So This Happened - Bet

Twig chewed up my Ugg booties!!!!!

Sigh... teenagers!

- Bet

Twas The Night Before Christmas - Bet

Twas the night before Christmas, and Santa was near
but I couldn't hear him, cause Twig drooled in my ear

The pups were all nestled in their warm, soft straw beds

while visions of Grandmom's pancakes danced in my head

Twig freshly bathed

Our bags were all packed (with all of my best ensembles)

Visiting Grandmom for the holiday while Fran helped hold down the fort.

So this poem doesn't really rhyme, except we want to say...

Merry Christmas to all, and to all a Merry Christmas... or somethings (and stuffs)

- Bet

Puzzle Patrol - Bet

Howdy Ho Everybodies!!!

I hope you enjoyed the Star Wars quiz and prizes and stuffs and things!  I want to thank Fran for taking that challenge on and organizing, and all that (stuffs and things).

While she was doing that, I had to take the Puzzles out on a little exercise run, and of course Molly wanted to get out of the yard as well.  She's been cooped up with her puppies for a while, and like all mothers, she was hoping for a little adult time instead of answering questions like "why is the sky blue" and "if Bear isn't a bear, but he's a bear, what does a real bear look like" and the all time favorite "why?".

The puzzles were keen to get out in the snow.  There's nothing like a romp in fresh snow to get the blood flowing.

HEY, are we going or what???

At first everything was very organized and they were listening to instructions.

Go left... no the other left.  LEFT!!!  Oh wait Gee... or HAW... UGH!

Then we realized that it would be easier to just walk Molly and they would follow.  We have Molly on a leash because she's threatened to run off and become a secretary recently.

We had a nice grouping going for a while

But, puppies being puppies will get distracted by the smallest of things and start to wander around

Um... ok, that's not exactly a small thing, but he is distracting

It was at this point that the puzzles figured out that whoever held the leash got to say where we go.

Let's go this way!!!

No, let's go this way!!!

But I wanna go THIS way!

Let's RUN!!!

Can I have a turn, can I, can I have a turn???

Wait, wait, I want a turn, I want a turn!

MOOOOOM come on!!!!

Bet... can we go home now?

Molly had enough, so we started back home, where she hoped that the Puzzles would be exhausted by their adventure and take a nap so she could get some peace and quiet, but then...

MOM!  If this is bear poop, then if Bear did it in the middle of the woods...

I don't know if Molly got any rest, but I certainly took a nap!

- Bet

My Pets - Bet

Howdy Ho Everybodies!

I know, I know, I haven't been very busy posting the bloggity blogs, but we do have a lot going on around here.  The Puzzles are in handful stage, they've just discovered snow.

The teams are out training, so I'm needed to coach that, plus there's Twig.

Sigh...

Ya know, I've been trying to find a loyal and wonderful pet companion that will snuggle with me and try on fashionable ensembles, and eat the shrimps with and sit and chat and all that...

I thought that KD would be perfect because she adored me, and cuddled with me and let me put fashionable ensembles on her.

Then I had to go to Alaska to help the Musher run the Iditarod and while I was gone Tic and Bait RUINED her.

She hates me still.

Then the Musher got me a Coolie sister!  I don't think there could be a better friend than a Coolie sister because we could herdy herd the baa baa sheepie things together, and gossip, and try on ensembles, and do our nails and go out for coffee or somethings (or somestuffs).

She was the perfect friend.

We snuggled, we played, we had fun!

But as she's getting into her teenage years, she's now wanting to go off on her own, do her own things, NOT wear fashionable ensembles.

The tipping point was her whole permanent collar thing... she's all like "I'm an adult now I don't need you" and blah blah (she's been hanging around Tramp waaaaay too much frankly), but at the end of the day, she's all like this:

Erm...

And then there's THIS:

Apparently I'm nothing more than a chew toy holder.  Did I mention she drools?  On my furs!

Don't get me wrong, I love her to bits.  She's adorable, and peppy and happy, and we have a ball running and playing and doing stuffs and things together, but she's getting older.  She's her own fierce dog now, so we're like bestie friends.

