Our goal at BeingThere is an entirely free-run kennel. But with 16 dogs at the moment free-running all the dogs is not something that can be done entirely at once or without supervision.

I can and do free-run all the dogs together, but it would take many paragraphs to explain all the parameters, about who can run with who, who can jump the fence, who can free run outside the fence without touring the neighborhood, who likes to fight, who doesn't understand when or when not someone is done with their dinner, and on and on. The dynamics are complicated and all of the dogs' personalities and behaviors must be factored in. I spend a lot of time with my dogs, and the more time I spend the better it gets. I firmly believe all the time spent with them in the yard and free running allows for a much more cohesive team out on the trail.

Lia is the most recent introduction to the group and she's still learning how we do things. She free runs most the time now. We have worked up to that, but I still like to chain her at dinner time. I'm just dog-sitting her, but I am becoming quite attached. It's all good, because when Kathy returns and we run our teams together, then Lia and all of my sledders will be well acquainted.

Behind Lia is Churrie (in Lia's house) and Cracker. They are both free running 100% now and recently I've let Cracker run naked. Each of these dogs were cast-off and adopted from our local shelter. Cracker is in retirement, Churrie has become my #2 leader and I'm very excited to see Lia run this season, I think she's going to be great.

Pardon all the narrative, sometimes I just want to explain a bit.

Tags:   Fairbanks Alaska sled dog Alaska Husky rescue Lia Churrie Cracker BeingThere dr.Ozda

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I think you'll be seeing more of her.

My friend Kathy is building her dog team with shelter rescues and other re-homed dogs. Lia will be living with the BeingThere crew this summer.

(background Texture here by Darkwood67)

Tags:   Fairbanks Alaska sled dog Alaska Husky Ophelia Lia Princess Lia shelter dog rescue FNSB Animal Shelter dr.Ozda ldl portraits

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This is one of our regular winter mushing trails down on the flats. Kathy and I took six sledders down there for some free running, five females and Musky. Run, run, run, run, run, run, run....

Lia is staying with the BeingsThere for the summer, she's just getting used to it and making her adjustments. Here she watches as Musky, Sandy and Salty whoop it up at the edge of a natural clearing we call the Serengeti.

Tags:   Fairbanks Alaska Nordale Flats sled dog Alaska Husky summer free run Musky Sandy Salty Lia BeingThere dr.Ozda the little dog laughed

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My main leader. Fastidious in his paw maintenance. Lia waits behind.

Tags:   Fairbanks Alaska North Pole Chena Flood Control Project Army Corp of Engineers sled dog Alaska Husky dog mushing Beluga paw maintenance BeingThere dr.Ozda

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Lia and Storm

Tags:   Fairbanks Alaska North Pole Chena Flood Control Project sled dog Alaska Husky mushing Frodo Lia Storm BeingThere dr.Ozda

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