tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19602680829086711362024-03-13T16:31:43.364-06:00North Wapiti Blog Home of Iditarod Finishing and Best In Show Siberian Huskies - 11-Time Iditarod ParticipantsKaren Ramsteadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14654825468754407614noreply@blogger.comBlogger2059125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1960268082908671136.post-41242235840935269922020-10-04T09:51:00.001-06:002020-10-04T09:54:56.424-06:002021 Farm Calendar Ordering Info<p> Looking for the calendar info? Go to this page:</p><p><a href="https://northwapiti.blogspot.com/p/mushing-alaska.html" target="_blank">2021 Farm Calendar</a> </p><p><br /></p><p>Or click on the 2021 Ramstead Farm Calendar button above next to "home".</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4AECfF3EJPnBm9XVo_TfL0NBApdMOioqg66zw7okQSg93isABIH9tjL6xk9V5AHwtcwS3tWvUCyH6Qmh4ALUPqDb5_Mv6AHdrsId3uIEavHNu5Ryi1Xrsgt07gLZLvF8ECGqTKR6LmECW/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="420" data-original-width="722" height="186" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4AECfF3EJPnBm9XVo_TfL0NBApdMOioqg66zw7okQSg93isABIH9tjL6xk9V5AHwtcwS3tWvUCyH6Qmh4ALUPqDb5_Mv6AHdrsId3uIEavHNu5Ryi1Xrsgt07gLZLvF8ECGqTKR6LmECW/" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br /><p></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAloWEAdCK7Ux27PoqIaTB6yvBE7jF3LB1yI4SBn3QSCUD8B7WxbWbL-wYC9mlX58iXZTDxLYTiZtxuQe09kAZD_Bnu4WvDBJgCdTGfsUXd7gmSmVpOVzDbYFWYw1yeijrVNevbSo6zR_8/s362/calendar+2021+mockup.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="280" data-original-width="362" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAloWEAdCK7Ux27PoqIaTB6yvBE7jF3LB1yI4SBn3QSCUD8B7WxbWbL-wYC9mlX58iXZTDxLYTiZtxuQe09kAZD_Bnu4WvDBJgCdTGfsUXd7gmSmVpOVzDbYFWYw1yeijrVNevbSo6zR_8/s320/calendar+2021+mockup.png" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" dir="rtl" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p style="text-align: left;">Have questions? Email the minions</p><p style="text-align: left;"><a href="mailto:help4northwapiti@gmail.com">help4northwapiti@gmail.com</a></p></div><br /><p><br /></p>Karen Ramsteadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11545806535358579374noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1960268082908671136.post-4255588109702228862019-07-21T09:05:00.002-06:002019-07-24T16:33:27.776-06:002019 North Wapiti Moving Sale<b><i>ALL ITEMS HAVE BEEN SOLD AS OF 24 JULY! THANK YOU TO EVERYBODIES! </i></b><br />
<br />Howdy Ho Everybodies!<br />
<br />
Yes, it indeed has been a while since I last wrote, but retirement is exhausting, what with the napping, lounging, and supervising the youngster coolies.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4kFs2ypqV5JZCzYyRcMwNIE6DIm-nGD6Sce2ECa6gT_yNy5AQiHbuAC7CBBaOrnRRVgyGokbkKXEoLtoLzEez9_IIlKUxEo_u0lFgNlEi3MCntJjcWZho_varQdJIf7n6vh8Ph0BOh1i1/s1600/Bet+sitting+plain.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4kFs2ypqV5JZCzYyRcMwNIE6DIm-nGD6Sce2ECa6gT_yNy5AQiHbuAC7CBBaOrnRRVgyGokbkKXEoLtoLzEez9_IIlKUxEo_u0lFgNlEi3MCntJjcWZho_varQdJIf7n6vh8Ph0BOh1i1/s200/Bet+sitting+plain.jpg" width="133" /></a><br />
<br />
Out of the blue, the Musher family has decided to up and move from North Wapiti and set up stakes at a farm. Something about baa baa sheepie things, and retirementy things and stuffs.<br />
<br />
That said, the Musher has been digging through boxes and has found a whole bunch of mushery things and stuffs that won't fit in the packing boxes, so she's putting them up for grabs to the first peoples that wants them.<br />
<br />
Frankly, I'd like to sell a few more things... ahem:<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_X4St9AV1J4S6L0UtC9aVUzrWcyt7IDujaP8vW-lTYb_KkqWLCwgVUPhZ2a2eRAqnfILYleoTjGMJgGVGfrcQoEstEp-eV_t89zGdLYS1zQ143HCTU2w8zG4RS9yOPdLIt5o_i9YbGSoL/s1600/67290782_10157332333117822_5797681777690542080_n.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_X4St9AV1J4S6L0UtC9aVUzrWcyt7IDujaP8vW-lTYb_KkqWLCwgVUPhZ2a2eRAqnfILYleoTjGMJgGVGfrcQoEstEp-eV_t89zGdLYS1zQ143HCTU2w8zG4RS9yOPdLIt5o_i9YbGSoL/s320/67290782_10157332333117822_5797681777690542080_n.jpg" width="240" /></a><br />
<br />
... but she insists on dragging this wide load to the new homestead, for some odd reason.<br />
<br />
Anyhoooooo, We have some vintage North Wapiti t-shirts and sweatshirts up for sale.<br />
<br />
Supplies and sizes are very limited so once they are gone, they are GONE!<br />
<br />
The 3-husky heads logo is from 2001 and is available on sweatshirts and t-shirts in limited sizes.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuGSsD2eriGVpMfjwsxgK0lRlB5r_lJlPj_CrwttlKKxyYhl_Y1pqewEl4VRD8Pvj8FI-q6EkrD07DAXVkq-uEbGEuBiQP0OAKBlNevnkV9xPQdeDz_DDiOrpeM46zAXKR6azbuMbBRzFB/s1600/image.png" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuGSsD2eriGVpMfjwsxgK0lRlB5r_lJlPj_CrwttlKKxyYhl_Y1pqewEl4VRD8Pvj8FI-q6EkrD07DAXVkq-uEbGEuBiQP0OAKBlNevnkV9xPQdeDz_DDiOrpeM46zAXKR6azbuMbBRzFB/s320/image.png" width="240" /></a><br />
<br />
To order, click on the PayPal button for the size of t-shirt or sweatshirt that you want. Price includes shipping.<br />
<br />
<form action="https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr" method="post" target="paypal">
<input name="cmd" type="hidden" value="_s-xclick" />
<input name="hosted_button_id" type="hidden" value="9CN9JZD6CLQ68" />
<br />
<table>
<tbody>
<tr><td><input name="on0" type="hidden" value="3 Husky Head" />2001 3-Husky Heads logo</td></tr>
<tr><td><select name="os0">
<option value="Small T-Shirt">Small T-Shirt $20.00 USD</option>
<option value="XL T-shirt">XL T-shirt $20.00 USD</option>
<option value="Small Sweatshirt">Small Sweatshirt $30.00 USD</option>
<option value="XL Sweatshirt">XL Sweatshirt $30.00 USD</option>
</select> </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<input name="currency_code" type="hidden" value="USD" />
<input alt="PayPal - The safer, easier way to pay online!" border="0" name="submit" src="https://www.paypalobjects.com/en_US/i/btn/btn_cart_LG.gif" type="image" />
<img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="https://www.paypalobjects.com/en_US/i/scr/pixel.gif" width="1" />
</form>
<br />
<br />
The 2000 Maple Leaf is available in T-shirt only:<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKgwhkoXna7zRXvWUluBvGjn00TRrABpsd0JBbEXwvwP4vxfR7CtO0TE1SuDAdEGzVXMZIkw5_R3AniR94C8bbXLwKRVqnYxOm3I_K10onXpMUGlD-SjD_9UqdlKo7fldujeq7pQWSCapx/s1600/image.png" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKgwhkoXna7zRXvWUluBvGjn00TRrABpsd0JBbEXwvwP4vxfR7CtO0TE1SuDAdEGzVXMZIkw5_R3AniR94C8bbXLwKRVqnYxOm3I_K10onXpMUGlD-SjD_9UqdlKo7fldujeq7pQWSCapx/s320/image.png" width="240" /></a><br />
<br />
To order, click on the PayPal button for the size of t-shirt that you want. Price includes shipping.<br />
<br />
<form action="https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr" method="post" target="paypal">
<input name="cmd" type="hidden" value="_s-xclick" />
<input name="hosted_button_id" type="hidden" value="HUGCAF396U28L" />
<br />
<table>
<tbody>
<tr><td><input name="on0" type="hidden" value="Maple Leaf" />2000 Maple Leaf logo</td></tr>
<tr><td><select name="os0">
<option value="Large T-Shirt">Large T-Shirt $20.00 USD</option>
<option value="2XL T-shirt">2XL T-shirt $20.00 USD</option>
<option value="4XL T-shirt">4XL T-shirt $20.00 USD</option>
</select> </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<input name="currency_code" type="hidden" value="USD" />
<input alt="PayPal - The safer, easier way to pay online!" border="0" name="submit" src="https://www.paypalobjects.com/en_US/i/btn/btn_cart_LG.gif" type="image" />
<img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="https://www.paypalobjects.com/en_US/i/scr/pixel.gif" width="1" />
</form>
<br />
This scenic print is the 2001 Denise Linley art "Somewhere". More information on the print can be found on this <a href="http://www.northwapiti.com/Iditarod2K1/index.html?fbclid=IwAR3S7SvoixFUHLdOTBu4Dj66bVgvhczanFac24XoLokNA1VqXUnAOfUBWgU">linky link.</a><br />
<br />
This beautiful artwork is available on sweatshirts and t-shirts.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGSKZ3Q3h6piAGEf6IABJQmw1Em7H6wqNxgpxhL40uZj1AhfoLd72CBHqSJ7wwdLYCvoPM6EOCLOr5r3moLrIfRBeOjANZS5LXUfj73XKwSBluMrQR-dvSTGNxRr_eeyjOcJn6aLw0gmw5/s1600/image.png" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGSKZ3Q3h6piAGEf6IABJQmw1Em7H6wqNxgpxhL40uZj1AhfoLd72CBHqSJ7wwdLYCvoPM6EOCLOr5r3moLrIfRBeOjANZS5LXUfj73XKwSBluMrQR-dvSTGNxRr_eeyjOcJn6aLw0gmw5/s320/image.png" width="240" /></a><br />
<br />
To order, click on the PayPal button for the size of t-shirt or sweatshirt that you want. Price includes shipping.<br />
<br />
<form action="https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr" method="post" target="paypal">
<input name="cmd" type="hidden" value="_s-xclick" />
<input name="hosted_button_id" type="hidden" value="U37D98N5Y3GG6" />
<br />
<table>
<tbody>
<tr><td><input name="on0" type="hidden" value="Somewhere" />2001 "Somewhere" art</td></tr>
<tr><td><select name="os0">
<option value="Small T-Shirt">Small T-Shirt $20.00 USD</option>
<option value="Large T-shirt">Large T-shirt $20.00 USD</option>
<option value="XL T-shirt">XL T-shirt $20.00 USD</option>
<option value="Small Sweatshirt">Small Sweatshirt $30.00 USD</option>
<option value="XL Sweatshirt">XL Sweatshirt $30.00 USD</option>
<option value="2XL Sweatshirt">2XL Sweatshirt $30.00 USD</option>
</select> </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<input name="currency_code" type="hidden" value="USD" />
<input alt="PayPal - The safer, easier way to pay online!" border="0" name="submit" src="https://www.paypalobjects.com/en_US/i/btn/btn_cart_LG.gif" type="image" />
<img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="https://www.paypalobjects.com/en_US/i/scr/pixel.gif" width="1" />
</form>
<br />
We hope you enjoy these offerings, and if anything else gets dredged up during the great move of 2019, we will be sure to let you know jiffy quick! (Send questions to the Musher Minions at: help4northwapiti@gmail.com )<br />
<br />
Thank you!<br />
<br />
Bet<br />
<br />Shmoohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01290170566232915521noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1960268082908671136.post-3928425023677776652018-11-09T07:50:00.000-07:002018-11-11T07:30:11.755-07:002019 North Wapiti Calendar Pre-Order<div class="gmail_default" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; text-size-adjust: auto;">
<b>Update: The Calendar pre-order is now closed. If you are still interested in obtaining a calendar, please contact the Minions at </b><a href="mailto:help4northwapiti@gmail.com" style="text-size-adjust: auto;" target="_blank">help4northwapiti@gmail.com</a> <b>and if there is enough interest, we may make another bulk order.</b><br />
<br />
Howdy Ho, Everybodies! </div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; text-size-adjust: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; text-size-adjust: auto;">
In case you aren't on the Facebooks (that new fangly technology where all of the stuffs and things are happening), we announced that you can pre-order the most amazing, colossal, stupdendously beautiful 2019 North Wapiti Calendar EVER... or something.</div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; text-size-adjust: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; text-size-adjust: auto;">
If you are all like "OH NOES we missed our opportunity", no you didn't!! We are still taking pre-orders but better still, we will pick THREE (not one, not two, not four, but THREE) lucky peoples who pre-order and they will win a special addition, not available in stores, never to be seen again, you will be the envy of all of your friends BEAR SWAG thingie!!!</div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; text-size-adjust: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; text-size-adjust: auto;">
All you have to do is order at least one calendar before midnight MST on Tuesday (November 13th, 2019). For those of you that have already ordered, don't freak out, you already got your magical, mystical number too, you are included in this whole shabang drawing. You get a number, you get a number, everybodies gets a number... but only if you order before midnight 13 November!</div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; text-size-adjust: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; text-size-adjust: auto;">
Then, through the magic of the interwebs, we use a scientific random number generator that uses cat levitation to pick three numbers and whoever belongs to those three numbers WINS!!!!!!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqJL9UMN3RqUY_930FBWwmLPDyqvMIUC0rHePl0S6PXLU1jNHMOc5FIx7fC8y6vqGGbEMYu2mzXCzFlnGeczz8MeNJ6VpHbVecxPXIjsvpDlIsMbMm8zTNcJCQxXq_wsuGrgdwrpUBi0VI/s1600/Cat+Levitation+number+generator.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="572" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqJL9UMN3RqUY_930FBWwmLPDyqvMIUC0rHePl0S6PXLU1jNHMOc5FIx7fC8y6vqGGbEMYu2mzXCzFlnGeczz8MeNJ6VpHbVecxPXIjsvpDlIsMbMm8zTNcJCQxXq_wsuGrgdwrpUBi0VI/s640/Cat+Levitation+number+generator.png" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; text-size-adjust: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; text-size-adjust: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; text-size-adjust: auto;">
Anywhoooo</div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; text-size-adjust: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; text-size-adjust: auto;">
