ago. Pretty impressive huh. We usually go through 150 pounds of food a day. Check out the food shed.