July 19, 2004 Puppy Name Theme

After much discussion with Mark, we are leaning towards a 'Storm' theme for the Kaylinn x Moses litter - with Lightning (one of the girls has a zig zaggy white stripe on her collar), Flash, Boom, Rainy and Thunder my favorites names. We have to avoid any electrical storm names, as Mark is going to name the Surge x Olena puppies after electrical things (after all, he is an electrician). :) Karen

July 15, 2004 2004 Puppies

Well here we go with the first of our 2004 puppies!!

Kaylinn and Moses just welcomed their first puppy at 7:30am. A BIG strapping black and white male.

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10am - grey and white boy.
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10:30 - Puppy number 3, Grey and white male that looks EXACTLY like Puppy #2 I think these greys will be 'saddlebacks' like their Dad, as I've never seen grey puppies quite like these 2 before.
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Finally, at 11:30 - a girl. A grey and white one - just like puppies 2 and 3!

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Well, all the dog books will tell you bitches shouldn't go for more then 2 hours between puppies. Kaylinn (and most of my girls actually) have never read any of the whelping books - so after a 4 1/2 hour break Puppy 5 - a big grey and white girl has arrived.

And that looks to be all she wrote! :)
Karen

July 14, 2004 Sissy's Battle

Over the last few months a very special dog in our lives, Sissy has been waging a fierce battle with cancer. As many of you know, Sissy was a very dependable, strong leader in my team for a number of years. Among her accomplishments she boasts finishes in the Knik 200, Klondike 300, Race to the Sky and Iditarod.

She has also always been an extra special dog in the heart of Mark. A year or so ago Mark made the very selfless decision to let Sissy retire to a wonderful home with Donna Quante. After working through a few settling in issues (Donna's poor cats!!), Sissy and her new family were just getting comfortable with each other when a lump on her elbow was diagnosed as cancer. Bless Donna - she quickly went on the offensive and was determined to obtain the best care possible for Sissy. For many months things were touch and go as Sissy went through aggressive chemotherapy treatments. Donna was great at keeping us posted about Sissy's condition.

Sissy has shown Donna and her vets what Mark and I already knew - she is one tough cookie. She has battle back strongly and it looks like, for now, she is out of the woods. We are all thrilled.

Today is Sissy's 10th Birthday. Mark and I would like to publicly give Donna our heartfelt thanks for giving Sissy the most precious gifts of all - happiness, love and life.

Have a great birthday Sis - maybe you can actually catch one of those pesky squirrels today.

Karen

July 2, 2004 - Mark's Entry Season Totals

Hello:

Well July 1st has come and gone with out much fanfare around here. To most people July 1st means the first real long weekend of the summer, to others its Canada’s birthday & I guess in Eastern Canada its Moving Day (I don’t know what they do if the have to move any other time of the year). Here at North Wapiti Kennels it means the end of one training season and the beginning of another. Nothing that we do actually changes, the dogs don’t notice the change in the date, we still get up early to take advantage of Northern Alberta’s nice cool mornings. The only thing that is done to mark this annual occasion is we zero our database. This allows us to compare one year to the next and to gauge how the kennel is progressing.

Here are the numbers as of July 1st 2004 for the 2003/2004 training season:

- Number of dogs in the training pool, 41

- Number of runs, 209

- Total miles accumulated by the kennel, 55190.00

- Dog with the most miles, Moses with 3076.5

- Dog with the least miles, It’s a tie, Vortec & Spider with 7.5

- Number of dogs over 3000 miles, 5

- Number of dogs over 2500 miles, 17

- Number of dogs under 100 miles, 13

- Dog with the most miles in lead, Kara with 1382.5

- Number of miles Karen did behind a team, 3708, 1890 on a quad, 1818 on a sled.

- Number of miles Mark did behind a team, 1396, 941 on a quad, 455 on a sled.