First winner selected gets to choose their prize, second winner gets to pick from the two remaining prizes, and the third winner.....gets what's left! We'll try to mail the prizes with your calendar(s). </div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; text-size-adjust: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; text-size-adjust: auto;">
So.... what can you win???</div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; text-size-adjust: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; text-size-adjust: auto;">
This fantabulous metal ornament with holiday greets from Bear</div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; text-size-adjust: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; text-size-adjust: auto;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheVSUD_vhuoq8o2UT1ELrDQF6_ReMErdtrrJtNJAe1GF1FxNyBaYuXxj8z8qDEhb52QuyP9DikiVQpMm0GzLlRf2FQ7h4SSgHJhk_qYw_fZH50a4hxOdlDgWoFSy_8OZ4m6HNT0LIOnjsG/s1600/ornament+back.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="318" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheVSUD_vhuoq8o2UT1ELrDQF6_ReMErdtrrJtNJAe1GF1FxNyBaYuXxj8z8qDEhb52QuyP9DikiVQpMm0GzLlRf2FQ7h4SSgHJhk_qYw_fZH50a4hxOdlDgWoFSy_8OZ4m6HNT0LIOnjsG/s320/ornament+back.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAZ5kz3-aTftnr3aK77-2VIleGG05I3yxQ3dKfOPBMINGvGcegAmz_mybo1vTRUkcc12JBQWlDFcfP281C3PWvQR3it6n8JABSfzPEEFBkzYUTneqZs-RilvctO-QEd551St8LPfVSpsGS/s1600/ornament+front.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAZ5kz3-aTftnr3aK77-2VIleGG05I3yxQ3dKfOPBMINGvGcegAmz_mybo1vTRUkcc12JBQWlDFcfP281C3PWvQR3it6n8JABSfzPEEFBkzYUTneqZs-RilvctO-QEd551St8LPfVSpsGS/s320/ornament+front.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; text-size-adjust: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; text-size-adjust: auto;">
OR this awesome and functional soups in a can cooler </div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; text-size-adjust: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; text-size-adjust: auto;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBlw6ezpds5bq51PUC_y9FoNIU1uvx0ZZM0oYAm4FuREaMhQ9RXuTobUdK0SMkBg5QpxDGVAgP4ZcqZvPoycf-7FJls77bbkFmBYaFPjOhEv-ukN_P7wCJC34Mx8kz9rKiqljUSRjOwvOH/s1600/Can+cooler.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBlw6ezpds5bq51PUC_y9FoNIU1uvx0ZZM0oYAm4FuREaMhQ9RXuTobUdK0SMkBg5QpxDGVAgP4ZcqZvPoycf-7FJls77bbkFmBYaFPjOhEv-ukN_P7wCJC34Mx8kz9rKiqljUSRjOwvOH/s320/Can+cooler.JPG" width="257" /></a></div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; text-size-adjust: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; text-size-adjust: auto;">
OR this even more awesomer notebook where you can doodle, scribble, or write down life advice from Bear such as: "Soups are good". Or "Is the soups ready", or even: "What's up with these chickens?"</div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; text-size-adjust: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; text-size-adjust: auto;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirGSSt_K_64cecJz5UGYYngHKxCKZfolQIUoRlA6UbfdnK_l2ri4Bj9c9PK-32nEJCXx72OE71zPv0dmW3luSd8VWFMf8OqZhn5j04XyoHLK76kgfyECwegnofkTsqcfxzMjkt-s5hnUDR/s1600/Notebook.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirGSSt_K_64cecJz5UGYYngHKxCKZfolQIUoRlA6UbfdnK_l2ri4Bj9c9PK-32nEJCXx72OE71zPv0dmW3luSd8VWFMf8OqZhn5j04XyoHLK76kgfyECwegnofkTsqcfxzMjkt-s5hnUDR/s320/Notebook.JPG" width="210" /></a></div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; text-size-adjust: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; text-size-adjust: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="gmail_default" style="text-size-adjust: auto;">
<div style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 18px;">
So order your calendar TODAY----we have fewer than 15 available, so don't be pokey-pokey and click on the linky-linky below.</div>
<div style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 18px;">
<br /></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "tahoma" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 18px;"><a href="http://northwapiti.blogspot.com/p/mushing-alaska.html">http://northwapiti.blogspot.com/p/mushing-alaska.html</a></span></span></div>
<div style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 18px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 18px;">
If you have questions, post them here or email our hard-working Minions at<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><a href="mailto:help4northwapiti@gmail.com" target="_blank">help4northwapiti@gmail.com</a></div>
<div style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 18px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 18px;">
-Bet </div>
</div>
Shmoohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01290170566232915521noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1960268082908671136.post-73272321852708909202018-07-08T20:24:00.001-06:002018-07-08T20:26:21.418-06:00NORTHWAPITI'S EXCELSIOR<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUCrwiUmqETzBj_KrKUGuQursYVIgjw3LiagMVHFHmlPt0itPywfEtRlZEhXaKj66unrm6STSf68YM8qAhsE50BK8_N7S_tfqgoh00vgtHhyphenhyphenRyK6wGqhJYRYjjFcewz-aXyf0kj4sS1jk/s1600/x108-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="320" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUCrwiUmqETzBj_KrKUGuQursYVIgjw3LiagMVHFHmlPt0itPywfEtRlZEhXaKj66unrm6STSf68YM8qAhsE50BK8_N7S_tfqgoh00vgtHhyphenhyphenRyK6wGqhJYRYjjFcewz-aXyf0kj4sS1jk/s320/x108-1.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<b><br /></b>
<b><br /></b>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>NorthWapiti's Excelsior</b><br />
March 12, 2005 - July 7, 2018</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br />
<br />
In 2010 X popped his Achille's tendon training in Alaska with us. For many dogs, such an injury is life ending, but X had the NorthWapiti Community behind him and 2 days after the injury was hanging in my Mom's upscale duplex near Okotoks awaiting surgery.<br />
He handled going from being in peak training to full crate rest with his typical 'no sweat' approach to life.<br />
<br />
So many people played roles in his recovery but most heartfelt thanks go to my Mom, my brother Jim, Dr Veronica Devall and Richard Todd for giving my Xceptional boy an additional 8 years of mobility.<br />
<br />
He was a favourite of many of the dogs and people in my life. He was my Most Xcellent Dude.<br />
<br />
I will miss him always. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz1DO71v2fvPNWH19cgRNpFR-GarN1X9tKnq1anoIjUILbEVKGZLIMJJm4YmYyn7Vh5vU_rsCRZFI9-d9XR7BuXWZ86cZBaxUVIr5vxG84rND14AhUHunDSf36CDh69mSAdvbXWeuHOtk/s1600/x_tl1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="550" data-original-width="632" height="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz1DO71v2fvPNWH19cgRNpFR-GarN1X9tKnq1anoIjUILbEVKGZLIMJJm4YmYyn7Vh5vU_rsCRZFI9-d9XR7BuXWZ86cZBaxUVIr5vxG84rND14AhUHunDSf36CDh69mSAdvbXWeuHOtk/s320/x_tl1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
Karen Ramsteadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11545806535358579374noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1960268082908671136.post-51666830532049662142018-06-09T10:40:00.001-06:002018-06-09T10:40:47.101-06:00Iditarod's New 'Dead Dog Rule'<span style="font-family: inherit;">In the hours since Iditarod announced that all mushers that have a dog died on the race (unless it "<span style="background-color: white;">was caused solely by unforeseeable, external forces") will be withdrawn from the Race, I have been asked for my opinions a number of times.<br /><br />I hate talking dog deaths, the wounds on that issue are still raw for me. </span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">For those of you unaware, my lead dog, Snickers, died of a gastric ulcer in Grayling during the 2007 Iditarod. I have throughly examined the events leading up to that so many times. I shared her necropsy report with many highly respected vets and asked their opinions. My head knows that I did right by my girl, my heart will always ask, 'What if....?'. </span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />I almost quit racing after that night.<br /><br />Ultimately though, everything in life has risks - even sitting on the couch is a risk. I make decisions for my dogs that mirror the decisions I make for me. I am not a foolhardy person, I take my wellbeing seriously and I do the same for my dogs wellbeing - but I also want for all our lives to be rich and full.<br /><br />I look at and reevaluate that balance often. You may not agree with where my balance point is, I may not agree with yours - but the point is that it was made thoughtfully and caringly, so it should be respected. </span><br /><br />I don't disagree that this new rule might make an uncaring musher think twice about leaving a dog in a checkpoint </span><span style="background-color: white;">(though it should be noted that there are already rules in place to deal with mushers whose dogs die a preventable death)</span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><span style="background-color: white;"> - and that is good thing but what I also see is what it may do to a musher who really does care and really was doing their best for their dogs - a musher who really views their dogs as a member of their family, as I did and do. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><br />As I write this my mind is in Grayling. I remember everything about that night. The fear, and eventually, the sorrow, but I also remember the support. The community, the vets (oh, the vets!!), the officials, and my fellow mushers all offering such tremendous support and compassion - and once I got home, I was overwhelmed by the outpouring from fans. I can't even begin to say what that meant to me.<br /><br />Now, I fear that the new rule will take some of that away. I was given the room and the support to make the choices that I needed to make for me (my choice was to scratch - my heart just wasn't in the race anymore). Now, I fear, when the worst happens, there will be a black cloud of suspicion over a musher - the suggestion that you did do something wrong and have been judged and penalized for it without your story even being heard.<br /><br />I was reading some comments on the new rule on FB today and saw some already saying that it was good because whether or not the musher cared, they still made a mistake that led to the dog's death. The judging has begun. Life is tenuous and fragile - living it 'mistake free' does not guarantee that it will be long.<br /><br />I believe there are pros and cons to this new rule - but, in my mind, what it boils down to is whether you believe most mushers care about their dogs or whether most mushers don't. <br /><br />I believe that most mushers care about their dogs.<br /><br /></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: PT Serif, Georgia, Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span>Karen Ramsteadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11545806535358579374noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1960268082908671136.post-7639638574894628362018-05-23T10:00:00.000-06:002018-05-24T08:43:28.665-06:00When Was The Last Time You Did Something For The First Time?<style type="text/css">
p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 11.0px 'Helvetica Neue'; color: #000000; -webkit-text-stroke: #000000}
p.p2 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 11.0px 'Helvetica Neue'; color: #000000; -webkit-text-stroke: #000000; min-height: 12.0px}
span.s1 {font-kerning: none}
</style>
<br />
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">Well, Sunday!<br />
<br />
<br />
A few months or so back my dear friend Kristin Fox asked if I would be a KeyNote speaker for her at a Women’s Business Conference she was organizing with her new company FinFoundHer in Chicago. <br />
<br />
“Sure” <br />
<br />
To be honest, I was thinking mostly of deep dish pizza, popcorn and some long overdue time visiting with a few of my friends fondly known as the ‘Minions’.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">Kristin has long been gently pushing me to combine my Iditarod experiences with my ‘pre sled dog’ life as a business woman and do this kind of thing. While I appreciate her kind prodding, I generally get distracted by a dog, a sheep, chicken or something like that because those things are now my ‘comfort zone’. But I’m always poking people to step outside their comfort zones, so it was likely time I put up or shut up. <br />
<br />
As time got closer I began to put some thought into exactly what I was going to speak on.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span class="s1"></span><br /></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">I eventually turned to the Bio that another friend, Heather Walls, wrote up and sent to Kristin for me while I was up in Alaska judging Iditarod in March. <br />
<br />
“Wow. I’d like to know that woman”, I thought as I read it over. “She sounds cool.”<br />
My stomach flipped when it occurred to me that it was MY bio I was reading. <br />
<br />
“Am I really that person?”</span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span class="s1"></span><br /></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">Heather hadn’t spoke at all out of turn, I HAD done all the things she mentioned - and I had read and approved the Bio before it was sent out, but I guess I was focusing on the correctness of the statements rather than a big picture. <br />
