Monday 4 April 2011

Ch. NorthWapiti's Valkyrie Kara

Ch. NorthWapiti's Valkyrie Kara
July 27, 1999 - April 1, 2011

The house seems empty, the Cloud is vacant, the DentaStixs are uneaten...we are all in mourning and will be for a long time. 

Kara had been sick for a while - I hadn't mentioned it because it was just too painful - so I have had lots of time to prepare myself for the inevitable. It hasn't help much though.

I always maintained that Kara was the perfect Siberian - she was a dynamic lead dog, an excellent show dog, a great brood bitch, good with cats, and completely trustworthy off leash - PERFECT. 

The records will show her as the first Siberian bitch to be a Champion showdog and an Iditarod finisher. 

But in my heart, none of that really matters. She was my VERY best friend and the hole in my heart is huge. I miss her every moment.


My deep gratitude to all my family and friends that understand my pain and have allowed me to say goodbye and grieve as I needed to.

Karen

To live in the hearts we leave behind is not to die. -Thomas Campbell

66 comments:

Natalie van der Merwe said...

Your best friend will ALWAYS be with you Karen...always. You just need to close your eyes...to remember everything she left in your heart. God Speed Kara...

kevin said...

sorry for your loss,Karen

NAK and The Residents of The Khottage Now With KhattleDog! said...

The words just aren't coming -

Please know that my Khyra has always found Kara to be her role model -

Of course, the good with cats was always going to be a stumbling block -

A special candle will be lit tonight - along with a special DentaStix

One day I'll have my own heart with a huge hole - but until then, I'll hug Khyra in your honour -

Phyll and Khyra

Kira & Kalle & all Whities said...

Only happiness is doubled when you share it!
Our Love and Tears be with you!

Anonymous said...

Such a big loss. I'm so sorry Karen.

Carol

rhonda surmon said...

Oh, Karen...so sorry to hear about Kara...arghhh..it's getting where all the dogs I have met and known are leaving...so sorry to hear about Princess Kara..I have great memories of you bringing her to school. My most vivid Kara memory was when I was at your place asking if you have ever lost a dog...and lo and behold Kara ran away that day because she was scared of that noise and the search party was on. I will never forget that mom look of concern on your face until she was found! I am thinking of you and Mark today!!

Anonymous said...

So sorry, Karen. No need to explain this loss; Kara was mentioned so often in your blog it was easy to see how important she was to you, your family and your kennel. I'll miss hearing about her. DentaStix will never be the same.

Marcia in PA

Elaine MacDonald said...

I am so sorry for the loss of your best friend.

It's never easy...

Zhai'helleva Kara.

AR Travis said...

So very sorry to hear this! I understand the pain, I said goodbye to my dear friend and heroine of 18 years in January of 2009. It still hurts to think of her. Hugs and condolences to the Wapiti team. Run free Kara, you've more than earned it.

Unknown said...

Dear Karen,

No words can ease the pain, at least I hope you find some solace in knowing that people like me, you have not even met share your loss and your pain.

I share my life with such a friend and dread the moment that surely will come.

While we sometimes fear life our friends embrace it fully and fully they give to us. Sometimes some of us also fear death and they don't.
It is a lot our friends can teach us.

Eventually the pain is gone and what remains are all the happy memories of the wonderful moments shared. She will always be with you and a part of her spirit is with her children who still share your life, may they bring some light in this dark moment.

kind regards
Jose Valverde/Austria

Julie said...

I am soo soo sorry.

btdt with our three sibes.
Still miss them dearly.

cyber hugs and prayers

Unknown said...

...:(

My heart goes out to you and your family. We all have 'that special one', and no matter how we try to prepare, it just can't be done.
We still miss our Bandit after 5 years.
Carry a wash-cloth with you; and know your extended family out here are praying for peace for you.

Anonymous said...

I am so, so sorry for your great loss...

Polly Bray said...

Oh no! I'm so sorry to hear this. Loosing any dog is never easy but when you have that "special connection" it's so much tougher. What a fantastic pic of the two of you (and Bet's head). I thought that was a great pic the first time I saw it. Her being the perfect dog was her way of saying thank you for giving her the perfect life and allowing her to experience all she did.

God speed Kara

Polly Bray

Anne Melrose said...

So, so sorry, Karen. There are no words...........

Run free, Kara

Anonymous said...

I'm adding my tears to this sad news. Your posts about Kara showed the love you shared.

She's running free now. Till you meet again, she'll be watching over you. Love never disappears, it's patient and it's always there.

Rose in Wpg

Joli said...

Soooo sorry to hear of the news. I'm shedding tears for her and you as I remember the brief time I met her last summer and have enjoyed following her as well through your posts. My deepest sympathy during this difficult time.

