Well, I am finally getting around to getting this blog up and going and I will try to get everyone up to date as soon as I can. My name is Janet and my job here at Flash Kennels is to keep all the dogs healthy. I am also Rich and Charlie's mom so I work real cheap. I am not a vet, but I do have my degree in Animal Health Technology and spent many years working in veterinary offices in California. Sounds great, but.... there are no sled dogs in San Diego and I have been learning a lot as I go. A lot of health issues with sled dogs are the same as they would be with your pet dog, but there are some definite differences, too. For instance, when was the last time a Golden Retriever in Arizona had to worry about ice balls in the fur between his pads???? Anyway, it is a constant learning process and I truly enjoy my time I spend with the dogs. I do, on occasion, actually hook up some dogs and go for a run. But, my mushing status here is the resident "Springtime Musher" with certain requirements: temperatures at least 25 degrees and the sun shining.

I have lots to talk about, new puppies, vaccinations, worming etc, but for right now our biggest news is the retirement of our beloved Muggs, who is about 10 years old. She has been in this kennel since the beginning, originating in Joe Garnies yard, and is the mother of some of our best dogs and a fantastic leader. Muggs has been struggling with some hip problems for about 2 years, but has always been eager to put on a harness and run. She was taken out of the "race team" 2 years ago and has been used for puppy training, leader training and recreational running. She went for a run about 4 days ago with some yearlings, excited as always. We had a pretty good dumping of snow so it was a run filled with trail breaking through about 2 feet of new snow and lots of heavy pulling. That makes the dogs work really hard and as usual, Muggs did not back down from the challenge. All seemed o.k. on the run, but the next day she was very stiff and sore. It was very apparent to all of us that she had sustained some stress to her already weakened hips. I began giving her some analgesics for the pain and inflammation. The weather here then turned quite cold, below zero and she was still uncomfortable. Of course, she got to come in the warm house and has now made herself at home on her blue and yellow sleeping bag near the heater. We recently had to put down our old pet dog so I guess Muggs will become the newest member of our inside family. Her and the cats have come to terms with each other and so far, no accidents in the house!!! Muggs has given all of us a great deal. She has led each of my sons safely back home after their runs, she has trained many, many puppies, she has taught our lead dogs how to lead and has whelped some of the best pups in the world. On top of all that, Muggs is a sweet and gentle old friend and the least we can do for her is allow her to be warm, pain free and comfortable as our new house dog for as long as she chooses.
Be sure to check our other blog sites for more info on training and the kennel http://teachingwow.org/blog/Iditarod.php