Musher Profiles!
Valaskiaf Sled Dogs
Interview with Troy & Skeet Q: So when was your litter born?
A: Skeet – They were born 8/10/04. I would’ve preferred to have had them at home, but I had to go in and have a section! I didn’t have much milk after the operation so the human pack leaders had to help me wae the feeds. That gave me a wee break. There’s nowt worse than 6 hungry mouths when you’ve got stitches!! OUCH !!
A: Troy- I’d been pacing up and down ma pen waiting on news. At about lunch time news broke. Once the pack aw hud a howl the boys and me aw lay on top o our boxes and hud cigar chews!
Q: Skeet how do you think Troy’s adapted to being a father? A: Skeet: He’s been great! He’s a good dad, a good teacher and a great leader!
Q: Troy how do you think skeet’s taken to being a mother?
A: Troy: She’s been really good with the kids! She was really tolerant wae the wee ankle biters. They’d hang off her ears and tail and she’d never bat an eye!
Q: How do you think your pups have performed in their 1st rally season?
A: Skeet: I think they’ve done Troy and I proud! Trouble is, when you’ve got 4 bairns it’s hard giving individual attention. We just concentrated on building their confidence and tried to identify where, in the teams they were happiest to run. In fact, we’re still working on that, takes a while to get that one right! It’s a good idea to swap them around to different positions in the team to get experience. We let them run up lead for a while then move them somewhere else in the team. For bairns, it can sometimes be a bit too much mental pressure! You don’t want to scare them, but you don’t want them getting bored either! But, there’s plenty o time yet, wae aye man.
A: Troy They’ve definitely exceeded our expectations by winning several races, taking 3rd places in SSHC and SDAS 4 dog championships. Taking 2nd place in the 4 dog at Aviemore this year with 2 of the girls leading the team! Skeet and I are also very proud of our other kids “ Farren & Bryn !” They went to live with Fiona Wallace & Martin Hogg. They’ve also been achieving top places at rallies too! Keep up the good work girls!!
Q: What are your plans for the coming season?
A: Skeet Well, on a personal note, I’m gonna try no to wrap me pack leader round any trees this season.. Trouble was, I kept thinking I was having bairns aw the time. I mean, me hormones were haywire! So, I’ve had a wee op that should put a stop to aw these wee blonde moments o mine! And tae be fair, sometimes I just cannae understand her accent, me being brought up a Geordie lass! Well, it doesnae dae her any harm lugging round the odd branch in her hair now and then. It’s character building! (Well that’s what I telt her like)
A: Troy: I’ll still be hanging on to the kid’s baby reigns for a while yet. Just to make sure they’re paying attention and to make it fun for them. Ma son Thor reminds me a bit o me! No so long ago, I was a right rebel without a clue, as gung ho as “Bruce Lee”, kickin up the trail in aw directions! He’s his fathers son that one. A livewire. The lassies are bonnie wee things! “ Hotfoots” been running lead with me for a while now, and it has to be said “ She’s gave me a real run for ma money!”
Q: So Skeet, what did you think of Troy’s performance this season?
A: Skeet: That’s a bit personal like! I mean, we’ve hud 6 bairns what more do you want to know? He’s ma Troy boy toy boy, he’s only 5yr old and I’m 8. I like em young!!
Ah, ye mean on the trail performance! Well, I think he’s done a great job wae the bairns showing them the ropes. He’s got brains as well as nice strong thighs!
Q: Troy how do you think Skeet done this season on the trail?
A: Troy She was C_ _ P !! She had 2 o they post natal depression phantom thingy’s! I’ve had to live wae lotions and potions and tablets for this & that. She’s took up aw the space in the medicine chest, there’s been nae space for ma “Hairy Beast “shampoo or ma “Doggy Deodorant”. She had chicken mince for brains aw season! She’s had mum pack leader aw colours o the rainbow & confused the hell out o the kids when they’d been learning their turns. aaAArGH women!! Other than that, she’s no as daft as she looks, and aye she can be a bit hormonal but, she’s also got a trim wee waist and a no bad set o pins!!
Q: Do you have any advice to give to prospective parents?
A: Troy: Eh, spend as much time with them as you can! Be patient, be firm but fair, but most of all, enjoy them!! Because before you know it they flee the whelping box in search of new trails!!!!
A: Skeet Ditto to that!! Well folks, that’s our new kids in town got their 1st season under their harnesses! Now, we really must dash! We’ve got ears & faces to clean & tails to brush! Here’s to a short summer and a long cold winter with icicles on our butts !!
Happy trails From all at Valaskialf
Amanda & Tobias Leask amandaleask@yahoo.co.uk
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