Anonymous said...

Oh my, I teared up when I saw the blog title. There are no words... I know the emptiness and grief you feel - you all are in my prayers.
Mary in Oregon

Michelle Delaliaux said...

So sorry to hear of the loss of Kara. I can see through the many writings of her over the years how important a dog she was and even more importantly a cherished companion to you and Mark and the family. It is tough to lose your true heart dog.

Beth Wheeler said...

It is so hard to lose our furry companions... they truly do give all of themselves to us with no strings... sending warm hugs.

Arctis said...

So sorry to hear about Kara. She definitely was a special girl and I'm glad to have met her.

Unknown said...

We're so very sorry, Karen.

Anonymous said...

OH gosh. I'm so sorry. What an amazing Sibe. I know my Juno would look to her as a perfect role model. (we're still working on cats though.)

They do have a way of entering our hearts and sticking there daily like glue. It must feel very painful not to have her there. I will hug and run Juno daily as a reminder for her spirit.

Wild Dingo

mgailt said...

Oh, Karen -- I can barely see properly through the tears to type, but know my heart is with you today. Every time I look at Ice 'n Ayla, and think of my Kiah, I want to give you HUGZ today!

Unknown said...

Soooo sorry to hear this. Kara was an amazing Sibe!

Susan said...

Karen and Mark, I am so sorry to hear of this amazing dog's death. It was very clear in all the blogs that Kara was indeed your best friend and the dog yard queen. My heart is with your as we grieve the loss of this tremendous dog.

djqhusky said...

Godspeed Kara.
My sympathy Karen and Mark.

Moose-Tipping said...

So incredibly sorry for your loss Karen. That is something that I always dread as I see some of my best 4-legged friends getting older.

Teanna said...

Even though I didn't know her, I can empathize. She is what we all aspire to. (Siberian-trained human in Pennsylvania).

Joanne Dixon said...

So sorry for this crushing loss of your best friend Karen. I understand exactly where you are just now. Her adventures will be missed by many who knew her through her stories.
Princess Kara had the most wonderful life with you, Mark, and the rest of her North Wapiti family. Now she will be in charge at the Bridge with the rest of the team......Godspeed Kara

Laura said...

We are so sorry, Karen, for the loss of an incredible friend in your life. Kara was truly a magnificent and human-like, endearing personality. We will all miss her, even those who have not met her in person!

Laura Stange

Nannette Morgan said...

I'm SO sorry to hear about your sweet Kara! I couldn't believe it when I read it. My thoughts and prayers and tears go out to you and your family.

Bonnie said...

God speed Kara....You will be missed by countless people who never knew you but through the stories...... you were a well loved and respected dog....and a good friend....

Marilyn said...

My heart stopped and my stomach dropped when I read the Subject line. Bless her sweet heart, she left paw prints on your soul. My condolences Karen, I know your pain is great.

Unknown said...

Oh Karen, I am so sorry to hear that Kara, beautiful Kara, has gone to the Bridge. I will always remember her in that photograph from an Iditarod run where she is dancing with you. Now she is dancing along the Milky Way. She will be greatly missed by all of us who have followed her for years. God speed, Kara, you have more than earned your silver harness.

Barb and the Pack

Pat Wall said...

Words fail me, but my tears are real and they are many. Another beautiful soul is running free and proud in her silver harness.

granimar said...

Oh Karen, I knew as soon as I saw Penny's headline, but just never believed that Kara would be gone. The tears are still flowing, for the sadness, emptiness, and huge hole in your heart you are experiencing. There are no words, there just aren't, except to say I do know your pain, I understand the hole in your heart. Kara, beautiful patient Kara. You will be so missed---forever.

Helen J said...

So sorry to hear this Karen.
There really are no words to say, but I've shed my tears with you today.

Barbara in Montana said...

It is so hard to write to someone like you who writes so well. But I want you to know, along with all the others who have already written, how my tears are flowing, and how much sympathy I feel for you and Mark. I felt so glad that I was able to be around Queen Kara, and see what a majestic lady she was. When our first Siberian died, a friend said we SHOULD mourn her. She said that Keela was so wonderful and deserved to be mourning. Tara has created a tsunami of tears around the world - what an accomplishment for a dog. What amazing accomplishments this incredible girl has!! God speed, Kara. And be sure to watch over your mom.

Barbara B said...

The tears started with my gasp when I saw the title, and they don't seem to want to stop. I am so sorry, Karen and Mark; guess I thought Kara would just live forever. Always felt bad that I somehow didn't take my own picture of her on my one visit, though I have others. My Mischief has reminded me of Kara in many ways, except as an Alaskan she of course can't add any show titles.

