While for many today was the start of race season, we spent the day running blissfully through yet another blizzard. We have now gotten almost 2 feet of fresh snow in 6 days 😅😅. This dog team is getting a lot of trail breaking runs in that’s for sure!

I think in the last 3 weeks we have experienced almost every trail condition. This team is ready to crush whatever trail comes our way!

Spent the last day of 2025 running dogs, and the first day of 2026 doing the same. Nothing beats getting out on the runners in a beautiful place! Today’s run we played around on a big lake with superstar open country leader Brooks taking charge solo. Open country leading might be his specialty!

I think Demon needs to share her secrets for perfect snow eyebrows, she’s never looked better!!

While the human has been battling some health challenges making training the dogs more challenging, I’ve still been able to get out a bit and keep the dogs happy and exercising. Not quite the December training schedule I was hoping for, but training nonetheless, and on sleds!!!!

SNOW!!! We got a real snow fall, with the trail setting up really nicely! Our last atv run today, sled runs from here on out!

Snow! 20 miles of snow filled beauty with my best friends!

😛

Not sure about you but I *think* the team might be hard to miss out on the trail this year. Just maybe 🤔 Thank you Asmara Polcyn for sponsoring the team with some new collar lights from my Amazon wish list!!

I don’t know about you but this certainly doesn’t look like a dog team ready to stop! These guys were rocking and rolling on their 17 mile run today! This was taken at mile 11!

Kip’s face when you stop giving him belly scritches…

Some disco dog action from our smoking run tonight!! By far best run all season and our longest one too. So so proud of these dogs!

Two paws up for two successful race registrations this morning! The team is officially entered in both the Copperdog 120 and the Gunflint Mail Run! Let’s hit the trails and get training!

Music to my ears!! This team has been champs in all regards - running, eating, attitude. So happy with how things are progressing! Their favourite meat soup got an upgrade recently with more yummy ingredients to accommodate for the longer miles and calories burned!

Just some good dogs during our ‘post run party’ - basically everyone just runs around together and relaxed while I unharness and unbootie. It’s one of my favourite times of the day!

With fall training in full swing I thought it would be a good time to share our race plans for the season! For the first time in several years I am training my own team of dogs again and have a busy race season planned for this winter!

It’s almost like they love their job 🤔 super leader duo JB and Brooks leading the charge on our 13 mile run today!

Snug as a Jitterbug in a rug

Another day another slay by this awesome dog team! 12.5 miles in 7C/45F is no joke but these guys rocked it! Was a wildlife filled run, 3 🦊, 8 🐓(grouse), and 4 🦌(including one 8 point buck who wasn’t too impressed being chased by a dog team!)

Crushing our fall training runs!!

A few from the last few days! Training is in full swing & the dogs are absolutely crushing it. I come home from each run saying ‘that’s our best run yet!’ literally every single time. Speed & stamina really crushing it, especially considering we haven’t had a single run it’s been under 5 degrees!

A little glimpse into our morning run! As much as I love trees, I do not love when they block our trail!

It’s been a very busy week here. Earlier this week Queso and her other shy friend, Oozie, had their final vet appt to be able to go to their new home. They were given the all clear and were ready to finally go home! Yesterday I drove over 7 hours to bring them to their new forever home.

* Cue Music - Jump Around*

I think they *may* like sleeping on the bed 🤔

Signed up for our first race of the season! Have an action packed season. Looking forward to being back at one of my absolute favourite races!

From sled dogs to bed hogs, these dogs certainly know how to live the good life!

Another day more dog butts

Nothing but dog toots and happiness in a bed with barely enough room for me

“Hello I would like snacks” - JB probably

Well friends Queso’s had a long adventure the last few days. On Friday morning her hopeful adoptive family was getting her in the car to head home when she slipped her collar & took off. We spent several hours looking for her with no luck. We were hopeful she would turn back up at my kennel.

Queso (now dubbed Fancy Nancy) is off on a trial adoption with neighbours down the road. She has staked claim on their rug and is already the official greeter of their household. She’s catching on to house dog things really fast, and apparently has already stolen two hamburgers off the counter 🫣

Officially introducing Queso. For anyone who has been following me for a little bit, this girl came from the same kennel that I rescued “Blind Mike” from last spring. Queso (and another friend) are here with me for a better life.

New friend who dis 🤔

A collection of Kip and JB. Kip doing Kip things, and JB questioning why she has been paired with this crazy boy

Our favourite time of year has begun!!!!! Here’s to a fun filled season with my favourite canines!

Two unlikely (mostly) friends sharing the bed together. I Definetly never thought JB would be able to relax around the kitty!

Merch is live!!! There are 4 different designs to choose from, with various products for each design. The shop will be live for several weeks, proceeds going towards our busy race season. Thank you to everyone who continues to support me and my canine athletes 🐾 criss-cross-racing.myspreadshop.ca

Demon and her new buddy Kip patiently waiting for 🎣 scraps 😋

Merch release coming on Tuesday! Here’s a little sneak peek of what I will have available! Can’t wait to share more! #musherbluesky

The faces of two happy boys getting their daily belly rubs

Exciting things in the works. Let’s hope for approval and some new race trails for dog teams across the Midwest!! 🐾🐾🏆

Friends at the beach 🐾☀️

Kip is excited to announce our first merch release in over 5 years!! We haven’t released any Criss Cross Racing gear since we ran Jr Iditarod. With several races planned for this winter & first time in 3 years training for races, I’m excited to release some new merch very shortly!

It’s been a busy few weeks here. There’s been several days cool enough to take all the dogs out for short scooter runs to help keep them in shape. Yesterday all 4 dogs got out for a fun jaunt

Every retweet adds one treat to the box?😬

I think I know why Kip likes Demon so much, she’s an upside down dog just like him. Who has the better flop?!?

Meet Demon! Meet Demon! This 2 y/o pocket rocket joined the team from Abitibi Sled Dogs. She’s a petite girl with a beautiful temperament & shows great leader potential! I’m excited to have her join the team for the year & develop her leader skills with my small team!

It’s been a busy few weeks here at the kennel. Last week Liam welcomed his new hunting buddy, Reggie, to the family. He’s a German Wirehair Pointer that will join him on all his fishing and hunting adventures. All the sled dogs love him (even Kip who can be a bit of a jerk!)

I think they might be BFF’s or something🥺🥺