These numbers are pretty accurate, we measure the mileage with a GPS, we always round down to the nearest half mile and record it on our own special database. Its kind of fun to watch the numbers grow after each run. At the end of each month we print off a month end report and compare to previous years. Our goal is to always be improving and not slack off. At the beginning of each season Karen sets a Monthly goal, if we’re getting close to the end of the month and we’re not near our goal it gives us a bit more motivation to get out of bed.

Here are the numbers as of July 2nd 2004 for the 2004/2005 training season:
- 0

Later,
Mark

June 30, 2004 Fall Warm-Up Weekend Invitation

4th Annual
FALL WARM - UP WEEKEND
September 3 - 6, 2004
 

Location: NorthWapiti Kennels, Perryvale, Alberta, Canada
(approx. 1 hour north of Edmonton)

 

Join us for a weekend of running dogs and socializing with fellow mushers. We will be opening our kennel and trails to all area mushers. Come for a 1/2 day, all day, 2 days or all weekend. There is plenty of camping and miles and miles of beautiful trails in the Tawatinaw River Valley. You will have the option of taking care of your own meals or joining us for a potluck meal each day.

 

This is not a training camp or any type of instructional weekend, but we will be happy to help people with any problems they are having with gear or getting the dogs hooked up for fall training. If interest in high we may run some open forum question and answer sessions in the afternoons. We are also inviting folks to bring along their excess, outdated, no longer wanted mushing gear for an informal swap meet.

 

Any number of dogs are welcome, whether it be 2 or 12. You will need to bring your own quad, carts, or training rigs and everything you need to hook up, secure and care for your own dogs (pickets lines, etc). If you just have one dog - come anyway - the trails are fabulous for a day or weekend hike. Or bring your bike and try out bike-joring. The blueberry crop this year is showing signs of being the best we have ever had - if for no other reason come out to pick blueberries! There will be more here then the bears, ourselves and our neighbors could possibly pick!

 

For further information - or to book a spot (there are no restrictions as for number teams, nor any fees - but we need to know how many are coming and what size teams/campers you are bringing, so we can make room) 

 

Please note - last year we had alot of last minute cancellations with folks wanting to reschedule for another weekend - this is the ONLY weekend we will be available to train with others. (After the long weekend, our Iditarod training schedule kicks into high gear!!)

 

Hoping to see lots of you in September!

 

Karen

June 28, 2004 2005 Iditarod Musher Listing

I thought you might like to see the sign up list for the 2005 Iditarod. Due to a sudden change in the rules, I am in the second draw for starting positions. All mushers that showed up IN PERSON at the sign up picnic in Wasilla are going to be put in the first draw - anyone who signed up the first day, but not in person will be in a second draw. Am I happy about it? Absolutely not. I was especially bothered by the short notice of the rule change (3 weeks when the BYLAWS clearly state 4 MONTHS notice must be given on a rule change) - but it is a done deal and we are not going to dwell on it.

 

The other change to the rule is that the Restart of the Race will happen at 2pm instead of the traditional 10am. Because of that, some mushers, like Martin Buser and Jeff King have not entered the first day with a strategy of being in the 3rd draw and getting a later Bib number. I'm sure you will soon see their names on the musher sign up page.

 