<br />
I guess I tend to think more of myself fumbling and figuring out her way on a herding trial field or chasing a chicken around a pen trying to sort out how I’m going to catch it than the woman in that bio. <br />
<br />
BUT, I do pride myself in figuring out ways to rise to the occasion when I get myself into ‘situations’ - and I was going to do my best to do that this time. Mostly, I think because I didn’t want to let Kristin down or make Heather appear like a liar.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span class="s1"></span><br /></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">So I fleshed out a presentation and then I fussed and fussed and fussed some more over it. <br />
<br />
Yeah, I’ve done lots of presentations and public speaking over the years, but mostly I’m speaking to dog people telling the story of my life. I know that subject matter well. It is my comfort zone. <br />
</span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">This was not but I put some slides and thoughts together that I thought was decent. <br />
<br />
I was feeling good about it all till Saturday night when I went down to the Conference to meet up with Kristin. I walked into the building and realized that these women were not my people. There was not a dog or a chicken to be found.</span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><br />
I drank a number of margaritas at dinner that night trying to distract myself from the commitment I had made for the next day (well, and also because they were super tasty and washed down well the most excellent Mexican food we were eating).<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span class="s1"></span><br /></div>
<div class="p2">
<span class="s1"></span><br /></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">The next morning I was up early flipping slides and running over my notes on the concepts I had put together. By the time we got downtown my stomach was in a knot.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span class="s1"></span><br /></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">I stepped up to the podium to face these beautiful, strong, confident women feeling like a total fraud but if I was going down, I was going to go in a blaze. <br />
<br />
I was as nervous as I’ve ever been at a presentation as I began to speak. Would these women understand what I was trying to explain with pictures and stories of fluffy dogs, dead moose and snowstorms???? <br />
<br />
I noticed a few writing notes as I spoke and prayed they were not writing grocery lists or reminding themselves to book a hair appointment next week. <br />
<br />
But no, it seemed like they were actually ENGAGED and interested!! <br />
<br />
I took a deep breath and finally felt my stomach and shoulders relax a bit.<br />
<br />
The presentation wrapped up and there was that TERRIFYING moment of truth - “Are there any questions?”. <br />
<br />
Hands shot up everywhere. <br />
<br />
Please don’t let them ask how I pee on the trail, I thought. <br />
<br />
Not that that isn’t a valid question, I get asked it all the time and don’t mind answering but I wanted them to have got the concepts of building teamwork and teaching leadership that I had been trying to pass along. <br />
<br />
AND THEY DID!!! The questions were TREMENDOUS. <br />
<br />
I was so relieved and it was SO GRATIFYING!!!<br />
<br />
My thanks to all that took the time to tell me how much they enjoyed the presentation and that they felt they got ideas that they could take away and use in their work. I can’t begin to say what that meant to me. <br />
<br />
<br />
So, when was the last time you did something for the first time? <br />
<br />You should get on it!!!!!!!</span></div>
<div class="p1">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
<br />
<span class="s1"></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6Kp42aU-uJnofwGALr2tIuZmBLommcOFqmK15aCW7MJD3X7oAC9MVcxMrwxKuFZywTkf9BqyPpmnHWUBKBBxlVlGTrDFose8VbpvJ3AkRas2aUmK-JhdptCjx9hTMHbz4tl_ANpFlFCE/s1600/P1010051.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6Kp42aU-uJnofwGALr2tIuZmBLommcOFqmK15aCW7MJD3X7oAC9MVcxMrwxKuFZywTkf9BqyPpmnHWUBKBBxlVlGTrDFose8VbpvJ3AkRas2aUmK-JhdptCjx9hTMHbz4tl_ANpFlFCE/s320/P1010051.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Karen Ramsteadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11545806535358579374noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1960268082908671136.post-11948801957724726222017-10-31T01:00:00.000-06:002017-10-31T01:00:16.983-06:00Happy Halloween!!!!I thought that since it was Halloween and I seem to find myself hanging around in a chair healing I'd share a blog that I wrote for 'holiday' back in 2010!!<br /><br />Hope you enjoy!<br />
<br /><br />
<h2 class="date-header" style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: left top; background-repeat: no-repeat; background-size: initial; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; border-top-left-radius: 0px; border-top-right-radius: 0px; border-top: 0px solid rgb(99, 174, 45); bottom: 100%; color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px -15px 1px; min-height: 0px; padding: 0px; position: static; right: 15px;">
<span style="border-left: 0px solid rgb(99, 174, 45); border-right: 0px solid rgb(99, 174, 45); display: block; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; padding: 0.5em 15px;">Saturday, 30 October 2010</span></h2>
<div class="date-posts" style="border-top: 1px solid rgb(99, 174, 45); clear: both; color: #222222; font-family: "Droid Sans"; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px -15px; padding: 8px 15px 0px;">
<div class="post-outer" style="border-bottom: none; border-top: none; margin: 0px -15px; padding: 0px 15px 10px;">
<div class="post hentry uncustomized-post-template" itemprop="blogPost" itemscope="itemscope" itemtype="http://schema.org/BlogPosting" style="min-height: 0px; position: relative;">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="2497015654286231110"></a><h3 class="post-title entry-title" itemprop="name" style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 22px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; position: relative;">
<a href="http://northwapiti.blogspot.ca/2010/10/ghost-stories.html" style="color: #444444; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; text-decoration-line: none;">Ghost Stories</a></h3>
<div class="post-header" style="line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px 0px 1em;">
<div class="post-header-line-1">
</div>
</div>
<div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-2497015654286231110" itemprop="articleBody" style="line-height: 1.4; position: relative; width: 776px;">
My friends at<a href="http://www.northernlightmedia.com/" style="color: #4d469c; text-decoration-line: none;"> Northern Lights media</a> did a neat little 'ghost stories' from the trail story today and it got me thinking that that might be a good topic for the blog, this weekend being Halloween and all!<br /><br />The Iditarod Trail has an incredible history to it. Now much of it is empty, lonely and unused except during March, but thousands of feet and paws have padded over it for centuries. Fortunes and lives have been made and lost along its route. If there is a place in my travels that deserves to be inhabited by presences from another world, this would be it.<br /><br />I've read and been told many odd tales of mysterious encounters along the Iditarod Trail, some are obviously hallucinations from dehydrated, sleep deprived, twisted musher minds, but others......?<br /><br />A friend of mine tells me of waving at folks on the porch of a roadhouse between Nikolai and McGrath on a number of his Iditarods; problem is that there is no such roadhouse there.<br />Jon Van Zyle tells a great story of hearing voices near Kaltag on one of his Iditarods.<br /><br />My first encounter actually didn't happen on the 'Iditarod Trail'. It happened on the original Serum route between Tanana and Ruby on the detoured 2003 Iditarod. The dogs and I were traveling along the wide Yukon River at about 1 or 2 am. We hadn't been traveling with anyone and hadn't even seen another musher or headlamp in many, many hours. Not that that really matters, mushers often travel without headlamps on and 'sneak up' on other mushers. So when I was bumped on the back of my legs, I just assumed that the lead dogs of another team had come up behind me. I turned around to offer the faster team 'trail' to find nothing but darkness. I shone my headlamp around and found nothing but empty river. Hmmm....<br />I turned back around and gave my attention back to my dog team, only to have it taken away moments later by a second bump on my calves.<br />I again scanned the river to no avail. It's not like there is anywhere for someone to 'hide' on a 1/2 mile wide, flat frozen river. We were completely alone.<br />I felt no threat from my 'visitor' - and really, it seems to me that any presence that might be hanging out on that stretch of trail would be nothing short of delighted to see dog teams out racing along it again.<br /><br />My second strange event happened in 2004 on the trail between Koyuk and Elim. At the time it happened I never thought it had 'ghostly connotations', but when I told my tale a couple years later to a friend, I got a different perspective on it.<br /><br />I had left Koyuk late at night, followed shortly after by my friend Doug Grilliot. For awhile I could see Doug's headlight behind me. Eventually he caught up with me, we snacked dogs together and then took off again. Throughout the night his faster team gradually pulled away, then I only sporadically saw his headlight when he glanced over his shoulder and finally I stopped seeing it altogether.<br />I was traveling along a section of the trail that runs along the coast of Norton Sound, so to the left of me was sea ice and a half mile or so out, the open Arctic Ocean.<br /><br />The dogs had been moving along quite steadily when all of a sudden Hector's head snapped to the left and he started barking a low, deep warning bark. The other dogs all stopped moving and joined in on his barking.<br /><br />In all the years and miles I have traveled wilderness trails with dogs, I have never seen my team do this. My dogs are the bravest, toughest creatures I know, so the thought of what might be putting them all on edge made my blood run cold.<br /><br />Honestly, my first thought was 'polar bear'. Although a few mushers claim they have seen polar bears along the coast during Iditarod, Iditarod officials claim they were all hallucinating.<br /><br />I was very worried about stepping off the runners of the sled, as I expected the dogs would bolt when they finally decided to move, so stayed where I was and encouraged them to get moving. All the while wishing my gun wasn't buried up in the front of my sled bag well out of reach (there is normally nothing along the coast that would make having it handy necessary).<br />After what seemed like ages, but was probably only a few minutes, the dogs slowly began to move, although they kept throwing the odd menacing bark over their shoulder - and I was throwing numerous nervous glances over mine.<br /><br />Two years later I was having breakfast with my friend Iditarod finisher and checker Palmer Sagoonick and his wife Fena in Shaktoolik. Palmer and Fena are locals and I wondered what they thought could have made my dogs act like they did.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiybUby_AoAGgXRnAwSwGsCI9iil-x4EHyoHYh3leSHbgkeMFUh9AIEYtPeXaAEeLzvUC07tAzFmerLzlyQyxVBf8M5q6VE2gA0BCbzGtmfArEBBuLCcG0iFYN7eVWcp8kSsx37qYtTNDXL/s1600/ghost.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; color: #4d469c; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiybUby_AoAGgXRnAwSwGsCI9iil-x4EHyoHYh3leSHbgkeMFUh9AIEYtPeXaAEeLzvUC07tAzFmerLzlyQyxVBf8M5q6VE2gA0BCbzGtmfArEBBuLCcG0iFYN7eVWcp8kSsx37qYtTNDXL/s200/ghost.jpg" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border-radius: 0px; border: 1px solid rgb(99, 174, 45); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2) 0px 0px 0px; padding: 8px; position: relative;" width="165" /></a></div>
I'll never forget what Palmer said to me. He dismissed the thought of a bear in the area. "Likely spirits", he said and Fena nodded in agreement. "Spirits?", I replied. "They sometimes think it is fun to try to lure you out onto the thin ice", he said very matter of factly.<br /><br />Strangely that didn't offer me alot of comfort!!!<br /><br />Happy Halloween everyone!<br /><br />Karen</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
Karen Ramsteadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11545806535358579374noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1960268082908671136.post-4995094328364282042017-10-18T08:38:00.001-06:002017-11-04T23:12:55.146-06:00Pre-order 2018 North Wapiti Calendars--<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTeXjv6m25WS1f28WE11YcLIoTPwN_7c_RyC6fxw90O3KtqZBz3-xbjyxI8Xbi6BWhRB8FvC8R88kI-PnnqChJOBMDXkZ80tTcQdF-nQLzAuOBrzOrlP-vX49Xdl60FMBGFRAdO6PTaquv/s1600/Black_Up_Arrow.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTeXjv6m25WS1f28WE11YcLIoTPwN_7c_RyC6fxw90O3KtqZBz3-xbjyxI8Xbi6BWhRB8FvC8R88kI-PnnqChJOBMDXkZ80tTcQdF-nQLzAuOBrzOrlP-vX49Xdl60FMBGFRAdO6PTaquv/s320/Black_Up_Arrow.png" width="268" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