I kinda still want to have a pet that I can boss love.

I was thinking one of these:

They don't grow very big, they're adorable, I'm sure they don't drool.

The only problem I can foresee is it also looks pretty tasty to some cats and it also kinda looks porcupiney, which the Musher is adamant about.

Can you think of another perfect pet for me?

- Bet

Your Stocking Stuffer Solution - Bet

Hey Everybodies!

Tired of the same old stocking stuffers??

Run out of ideas on what to put in those stockings?

Well have we got something for you!!!!!

Hi, I'm Bet on a shelf and boy do we have something FABulous to put into your stockings this year!

It's the North Wapiti Patch!  Perfect for stocking stuffing, small enough to fit in the smallest stocking, and just wait until you hear the screams of joy!

Everybodies wants a North Wapiti patch in their stocking, so get your order in now!  Plenty of time before the holidays to get your patches and then all you have to do is sit back, sip your coffee and wait for the gleeful happiness!!!

Just go to the page and click the buttons and a happy Musher Minion will zip those patches out to you jiffy quick!

Be the bestest parent, spouse, friend, acquaintance, perfect stranger in the whole wide world and get yourself some Pretty North Wapiti Kennels patches!

You can click here to get to the Patches ordering place

Thank you!

- Bet

My New Collar - Twig

Hey Fans!!!

The Musher told me that it's time for my official sheep herding collar, and I. AM. STOKED!

I've been wearing my very pretty, bright orange temporary collar for a while now, and I've almost outgrown it, which means I'm old enough for my official herdy collar!

All herdy dogs have collars from the coveted Kenyan Collection place.  You can't be an official herdy coolie until you get one of them.

The Musher gave me the catalog to choose my new permanent collar and frankly all of the collars are wonderful and colorful and brave and fierce and I simply can't decide!!!

This is where I need your help!

Bet told me that when she couldn't decide on her perfect collar, she asked all of the peoples for their opinions, so I'm asking you to help me choose my herdy collar!!!

I hope you don't mind.  I know it's a big decision and all, but I do trust your opinions on what will match my furs, and the symbols and meaning behind the collar, and all of that stuff (and things).

So, I'm posting my final picks and just go over to the poll on the right side of the blog and vote for the one you think speaks to my soul... or just looks fabulous, but speaks to my fierceness... remember, fierce has to be in there somewhere because I am... fierce.

So here are the choices that I'm leaning toward:

Hippo Circus

Hippo Circus Page

Unity

Unity Page

Primary Colors

Primary Page

Of course, they aren't in any order of my choices (ok, they really are, I like the Hippo Circus), so don't let my opinion sway you, no... not at all...

So go and vote and we'll close out the voting Sunday at noon and we'll see where the chips lay, but don't let the chips lay on the floor, especially if they're potato chips because those things are tasty... um... sorry, got distracted there for a moment.

Let me know what you think I'll like and is fabulous and fierce while I herd!!

Thank you!

- Twig

Raffle for a Wonderful Cause - Bet

PEOPLES!!!!

You need to get in on this because it's a cart the Musher donated, and the proceeds are going to the Willow Sockeye Fire destruction thing, and it'll help a lot of people things, and you might win it even and stuff and things!!!

Here's the scoops:

Without further ado, here is our big, huge, exciting announcement:

your chance to win a brand new Arctis Cart for only $10!

A donation by Karen Ramstead / North Wapiti Kennels to benefit Willow Dog Mushers Association.

Our latest model 3-wheel cart with the following specs and options:

LWH 72x48x48"

Winner gets to choose 90 or 120lb version

Folds flat to 20" height

Hydraulic disc brakes on rear wheels

"Digger" claw brake

Rear suspension

Traction tires

Fenders

Powder coated frame, winner picks color

Sled bag

Commemorative "North Wapiti Kennels / Arctis Cart" plaque

Retail value $2929

Earlier this year, we were trying to come up with creative ideas for our continued support of Karen Ramstead's team for the next season. One idea was, to donate the proceeds of a cart auction/raffle to Karen's kennel. 

