September 16, 2013

Bikejoring ~ Mountain Bay Trail... again (112 points)

This trail is getting kind of old, and soon we'll be driving a little further to start running a different piece, but the fact is that I'm still awfully afraid of the dark and running through the woods with nothing but a AA battery LED flashlight so I kinda like being at least on a familiar trail.

"Are we gonna go, or what?"


A still grabbed from a video I took on the trail.  I swear one of these times I'm going to kill myself, I just wanted to show how dark it is on the trail.
 
We did another 6 miles today.  Same route - trail head to the 3 mile marker.


I figured since we got going a little late and that sun was actually trying to come out we would try to do a self portrait.  It... wasn't great.  The actual 3 mile post is down off the raised trail and trying to get me, Mendel, and the post in a picture is just plain not happening (especially since my front facing camera on my phone does not have a flash)... I gave up.





Selfie in the parking lot after loading up the bike and having some water.




WORKING SAMOYED CERTIFICATION EXCURSION RECORD
Type of excursion: bikejor
Date of Excursion September 16, 2013 
Dog's name: Mendel ~ ArticCross N Double Helix's Mendelian Masterpiece
Owner's name: Amanda VerBruggen and Julie Dunkle
Description of trail: Crushed limestone, State Rail Trail
Distance traveled: 6 miles
Destination: 3 mile marker
Number of dogs in team:  1
Points: 6 x 15 = 90 points x 1.25 (lead position) = 112.5 points for this excursions
Map

September 13, 2013

Bikejoring ~ Mountain Bay Trail (112 points)

Out of shape after raising a litter of puppies and in desperate need to get back on the trail, Mendel and I have returned to the Mountain Bay Trail.  It's nothing exciting, but it's close by and gives us the opportunity to run regularly on a non-paved surface without a lot of cost while we save up to go to the National Specialty next month. 

We started in the same old parking lot we have before, right at the head of the trail.  I've been getting done at work at around 3:30am so we're on the trail so early the sun hasn't even thought about coming up yet.  It is dark, dark, dark.  Unfortunately this makes for terrible pictures, but it's wonderfully peaceful.



This morning we decided to bump up to the 6 mile mark.  I'd been taking it easy in order to ease Mendel's feet into the wear and tear of the gravel, but the temperatures are getting cooler quickly and the short runs aren't even tiring him out all that much anymore.

We stopped at the trusty 3 mile marker post.



I'm amazed by both his work ethic as well as his maturity in regard to distractions on the trail.


WORKING SAMOYED CERTIFICATION EXCURSION RECORD
Type of excursion: bikejor
Date of Excursion: September 16, 2013
Dog's name: Mendel ~ ArticCross N Double Helix's Mendelian Masterpiece
Owner's name: Amanda VerBruggen and Julie Dunkle
Description of trail: packed gravel, State Rail Trail
Distance traveled:6 miles
Destination: 3 mile mark on trail
Number of dogs in team: 1
Lead dog
Points  6 x 15 = 90 points x 1.25 (lead position) = 112.5 points for this excursions
Map
(we began and finished right at the trail head, bottom right corner, and ran out to the 3 mile marker at approximately Spring Green Park)

Photos included

April 27, 2013

Weight Pull ~ Greater Milwaukee Samoyed Fanciers (79 points)



WEIGHT PULL

LOCATION OF WEIGHT PULL   Fond Du Lac County Fairgrounds
Date: April 27, 2013             
Sponsoring club or organization:  Greater Milwaukee Samoyed Fanciers
Sanctioning organization: SCA

Registered name:   ArticCross N Double Helix's Mendelian Masterpiece
Call name:  Mendel
Dog's Weight _53lbs_     Maximum weight pulled _706lbs_       % of wt pulled to dog's wt. _13.32_

Type of pull:  wheeled
Handler's name:  Amanda VerBruggen
Owner's name:   Amanda VerBruggen and Julie Dunkle
Number of working points earned: 79 points