The pre-order period for the 2018 Calendar is now over. If you forgot to pre-order and want to be put on a "waitlist" in case there are any extras, please send email to help4northwapiti@gmail.com. Thanks to everybodies who ordered!<br />
____________<br />
<br />
Howdy Ho Everybodies! See that biggie big arrow up there? <br />
<br />
It's pointing to the tab that says 2018 North Wapiti Calendar and if you clickity click that tabby thing then it'll take you to the page that will let you order your 2018 North Wapiti Calendar!<br />
<br />
Isn't that easy!?!? We like to make things easy, especially when it means you'll get to hang a little slice of North Wapiti on your wall and gaze upon us all year round!<br />
<br />
Here's a shot of the new cover design:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcUqLUAWGfGzMjVMMwUUkDQGv2e9LIMeBhCJ8nHSru8drmKznlbdsqzcbWokkOcNe7s1dzKVUIHvyF_t0o6_Xp7TbXycdB-YyDOp9lzd5GxODlmmmFcbhMhjEJJq93SXrdTUZ7lVfCwzgX/s1600/2018+Calendar+Cover+with+watermark.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="495" data-original-width="640" height="492" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcUqLUAWGfGzMjVMMwUUkDQGv2e9LIMeBhCJ8nHSru8drmKznlbdsqzcbWokkOcNe7s1dzKVUIHvyF_t0o6_Xp7TbXycdB-YyDOp9lzd5GxODlmmmFcbhMhjEJJq93SXrdTUZ7lVfCwzgX/s640/2018+Calendar+Cover+with+watermark.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
So get to clickity clicking because we are only going to have a limited number available. Act now, operator Minions are standing by.<br />
<br />
Oh, and North Wapiti patches are still available too, so get them while you can also, because once supplies run out... they're gone for good.<br />
<br />
- Bet<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0Zqp64s0pqcvbt6vnheUqQhgf18euWUjMHcAMHPbhSEOmaH2TgBptR9hwF71fdkDfYf4xiNpgkQb0Q8NKlwo_QlwANlRIdWhZwv_ZBsNNB3iZR_m7KK35fRX3MdcIT-GjA6N6ivQAu9I/s1600/15267675_10154467329106195_2217229424531625889_n+%25281%2529.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="421" data-original-width="300" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0Zqp64s0pqcvbt6vnheUqQhgf18euWUjMHcAMHPbhSEOmaH2TgBptR9hwF71fdkDfYf4xiNpgkQb0Q8NKlwo_QlwANlRIdWhZwv_ZBsNNB3iZR_m7KK35fRX3MdcIT-GjA6N6ivQAu9I/s320/15267675_10154467329106195_2217229424531625889_n+%25281%2529.png" width="228" /></a></div>
<br />Huskymomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09134862014614923018noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1960268082908671136.post-13897569969927343452017-05-16T03:00:00.000-06:002017-05-16T03:00:46.077-06:00Happy Birthday Heather MinionHowdy Ho Everybodies! <br />
<br />
It's Heather Minion's birthday today!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDwjMUwp0TqY24eQI0WlYICNMFrewOz5MhmOoWM8LDRN7wUawH0npBY07X4QwgVENGPA-1w-nx-7tsIQFwvTAVQaFdLLxYPMrsvAUCWR1AoPk-C6qU6YU-KhMBvD859-UdDzR5dKuvrAbA/s1600/Bet+birthday+cake+pop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="532" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDwjMUwp0TqY24eQI0WlYICNMFrewOz5MhmOoWM8LDRN7wUawH0npBY07X4QwgVENGPA-1w-nx-7tsIQFwvTAVQaFdLLxYPMrsvAUCWR1AoPk-C6qU6YU-KhMBvD859-UdDzR5dKuvrAbA/s640/Bet+birthday+cake+pop.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Without the Heather Minion, we wouldn't be able to do everythings and stuffs. She should have been born a Border Coolie because she herds the Musher and other minions around and makes sure that everythings (and stuffs) gets done!<br />
<br />
Heather minion has designed all of the FABulous North Wapiti ensembles and makes sure they are comfy and stylish and FABulous. She also mails stuffs and things, and sometimes she mails things and stuffs, but mostly she is the minion with the mostest and we couldn't do all of the fantabulous things that happen around here with out.<br />
<br />
So, Cakes for everybodies and wish Heather Minion a very happy birthday!!!<br />
<br />
- BetShmoohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01290170566232915521noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1960268082908671136.post-45930233820602357772017-04-19T19:23:00.000-06:002017-04-19T23:23:34.108-06:00Who Goes There???<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<br />
Since the wild winter storm we have had going on since Friday FINALLY gave up and spring is rallying - the Border Collies, Bear and I went out to the river today.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkf6KqSn3xMOiVWytYwjfFI7vpc7Gb_2mN_q1sUBYaGfQB05WbrOfuz3O6PEzPlSODLLZGju2pUhxMeU-1Gsou_Ow3ieu2hq9dLvA9IB_p96X5vk-9CgUWcot6VIgXVSTxx3EeIzSDhZs/s1600/P4190092.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkf6KqSn3xMOiVWytYwjfFI7vpc7Gb_2mN_q1sUBYaGfQB05WbrOfuz3O6PEzPlSODLLZGju2pUhxMeU-1Gsou_Ow3ieu2hq9dLvA9IB_p96X5vk-9CgUWcot6VIgXVSTxx3EeIzSDhZs/s320/P4190092.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0ooLmxa7-Sb-_LPBER7R2EzQepl3D5yEoUO1d1Dz9OKoIvxznyAmS9iIHV7s-u8XuOcAVHUj3gWmTWLC7SOqNRig4ozkYxaiJM0gnShRlKoeua00DSTAb3rTN61hASwwhwQ4A0PhjkFU/s1600/P4190048.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0ooLmxa7-Sb-_LPBER7R2EzQepl3D5yEoUO1d1Dz9OKoIvxznyAmS9iIHV7s-u8XuOcAVHUj3gWmTWLC7SOqNRig4ozkYxaiJM0gnShRlKoeua00DSTAb3rTN61hASwwhwQ4A0PhjkFU/s320/P4190048.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFRyuIBmypoXHg9hdCXmrWE1HY94GKjhYmDuMPNYCuYG4tg4yVWAR6-YEcmdXrqrS5xwae6hNHfQjxoHwt-yY5YAAk73JTuSldUDQwW9gS6gLO_Fxq046zttCmv2cMhCZtVlGr5GXfOVU/s1600/fullsizeoutput_82a.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFRyuIBmypoXHg9hdCXmrWE1HY94GKjhYmDuMPNYCuYG4tg4yVWAR6-YEcmdXrqrS5xwae6hNHfQjxoHwt-yY5YAAk73JTuSldUDQwW9gS6gLO_Fxq046zttCmv2cMhCZtVlGr5GXfOVU/s320/fullsizeoutput_82a.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWgQ6tou7p7fiB1uxsYfkOVe4RFRxGQc_ufy2-RH3flJf8QSxgY2uVR-4L4pTVBNtog8rMKmejfKPlsnNxVA52p0YgpfmU73-ugGq5qyeRnfmG6wyK3wXFguhD9SMCA26z0slaAl3gkWI/s1600/P4190052.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWgQ6tou7p7fiB1uxsYfkOVe4RFRxGQc_ufy2-RH3flJf8QSxgY2uVR-4L4pTVBNtog8rMKmejfKPlsnNxVA52p0YgpfmU73-ugGq5qyeRnfmG6wyK3wXFguhD9SMCA26z0slaAl3gkWI/s320/P4190052.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN2gxjCcBuFw4hlQibyDQuNMpZ5bA6nDZxwHGFOGQBxlVuQmR6uVySXionE0l0vwbQ-fS6ICtKBtuExRxnq47M8wB5QD6rxp_UrruD698qA97myvRA1Rx_wLlm4nOd-LdoCLhGVIQfmr8/s1600/P4190013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN2gxjCcBuFw4hlQibyDQuNMpZ5bA6nDZxwHGFOGQBxlVuQmR6uVySXionE0l0vwbQ-fS6ICtKBtuExRxnq47M8wB5QD6rxp_UrruD698qA97myvRA1Rx_wLlm4nOd-LdoCLhGVIQfmr8/s320/P4190013.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<br />
It was glorious.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHgm0oeVHRgP04tMzv-h_gBLDnotDj1VMSXsdrZeO3fNtqbgp6PEXwJGRcyywxse_fIQ3-GiHBflq_k5-dmH7cGQaWIfgrnCSpr8U_6nrZbdWK00Xd5VXltX6IfuRyejyW1Z1jBi8i6-E/s1600/P4190055.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHgm0oeVHRgP04tMzv-h_gBLDnotDj1VMSXsdrZeO3fNtqbgp6PEXwJGRcyywxse_fIQ3-GiHBflq_k5-dmH7cGQaWIfgrnCSpr8U_6nrZbdWK00Xd5VXltX6IfuRyejyW1Z1jBi8i6-E/s320/P4190055.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div>
<br />
Zac - did I mention you are NOT coming in the house tonight?</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibX4e0hpGbVE2wG0xRWWUdXDzLBV_oF-hbbVj-3gPkDnCZK92ieIlDMhjmVXcO_6cWPYR7AyNlxNFM374rs7xDvpMMX9q0RLshIYQvh9qe-XRUqFPmzKVsdXE-_EkSOpAfFAVRYHbHbkE/s1600/P4190008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibX4e0hpGbVE2wG0xRWWUdXDzLBV_oF-hbbVj-3gPkDnCZK92ieIlDMhjmVXcO_6cWPYR7AyNlxNFM374rs7xDvpMMX9q0RLshIYQvh9qe-XRUqFPmzKVsdXE-_EkSOpAfFAVRYHbHbkE/s320/P4190008.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikr66Zp5UtXWU6qwqAsn8y-a9cp6aWxIj2gnwyUNWbkpQOeeZtdb5v_jL__YOHOXULcaxffZzA01gvdd8a3rXVp1wo-62vvsfld1AqNYOTuJ8lWcYlqWDqAg-9Xm0bM6dvFXLhcQPopYk/s1600/P4190012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikr66Zp5UtXWU6qwqAsn8y-a9cp6aWxIj2gnwyUNWbkpQOeeZtdb5v_jL__YOHOXULcaxffZzA01gvdd8a3rXVp1wo-62vvsfld1AqNYOTuJ8lWcYlqWDqAg-9Xm0bM6dvFXLhcQPopYk/s320/P4190012.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
We were sitting on the river bank soaking up the sun when all of a sudden the Border Collies went on full alert. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2yMsG_xCAKoe2SehJ_AZD3ioWkeFbQRVH9EO3LMOZqnm-mVd8mLyKm2AznUy-wPtuAmecWarfrBjmjYCE0rQWHNN8LVvbPJhMAtpLM5pRIdnY9sqpMFuJ1xeJR8bv1sla__Ec5Jbb2GE/s1600/fullsizeoutput_831.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2yMsG_xCAKoe2SehJ_AZD3ioWkeFbQRVH9EO3LMOZqnm-mVd8mLyKm2AznUy-wPtuAmecWarfrBjmjYCE0rQWHNN8LVvbPJhMAtpLM5pRIdnY9sqpMFuJ1xeJR8bv1sla__Ec5Jbb2GE/s320/fullsizeoutput_831.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSk_aCro8hkfc3ke5FPEcdSoIxG8Poh1iOSz5ftWVNey6Zpe24SIYS3fx9Xw_dEDesyurqRTWLHWC8M9aOKv8Rpg54dKx3kARru7o4ODF0zfLVSlnOAfbjEqdBbnxoiJ57BPn35ITB8is/s1600/fullsizeoutput_832.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSk_aCro8hkfc3ke5FPEcdSoIxG8Poh1iOSz5ftWVNey6Zpe24SIYS3fx9Xw_dEDesyurqRTWLHWC8M9aOKv8Rpg54dKx3kARru7o4ODF0zfLVSlnOAfbjEqdBbnxoiJ57BPn35ITB8is/s320/fullsizeoutput_832.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjVEYIASlmYOCGhdiKqRjHtL7TGzcFGskrqlg-z3W_rxqMPLjiV5eKscVLYrc63ha8dNd4pngrUNrANc6jifXZ3zrGahT2eqOC0l-_m_E_rCSUxYeeudvN2Q2kADS3xxR_WK2pTArdoFw/s1600/fullsizeoutput_833.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjVEYIASlmYOCGhdiKqRjHtL7TGzcFGskrqlg-z3W_rxqMPLjiV5eKscVLYrc63ha8dNd4pngrUNrANc6jifXZ3zrGahT2eqOC0l-_m_E_rCSUxYeeudvN2Q2kADS3xxR_WK2pTArdoFw/s320/fullsizeoutput_833.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div>
I spend a lot of time in the woods with dogs and I have learned that a wise woman listens when her dogs speak.<br />
But because it was so lovely out, I thought I'd consult with Bear before beating a path out of there.<br />
<br />
BEAR. BEAR. Do you see anything Bear??</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR8KPfZVyaylfftX51wcU9xu1McQweIi4Ipr674e4TopNDuW88UDec6PEPRHZXYKTYQ9ml8GNmTKj8AHDTR01j0u8fB3y2TILVlRmqht14bgNGVfYXlvNNMG9qLmnjvXkw9XrpALdu1o8/s1600/fullsizeoutput_834.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR8KPfZVyaylfftX51wcU9xu1McQweIi4Ipr674e4TopNDuW88UDec6PEPRHZXYKTYQ9ml8GNmTKj8AHDTR01j0u8fB3y2TILVlRmqht14bgNGVfYXlvNNMG9qLmnjvXkw9XrpALdu1o8/s320/fullsizeoutput_834.jpeg" width="219" /></a></div>
<div>
<br />
"NOPE. I DON'T SEE ANYTHING"<br />
<br />
<br />
You know what? I think I'll just take the Border Collies' word....</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2YQ6gWyW_cEUisiBiyRXVpmkV0DfLH4YhN3L7F6ICEgRcpWZAVgrU_7Id0EcK5R96WUNS1zWnuD0OVqhpbAIQveEAX0SXHlRAtCQI4AYXlKWa9q9x_MDLjGsOf2ECj-eUzhlabdF0myY/s1600/P4190104.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2YQ6gWyW_cEUisiBiyRXVpmkV0DfLH4YhN3L7F6ICEgRcpWZAVgrU_7Id0EcK5R96WUNS1zWnuD0OVqhpbAIQveEAX0SXHlRAtCQI4AYXlKWa9q9x_MDLjGsOf2ECj-eUzhlabdF0myY/s320/P4190104.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
Karen Ramsteadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11545806535358579374noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1960268082908671136.post-18734066853794011532017-04-15T16:50:00.000-06:002017-04-19T23:26:06.628-06:00Spring Cleaning - BetHowdy Ho Everybodies!<br />
<br />
Yes, it's been a while since I've done any bloggity blogging, but I have an ultra mega mega good excuse for being absent for a while, and that excuse is... I had a bad tooth.<br />
<br />
When I say it was a bad tooth... it was REALLY bad. Totally freaked the Musher out when we got up for breakfast and I looked at her like this:<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhlKXiO3hr6e8jDpGtwOvsbgpnnIadJdhW4Gb60HljsRe1KMBh2vS583BC3Ox7U2y1R2GD-vkeUIPO7bgauSejOxGRK9HgsTdtmpYJkLbyKSqaKNjAd1VvxEgy5a96Q1VuLPjso_tq5Zhv/s1600/17522825_10155087038307822_8148741523723251074_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="476" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhlKXiO3hr6e8jDpGtwOvsbgpnnIadJdhW4Gb60HljsRe1KMBh2vS583BC3Ox7U2y1R2GD-vkeUIPO7bgauSejOxGRK9HgsTdtmpYJkLbyKSqaKNjAd1VvxEgy5a96Q1VuLPjso_tq5Zhv/s640/17522825_10155087038307822_8148741523723251074_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Um... excuse me Musher, but I seem to have an issue here</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The Musher started me out on an antibiotic and drove me to the vet.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB6X_FTp3k9qDQY0onRE2FTMB-TcwhSGoUoQjTFkqZdBsleCvqN8L-htlpR1J3oNYyKPoDtgWG5R4TDnv2NOI6blV25jnuM9oRXwF0P5n4B0SAUCASpeobFTdTDNbelWbqPoAkFmmTQDW1/s1600/17796168_10155089382157822_8988743161618545806_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB6X_FTp3k9qDQY0onRE2FTMB-TcwhSGoUoQjTFkqZdBsleCvqN8L-htlpR1J3oNYyKPoDtgWG5R4TDnv2NOI6blV25jnuM9oRXwF0P5n4B0SAUCASpeobFTdTDNbelWbqPoAkFmmTQDW1/s640/17796168_10155089382157822_8988743161618545806_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
She said I looked like a pit bull, but I think I looked a bit more like that Spuds MacKenzie dog thing, but that's neither here, nor there, because thankfully the wonderful peoples at <a href="http://www.westlockvetcenter.com/">Westlock Veterinary Center</a> gave me some happy gas and pulled that icky tooth out and made sure I have enough pills to get rid of any infection, and I'm on the mend again.<br />
<br />
See, I'm almost back to normal again<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMqGPDSTP1cBwWiEgHJuT0jeK-oMA4ZDMzsh0d7eAf_qVBXJ6chsfYAP81jYpwlwdURA_Iu6Eui3SCdhnt09m8eR8DTWLYCxin9RdSWWvyc4xT-GxRp7EjsZ4Q-NsX_yC1oIdO0LP8zcM8/s1600/17523178_10155116193607822_6008781372764916183_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMqGPDSTP1cBwWiEgHJuT0jeK-oMA4ZDMzsh0d7eAf_qVBXJ6chsfYAP81jYpwlwdURA_Iu6Eui3SCdhnt09m8eR8DTWLYCxin9RdSWWvyc4xT-GxRp7EjsZ4Q-NsX_yC1oIdO0LP8zcM8/s640/17523178_10155116193607822_6008781372764916183_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
