15 Oct - The season so far
A lack of updates in Aug/Sep, owing to travels to the homeland.
The new pup, Skogen's Kippax, was collected on return to Norway. She's a bundle of energy, living at the moment with me in the house. It would be a bit much for one pup to fend for itself out in the dog yard. Kippax won't be able to race until Jan 2011, but she'll be in training until then. For now, we're going for daily walks, before I gradually introduce her to the rest of the flock. And that's something that has to be done carefully, to avoid jealousy.
The tops of the hills are covered in snow, but it's a long drive there, just to say I've been out on the sled. For the time being, it's quad-bike action with the 10 dogs that are in training. This is a difficult time of year. The cool temperatures allow us to train much harder, but I have to keep an eye on the dogs' food intake, so that we build up gradually.
The day came this week to say goodbye to Wilma. She wasn't any longer in regular training, and was beginning to be troubled by this and that. Apart from anything else, I think she'd lost her status in the flock. Wilma was a great dog and will be missed, but she's given me 6 super pups to carry on her line.
20 Oct - Nose piercing
Reminder to self: Never nuzzle nose-to-nose with a pup before being completely sure that the pup won't suddenly nip you! The surprise of a needle-sharp tooth on the inside of a nostril is enough to delay a reaction, thus lengthening the time of pain.... 
Daily walks with Kippax continue. She's a star at sitting before receiving a treat. A little toughie, too - no problems with crossing water or other obstacles. She's getting braver in the garden, too, going almost right up to the dog-yard fence to contemplate the sight of the big, scary dogs therein!
27 Oct - Going up in the world!
Kippax continues to impress. After having been for her daily walk and a quick look around the garden, she sauntered over to the house steps. No hesitation - she just calmly walked up. I'd never thought of introducing her to steps at this stage, but she climbed up like she'd done it every day of her life.
12 Nov - Bits and bobs
Training continues with the quad bike. There's been next-to-nothing in terms of precipitation, and nothing forecast either. I've been interviewed on British Forces radio about my fundraising for RAFBF, and the total raised has grown to an astonishing 2% of the £1000 goal (link).
Kippax has now spent a week in the pup yard, without any fuss or bother. At first, I thought she was going to be an escape artist, either digging for glory or escaping over the fence, but that soon stopped. She's a real tough character, now wanting to go loose in the main yard to meet the other dogs. I'm always with her at this stage. Not all the young adults appreciate having their noses and ears pawed by a youngster!
Quick trip across the water to Kirkenes. Always nice to travel on one of the old chug-chug ships, and the walk into town resulted in the sighting of a flock of waxwings, camly going about their business, right next to a busy road.
Meanwhile, I'm now back into the routine of taking at least one dog into the house at night. Some of them just don't want to come in, but so far, Riku, Seppo, Billy, Milla and Susi have obliged, not forgetting Kippax!
14 Nov - Wake up call!
Morning walk with Kippax, who was full of beans after having been in the world for a full 3 months. Took a new route over the back field, and forgot that there was a small drainage ditch up ahead. SPLASH! In went Kippax, totally submerged. No panic. She just swam a couple of lengths along the channel before finding a suitable place to make for dry land. Tough cookie!
I was most struck by how wet Kippax didn't seem to be. It was like water off a duck's back - the water had already frozen into droplets on the outer surface of her fur, and was quickly shaken off. If her coat can remain just as impenetrable into adulthood, Kippax will be a real asset in stormy weather!
No training today. Bit of lacking motivation after finding Susi, Milla and Katie with grazed toe-pads. The dogs are so willing to work, they almost work too hard. Rest, recuperation and repair, amongst other things, by supergluing small pieces of soft leather to the damaged toe-pads... Instant protection until the toe-pad heals itself.