New Year 2021

 Hey Tribe,

A new year, a new me? Nah, same me, same crazy KBDs.  2020 was a quiet, but pretty good year for us:

We bought a kickbike and learned are learning how to dryland mush.

We went on a Denali Highway road trip.

We visited glaciers.

We summited new mountain peaks.

Rex and me on Lion's Head overlooking the Matanuska Glacier

Fly and tiny Rex in Palmer Creek Valley

Pepper Peak

We used the Scamp even more.

Rex guards camp on the Denali.

During our SAR workshop - see the little sparrow baby sitting by the wheel?

Hanging out in Hope.

We continued as models for Alaska Goldens Co and became models for KomaloCo, Remi and Me, and Jax & Moonie

Alaska Goldens Co water-resistant scarf that matches the glacial fed lake: code AKFLY15

Remi & Me Co ice-dyed bandana and matching tag are absolutely stunning: code FlyRex10

Rex's Jax & Moonie collar bark marks document all our epic adventures together: code Rex10

We now have 2,183 friends on Instagram. Thanks for liking and conversing with me on that platform - it's so nice to have Insta friends from all over the world!

We learned new tricks and earned Trick Dog Novice titles on both dogs.  We're nearly ready to submit for the Intermediate and Advanced titles, Fly just needs to stop being silly and take it seriously while doing the videos!  Also, we earned Canine Good Citizen, Canine Good Citizen Advanced, Canine Good Citizen Urban, and Farm Dog Certified titles - all of which demonstrate the KBDs ability to be well mannered and obedient in a variety of settings and situations.

So it began.

We made history with Fly finishing her Barn Hunt title of RATChX, or Rat Master Champion, the highest title possible: she is the first and only Karelian Bear Dog to earn the title.  Also, we began the crazy fun sports of Rally, Lure Coursing, and Fast Coursing (think drag racing for dogs!).  Rex is particularly excelling in these - stay tuned for more posts on these three sports this summer!

Here is the video of Rex's first ever Coursing Ability Test. I think he's got it!

We progressed in Search and Rescue and Fly is now certified in Wilderness Area Scent Specific Live Find and in Land Human Remains Detection.  Rex continues working on urban trailing and human remains detection and is doing well.  I hope both KBDs can certify in Avalanche this winter season.

Rex works an hour aged trail at -5F

We met up with the Dive Rescue team on several occasions and I learned how to drive a zodiac boat in 30mph winds (and waves) and support divers as they enter/exit the water.

So, what do we have planned for this 2021 year? More of the same!

More kickbiking, kicksledding, kayaking, dog sports, new hiking adventures and greater community service (remind me to tell you about our Therapy Dog certification!).  I am also really, really hoping to enter into a dog show - Fly is ready to prance about and look beautiful in a doggy beauty pageant.  Please, Canada, hurry up and lift your border restrictions.

Thank you for following and joining our crazy Karelian and Alaskan adventures.  Let's enjoy 2021!

Fly Turns 4

 Hey Tribe,

Fly is 4 years old today!

Vikinghunters Willow's Drum CGCA, CGCU, FDC, TKN, RATCHX

  We spent the day together, doing what we love.  It was wonderful!  I hope we have many more years of smiles in our future together.

Happy 1st Birthday, Rex!

Hey Tribe,

It's Rex's 1st birthday!

How is this baby already one year old??

Armando Salazar Da Villa Saloia "Rex" at 4 days old.

Armando Salazar Da Villa Saloia "Rex" at 1 year old.

I am so thankful that Nadia and Leonardo of Da Villa Saloia kennel trusted me to care for one of their puppies.  They have produced some top quality Karelian Bear Dogs and aptly named Rex, from their 'Once Upon A Time' litter, is no exception!

Rex's first year included a lot of travel:

Flights from Portugal to Alaska

Yukon territory in Canada

Cooper Landing, AK

Nenana River, AK

Skilak Lake, AK

He's had a lot of firsts:

First taste of glacier water.

First swim.

First water fowl sighting.

First ride in the back of the truck.

First camping trip.

First picnic.

He really enjoyed Christmas!

He absolutely loves snow!

Moose meat is one of his favorites.

He loves pulling the kicksled!

He is doing so great at Search and Rescue training.

His baby collar doesn't fit him anymore, but I have a new and special collar coming from Jax & Moonie that I can't wait to show everyone!

Puppy collar and leash he wore in the airports of Sintra, Boston, Seattle, and Anchorage.

I get glimpses of the mature dog he will become; he is going to be extremely handsome.

Just look at that profile!

Rex is already kind, smart, and everyone's favorite when we attend group events.  He became the 4th KBD to ever win a Barn Hunt title!  This coming year, we have several certification goals: Trick Dog, Canine Good Citizen, Scent Work, Search and Rescue, and more Barn Hunt.  He's ready and so am I.  Follow Rex's second trip around the sun and see how far he goes!

Welcome New Year 2020!

Hey Tribe,

Welcome to a new decade!  How exciting to be in 2020, a year that once seemed to only exist in science fiction.  What isn't sci-fi is the fact that this little blog is now two years old; I am so very thankful to you for visiting and reading and saying hi, either here, on Pinterest, or on Instagram.  I like it when people say “hi.”

Bye bye 2019!

There are several highlights from our 2019 year worth mentioning:

• TheMother, TheAunt, and I hiked the Camino del Norte in Spain (those posts are coming, I promise).
• We visited Portugal and made some wonderful friends.

• My sweet baby Rex joined our family!

• Little Chappie also became a part of our pack.

• The Scamp made itself useful on several Alaskan and Canadian road trips.
• Fly earned her Barn Hunt Champion title!
• Rex also made history in Barn Hunt.
• Search and Rescue trainings continue and kept us busy each week.
• Rex is shaping up to be a great search dog.

• We bought a little Kayak for water adventures.
• On Instagram, we now have 1,758 followers.
• three specific hashtags to keep an eye on: #paperflyexplores, #kbdsflyandrex, #armandosalazardavillasaloia
• Fly became a model for Alaska Goldens Co
• For work, I no longer have to commute 100 miles per day (whew).

In 2020, we have more exciting adventures planned, including:

• Dog sledding and urban mushing (totally a real thing).
• Getting certified for SAR.
• Operating an AirBnB.
• Figuring out show dog stuff (I'm clueless and need a mentor).
• More kayaking and hiking adventures, of course!

We are so ready to jump right into 2020.  I hope you'll continue follow our journey.

Barn Hunt Champ

Hey Tribe!

This weekend we made history!  Fly earned her Champion title in Barn Hunt – the first Karelian Bear Dog to ever achieve that title.

Not only that, she went on to earn three more qualifying runs, stalking that much closer to a RATCHX title (10 qualifying runs = X).

Vikinghunters Willow's Drum "Fly" CGC, RATCH

The Barn Hunt season is finished, so we will have to wait until spring to continue our history making dreams.  However, it will be a smug snug, warm winter with a Champion ribbon hanging on the wall!

Speaking of glory and success, Rex is doing well for himself: he earned his Novice (RATN) title in three short qualifying runs.  Not only did he find his rats, he found them fast enough to place and earn ribbons!  He had some good competition too: smart, fast dogs were also competing in the trial, so placing First, Second, and Second again in the Novice category was a great way for Rex to debut.

Armando Salazar Da Villa Saloia "Rex" RATN

Wondering what is this Barn Hunt thing I’m talking about?  Click on over to my previous post to read more about it – maybe you’ll want to get involved too!