Also high up in the North, we have started the advent-time. We did light a candle, no matter if guestes were here or not. Some dogs already train for their Santa Claus Mission and even an advent-calender with 24 small packages is ready to begin December tomorrow. For us the advent-time is a busy time of the year. The dog training is consuminjg more time every week, as the distances are increasing. But that is our main task, as the tour-season starts in abot 3 weeks and they will be ready. Sleds have to be prepaired, rooms to be cleaned, trails to be optimizes and bushes to be cut off, collecting ideas for the first menueplans, and much more. But of course we take and deserve breaks and nice evenings as well. 3 days ago, another Eräkeskus-cinema-evening took place. Thanks to Gabriel's beamer, projeting straight to the big white wall, the feeling was as good as in a real cinema.
Even the weather is good with us. Since now about 2 weeks we have constantly minus-degrees and the lake-ice is just perfect and beautiful. It could be used for a "Whisky on the Rocks" even, so clear and dense it is... The thickness is by now about 16 cm and that makes walking on the ice riskfree. But beware of possible ice-skaters, as it is even like polished. What we still miss - to be honest - is the snow. About this matter we have been in contact with the weather-makers and agreed on a delivery until latest 16th December. Untilk then we are just stay happy to have at least ice as perfect as it hasn't been for years. Luckily our training is not depending on snow and even the stake-out-trainings can be completed without problems. When having a break near an open river (picture from Kivikoronvirta) it makes it even easier, as the water can then be taken straight from there.
Our teenager Oskar, who went through stomach surgery beginning of November, is doing great by now. During daytime he moves back to the New Kennels, but evening/night/morning and also days off he still spends with Lisa and Alex. And that shall stay as it is for a very long time to go, as the 3 are a perfect matching team. Good luck and many adventures with your new pet-dog!
And last but not least: Helena and Gabriel are our new licensed microchippers in the team! As per January 1st all dogs in Finland have to be chipped and registered. And therefor the finnish sleddog-association organised education nearby. And as Simone was during that time hiking the portuguese mountains and listened to the waves of the Atlantic, these 2 took part and got the license. From now on we can provide all our puppies (oder dogs from others) ourselves with microchips. Congratulations to you both and thanks for taking part in the education!