2005 Iditarod Musher Listing - Sign-up order as of June 28, 2004

Signup # Last Name First Name City State Country Sex Status
1 Jones G.B. Wasilla AK USA M Veteran
2 Sihler Frank Wasilla AK USA M Veteran
3 Griffin Kelley Wasilla AK USA F Rookie
4 Solmonson Perry Plain WA USA M Veteran
5 Scdoris Rachael Bend OR USA F Rookie
6 Cummins Randy Wasilla AK USA M Rookie
7 Williams Mike Akiak AK USA M Veteran
8 Ekamarak Willie Akiachak AK USA M Rookie
9 English Ted Willow AK USA M Veteran
10 Mackey Jason Kasilof AK USA M Veteran
11 Swenson Rick Two Rivers AK USA M Veteran
12 Williams Kelly Two Rivers AK USA F Veteran
13 Baker John Kotzebue AK USA M Veteran
14 Redington, Jr Ray Fairbanks AK USA M Veteran
15 Royer Jessie Fairbanks AK USA F Veteran
16 Barron John Helmville MT USA M Veteran
17 Sousa Gerald Talkeetna AK USA M Veteran
18 Brooks Ramy Healy AK USA M Veteran
19 McKee Sandy Fairbanks AK USA F Rookie
20 Seavey Mitch Seward AK USA M Veteran
21 Seavey Dallas Seward AK USA M Rookie
22 Seavey Tyrell Seward AK USA M Veteran
23 Hendricks Jessica Copper Center AK USA F Veteran
24 Capistrant Todd Healy AK USA M Veteran
25 Britz David Willow AK USA M Rookie
26 Plettner Lynda Willow AK USA F Veteran
27 Jonrowe Dee Dee Willow AK USA F Veteran
28 Zirkle Aliy Two Rivers AK USA F Veteran
29 Anderson Ken Fairbanks AK USA M Veteran
30 Currier Judy Wasilla AK USA F Veteran
31 Moderow Debbie Atlin AK USA F Rookie
32 Morgan Phil Anchorage AK USA M Rookie
33 Smyth Cim Big Lake AK USA M Veteran
34 Iten Ed Kotzebue AK USA M Veteran
35 Huttunen Dan Wasilla AK USA M Rookie
36 Fiedler Linwood Willow AK USA M Veteran
37 Bartlett Peter Wasilla AK USA M Veteran
38 Knolmayer Tom Eagle River AK USA M Rookie
39 Lyrek Trine Seward AK USA F Rookie
40 Tresino Dave Talkeetna AK USA M Veteran
41 Steer Zack Sheep Mountain AK USA M Veteran
42 Kyzer Peryll Willow AK USA F Veteran
43 Smyth Ramey Big Lake AK USA M Veteran
44 Steyer Bill Fairbanks AK USA M Rookie
45 Paulsen Gary Tularosa MN USA M Veteran
46 Wang Cliff Lincoln MT USA M Veteran
47 Stamm Ben Argyle WI USA M Veteran
48 Andersen Bjornar Oslo Norway M Rookie
49 Lovati Fabrizio Aosta Italy M Veteran
50 Sorlie Robert Hurdal Norway M Veteran
51 Rasmussen Steve Melrose MN USA M Rookie
52 Burmeister Aaron Nome/Nenana AK USA M Veteran
53 Gatt Hans Atlin BC Canada M Veteran
54 Swingley Doug Lincoln MT USA M Veteran
55 Warren Jim Linwood MI USA M Veteran
56 Stielstra Ed McMillan MI USA M Veteran
57 Ramstead Karen Perryvale Alberta Canada F Veteran
58 Gould Melanie Talkeetna AK USA F Veteran
59 Gebhardt Paul Kasilof AK USA M Veteran
60 Greger Robert Bozeman MT USA M Rookie
61 Smith Scott Dubois WY USA M Veteran
62 Moroney Diana Chugiak AK USA F Veteran
63 Niggemeier Rudi Salzkotten AK Germany M Rookie
64 Smith Greta Chugiak AK USA F Rookie
65 Barron Harmony Lincoln MT USA F Veteran
66 Lanier Jim Chugiak AK USA M Veteran
67 Stamm Mark Riverside WA USA M Rookie
68 Merritt Judy Moose Pass AK USA F Rookie

Keep an eye on the Iditarod website www.iditarod.com for updates as more mushers sign up!

Karen

April 4, 2004 Homecoming

I picked up a People magazine in Watson Lake, BC to read on the drive home. Item 8 down on the Crossword puzzle was; "Alaskan city where the Iditarod race ends". It's 4 letters and starts with a 'N'. Any ideas??? Impossible to believe that just 10 days ago I was still in Nome.

