Puppies
/Ryno Kennel is growing with the addition of new members: Puppet and Nacho puppies! Puppet gave birth to five healthy puppies. More pictures, names, and news to come!
Dog Walking
/This summer, I’ve had the opportunity to work my perfect job. And just what is this perfect job you might ask? It depends on who’s asking. The uniqueness of the job means there is no established job title, so my answer varies. To buff up my resume, I might call myself a Lead Field Research Technician on a protein study for Marine IED detection dogs. To an inquiring friend I would describe myself as a simple dog walker. Unfortunately neither title adequately describes my responsibilities. The first makes me sound far more qualified than actuality, and the second brings to mind a prim dog walker holding dozens of leashes and strolling through Central Park. Perhaps it’s a combination of both.
My main responsibilities this summer were to condition 16 dogs from SP Kennel using the military IED detection dog conditioning program. This required incrementally increasing the hours of exercise each dog free ran each week. During the process, the dogs would receive different amounts of protein in an effort to determine the effect of extra protein on a dog’s hydration. Dr. Mike Davis from Oklahoma State University was the mastermind behind the study. The video below provides a window into an average day, if any day can be called average. All the moose, porcupine, bear tracks, ducklings, and fires meant that there was never a dull moment.
I have to say thank you to SP Kennel and Dr. Mike Davis for giving me the opportunity to work my perfect job. Even with 600 miles on my hiking boots, I’m loving every second of it.
The Summer of Fires
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Summer 2013 is the summer of fires. High temperatures (80F-93F) combined with no moisture has turned Two Rivers into a convection oven/tinderbox. A few weeks ago we battled the first fire just four miles from the kennel. The Kanuti fire began near the local watering hole, the Two Rivers Lodge, and made a run at all the surrounding homes and structures. Thanks to the quick response of fire fighters and air attack, the fire was contained with only one shed lost to the flames. This fire will always be one of my most memorable events, not just because of its proximity to the kennel, but also because Derek was one of the fire fighters protecting the neighborhood. Derek is a smokejumper with the BLM Alaska Fire Service, spending all summer parachuting into remote locations and fighting fires across the state. However, rather than driving the 20 miles out from Fairbanks, Derek arrived ‘jumper style,’ leaping from an airplane and landing in Meierotto field next to the house. Out of all the smokejumpers in Alaska, Derek was the one assigned to jump the Kanuti fire. Imagine my surprise when he landed in the field and I drove him to the fire line!
Currently, Two Rivers is threatened again by an even larger fire, Stuart Creek 2. Beginning in military land, the fire as grown to 30,000 acres and is making its way down the hills towards Chena Hot Springs Road and Ryno Kennel. A Type 1 Incident Command Team has taken over the fire, and with the help of lots of crews, is putting together a plan to protect Two Rivers. The community is currently on Evacuation Watch, meaning that we should be prepared to evacuate if necessary. The dog truck is loaded up with sleds and gear as a precaution. I’ll be sure to keep everyone updated on the progress of the fire! For now, here are some pictures from the Kanuti Fire and the Stuart Creek 2 Fire.