The biggest problem right now is that I'm not supposed to be running around, flouncing, or drinking from a straw, so I'm a bit bored at the moment and driving the Musher a bit insane, so she told me that I could help her out a lot if I would just go to the garage and go through some of the boxes out there. She said that she had a few things that she'd like to put in a garage sale so if I could go and inventory it all and use my AH Mazing interwebs skills to do a Hugey Huge Online Garage Sale, that would keep me occupied and help her out.<br />
<br />
So I said "sure". I mean, how much stuffs could she have out there?<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-MdDLerQbby1H3p7XPC7c0WdJp-BWRkjzOIosHV-0P86RrxDQ4pjVV3Uejtq9AL69TFhDIdZuyIP7kiEEVoKLltBbtDyuiTJzg80zcDwOUeBuUmYR7stF5PFp6lPr6d4qop_iapFsLk0N/s1600/Bet+Garage+reveal.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="502" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-MdDLerQbby1H3p7XPC7c0WdJp-BWRkjzOIosHV-0P86RrxDQ4pjVV3Uejtq9AL69TFhDIdZuyIP7kiEEVoKLltBbtDyuiTJzg80zcDwOUeBuUmYR7stF5PFp6lPr6d4qop_iapFsLk0N/s640/Bet+Garage+reveal.png" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Seriously peoples, there's a bunch of really good stuffs and things we'll be putting up for auction on a separate Facebook group from April 24th until April 30th. We'll post a linky link soon where you can see all of the cool stuffs and things and ensembles, and books and autographed things and even really cool Iditarod-related stuffs and things that you can bid on.<br />
<br />
I'll be posting updates this week on where it's at, what's going on, and how you can soon own a piece of the Musher stuffs and things.<br />
<br />
- Bet<br />
<br />Shmoohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01290170566232915521noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1960268082908671136.post-13620418333125096492017-03-21T09:57:00.000-06:002017-03-21T12:57:48.425-06:00I Make No Apologies For Being a Woman...This showed up on my Facebook feed this morning....<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEIK-Wo4fL1RpjWyLLmg5MaTZsF-AnqbeNBLT-brvXU_TL4kmFJBA6YWv_JoT0Gmqq_wndGJoHxcYEcCNNm5W7Orl-EYLmi29NkQy3NykWqahgodo5MdOj6IkRpF7LEPJ9RCH2wB0RUkM/s1600/17309055_10158337688165537_6795013596485447909_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEIK-Wo4fL1RpjWyLLmg5MaTZsF-AnqbeNBLT-brvXU_TL4kmFJBA6YWv_JoT0Gmqq_wndGJoHxcYEcCNNm5W7Orl-EYLmi29NkQy3NykWqahgodo5MdOj6IkRpF7LEPJ9RCH2wB0RUkM/s320/17309055_10158337688165537_6795013596485447909_n.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
It was followed by a whole bunch of woman striving to explain how they were 'zeros' or at least close to it.<br />
<br />
I've seen similar conversations pop up on various 'woman's mushing forums' over the years - and lots of shaming to any woman who admits they could vaguely be considered 'high maintenance'. It drives me CRAZY!!!<br />
<br />
First, let me say I can probably 'out rough' all of you. I know what it is like to go close to 2 weeks of high intensity activity without a shower and end up with your hair so dirty it takes 3 washes to even get your shampoo to lather.<br />
I can pack everything I need for two weeks of travel in Alaska in the winter in a small backpack.<br />
There have been times in my life I considered an outhouse an incredible luxury.<br />
I once took a timed 1-minute shower that I considered fantastic.<br />
I've run a 300-mile dog sled race with a broken finger, I've stuck a stick through my hand, I've sprained and SERIOUSLY bruised almost every bit of my body at one time or another.<br />
I've spent evenings throwing 1000s of lbs of slimy skinned beaver carcasses into a walk-in freezer, stacked over 100 - 40-lb bags of dog food on my own, and can lug 2 full, 5-gallon buckets of water wherever they need to go.<br />
I have driven 16 dogs down the Happy River steps and Dazell Gorge 10 times.<br />
I've been covered in crap, puke, piss, birthing fluids, dead animal bits and a variety of other gross substances more times than I can count over the years.<br />
<br />
However, I get regular pedicures, I get my hair professionally cut, coloured and styled, and although most of my days are spent in polar fleece and sweatpants, I love wearing dresses, skirts, and flowy soft clothing when I can. I'm addicted to cute boots and scarves.<br />
AND I'M TIRED OF BEING SHAMED AND MAKING EXCUSES FOR IT.<br />
<br />
I remember a few years ago buying a pair of flashy, shiny bright red pumps to wear to a family function and posting a picture of them on FB. I got more comments - most of them of the 'I never would waste money on something like that' (they were $14.99 at Walmart) or 'I only buy shoes I can wear in the dogyard' variety than anything else. GET OVER IT LADIES. I wore them with a simple black dress, got a zillion compliments and felt like a million bucks.<br />
<br />
I am so inspired to see women like DeeDee Jonrowe, Monica Zappa and Lisbet Norris wearing skirts and lovely, colourful outfits on Iditarod. I saw a picture the other day of Roxy Wright accepting her award for winning the ONAC in a skirt and ADORABLE boots!!!<br />
<br />
If your style is jeans and a sweatshirt, hair tied in a ponytail, with a winter's worth of growth on your legs - power to you - BUT it doesn't make you tougher, a better dog musher or a more caring dog owner than me.<br />
<br />
Or another great bit of shaming - "I spent all my time and money on my dogs - I don't have money or time for myself". If that is what you want to be spending all your time and money on - GREAT - but don't try to make me feel lesser because I have figured out ways to embrace my style within my financial budget and time restraints. My dogs don't want for anything.<br />
<br />
We need to stop shaming each other. <br />
<br />
Wear what you feel comfortable in. Wear what makes you feel good. Spoil yourself every now and again. Paint your nails/don't paint your nails. Put eyelash extensions on/don't put eyelash extensions on. Wear Carhartts with diamond earrings (fake or otherwise). Do chores in your pjs with Carhartts over top! Run dogs in a skirt. Be as feminine as you wish!!!!!<br />
<br />
Make no excuses for it. Hang with people that embrace you for who you are.<br />
<br />
And now, if you'll excuse me, I have to go feed dogs, work out, shovel my dog yard and shower before my massage appointment this afternoon - and if that makes me 'high maintenance', so be it. Karen Ramsteadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11545806535358579374noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1960268082908671136.post-71312008792595610972017-03-20T13:53:00.001-06:002017-03-20T13:53:40.665-06:00Ch.NorthWapiti's Crunchie<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
I wanted to convey my most grateful thanks to all of you who have written and messaged over the last 10 days to express your sadness over the passing of Crunchie. <br />
<br />
<br />
I have generally not replied, liked or even acknowledged anything and I wanted to make it clear that it was not because I am ungrateful or don't care, but rather that I just CAN'T. We all grieve in our own way - and my way is often to withdraw. Please don't take it personally, it is not intended like that.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
I don't think I can write a little memorial page for him as I usually do with the passing of one of my dogs, but I did have some things that I think were important to say about him - some for the folks with his offspring and his future offspring (a few folks have collected and stored semen on him) - and some for me.<br />
<br />
I don't have some great breakout memory of one day recognizing his potential as a puppy. With him it was more like a jigsaw piece clicking into place. Without effort or force he just became part of me and part of the team.<br />
<br />
Many have commented about the loss of my 'leader' - but in fact, I don't consider him a 'lead dog'. In a pinch, he could get the job done, but it was rare that I put him up front. Despite that, he made any dog team he was in better. I don't understand how, but I really didn't need to. He was just a different sort of 'leader'.<br />
<br />
He ran his first Iditarod at 2 1/2 years of age. He ran his last Iditarod, and probably his best, at 10 1/2 years of age.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
He ran just about every race with me from 2004 to 2012. He was never injured, sick or dropped in any of those races - and I could likely count on one hand the number of times he had booties on. I think he embodied the toughness of Siberians of old.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRc0GmvSG7CkBUOrKCTKaRiuHN5DDtIy5OcYijhPt2nX-Em6ReQx6WyL2L7lKMEjrTXsp1tjdd-NbBZuPuiGrPGfiHlIlXmc0wBKdG5Pv9nn4ERJTkos7_6p7A4nxQ2xnilKPDtxFul9g/s1600/419919_10150714290106195_2093554720_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="244" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRc0GmvSG7CkBUOrKCTKaRiuHN5DDtIy5OcYijhPt2nX-Em6ReQx6WyL2L7lKMEjrTXsp1tjdd-NbBZuPuiGrPGfiHlIlXmc0wBKdG5Pv9nn4ERJTkos7_6p7A4nxQ2xnilKPDtxFul9g/s320/419919_10150714290106195_2093554720_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crunchie resting in McGrath in '12 at 10 1/2 years of age</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
One year the Discovery channel came out to film us for a series on Iditarod they were doing. Inevitably, they asked the question, "who is your favourite dog?". I took them over to meet Crunch. The cameraman got in tight for a head shot and Crunchie fixated his dark eyes on him - or so the cameraman thought. When he got in close Crunch struck like a cobra and ripped the fuzzy cover off the microphone. It took some doing to get it back.<br />
<br />
<br />
Weeks later when they were filming us in Rainy Pass on Iditarod, the same cameraman tried to get Crunchie to do the same thing. Crunchie looked at me and looked back at the cameraman with a look that CLEARLY said "can't you see I'm working". The cameraman didn't get his shot.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dx9XeH0t1A9WpDSFaJjqedUdGN6N5q_7C0fqr6jeMC4XrsxrrQACCY0t_xntNHOUpwLae_t-X9PH4k5Njwl' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Retirement never suited him. This is him in his teens singing the blues because I was out with a team.</div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
After his first Iditarod I got the harebrained idea to take him to a dog show. He was what I thought a Siberian should look like, so why not show him?<br />
I promised him that if he thought it was foolish, I'd never ask him again but the second he figured out that you just stood there and got fed, he was on board.<br />
<br />
He finished his Canadian Championship with a Group 2nd.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
The year I took him to the US Nationals I clearly remember being in the Open Dog class. It was a huge class and I had no expectation of placing with my little old sled dog.<br />
<br />
The judge went over him, commented on his lovely shoulders and sent us to the front of the line. It wasn't until the next few exhibitors came over and counted back to insert themselves in the line that it occurred to me that the judge was putting us in the order she intended to place us - and we were up front.<br />
<br />
I got stressed and attempted, to Crunchie's dismay, to place his feet like a show dog. He brushed me off and put his feet back where he wanted them. I took the hint and was just a puppet on the end a show leash from then on. HE won the class.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJNTvq4QbRY_OJDTgyMKly8Hyw9N3q-rXCAGhlypQqsQ6xOCdOKpzVnSubijdiBp9iH7C_alHFnq7TTLQVnJKsfOTU0HeWVmbn-j4X00TDqTGOeRFGM8gyxHzuZsGBhTAbBNn2SPwQNFI/s1600/07ntnl-crunchie2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJNTvq4QbRY_OJDTgyMKly8Hyw9N3q-rXCAGhlypQqsQ6xOCdOKpzVnSubijdiBp9iH7C_alHFnq7TTLQVnJKsfOTU0HeWVmbn-j4X00TDqTGOeRFGM8gyxHzuZsGBhTAbBNn2SPwQNFI/s320/07ntnl-crunchie2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
Those stories - and many more - about Crunch make me smile, for sure - and I'm proud of the things he accomplished in his life, but none of them are the reason I grieve so deeply for him.<br />
<br />
I'm stealing something that my dear friend Simone wrote to me after hearing the news of Crunch's passing. I didn't ask her permission, but I don't think she'll mind.<br />
<br />
"<span style="background-color: #f1f0f0; color: #4b4f56; font-family: "san francisco" , , , ".sfnstext-regular" , sans-serif; font-size: 12px; letter-spacing: -0.24px; white-space: pre-wrap;">I went through all my photos to check if I find a great photo of him. I realized, I took selfies with almost all the dogs - except Crunchie. He was always your dog, and he sure let me know this - he was quite reserved around most handlers (well, all the ones I met) but as soon as you came in the yard - he was totally focused on you! <span style="font-family: "san francisco" , , , ".sfnstext-regular" , sans-serif;"> </span><img alt="❤️" class="_1ift _2560 img" src="https://www.facebook.com/images/emoji.php/v8/z6e/3/16/2764.png" style="border: 0px; display: inline-block; height: 16px; margin: 0px 1px; pointer-events: none; vertical-align: middle; width: 16px;" /> a once in a lifetime relationship!"
