Hi Boys and Girls,
I’m really disappointed today. I was going to go on my first run this weekend. I had been so excited. The weather here warmed up this past week and we had some frozen rain last Friday. The trails are all frozen ice. My human said it was not safe to take Slate (my brother) and myself out on ice for our first run. She said that there is a greater chance to get hurt and she wants our first run to be a fun experience for us. Slate and I are trying very hard to understand and not be too sad. My human says we’re expecting a lot of snow over the next few days and the trails should be in good shape soon. I just need to be patient.
My human thought this would be a good time to go over my goals with me. I also showed her all the goals you have made and shared with me. She said all our goals were great and now we need to make a plan to achieve those goals. She gave me some things to read for my kennel work (I think humans call this homework!). Then she gave me a worksheet to fill out with my goal plan. Can you tell my human is a teacher.
I want to share with you what I have learned. There are 3 steps in goal setting. The first step is to set a goal. You have to make sure the goal is something you will be able to achieve. Then you need to have a timeline. And finally, you need to come up with the steps you need to take to achieve your goal.
I’ve already told you my goal is to run on a team. While I would love to run in the Iditarod, that is not likely to happen. Making it my goal would not be reasonable. So, my first goal is: I will make my home team and run with them on a regular basis. Once I do that, I will make another goal for running in races. I need to take this one step at a time.
Now I have to set a time to do it by. Saying it’s going to be next week is unreasonable. I’m young, and I haven’t ever run on the team. So I’m going to say I’m going run with the team by next fall.
Okay, great- I’m going to run on the team by next fall. Sounds good, but how do I make sure that happens. Well first I need to listen to my humans and study hard and do my kennel work. I need to learn the mushing commands and what they mean. I have a real problem with “Gee” and “Haw”. I get them mixed up all the time. Lastly, I need to try hard whenever I’m running with the team this winter and show my humans how much I enjoy doing it.
That should do it. I’m going to go to the window now and watch the snow fall and hope it’s enough snow to start my goal. I want you to look your goals over, make sure you can reach them, and then decide when and how you will get there. It will really help when you have a plan.
Happy goal setting,
Gypsy
9 Comments
That sounds like a terriffic plan for achieving goals! I am working on my own as well. i am going to be playing drum set with my friend’s steel drum band during the second week in February. I am practicing about an hour and a half almost every night. I’m sorry about you not getting to take your first run just yet. I hear that the lack of snow has been a problem for mushers and their dogs this year. I hope that this will change very soon!
HI sis
We have not gone on our first snow run either. We both have run on the scooter though. Sue says I (Opal) have stretching exercises this month, and then next month we might try the harness again. My goal is to be able to use my shoulder and leg again in the way it was meant to be used, before I fractured it. I cannot remember that, I was too young a pup. Sue is going to Iditarod this year to help take care of the dropped dogs. She said she will miss us but will take lots of photos to show us what all those dogs in Alaska are doing in March. Sue is going to California and will meet our brothers Obi and Coal. woowoo Bye for now Opal…and Granite
Hi Sis,
Glad you are feeling better. You should see the snow here. Remember when we were pups and we got to play in the snow?? Sure wish you and Granite were close enough to come and play.
Slate and I send lots of husky hugs to you and Granite.
Gypsy
Wow, what awonderful article. I am going to read this to my grade one class on Monday. I love dogs and anything to do with them. I hope Gypsy gets to run some day. I have to Akitas, Samurai and Masshiro and a German Shepherd, Baldric. They love to walk and run. Samurai and Masshiro love the cold, snowy weather, especially snow diving, however, I don’t think they ever dream of running in a great race. Happy training… Lesley
Thanks for your comments!
I know Gyypsy will get her chance to run!
Lots of Tail Wags,
Zuma
Thanks for reading Lesley. I hope your first graders like the article. Stayed tuned- I have some VERY EXCITING news to share and will be posting another article soon.
Gypsy.
How is your brother Slate doing? Also how are you doing? I hope you get to run in the race next fall! I am sorry you couldn’t go for a run a few days ago. But, I did not want you to get hurt so it was probably best that you didn’t get to go out! I am sure if I was you I would have wanted to go out also!
Your best fans,
Amanda and Kristina
Hi zuma my name is kyra
Hi Kyra, thanks for writing, Zuma
how do you remember all of your commands. I would get really nervous especially if i was the lead dog because then you would mess up the whole team if you had a mistack. my goal is to adopt a siberian huskey. Mackenzie from IN
Hello!
Remembering the commands is important and like in anything. It takes practice. There aren’t many commands to remember, Gee means go right, Haw means go left, Straight and on by… Just like humans learning what words mean, my fur friends do the same… practice! Good luck with your goal!
Lots of Tail Wags,
Zuma
Dear Gypsy ,
those sound like so interesting goals my goal is to become a teacher. To do that I will have to study hard and get good grades .
My teacher says to dig deeper that way I can have my students dig deeper when I get a class.I was wondering has the Iditarod ever been cancled because Of cold weather. You know if Karen could complete the Iditarod in 98 hours or less she could break the record
Jordan
Dear Gypsy,
How old are you,where do you live,when do you think you’ll be ready for the Iditarod? How many times do you think people in the Iditarod take breaks?How long do the people in the Iditarod usually race in one day? I have lots of questions(as you can see ). But i also have lots of goals too. I would one day like to write a story when i grow up. I also am trying to study for my upcoming tests at school to get good grades. Gypsy,do you have any more goals? Write me back please :).
Your friend,
Hunter
Hi Jordan and Hunter,
Thanks for writing.
Jordan, your goal for becoming a teacher is great. I wish you the best of luck.
The Iditarod has not been cancelled due to cold weather.
Hunter, What a day to ask me how old I am. Today is my first birthday. I live in New Hampshire. The team at my kennel have no plans to run the Iditarod. We are mostly a recreational sled dog team and we may do a few short races next year. You have a lot of great questions. Many about the running of the Iditarod have different answers depending on the musher. When the Iditarod starts (March 1), follow a few of the mushers, and you will be able to tell the breaks they take and how many miles they run each day. Remember it will be different for each team.
Your goals for good grades and to be writer are really good ones. As for me, I want to make the team, I want to finish my schooling to be a good journalist, and I want to stay healthy so I don’t have to go see the vet!
Thanks for your letters.
Gypsy