Short version:
We have moved to interior Alaska and I don't have a cell signal where we live.

Long version:
After struggling for so long thanks to covid which has caused us one financial hardship after another and various other events beyond our control, my boyfriend received a job offer from a company in Fairbanks that paid for our relocation to Alaska. This is a fresh new start for us and also a dream come true. I can no longer look back on our misfortunes with distain, I can only be thankful for where it has put us now. This is the most beautiful place I have ever seen in my life. We see rainbows nearly every day, mountains, the boreal forest, wildlife etc. We were greeted by the Aurora Borealis shortly after we got here in April. It was nothing like the videos people post online, much more beautiful. I can't tell you how my soul felt seeing that for the first time.

I can't wait to build our sled dog team. I have taken a great interest in the Hedlund Husky breed. They are a type of Native Alaskan village dog, rangy wolfy looking dogs that are easier to handle compared to Malamutes, Inuits and even Siberian Huskies. They can do it all, freighting, long distances, speed and endurance. They are currently in very low numbers and a few breeders are fighting to save the breed from extinction.

We still have Anya and Raven. Raven went with dad through Canada and Anya flew with me. His trip through Canada was pretty rough and I got stuck in North Dakota for several days when I was supposed to be leaving because of an epic blizzard. We were stuck in Bismarck for 4 days before we could fly out. All my cold weather gear was being moved in the trailer. All I had was a jacket, hat and boots for dry conditions. Luckily the wind chill was not much below zero and I didn't get frostbite walking Anya in the storm that would never end lol. It was literally a blizzard for 4 days and nights, the thing just SAT there over us and wouldn't leave.

Here we are though, building our new life in interior Alaska!

Hello, Tresa, it's so nice to hear from you! A new life in Alaska sounds like a wonderful adventure. I'm envious of your being able to see the aurora borealis! If I were younger........

I'm very happy to know that, after all the troubles you've had over the last several years, you are now in a beautiful place and putting those rough times behind you. Dog sledding sounds like a lot of fun, and maybe you will end up helping preserve the historic Hedlund Husky lines.

Best of luck to you, your husband, and your dog family. We would enjoy hearing from you whenever you get a chance.

Cheri, for some reason it didn't submit my reply. I can't even remember what I said now. Lol. The Aurora is just the coolest thing! We've moved into town for the winter so might not see it as much but its only a short drive away.

Raven our cattledog mix just bit me on the leg when he got frustrated earlier while in prey drive. It's just like having another dutchie but a smaller one thats easier to handle. Not having a DNA test, he could be part Malinois for all I know, it wouldn't surprise me, I did think he might be a black Malinois mix when we adopted him. I sold my scooter when we moved up here and I wish I had it to go joring with him, he is getting more and more ball obsessed these days without any other outlet. Maybe we'll do some weight pulling this winter, I think he'd love that too.

It sounds like there is no shortage of outdoor sports you can do with your dogs all year round in Alaska. Yep, maybe get another scooter for times of no snow on the ground. Raven sounds like a challenge, but I know you will do well by him. You are no stranger to challenging dogs and how to keep them happy.

Keep in touch!

Cheri,

Yeah he is definitely a handful. I've been wanting a good ecollar so he can run off lead. He thinks everyone and every dog is his best friend and I need a reliable recall for that, plus with all the moose around, yikes. I wonder how reliable those collars are in the cold.

 Quote: Tresa Hendrix

Cheri,

Yeah he is definitely a handful. I've been wanting a good ecollar so he can run off lead. He thinks everyone and every dog is his best friend and I need a reliable recall for that, plus with all the moose around, yikes. I wonder how reliable those collars are in the cold.

Wow, for some reason I missed this thread!

Sounds like a great challenge, Tresa!

Connie.
Yeah Raven is a classic high drive psycho He is adjusting very well to our new schedule. As long as this fool gets mental exercise and some hard core physical exercise he is very good in the house. I would like to build him a carpet treadmill to assist with his daily requirement. That way I could run him on that in our small yard instead of having to drive 15min to go run him.