January 26, 2013

Weight Pull ~ Winterfest on Broadway (115 points)








WORKING SAMOYED CERTIFICATION WEIGHT PULL

Location of Weight Pull:  Winterfest on Broadway St, Downtown Green Bay, WI
Date:  Saturday, January 26, 2013
Sponsoring Club:  Tri-State Alaskan Malamute Club
Sanctioning Org:  Tri-State Alaskan Malamute Club
Registered Name: ArticCross N Double Helix's Mendelian Masterpiece
Call Name:  Mendel
Dog's Weight 52lbs                    Maximum Weight Pulled:  1000lbs     % of wt pulled to dog's wt: 19.2
Type of Pull:  Wheeled
Handler's Name:  Amanda VerBruggen
Owner's Name:  Amanda VerBruggen and Julie Dunkle

Working Points Earned:  (1000 / 52 = 19.2)     19.2 * 6 = 115 points

Results available at http://www.tsamc.org/EventListsAndResults/2012-13/WinterfestOnBroadway/Tri-State%20Alaskan%20Malamute%20Club%20Winterfest%20on%20Broadway,%20Weight%20Pull%20Results.php

January 25, 2013

Breed Ambassador / Education and Outreach

Mendel was invited to Barnes and Noble for story time to read the "Hero Finds His Path" book and to teach kids about show dogs.

First, we talked about Samoyeds and a little about showing.


We talked about the neat things Mendel can do, like pulling a sled.


After we read the story, the kids got to meet Mendel up close.



A number of parents contacted me (and my Mom, the public relations manager at the store) and told us that they were so glad they came.  Many of them had kids who were afraid or uneasy about dogs and they were shocked that their child was able to touch Mendel without fear.


August 20, 2012

Pack Hike - Machickanee Trails (60 pts)

Worst hiking trip ever.  Seriously.

The drive to the trail was certainly beautiful

First, the marking of the trails was horrible.  We walked for miles in some cases without being sure where exactly where we were and none of the "numbered posts" that the map we got on the website promised existed at all.  Secondly, Mendel can't give his opinion but I personally feel that 25% of his weight is much more than I would ever normally require my dog to carry, even if we were camping.  But, I wanted Mendel to have a well rounded WS title so we did it.  And we survived.

We started out thinking we were on Brehmer Creek Trail, but eventually I figured out we must be on the Blackberry Ramble trail.  The blackberry bushes were positively terrible once we were on the trail for a bit.  My legs got all scratched up (they're still itchy) and I worried about Lilly with no heavy coat to protect her.  Good thing she was at least wearing a pack, even though all she was carrying was a leash on each side.  I also worried about the dogs' eyes.  We turned back and tried to figure out how we went wrong after about 1/2 a mile.  I was super impressed with how consistently Mendel was pulling me along.  This is a big improvement from the last time I had him on a hike.  He's now pulling with nice steady pressure rather than starting and stopping and weaving all over the trail.




Finally we got back on track and after a quick drink of water were headed down the Brehmer Creek Trail, well, at least we're pretty sure it was the Brehmer Creek Trail.  It was narrow in spots, but for the most part was a pretty nice trail.  We came upon a sign pointing to the Coral Berry Trail so after a rest stop we decided to give it a try.  The one and only time Mendel and Lilly were naughty and tried to pull me off the trail was evidently a result of their noses getting the better of them.  We found what appears to be a deer skeleton.  I had to convince them that there was no way they were taking any of the bones home.



 After the Coral Berry Trail we got back on the Brehmer Creek Trail... until it just suddenly ended.  I'm not sure what in the world happened.  We hiked up a big slope, Mendel helping me along, and then the trail just dead ended.  Maybe some plants suddenly shot up blocking the trail, I'm not sure, but we looked around and just couldn't figure out where in the world we were supposed to go.  I really started to question whether or not we were even on the right trail anymore, we hadn't seen a sign in a long time and never once saw a number marker that our map claimed would be there.  I thought I saw a sign of some kind through the trees a ways in front of us so we decided to fight our way through the woods and see if it would help us.  We wound up on a dirt road.  The sign had been from a lady named Beth who was looking for her lost horse saddle.  