</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #f1f0f0; color: #4b4f56; font-family: "san francisco" , , , ".sfnstext-regular" , sans-serif; font-size: 12px; letter-spacing: -0.24px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: #f1f0f0; color: #4b4f56; font-family: "san francisco" , , , ".sfnstext-regular" , sans-serif; font-size: 12px; letter-spacing: -0.24px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
I have spent the last 16 years with those little black eyes boring into me. I have deeply loved many dogs, but I have never known one that I felt more connected to.<br />
<br />
Simone's right: he was not a super affectionate, cuddly dog. He didn't give kisses, he hated hugs, and he NEVER wanted to be pampered. His way of connecting was to stare into my eyes and sniff my face. Correction, stare into my soul and sniff my face.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiDMtik8OOE6cUl4nxObcL7f9KVWNHXBe4HKB2vQw8fMONjlfDwLxHRYYX2uz4nFw71nfBHCd9r4AaGl4zApimHlKNcAUsmuUkXmhmeCc80LmYvMsN8egWxa5aCiGkt2ShxOHzXv3Jloo/s1600/561376_10150732737571195_1972379503_n+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiDMtik8OOE6cUl4nxObcL7f9KVWNHXBe4HKB2vQw8fMONjlfDwLxHRYYX2uz4nFw71nfBHCd9r4AaGl4zApimHlKNcAUsmuUkXmhmeCc80LmYvMsN8egWxa5aCiGkt2ShxOHzXv3Jloo/s320/561376_10150732737571195_1972379503_n+%25281%2529.jpg" width="264" /></a></div>
<br />
I can't count the number of times I'd be puttering in the dog yard and look up to catch him lying somewhere he could stare at me. On our last Iditarod, I swear he was sitting up staring at the door of the checkpoint every time I walked out.<br />
<br />
In 2007 flying home from Grayling after losing his sister (Snickers), the dogs were all behind me on the small plane, necklines snapped into cargo netting - I turned around in my seat as we got ready to take off to make sure everyone was settled. Some were fussing, some lying down, and Crunch was sitting straight up staring at me. We locked eyes - and I'm not really sure I know who was comforting who in that moment.<br />
<br />
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- <br />
<br />
In the Vet Clinic that final day, I sat on the floor with him waiting for Tannis (Dr. Jackson) to come in. He locked eyes with me and we sniffed moments before she did. I couldn't look in his eyes as he passed - I feared the light going away would suck my soul out with it.<br />
<br />
He was my teammate, my partner and my friend. I will grieve his passing always.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Ch. NorthWapiti's Crunchie</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
June 6, 2001 - March 10th, 2017</div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh6tMdj94zzjqF1OQo86O9JgJJQ3-sT0CH6Bm5cGhrvgJThhZ60sFA0lYixE_lF38CsQKCgC3_SxhX7_DifUeFqXPtLIa30p48bC3Om_GgK-TrJ2cgYLdicBS6xj8_GbzqHMpqOmFIU-4/s1600/704244_10151301627901195_411458825_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh6tMdj94zzjqF1OQo86O9JgJJQ3-sT0CH6Bm5cGhrvgJThhZ60sFA0lYixE_lF38CsQKCgC3_SxhX7_DifUeFqXPtLIa30p48bC3Om_GgK-TrJ2cgYLdicBS6xj8_GbzqHMpqOmFIU-4/s640/704244_10151301627901195_411458825_o.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Karen Ramsteadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11545806535358579374noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1960268082908671136.post-57735056853203876872017-03-19T21:53:00.001-06:002017-03-19T21:53:45.273-06:00Birthday Soups for The Cartoonist -Bear<span style="font-family: inherit;">Hey! Guess what today is? <br /></span><br />
<div class="gmail_default">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Yuppers, it's The Cartoonist's birthday. </span></div>
<div class="gmail_default">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="gmail_default">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">She's
been feeling ill so I decided to share my precious soups with her. </span></div>
<div class="gmail_default">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></div>
<div class="gmail_default">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></div>
<div class="gmail_default">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Soups are good anytime, but especially when you are cold or sick.</span></div>
<div class="gmail_default">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiovM26IriDzktZMlruk4ikc0eLThi9YxwbUNZBX7a2y6NRyLXJSIj6Kr_wXTeC4DYItaf4BwBDwKlhVa5UCgL_9zevLyCaVV1Xhp0MioFpwIE-xFKod8K7wtpuT5IYP9z5-81Rydd-Gao8/s1600/Bear+with+soup+Penny+bday+2017+b.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiovM26IriDzktZMlruk4ikc0eLThi9YxwbUNZBX7a2y6NRyLXJSIj6Kr_wXTeC4DYItaf4BwBDwKlhVa5UCgL_9zevLyCaVV1Xhp0MioFpwIE-xFKod8K7wtpuT5IYP9z5-81Rydd-Gao8/s640/Bear+with+soup+Penny+bday+2017+b.JPG" width="321" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><h4>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>"You can never have too much soups!" -Bear</i></span></h4>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="gmail_default">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></div>
<div class="gmail_default">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Twig insisted we add the brocoolies--but between us, soups are better without green stuffs. </span></div>
<div class="gmail_default">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Join
me and all the critters here at NorthWapiti in wishing our Cartoonist a
Happy Birthday and tell her to please get well soon--we don't want to see any more icky, sick cartoons on the Facebooks.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Love to all,</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Bear </span>Huskymomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09134862014614923018noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1960268082908671136.post-49708644507666342162017-03-16T12:26:00.002-06:002017-03-17T17:14:02.392-06:00A List Of Scarred SoulsToday the ADN published a 'list' of all the dogs that died during the running of the Iditarod for the last 10 years.<br />
<a href="https://www.adn.com/outdoors-adventure/iditarod/2017/03/15/iditarod-dog-deaths-over-the-last-decade/" target="_blank">Iditarod Dog Deaths Over The Last Decade</a><br />
<br />
I've seen similar lists in different places and with different motivations over the years. Many times that list includes my name, for in 2007 in the village of Grayling my leader Snickers died of a Gastric Ulcer.<br />
<br />
This lists might make it seem that those deaths are just an asterisk in an Iditarod career - or a painful, but long-past event. Let me tell you that is not the case.<br />
<br />
The 10th anniversary of Snickers' death was last Friday. Sadly, that morning her brother Crunchie had to be put down due to old age. He would have been 16 in June.<br />
He was one of the ones fighting with us in that little community centre late into the night 10 years ago. <br />
Dr. Justine Lee, with minimal supplies, used him as a donor to do a blood transfusion on his sister in the battle for her life. I will never forget how stoically he sat amidst all the stress and commotion going on around him as Dr. Lee drew blood. <br />
All our efforts were for naught though and she passed away in the night, cradled in my hands. <br />
<br />
In terms of bad days in my life, that rates right up there with the passing of my father.<br />
<br />
I remember walking out to the bank of the Yukon River shortly after she passed and having a talk with her. The moon was out and clouds were drifting across it in the wind. (I had a similar chat with her - and her brother - last Friday night. The sky was eerily almost exactly the same.)<br />
<br />
The next morning I scratched from the race and went home. My heart for the race was gone. (Let me just say that most mushers do continue down the trail - and I get that. We all grieve and heal in our own way and, when there is no wrongdoing on the part of the musher leading to the death of their teammate - the race needs to support that.)<br />
<br />
For a while I didn't know if my heart for racing and the Iditarod would come back, but it did. In no small part thanks to Snickers - on the banks of the Yukon that night I had promised to take her to Nome 'in a manner she deserved' and that had to be done.<br />
<br />
In 2008, I stopped my team on Cape Nome overlooking the Bering Sea coast and the city in the distance. It's a spot that I have traditionally stopped to thank my dogs for the adventure we just had together, and I knew it was where Snickers' ashes needed to be scattered.<br />
I thanked the team and then sat down and had a good chat with Snickers before turning her ashes over to the wind and snow.<br />
<br />
The rest of my trip into Nome was graced by the most spectacular sunset I've even witnessed. It about broke my heart and helped settle my soul all that the same time. When I reached Nome, as I walked up to to my leaders in the chute, I stopped to spread the last little bit of her ashes under the burled arch.<br />
"A promise made is a debt unpaid and the trail has it's own stern code." (Robert Service, 'The Cremation of Sam McGee')<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoZ7v6uJc6S1vuWd3RChHxJ3HjVZXMPhCSLenRoa-ae5Op4xf3UOVEhKDGIxTNKqwbhlttL4h1iPJfBO8s-SmNuca08P7WtnRyE1Y0TB2pQNjZ3-7sO2lKVkdJerhiCqiiENot9OqZWhw/s1600/AKSTOCK_001BA_AA0513D004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoZ7v6uJc6S1vuWd3RChHxJ3HjVZXMPhCSLenRoa-ae5Op4xf3UOVEhKDGIxTNKqwbhlttL4h1iPJfBO8s-SmNuca08P7WtnRyE1Y0TB2pQNjZ3-7sO2lKVkdJerhiCqiiENot9OqZWhw/s640/AKSTOCK_001BA_AA0513D004.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by Jeff Schultz</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
In the wake of her death, money was donated to help fund Dr. Mike Davis' studies on gastric ulcers in working sled dogs. His studies gave us protocols that are still used today - and '07 was the last year that a dog on the Iditarod died from a gastric ulcer (and for the record, bomb sniffing dogs for the military have also benefited from this work).<br />
<br />
In '12, my last Iditarod finish, I stopped and visited with Snickers on my way into Nome. In the years I have judged, I have asked mushers that I particularly admire to stop and say 'Hi' to her for me. They all have.<br />
<br />
I never have asked to work a particular checkpoint on Iditarod, but I have always requested that I NOT work in Grayling. Although the community rallied around me in the wake of Snickers' passing and supported me in ways that were so appreciated and will NEVER be forgotten, the memories are just too raw. <br />
<br />
Even working Shageluk in '13 as a judge I was hit by a flood of memories, as it was the last checkpoint she led me out of. I could have told you exactly where we were parked and I stood at the 'out trail' before the first teams arrived, letting the memories wash over me.<br />
<br />
I have spoke to other mushers who have lost dogs on the trail over the years. If the talk turns to such things, you can watch their eyes cloud over as they speak and the memories flood back.<br />
<br />
So when you look at that list in the paper, don't fail to see that what you are looking at is a list of scarred souls - forever changed by those moments in time.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh5A8KJ_RqXnzHyjFw2PWYqqaVJ5MdpSrtgIQGL7Fvmr5ZmLXBRchW-uWYSqsHVoezpCosMMC865RbqP0iTi_VS57rGhU5BlcL_O2OW6khbmeY4_t5Qp18CX4PkX_eM4t27NTa1AFyXBY/s1600/snickers207-5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh5A8KJ_RqXnzHyjFw2PWYqqaVJ5MdpSrtgIQGL7Fvmr5ZmLXBRchW-uWYSqsHVoezpCosMMC865RbqP0iTi_VS57rGhU5BlcL_O2OW6khbmeY4_t5Qp18CX4PkX_eM4t27NTa1AFyXBY/s1600/snickers207-5.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
NorthWapiti's Snickers</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
June 6, 2001 - March 10, 2007</div>
<br />
<br />
<br />Karen Ramsteadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11545806535358579374noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1960268082908671136.post-32549070703597221272017-03-08T19:06:00.001-07:002017-03-08T19:06:25.540-07:002003 MemoriesMy goodness, it has been FOREVER since I've blogged.<br /><br />It's been a miserable winter and there are lots of changes going on in my life, so just haven't been in the mood to 'prattle'.<br /><br />However, my mind has been wandering down the Iditarod Trail a bit - okay, maybe a lot - this week and I felt inspired to post.<br />
<br />