Well, we are back home now. The drive was delightfully uneventful. We even found a nice little grocery store in Watson Lake that had good produce and a nice bakery! My views on the town are looking a little up now! With a nice tail wind blowing the dog truck home and no 'Y'Haul', we made great time and spent Tuesday night with our friends Scott and Denise Linley in Farmington, B.C, rather then Fort Nelson. Denise is the artist that has done all the limited edition fundraising prints for me. What a touching surprise when I walked into her kitchen and found a spectacular oil painting of Orion propped up on the table. She tells me she still has some finishing touches to put on it, so I couldn't take it home quite yet, but I can't wait. She captured him so perfectly in the painting; it brought tears to my eyes.

Being ahead of schedule meant that we arrived home in the daylight instead of late at night. What a treat. The reaction of all the dogs was wonderful. The Iditarod dogs were crazed to get back in the yard and to their houses - the dogs in the yard were nuts to say "Hi' to Mark and I and very excited by the arrival of the Iditarod team. Many stories to share, I'm sure. The only dog not nuts with excitement was our new addition, Westrunner's Atigun Pass. Atigun is a young (5 month old) male pup that I picked up from Jamie West while I was in Alaska. Jamie and I have been talking about this since he was born, but in the end it was hard for her to part with the boy and I wasn't sure he was coming home with us until the day we left. Atigun was a perfect gentleman on the drive home, but our big dog yard barking and screaming at the top of their lungs was very intimidating for him when we arrived. Fly took him under his 'wing' immediately. In fact, it was really interesting that when the dog truck stopped in the yard Fly circled it once and then bee lined for Atigun's box, put his paws up and began to sniff. Remember, Fly hadn't seen the 'A' team in 3 months, but he had no trouble picking out the one dog he had never met before. It took a few hours, but Atigun is completely comfortable in the yard now!
All the dogs that remained at home look great. The puppies are no longer puppies - big, long legged lovely creatures now!

Chip practically ran over top of Mark to say "Hi' to me - my big, fuzzy buddy obviously feels the same way about me as I do about him - even though I've been away from him for almost half of his life!
Kaylinn was beside herself to have us home. She rubbed and rubbed against me, all the while giving that silly grin she gives. The entire yard was frantic for pets and scratches.

The 'A' team quickly settled back into the yard. Squeaky ran big, full speed circles trying to pack down the deep snow in his area, Grover sprawled across the top of his dog house, Crunchie immediately started a wrestling match with his next door neighbor (his brother Skor).. their delight at being HOME was obvious.

My delight was marred by one event that evening and that was when we were feeding that night. Most of the dogs went back to the houses they had before we left, however a few exceptions were made, but still when I walked to Orion and Kobuk's old areas and there were different dogs there, the loss of the two of them hit me all over again. It was hard to be sad for long though, with all the other dogs longing to touch and be touched.

After getting the dogs settled in, it was wonderful to walk into our house. Our 'dog/house' sitter, Barb had vases of flowers scattered around, a balloon bouquet that said 'Congratulations' and 'We missed you', chocolates, and food in the fridge (including a bottle of cider and strawberries!). What a treat! In about an hour we had filled the spotless house with suitcases of dirty clothes and piles of stuff from our trip, but it was great to have it all clean and lovely when we walked in!

Now it is back to the business of settle back into our lives. Luckily the frozen pipes to the garage had thawed in the warm spring temperatures and we were able to rid the house of buckets of thawing meat. The Suburban didn't enjoy its 6 weeks of time off and was towed into the dealership yesterday, leaving a huge puddle of oil on the driveway to mark where it sat. Mark's car decided today that it wanted attention of it's own and we are now sharing the dog truck as our sole means of transportation. Mark started work again on Friday. He says nothing much changed in the 6 weeks he was gone. I'm busy leash breaking Q, Chip, Buzz, Eeek (oh my, he is a beautiful dog), Jinx, Dare, Spidey, and Rory in preparation for moving them out onto chains. There still is snow, but it is patchy, rutted, and rotten so I won't be able to run dogs on sleds anymore. In fact, I'm stuck waiting until it melts some more before I can even get a team out with a 4 wheeler.

I'm hoping to find time between loads of wash today to start on my Iditarod stories for the website, but no promises! There is still a lot of settling in to be done!

All for now!

Karen