Making our way down the dirt road.
 I figured we'd probably be better off lost on a dirt road than lost in the woods, so on down the road we went to see if we could figure things out.  Then we came to a paved road.  In looking at the map I was pretty sure it was Konitzer Rd, but I was extremely grateful to come upon a mailbox that had the full address posted on it so I knew for sure.  The road was only wide enough for two cars and had tons of hills and turns so I didn't want the dogs on the road.  We walked in the soaking wet dew covered grass along the road for miles.  Once we came to a fairly safe spot in the road we stopped for a rest and some watermelon (Mendel's favorite).


 FINALLY we came to an intersection.  I was pretty sure this was Timberline Rd, but right in line with our luck, there was no street sign to confirm my suspicions.  We decided to head down the road in the direction I thought the car would be and before long it appeared!  I don't think I've ever been so happy to see my little car.



Before we got all packed up and loaded in the car, Mendel, Lilly and I attempted to take a picture together.  No two dogs I'd rather be lost with.  :)  We started and ended at the same spot, where there was parking for the ski trails.


We survived.  I promised Mendel he doesn't ever have to do it again.  :)


The yellow line on the map (and the arrows) show our path.


WORKING SAMOYED CERTIFICATION EXCURSION RECORD
Type of excursion: Pack Hike
Date of Excursion: August 20, 2012
Dog's name: Mendel, ArticCross N Double Helix's Mendelian Masterpiece
Owner's name: Amanda VerBruggen
Description of trail:  park, public forest, dirt road, grass ditch
Distance traveled: 6.5 miles, elevation unknown
Map included
Photos included

Dog's weight: 49lbs
Pack weight: 12lb 8oz
Pack Contents:  2 bottles water, 1 bottle juice, cell phone, booties, mini first aid kit, pick-up bags, water bowls, treats, chunks of watermelon (snack), leash

May 1, 2012

Weight Pull - Greater Milwaukee Samoyed Fanciers Specialty (102 points)

Our first time ever trying weight pull with an official set up.  (we've practiced with a tire and a sled harness but never lots of weight because we don't have a weight pull harness yet)

On Friday night we had a practice session.  I had Mendel on leash but never even had to really ask him to pull, he apparently just figured it was like pulling the tire and off he went.  I was impressed to say the least, and moved him up to the Amature class in order to attempt to get some WS points. 

In order to get WS points we had to follow the "official rules" - no leash, no talking to him until I've crossed the line, no getting close to him, and no touching.  I figured a couple pulls for a few points would be a great start.  I had no idea how much fun he would have...



Conformation Judge, Marcia Feld, (she judged the specialty earlier that day) was sitting chute-side watching the weight pull.  While waiting for his turn at around the 500lb range he found Mrs. Feld and decided she needed some love.  The whole time the dog before him pulled he sat blisfull in his harness with his chest in her lap getting snuggled.  Times like this are when I remember just how much I complete adore this dog... and how important it will be for him to get his Therapy Dog Certification.



Group photo of the weight pull participants.  This was a new event for GMSF and it was a big success!!


WORKING SAMOYED CERTIFICATION

WEIGHT PULL

LOCATION OF WEIGHT PULL   Fond Du Lac County Fairgrounds
Date: April 28, 2012             Sponsoring club or organization:  Greater Milwaukee Samoyed Fanciers
Sanctioning organization: SCA

Registered name:   ArticCross N Double Helix's Mendelian Masterpiece
Call name:  Mendel
Dog's Weight _49lbs_     Maximum weight pulled _834lbs_       % of wt pulled to dog's wt. _17%_

Type of pull:  wheeled
Handler's name:  Amanda VerBruggen
Owner's name:   Amanda VerBruggen and Julie Dunkle
Number of working points earned: 102 points
(See official form for Judges signature)