As I'm sure most of you know, the Iditarod had to move the start to Fairbanks again this winter. This is the third time it has happened - and the first time I've sat at home and watched it.<br /><br />In '15 I was judging in Tananna and we were so very busy that I didn't have a single moment to reflect on my memories of running to and from there in '03. In fact, it wasn't until yesterday morning, when I was (rather wistfully) thinking about what the current mushers were going through that it actually occurred to me that I had run that trail.<br /><br />Since then bits and pieces of it have been drifting back to me and I thought I'd share some of them with you.<br /><br />So here goes -<br /><br />I don't have much recollection of the start (forgive me, it was 14 years ago) which was on the Chena River that time, other then the 'reassurance' that if our trucks went through the ice - which seemed very 'saggy' - we wouldn't sink above the wheels. ;)<br /><br />A few miles down the Chena, Susan Butcher was sitting on a snow machine watching teams go by. She said 'Hi Karen' as I trotted by and I was thrilled she actually recognized me.<br />I remember wondering what she was thinking, watching all of us head out - for the record, I think I know the answer to that now.<br /><br />Rick Swenson caught up with us and chatted a bit as he passed. I pretty much idolized Rick (then and now) and was delighted to answer his questions about my team. "Looking good", he said as the distance between us increased.<br /><br />I don't remember details of Nenanna - what I remember was general chaos and, after a rest, my delight to be out of there.<br /><br />On the long run to Manley the stress and excitement from the start caught up with me and I struggled to stay awake. All I recall is swamps, lakes and passing by Charlie and Robin Boulding's cabin. And be aware - in the state of mind I was in - remembering swamps, lakes and cabins doesn't mean there was swamps. lakes and cabins. During the '04 Iditarod I was shocked to find that Golovin was on a spit on the Arctic Ocean - I would have SWORE I ran along a tree lined river to get to it in '01.<br /><br />In Manley, sprint musher Don Cousins, a fellow Albertan, was there helping park teams. Despite living about an hour from him for over 10 years, we had never met. He patiently introduced himself a few times before who he was actually sunk in to my groggy brain.<br /><br />I remember a lovely dog lot and a terrific warm 2 storey building for mushers to sleep in. I'm surprised it is still standing though as a few mushers were snoring so loudly that I swear the walls were moving (names are being withheld to protect the not so innocent!)<br /><br />There was some talk of a hard to find trail across a local lake and I have a vague memory of picking my leaving time to accommodate that bit of trail - which was ultimately no problem. There was a SHARP drop just out of Manley that no one had said anything about - that had the distinction of being the ONLY bit of sled on the 'new' trail that you actually had to 'drive' a sled on. My fancy brand new Gatt sled and I handled it with more grace than I thought possible.<br /><br />Nighttime came and lack of sleep again caught me. Following a narrow creek I got NAILED by a nasty 'sweeper' (tree branch hanging low over the trail), knocking my headlamp off and leaving a nasty bump on my head. Now WIDE AWAKE I took a few moments to sort myself out and give my head a shake.<br /><br />Like 2015, Tananna was excited to have Iditarod visit and rolled out the red carpet for us. The sun was shining and we all had a lovely rest there. One of my FAVOURITE people to share the trail with, Palmer Shagoonik shared some 'Eskimo Ice Cream' with me. That was my first taste of 'eskimo' food and it was pretty good (missing John Baker's 'eskimo salad' this year. He knows I like it and if he has leftovers in his drop bag will leave it for me in checkpoints I'm judging in).<br /><br />I believe the decision to move the start was done later in '03 than '15 and this year and in all the 'confusion' the village didn't get enough <a href="https://www.goldeagle.com/brands/heet" target="_blank">HEET</a> for everyone. We had 2 options - wait for a plane that was due to arrive 'soon' or use 'red bottle' HEET. "How different could the 2 types of HEET be", I thought.<br />For any of you that might find yourself in that situation one day, let me be clear - WAIT FOR THE PLANE. Red bottle HEET does not burn NEAR as clean. My cooker was a MESS and I don't think my lungs will ever be the same.<br />And oh.....I watched the plane circle and land from down on the river within sight of town. I'd like to say I've conquered my impatience in the 14 years since, but I really haven't.<br /><br />Many hours into the 120 mile run I passed a cabin at the on a small island on the river. There were a BUNCH of teams camping. I stopped and chatted with one of the mushers for a moment, but it was sooner then I wanted to stop and it looked really crowded, so I kept going and camped at a small pullout on the river a few hours later. We camped uneventfully till well after dark.<br /><br />My next memory is one of the most memorable in my Iditarod 'career'. <br /><br />It was about 2am and the trail had drifted out more into the middle of the Yukon River, far from the banks. The dogs were traveling nicely and I was getting into the 'sleep deprivation zone' and felt pretty awake - though I wasn't sharply focused on the trail as nothing needed me to be. River running usually doesn't require a lot of attention. I think I was listening to music, although I didn't get my first iPod till '04 so didn't listen to a lot of music prior to that.<br /><br />Anyway, we were cruising along when something BUMPED me on the back of my calves. Mushers often travel without headlamps on on nights like this - and if another team comes up behind you on a narrow trail, the leaders may bump into you, at which point their amused musher will flip their light on and holler 'TRAIL' (yeah, we can be a sadistic bunch when it comes to dealing with each other). I turned around to see whose team had caught me to see ....NOTHING. And I mean nothing. I could see a long way back in the moonlight and there was no one for miles and miles.<br /><br />I glanced around a bit more, shrugged and turned back to my team.<br /><br />A bit later - the EXACT same thing happened.<br /><br />I didn't feel threatened or scared - and my dogs seemed oblivious (and I've had another 'odd' encounter in '04 where they were absolutely not oblivious). I consoled myself thinking that 'whatever' presence I was hanging out with on this trail likely hadn't seen a dog team here in a LONG time - and was most likely not displeased to have us back.<br /><br />Several hours later Gerry Sousa caught up with us. I was going to ask him if he 'felt' anything out there, but he was in a pretty bad mood and I just got out of his way. And just for the record, I had never met Gerry before and was a bit put off at our encounter. As soon as I pulled into Ruby, Gerry found me and apologized for his demeanour on the trail. I was impressed. <br />I've shared the trail with him many times since and he has never since been anything but pleasant and easy to be around!<br /><br /><br />From Ruby on my memories blend with many other years of moments and memories - well, except for the moose soup with Palmer in Nulato, the bad burn on my fingers from my cooker (and the vets popping the blisters for me in Eagle River), having cigars with Jim Gallea and Tyrell Seavey on the Yukon (don't think your Mom will mind reading about it now Tyrell), the traveling disco that was Jeff King, and that case of Giardia - but those are stories for a different day.<br /><br /><br />Karen Ramsteadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11545806535358579374noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1960268082908671136.post-23483703196372208942016-11-11T09:55:00.000-07:002016-11-11T09:55:30.946-07:00And Dream of Sheep - BetHowdy Ho Everybodies!!<br />
<br />
Oh I know, it's been such a long, long time since I've bloggity blogged and I do apologize for the lull.<br />
<br />
The Musher took us all on a FABulous adventure that involved Timbits, chicken mcnuggets, and oodles of baa baa sheepy things!<br />
<br />
I have absolutely no idea where we went but it was a long drive.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiluQkHQVJLJtS6MveztqVWsTgK5wD1PZO1O85vRjZxBoiQ2gFNbUkdLl0l-k4DrJ05B9Ax_MUJLS7fam6vPljSg-02T1Y4g7LZ8a-qsdmbjAso2HydT64r2_CVaouMhPJvyMx_jL1kOXBh/s1600/14639735_10154605277837822_3251136653382013830_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiluQkHQVJLJtS6MveztqVWsTgK5wD1PZO1O85vRjZxBoiQ2gFNbUkdLl0l-k4DrJ05B9Ax_MUJLS7fam6vPljSg-02T1Y4g7LZ8a-qsdmbjAso2HydT64r2_CVaouMhPJvyMx_jL1kOXBh/s640/14639735_10154605277837822_3251136653382013830_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Musher... I have to pee again</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
And then we arrived at this magical place called Sheepcation! Ok, actually it was Chris Jobe's place outside of Medicine Hat (although I didn't see any hats anywhere) and our whole merry band of Coolies were welcomed with open arms.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOp1LcuH3E1pxGOJLCv3RZUPJJwvXDPXtck93IdazRgkk3m2a9zOdA1XAc_MSShExawE8TZPB5VB7RsRXl8s9Ra7fCMdtgN-JRMpw8MowuMj62F74gkhwCEM2o5XqNuCVWPO7R1KkLzNGi/s1600/14915718_10154610949227822_6695077206023509605_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOp1LcuH3E1pxGOJLCv3RZUPJJwvXDPXtck93IdazRgkk3m2a9zOdA1XAc_MSShExawE8TZPB5VB7RsRXl8s9Ra7fCMdtgN-JRMpw8MowuMj62F74gkhwCEM2o5XqNuCVWPO7R1KkLzNGi/s640/14915718_10154610949227822_6695077206023509605_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
It was wonderful, relaxing, out in the middle of nowhere and chock full o' sheepy things!<br />
<br />
Chris actually runs a business that trains us coolies to manage wildlife called <a href="http://www.caninesolutions.ca/">Canine Solutions</a>.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHsGnvwcO6ptgBgMEX5PwUmEpNN7-znb_B_0GBx3Ff0iJgOmV4Sy14J8db8w84je0_0w96Xhpx7f-hGFgN_nU5axQeQFGXqJ_XsahZ930i_aDd7O34O4VNUzVqe0dj0CD21o0frXE-jOEH/s1600/14947515_10154615312987822_5306257014710300458_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHsGnvwcO6ptgBgMEX5PwUmEpNN7-znb_B_0GBx3Ff0iJgOmV4Sy14J8db8w84je0_0w96Xhpx7f-hGFgN_nU5axQeQFGXqJ_XsahZ930i_aDd7O34O4VNUzVqe0dj0CD21o0frXE-jOEH/s640/14947515_10154615312987822_5306257014710300458_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
These particular sheepy things came armed... scary sheepie things... look at the one in the front, those crazy eyes! This is certainly some wildlife that screams "MANAGE US".<br />
<br />
I pretty much thought that we would hold meetings and planning sessions, maybe write a white paper or two, set some policies and procedures and set up a committee, but this was paws-on management style, and right up Zac's alley.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXqWJcl_PEZcx1_79mr_KavgHm2FmB90vm6E3dIYVwbcxvii3qWInAKm4UHU9hHmmI1hIh7D-1984tMsyvXev37wuKbh8JHODOby2_0w0voGr_x7zR631bGbyJQshL3SudifMqKsbPSvfe/s1600/14910417_10154612831617822_8913164892211552294_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXqWJcl_PEZcx1_79mr_KavgHm2FmB90vm6E3dIYVwbcxvii3qWInAKm4UHU9hHmmI1hIh7D-1984tMsyvXev37wuKbh8JHODOby2_0w0voGr_x7zR631bGbyJQshL3SudifMqKsbPSvfe/s640/14910417_10154612831617822_8913164892211552294_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">sneaky, sneaky herdy herdy, move along sheeps, nothing to see here</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Since I'm much older and wiser, I opted for the paws-off management style of delegation and napping a lot.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihsgfVAqEqxWz3j_0KkATnkOCtqKTfoeR8fSxzw1OrzaJw35woW_UB_jiwu4EHFXiW7QAtSpsrrKzl8kRWrqFlyPDFiORW8KfCyziSH_3ALm9cuptTwWNSHYNNQ8f3cfl83xSrZkWEhRbi/s1600/14900345_10154608000142822_4888903411283882137_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihsgfVAqEqxWz3j_0KkATnkOCtqKTfoeR8fSxzw1OrzaJw35woW_UB_jiwu4EHFXiW7QAtSpsrrKzl8kRWrqFlyPDFiORW8KfCyziSH_3ALm9cuptTwWNSHYNNQ8f3cfl83xSrZkWEhRbi/s640/14900345_10154608000142822_4888903411283882137_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Excellent work there Zac, let me know if you need anything that I can delegate to someone else.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Each day there were different challenges for the Musher and Zac, and for me as it's hard to find a decent cup of coffee and donut out in the middle of nowhere. I'm pretty sure that part of management is having people bringing you the coffee and donut. I wrote that up in my overall review of the experience, so I hope they improve on that part next time.<br />
<br />