Kara, you have certainly earned the right to wear your silver harness proudly - or no harness if you choose. What a joyous greeting there must have been at the Bridge as her friends and relatives welcomed her. Godspeed, Kara.

Kathryn said...

Karen & Mark - I'm so sorry to hear of Kara's passing. We need to forget about April 1st since I lost my Dakota. It's always hard to lose our best friend. Kara is once again healthy and pain free. She'll be ready to see you again.

Kate's Healthy Home said...

So happy you had Kara in your life, and so sad that she left you so soon. Our deepest sympathies...

Anonymous said...

I am very sorry for your loss. She was a beautiful dog.

Alice Fitzgerald said...

I'm so sorry. Words can not describe how my heart aches for you Karen and for Mark and the rest of the dogs. So many words can be said but they are of little comfort at a time like this. Hold on to each other and keep Kara's memories alive and she will always be with you. I wish I was there to give you a big hug. God Bless You and my prayers of comfort are with you.
Alice Fitzgerald
Connecticut

Williesmom said...

So sorry to hear of your loss. This is one part of being owned by a Sibe that never comes easy. We all know that they never truly leave us.

D.K. Wall said...

Karen - We are so incredibly sorry at such a personal and painful loss. What a perfect companion that will be sorely missed. Our candle is stationed in the window to make sure Kara knows we are thinking of her.

Anonymous said...

Dear Karen,
"Within our hearts, the ones we love are never really gone- in spirit and in memory their legacy will live on."
My heart is full of sadness as are my eyes full of tears. Kara was such a good friend to you & Mark & she filled NW with life. She will always be in my memory. My deepest sympathies go out to you & everyone @ NW. Please know that you gave all of us such joy because you shared her life with us. Run free sweet Kara.
Sitka's Mom(Kelly's sponsor) Lisa
This has been a sad year.

Mary said...

Sorry for the loss of your best friend. May Kara run forever in your heart. Mary, Greg and the Halvorson Huskies.

Anonymous said...

So sorry! I have had Siberians in my life since 1972. They changed my life and I still miss the ones I have lost terribly. I just hope there really is a rainbow bridge for us.

mushmore said...

Great dogs are one of a kind. There traits will live forever in the offspring. Kara will always be around in spirt. God speed.

Suka said...

We read about your loss on Khyra's blog. We wish we had known Kara. The tributes both you and Khyra wrote about her are very touching and lovely. Kara sounds like she was a truly special dog, and the photo of her is just beautiful. Our deepest heartfelt condolences to the loss of your beautiful Kara, and please know that our our thoughts and prayers are with you during this most difficult time.

Peace.

Suka and KrisAnne

Amy / Layla the Malamute said...

I'm so, so sorry for your loss. My Layla isn't a sled dog, but we do a lot of performance events. Last year she swallowed a toy and those few days when I wasn't sure she'd make it, I didn't think or care about agility/obedience/whatever. She's my best friend, so I know exactly what you mean. You're both in my thoughts and prayers.

Tundralady said...

I understand (hugs)

Yas said...

Prayers and hugs for you and family.

We are sorry for your loss.

We heard from Ms Khyra and came to offer our sincerest condolences.

Maxx and Mommy

Dreamer said...

My heart is simply broken. You will be so incredibly missed by so very many. Love and kisses to you, Karen.
Linda in Georgia

Marlyn said...

So so sorry for your loss.

Karen Ramstead said...

Thank you to all for your very kind and thoughtful comments.

Karen

Lee C said...

I'll light a candle for her tonight. So sorry for your loss of one so dear and close to your heart.

Angel Junior, Orion and Sammy said...

Khyra sent us over. We are so very sorry for your loss. She sure was a purrty woofie!

Jans Funny Farm said...

We read of your loss on Khyra's blog and came by to say how sorry we are. Kara sounds like the perfect friend and companion. We know you are missing her very much.

Michelle said...

So sorry to hear of the loss of Kara. she was a special girl.

Carolyn Moran said...

Karen and Mark, Kara has touched our hearts so much over the years. Now they are breaking without you. Godspeed Kara. Carolyn Moran

Anonymous said...

Shedding a tear for you, Karen... What fabulous memories you will carry with you forever, and I know they will eventually put a huge smile back on your face.
Kim and Tana and gang...

BADASmusher said...

Just read this and I am so deeply sorry this time had to come... I kow you will miss her greatly and I will miss reading about her.
Our time with time goes to quickly....

Anonymous said...

I can't believe I missed this blog entry last week! Oh, Karen, I know you're heart is breaking. And even though she had been sick, you can never fully prepare yourself for them leaving. Please know you are in my thoughts and prayers.

Unknown said...

It's's taken a while for me to respond to this stunning news. So very, very sorry for your loss, Karen. Kara was a beautiful soul. mary in nj