In June, the Sockeye fire destroyed 26 homes in the mushing community of Willow, AK, most of those were mushing kennels.

Karen and us decided to change plans, donate not only proceeds, but 100% of the funds to the Willow Dog Mushers in order to help with recovery.

In April of this year, we had just been to Willow to deliver one of our carts to a local musher, whose home (and new cart) were also destroyed in the fire, so this one hit even closer to home for us.

So here's what you need to do:

If you are outside(lower 48) call Underdog Feeds at (907)373-6851 with your credit card number and get one ticket or ten. Limited to 1000 tickets.

Here's the flyer... 

NOW GET ON THE PHONE!!! Don't make me get bitey face!!!!

Ramstead vs Ramstead

The Rousey / Holm fight in Melbourne yesterday had NOTHING on the Ramstead / Ramstead Border Collie weight match here at the kennel today.


Round one was hotly contested from the opening bell.

 The Champion used cunning and experience, while the young upstart relied on teeth and speed!

The crowd was on the edge of their seats!!!!!!!!

After much discussion, the judges gave the first round to the Champion!

Round 2 started out well for Ramstead, but quickly Ramstead got the upper paw.

And then it happened..... to the shock of all, the Champion was knocked out

I think a rematch is already in the works...

Puppy Name Scoop - Bet

Howdy Ho Everybodies!

I'm sorry that I've neglected my bloggity blogging duties lately, but I've been ultra mega mega busy around here, what with mentoring Twig and NEW PUPPIES, and my usual duties around North Wapiti Kennels!

I was trying to let Twig do more with the bloggity blog, but she's a youngster still, more interested in doing stuffs and things and short attention span, and getting distracted, and not following through with stuffs and things...

Anyhoo, where was I?  OH YES!!!!  I have a big scoopity scoop about the puppies!!!

I overhead the Musher and Musher Mark discussing the litter name!  I know, I know they were born during that whole "Back to the Future" thingie, but Biff didn't like her name, and Dee Lori Ann was mad that she had been named after a crappy car and blah blah blah.

I mean, just listen to the complaining!

Trouble!!
Posted by Karen Ramstead / North Wapiti Kennels on Friday, November 13, 2015

Who wants to listen to that all the time!  Eeesh.  They're almost as bad as the Poutines of Anarchy.

So the Musher and Musher Mark thought and thought and pondered and paced and looked up stuffs and things and finally I overheard the litter theme while I was relaxing on my clouch with a sheet of comforting fabric softener.

WHAT?  You don't like the soothing scent of fabric softeners**?  I love the used fabric softeners because they smell very nice, and when you roll on them, they keep the lint from your furs!!  You should try it sometime, especially when you've had a rough day and just need a little sumthin to calm your nerves....

what?  OH the LITTER NAME, yes, yes... ok, so are you ready?

I heard the Musher say that they will name the litter after Puddles.

YES!!!  I love Puddles the clown!!!  His versions of popular and iconic songs are visionary and moving.

His version of "Royals" is splendid, full of pathos and anger, but still pride.  He recently did a Coldplay song!

Of course I really have no idea what the names will be, because I was so happy that the Musher and Musher Mark were honoring Puddles that I ran off and told Twig and asked her to help me celebrate this new....

What Musher?  I'm busy with the bloggity blogging the puppy names!!!!  Yes, I'm telling the peoples the litter theme and I couldn't be happier that.... wha?  Seriously?

Um... okey dokey peoples, so apparently I may have mistaken the litter name a tad bit... erm... it seems that the litter theme will be "Puzzles"... not Puddles.

I have to say that I'm a bit disappointed, but Puzzles are fun... I'm sure there will be good names there and all that... I'll just let the Musher introduce them to you...

Um... sigh... I guess I'm going to have to break the news to Twig now... she's not going to be happy at all...

Does anybodies know how to get greasepaint out of furs?  Just drop me a line... ok?

- Bet

** Professional stunt Border Collie, don't try the fabric softener thingie at home, or without human supervision, only use used fabric softeners and don't be stupid and eat them, they're bad for your digestive systems... this warning was brought to you by one of the Minions who worries about all things legal and suey.