Things are beginning to seem like Fall around here. The temperatures have finally dropped, so much in fact, that my tomato plants are now in danger – but I can always buy tomatoes and I can’t buy training time on my dogs, so I’m okay with it!
The dogs are really getting with the ‘program’ quickly this year. In fact, I am constantly awed by their attitude in harness. With 36 in training, I continually remind myself and am amazed by the fact that over ½ of this crew will not make it to the Iditarod team. They all, or at least almost all, seem totally capable and eager to head to Nome! We have put a lot of time, blood, sweat, tears, and money into the kennel over the years to get to this level and I am THRILLED to see things really coming together!
I thought I would go through and introduce everyone to the ‘pool’. Some I’ve talked about at length over the years, so I’ll just mention them by name, but the young ones that are ‘here’ for the first time, I will tell you all something about.
Returning for another year are (in no order other then the order I feed them in each night);
NorthWapiti’s Super Grover
NorthWapiti’s Draco
Chuchinka’s Nikolai 2nd
NorthWapiti’s Sir Galahad (Surge)
Ch. Innisfree Pirate’s Treasure (Pirate)
NorthWapiti’s Robert E. Lee (Squeaky)
NorthWapiti’s Orion
Chuchinka’s Pathfinder (Chester)
Ch. NorthWapiti’s Loki
NorthWapiti’s Mr. Snuffleupagus (Gus)
NorthWapiti’s Kobuk
Ch. Kainai’s Anchorman (Mannie)
NorthWapiti’s Denali
NorthWapiti’s Odin
Ch. NorthWapiti’s Guy Smiley
Chuchinka’s San Antonio Rose (Kaylinn)
Alaskan’s Olena of Anadyr
NorthWapiti’s Nahanni
NorthWapiti’s Valkayrie Kara
NorthWapiti’s Camilla
NorthWapiti’s Kluane
and
Ch. NorthWapiti’s Freya
The 2 year olds coming into this group are a good and solid bunch. They are;
NorthWapiti’s Barq’s Got Bite (NorthWapiti’s Butch Cassidy SD x Alaskan’s Jumper of Anadyr) – Barq is a leggy, over enthusiastic, young man. His eyes, one being blue and one half blue and half brown, add to his slightly crazed persona. He is, however, one of the fastest dogs I’ve ever hooked up. If I can just get him to stay still long enough to get a harness on, he should be a real contender for the team.
NorthWapiti’s Crunchie (NorthWapiti’s Super Grover x Northome’s Visa) – Crunchie is, quite possibility, my favorite of the 2 year olds. He has his father’s sweet and serious personality – with his Mom’s ‘Velcro’ qualities. His first runs in lead where so wonderful, it made the hair on my arms stand up. I have HIGH hopes for this handsome, shiny black boy!
NorthWapiti’s Skor (NorthWapiti’s Super Grover x Northome’s Visa) – a littermate to Crunch, Skor is the bigger, goofier one of the brothers. He struggled a bit earlier in the season, but now seems to have found his legs and is a serious, hard driving contributor to the team!
NorthWapiti’s Snickers (NorthWapiti’s Super Grover x Northome’s Visa) – Snickers is the sweetest, most affectionate gal you could imagine. She loves nothing more then pets and scratches – well, except maybe for running! She is a good-sized girl with a tremendous athletic build. One of Mark’s very favorites in the kennel!
NorthWapiti’s Pepsi (NorthWapiti’s Butch Cassidy SD x Alaskan’s Jumper of Anadyr) – Peps is a wonderful combination of both her parents. A super build, a head for lead and a desire to get moving. Could I ask for anything more??
NorthWapiti’s Sprite (NorthWapiti’s Butch Cassidy SD x Alaskan’s Jumper of Anadyr) – Sprite is very hard to tell apart from her sister, Pepsi – except for the fact that she has 2 brown eyes where Peps has one blue and one brown. Both of the girls have had their turn leading already and are showing tremendous promise!
NorthWapiti’s Dasher (NorthWapiti’s Butch Cassidy SD x NorthWapiti’s Valkyrie Kara) – Dasher is a ‘young’ 2, having been born in December of 01 – however you would never, ever figure that out by watching her in harness. She’s already doing more leading then most of her young peers. She is AMAZING!
NorthWapiti’s Holland Lake (NorthWapiti’s Odin x Chuchinka’s San Antonio Rose) – Holly is really not expected to make the team this year, being that she was born in March of ’02. However, she seems rather determined to stay with the ‘training pool’ and is putting in solid runs for us. If she gets cut this season, we expect her back with a vengeance in ’04!
The rest I’m saving for the next entry!
Karen
