Taking Dad for a sled ride...

My parents were visiting for the past few days. My Dad had never seen a dog team hooked up or gone for a ride so we went out on Friday morning. My Mom took these pictures. She went for a short ride too, but she was a little nervous! Dad was more adventerous so he got a longer tour and a bigger team!
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...05/handler.jpg
This is my Dad being my handler! That's Paxil, back in a harness. She would not leave us alone. I wasn't going to take her. I actually thought she was done for at least this winter, but that day, she kept pawing at the harness and getting in the way when I was putting them on the other dogs. Finally I gave in and hooked her up. I figured she could ride with Dad when she got tired, but she never did!!! She was AMAZING!! I am thrilled that she's feeling so well!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...05/hook_up.jpg
Hooking up the last dog.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...05/lets_go.jpg
Everyone is raring to go!! What is taking the humans so long to get ready!!!

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Finally heading down the trail!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...5/dad_home.jpg
Happy dogs back home in the yard!

Dad had a great time and really enjoyed his tour. The dogs were great. My dad is a big, tall man and they pulled like the sled was empty!:D

Awww. how sweet of you take him on a ride. :D
it looks fun too!!

Yeah Paxil!!! She looks so happy in the "after" shot - good for her! Must have been a wonderful experience for your parents!

How fun!!!

Looks like the pups are having lots of fun too! :)

That would be so cool. :D

You keep making me so envious. I gotta call Jeff and get a ride before our snow is gone.

I want to go on a sled ride! One of these days I'm just going to show up on your door step and beg for a ride!

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Originally posted by Uabassoon
I want to go on a sled ride! One of these days I'm just going to show up on your door step and beg for a ride!

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Make sure to stop in Cleveland on your way so I can go with you!

:D

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Originally posted by pitc9
Make sure to stop in Cleveland on your way so I can go with you!

:D

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If Ohio is on the way from Arizona to Canada, I wanna go too!!!

There's enough snow here now to pull a sled! :D

Neat pictures! Glad your dad had fun. :)

Omg that looks like so much fun!! I would love to be able to go on a ride with you and your beautiful team. How long have you been running sleds? Does it take a long time to learn how to do it? It looks like the dogs enjoy it as much as the people.

that's awsome! i'm glad your dad liked his ride.:D

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Originally posted by Jadapit
Omg that looks like so much fun!! I would love to be able to go on a ride with you and your beautiful team. How long have you been running sleds? Does it take a long time to learn how to do it? It looks like the dogs enjoy it as much as the people.

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I've been running dogs for five years. How long it takes to figure it out varies alot. I have a friend who's husband is a champion sprint racer, but after 30 years she still can't drive a sled. She handles for him and he does all the driving and racing. It took me three years to get confident enough to drive a big team and to be able to hook them up alone.

It's much easier to learn if you start with a trained leader. A good leader will teach your other dogs what to do. I was given Sleet the first winter I lived in the North. Sleet is a natural born lead dog who never misses a command. She taught me & the other dogs more about mushing than I could ever have learned on my own.

I also live in an area where I am surrounded by mushers. It's very helpful to be able to call someone who's run the Yukon Quest with questions!

That looks like so much fun!!! I am coming to visit for a ride too, ok? lol Glad you dad had such a good time with the pups! And wonderful news to hear how well Paxil is feeling! :D

Oh how wonderful that Paxil was up to running, I'm so glad to hear that:D

I bet your parents had a blast...I know I would have if I'd had been them!!!