Ch. NorthWapiti's Guy Smiley

Ch. NorthWapiti's Guy Smiley

July 13, 1996 - November 15, 2010

I received a phone call early this morning from my dear friend, Colleen. For the last 5 years or so, Smiley has lived in Saskatchewan with Colleen. 

Through tears she told me she was waiting for her vet to come to the house. It seems that Smiley's amazing heart, which drove him over countless miles in harness and twice down the Iditarod trail had had enough. 

I'm alittle lost over what memories of Smiley to share today. There are so many with him. He was our first homebred Champion Iditarod finisher. He loved the show ring, he loved working in harness - heck, he loved every bit of his life. 
He was a fun loving prankster.  How will I ever forget the Ceremonial start of the 2003 Iditarod, when the starter said "3...2...1...GO" and Smiley, in lead, did just that - veering for the snowbank and lifting his leg.
Seconds later he bolted down 4th Ave with his trademark 'Smiley grin' on his face - a moment caught and immortalized by an AP wire photographer.

Or his patented two footed digging technique that forever changed the landscape of so much of our dog yard.

He is a dog that will long live on in the memories and hearts of many, but most specifically Mark, myself, Colleen and Marty. 

We will never forget you Smiles!!

Winter Arrives

These were taken during the last 1 1/2 of our run this morning.

Nothing to say but - YEAH!!!

Working the Night Shift

Last night was a 'Night Shift' at the kennel. We  hooked dogs up at 4 pm...

...ran over to one of our favorite campgrounds...

...camped for alittle over three hours...

Simone, Kalles (who is visiting the kennel from Germany) and Mark around the campfire.

Kalles 'appetizer' - pepperoni stick on a bun!

The main course. Roasting weenies is mandatory at a campfire - isn't it??

Simone about to devour a SMORE for dessert

...and ran home...

It was a great night!! No photos, but Kalles and I spotted the International Space Station (I was pretty confident it was and confirmed it on http://www.spaceflight.nasa.gov/realdata/sightings/cities/region.cgi?country=Canada&region=Alberta this morning) and watched a short, but nice display of Northern Lights. Mark and Simone missed both those things - don't know what they were doing, but obviously not looking at the sky!!

We also saw a lot of wildlife - moose (Kalles and I flushed a big cow and calf out in front of the team. Meg and See are probably still telling everyone in the yard about it!!), deer and a bunch of other eyes that we could not see well enough to figure out what was behind them!

And the dogs??? They did so well that the blog didn't have to be about them and their bad behaviour at the campground (that is honestly what I expected to be writing about this morning). I am very proud and pleased with them all. Not one chewed line or eaten harness!!! They acted like real professionals!! Granted, Jack wasn't in this group! Next time!

My 'white sistas' front end - Meg and See in lead, Bingo and Bang in swing!!

Dog Of The Day - Crunchie

Well, where did y'all think I would start??? =)

Crunchie - aka Ch. NorthWapiti's Crunchie

June 6th, 2001
Sire: NorthWapiti's Super Grover
Dam: Northome's Visa


Crunchie is out of our 'chocolate bar' litter - littermate to Snickers, Skor and KitKat. No he is not named after the 'Nestle Crunch' bar, but rather a Canadian chocolate bar called the 'Crunchie' that is sponge toffee coated in chocolate!!

I know that I'm not supposed to have favorites, but it still likely comes as a surprise to no one when I say that this is my favorite dog in our dog yard. He stepped into that role after the passing of his father, Grover 4 years ago. 

Crunchie is an amazing dog. Virtually injury free through 8 seasons of racing with us. He is our 'Iron Man'. Not necessarily a leader, although he has spent some time up front, he still improves any team he is in with his amazing work ethic. 

At 9 1/2 years of age, this could well be his last season with the main string. My heart aches at the thought. I am vowing to enjoy every moment I spend with him on the trail this season!

Back By Popular Demand - Dog Of The Day

Last year we did a 'Dog of the Day' feature on the blog to introduce everyone to the dogs in the 'Main String' for the season.
As per your requests, I will being doing the same thing again this year!!

First up will be the 'Veteran race dogs' - dogs like Crunchie, Rocket, Dasher and Charge who have raced with us in the past.

Next will be the 'experienced rookies'. That includes dogs like Dew, Utin and Turtle - dogs that have trained up with us for at least one prior season, but fallen a bit short of making the race team in previous years.

And the last group will be the 'rookies, like Astro, Boo, and Rocky, who are in their first season of serious training.

Hope you all enjoy!!!

Be Afraid, Be Very Afraid....

He blazes his own trail....

When other head east, he heads west...........

No, he's not the legendary 'Lone Wolf', he is the soon to be legendary 'LONE TURTLE'!

Lock up your children and bar your doors - the neighbourhood will never be the same!!

"Hey Bro"

 "Hey Fletch, I think I have a bit of kibble stuck in my back teeth. Can you take a look for me?"

GAWK!!! "What the heck have you been eating???? Your breathe smells like dead cats!!!!"