On day one is was a few sheeps, then more sheeps the next day.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc2XLJcjuXcI9ubhtvCDt5dZGjDYckWJdJevdhpkZJqCTpA1zdKdRqQQFiGUxYwQOYpOj9GaxUHE_c1IzVlPB7Ib1-owb2fEifXZSPhuj4lfej6kq8B74MjFrqwxsLF7I4tv_ywQEHctX3/s1600/14976349_10154618799712822_4690706870069838681_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc2XLJcjuXcI9ubhtvCDt5dZGjDYckWJdJevdhpkZJqCTpA1zdKdRqQQFiGUxYwQOYpOj9GaxUHE_c1IzVlPB7Ib1-owb2fEifXZSPhuj4lfej6kq8B74MjFrqwxsLF7I4tv_ywQEHctX3/s640/14976349_10154618799712822_4690706870069838681_o.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Then on the final day there were 90 sheeps!!! NINETY! NINE, ZERO! <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMK9W4hgNHgH-WPL6gSKUrak-MYoJ9vj9C4c1uiBeKaHmP-Sv15FVqA1xvWHHIM50Ykmx7x8gs-NhmquWv4thSacP4-cv4YhvBlrFqHuTIpl2Kn7oikMJGuqVPdGnB7bWiRpkYSrjjXLCZ/s1600/15027919_10154615312982822_686685471997480263_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMK9W4hgNHgH-WPL6gSKUrak-MYoJ9vj9C4c1uiBeKaHmP-Sv15FVqA1xvWHHIM50Ykmx7x8gs-NhmquWv4thSacP4-cv4YhvBlrFqHuTIpl2Kn7oikMJGuqVPdGnB7bWiRpkYSrjjXLCZ/s640/15027919_10154615312982822_686685471997480263_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
That's a lot of sheeps! The Musher was pleased with her performance, and even prouder of the amazing job Zac did.<br />
<br />
Even the judges of Canada's Got Sheeps were amazed at the performance<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzxsbX3reKrEW5DjajU4D8lFoGm831IBhnxs5PdUuFRtdhAp0-Cdo4n7TQ9UA8zvlmT1_2bs3jjPx-u7F7iMZhLC8USv4e7ACiW46V7fEfAH0kgdaYh_nXxZc8n9Yw_ChcW099wAafSd6h/s1600/15037274_10154625201822822_236080265586078047_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzxsbX3reKrEW5DjajU4D8lFoGm831IBhnxs5PdUuFRtdhAp0-Cdo4n7TQ9UA8zvlmT1_2bs3jjPx-u7F7iMZhLC8USv4e7ACiW46V7fEfAH0kgdaYh_nXxZc8n9Yw_ChcW099wAafSd6h/s640/15037274_10154625201822822_236080265586078047_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Amazing! Good form! I gave them the golden buzzer thingamabob!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I was sorry to leave such a wonderful place<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsVvZhAzrdcffwBTXuEeTSqzkSCp8ItaxgPzkeCUwvutd-fQ0g2cp-IYPinIUR2JqMkCjKPw_K_ZlaQvqf8HGvbDOX_YGVNA_7ehNYpRhNVS75ate3W_I3aiqTI1g5dxTQHc3QVhewI9ue/s1600/14963201_10154610945437822_4726154043647236538_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsVvZhAzrdcffwBTXuEeTSqzkSCp8ItaxgPzkeCUwvutd-fQ0g2cp-IYPinIUR2JqMkCjKPw_K_ZlaQvqf8HGvbDOX_YGVNA_7ehNYpRhNVS75ate3W_I3aiqTI1g5dxTQHc3QVhewI9ue/s640/14963201_10154610945437822_4726154043647236538_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
As we drove off in the sunset, I marked my calendar for the next time we could return and you should too!<br />
<br />
Oh wait... you don't have a calendar? Seriously? If only you knew of a place to get a totally awesome calendar that you could not only write things in, but gaze upon equally wonderful and amazing things. Perhaps a calendar that long time and very dear supporter Anne Trygstad says: " The photography is terrific, and it's so cheerful and upbeat"<br />
<br />
Where could you possibly get such a wonderful calendar?<br />
<br />
<a href="http://northwapiti.blogspot.com/p/mushing-alaska.html">RIGHT HERE!</a> <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdeQoL-ygcgB7dMsQiGBJGHH9ExcnYCamDcnwwsFSX2QhMyWKac4T4bwE9k55xXMQBiqBfYSlVDi6hXIehjSgX0_mgy3CoIsv0pYW9-jWqnsPv9fcPD4h9tlB4XP1NjS0jZyiI3kVOKQ55/s1600/bet+2017+Calendar+promo.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdeQoL-ygcgB7dMsQiGBJGHH9ExcnYCamDcnwwsFSX2QhMyWKac4T4bwE9k55xXMQBiqBfYSlVDi6hXIehjSgX0_mgy3CoIsv0pYW9-jWqnsPv9fcPD4h9tlB4XP1NjS0jZyiI3kVOKQ55/s640/bet+2017+Calendar+promo.png" width="626" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://northwapiti.blogspot.com/p/mushing-alaska.html">Clickity click right here to get your copy while you can!</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Minions are standing by to take your order right now, don't delay!<br />
<br />
Frankly, what with all of the wackiness and silly things going on all over, don't you want to gaze upon wonderful things that make you smile? I know you do, so buy yours right now!<br />
<br />
- BetShmoohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01290170566232915521noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1960268082908671136.post-73838833432906521212016-10-23T07:48:00.002-06:002016-10-23T07:48:31.460-06:002017 Calendars on Sale - Bet<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTeXjv6m25WS1f28WE11YcLIoTPwN_7c_RyC6fxw90O3KtqZBz3-xbjyxI8Xbi6BWhRB8FvC8R88kI-PnnqChJOBMDXkZ80tTcQdF-nQLzAuOBrzOrlP-vX49Xdl60FMBGFRAdO6PTaquv/s1600/Black_Up_Arrow.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTeXjv6m25WS1f28WE11YcLIoTPwN_7c_RyC6fxw90O3KtqZBz3-xbjyxI8Xbi6BWhRB8FvC8R88kI-PnnqChJOBMDXkZ80tTcQdF-nQLzAuOBrzOrlP-vX49Xdl60FMBGFRAdO6PTaquv/s320/Black_Up_Arrow.png" width="268" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Howdy Ho Everybodies! See that biggie big arrow up there? <br />
<br />
It's pointing to the tab that says 2017 North Wapiti Calendar and if you clickity click that tabby thing then it'll take you to the page that will let you buy your 2017 North Wapiti Calendar!<br />
<br />
Isn't that easy!?!? We like to make things easy, especially when it means you'll get to hang a little slice of North Wapiti on your wall and gaze upon us all year round!<br />
<br />
Here's just a tiny taste of what you get to gaze upon in December!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAaiii62kUxgSMJpnXAHJ0Eu4xt08RdE6fzJfEW3zMAZFzyJWIPdrL1sG_daxgL3DIR1WckWWblbVA_6Akz9AjMj_lIa9xefwgNd9uKZBx20crZzUkBVvDiDwBegt0zKfKLg5wNqL-yIO_/s1600/leaves+calendar+picture.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAaiii62kUxgSMJpnXAHJ0Eu4xt08RdE6fzJfEW3zMAZFzyJWIPdrL1sG_daxgL3DIR1WckWWblbVA_6Akz9AjMj_lIa9xefwgNd9uKZBx20crZzUkBVvDiDwBegt0zKfKLg5wNqL-yIO_/s640/leaves+calendar+picture.jpg" width="492" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Decorative fall leaves not included</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
So get to clickity clicking because supplies are limited. Act now, operator Minions are standing by.<br />
<br />
Oh, and North Wapiti patches are still available too, so get them while you can also, because once supplies run out... they run out, then there won't be any more, then you'll be sad, and we don't want you to be sad. Don't be sad.<br />
<br />
- Bet<br />
<br />
<br />Shmoohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01290170566232915521noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1960268082908671136.post-20756925108809311622016-10-19T16:34:00.002-06:002016-10-19T16:34:45.748-06:00Need Help Ensembling! - Bet<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTjfstMbpOamP3GP3T8wZgalsuC5WrnfimX2Al2fkDcGxeERfu786S0oct-ca_XilDvMyjosLW_xV-UcA512PhetCvAhyiD1PMfJdVElu7B9ZPMljyAnsqCjnz3QEJrJdKuz6a18GToWUh/s1600/Bet+head+sideways.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTjfstMbpOamP3GP3T8wZgalsuC5WrnfimX2Al2fkDcGxeERfu786S0oct-ca_XilDvMyjosLW_xV-UcA512PhetCvAhyiD1PMfJdVElu7B9ZPMljyAnsqCjnz3QEJrJdKuz6a18GToWUh/s400/Bet+head+sideways.jpg" width="363" /></a><br />
Howdy Ho Everybodies!<br />
<br />
I have a biggity big favor to ask everyone and it's SUUUPER important!<br />
<br />
As you know, we all go for walks. When I say all, I mean EVERYONE, practically.<br />
<br />
As the wintery winter comes our way, it is getting darker earlier, and since our walks now resemble more of a herd, it's a little hard for the Musher to keep track of everyone.<br />
<br />
This is how it looks:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6LccNzARfx7M1-zhkB3Aqd7dc81TLIfG130lm8PjtOFwZuSSnsND-lzmetQotWKVCOawLcnx-8GLAd5CbXFgI2F_vepfaM9QMq_3yzwJ1y6gV3iwWjnwPvgtH39l41sB69eDr-Z_IGRtE/s1600/Walking+dark.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6LccNzARfx7M1-zhkB3Aqd7dc81TLIfG130lm8PjtOFwZuSSnsND-lzmetQotWKVCOawLcnx-8GLAd5CbXFgI2F_vepfaM9QMq_3yzwJ1y6gV3iwWjnwPvgtH39l41sB69eDr-Z_IGRtE/s640/Walking+dark.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Fortunately the FABulous people at <a href="http://www.head-lites.com/">Head-Lites</a> have provided us Border Coolies and the Pretty Sled Dogs with these ultra blingy, totally handy, and wonderfully bright <a href="http://www.head-lites.com/">Head-Lites </a>collars so the Musher knows where we are.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLXO9aqP2gPBozL-2bqRuB0cAA7LrjYL0yiUdNS5u3RzxtiN9KqhIFWIaHrLo3bdI90CBuA-2jtRKh3WCMLDGIJhxCkrC9rg6cAAuKrbfmKX5GRQAPaQSlLZP-_RVYVm6jWowG8QnWOOW9/s1600/14716263_10154549714637822_5511330041814104207_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLXO9aqP2gPBozL-2bqRuB0cAA7LrjYL0yiUdNS5u3RzxtiN9KqhIFWIaHrLo3bdI90CBuA-2jtRKh3WCMLDGIJhxCkrC9rg6cAAuKrbfmKX5GRQAPaQSlLZP-_RVYVm6jWowG8QnWOOW9/s640/14716263_10154549714637822_5511330041814104207_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'm purple, Zac is green, and Twig is pink</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
The problem is that none of the Head-Lites collars that we have will fit around the massively hugey huge necks of Cricket, Bear, and that big fat cat Bait. <br />
<br />
Well, problem solved because those adorably wonderful <a href="http://www.head-lites.com/">Head-Lites</a> peoples have offered to send us sizes that will fit them all! Yes, they even have a size for that big, bloaty cat thing Bait (he's getting a small dog size... he thinks he's a dog... he's not a dog, seriously, he's not a dog).<br />
<br />
Here comes the help we need.... what colors do we get them? We want your choices, so in the bloggity blog comments, or on the Facesbooks, please go look at the different stuffs and things and then comment on what you think would match the furs of Bear, Cricket, and Bait!<br />
<br />
Here's the linkity link for the collars...<a href="http://www.head-lites.com/collections/all"> click this</a><br />
<br />
Get commenting so we can order them!<br />
<br />
Wahooo<br />
<br />
- BetShmoohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01290170566232915521noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1960268082908671136.post-40704757580394091342016-09-06T17:03:00.000-06:002016-09-06T17:03:54.330-06:00This Is A Public Service Announcement. This is Lily.....<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglBbKwhZ-JCnpHtlOfhJXYJYpEhxNHLWdgokhAg1w4o91qtLn17FTLZgGUlExLZ2aFMKSDFNkQ8Kf6bJ5bj8N7driPerncJmduf2aIw4XIQf2RWNeXSDV9tIJ5yND4wONbc-YaQ7tMP5x2/s1600/14233593_10154420070952822_811557600_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglBbKwhZ-JCnpHtlOfhJXYJYpEhxNHLWdgokhAg1w4o91qtLn17FTLZgGUlExLZ2aFMKSDFNkQ8Kf6bJ5bj8N7driPerncJmduf2aIw4XIQf2RWNeXSDV9tIJ5yND4wONbc-YaQ7tMP5x2/s640/14233593_10154420070952822_811557600_o.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Lily is a guardian llama. She guards the flock of sheep I've been working the last couple of weeks.<br />
<br />
I don't like Lily. Lily doesn't like me. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI3KPtWCpXaYd8yCWbHKAHHz4Bs7rQF_uhDt_MklNCgaj8s2Az6vdNEvV4l3sdtOcwH0OL0gcEQ4ZE90UWTJhWjUuPQNSrtBlcTwhrXW2dMBkAkxE4d1UxPrKSNNh_pIM0S0XvCQhjK5a1/s1600/14285651_10154420070802822_2053004885_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI3KPtWCpXaYd8yCWbHKAHHz4Bs7rQF_uhDt_MklNCgaj8s2Az6vdNEvV4l3sdtOcwH0OL0gcEQ4ZE90UWTJhWjUuPQNSrtBlcTwhrXW2dMBkAkxE4d1UxPrKSNNh_pIM0S0XvCQhjK5a1/s640/14285651_10154420070802822_2053004885_o.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Mostly I don't like the way she eyeballs Zac..... <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVwbAiJ7Aj7WAedClQuF4uhgpQM7XpeYQ_IuH_bg3h3OQjk5ubx5LtAyokgT_vCxgWJjES3MSd2KCqNIwwUMi-eSTxKBsqEh-iGTD_TEL12ZHhnCQ1vshQQHhyphenhyphen4x_Hf6X9BoFrfHzX0w-v/s1600/14248136_10154420070547822_231878456_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVwbAiJ7Aj7WAedClQuF4uhgpQM7XpeYQ_IuH_bg3h3OQjk5ubx5LtAyokgT_vCxgWJjES3MSd2KCqNIwwUMi-eSTxKBsqEh-iGTD_TEL12ZHhnCQ1vshQQHhyphenhyphen4x_Hf6X9BoFrfHzX0w-v/s640/14248136_10154420070547822_231878456_o.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Zac doesn't like her either.<br />
<br />
Thankfully she is always locked away when we work sheep. Today though we were sharing a fence line and Lily was not happy about it ...... And hence my public service announcement.... <br />
<br />
When you see a llama make this face, you should not continue to take pictures .....<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU_gRTT8TI8LQVYN8ei8U3yGE-VOvGcMkFz_tD5caY8XQ3CgSYjwfukXChmqBWiZDTOlbNlorGfpkXzVLd0cCjVJtgLx_IGMaTfDdmfeS_81FvC4fNXH-Lv4v3yzNNPMj_9fXOY8m0ikuZ/s1600/14215796_10154420070742822_379718998_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU_gRTT8TI8LQVYN8ei8U3yGE-VOvGcMkFz_tD5caY8XQ3CgSYjwfukXChmqBWiZDTOlbNlorGfpkXzVLd0cCjVJtgLx_IGMaTfDdmfeS_81FvC4fNXH-Lv4v3yzNNPMj_9fXOY8m0ikuZ/s640/14215796_10154420070742822_379718998_o.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
You should run! <br />
<br />
It's about to spit .....<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJLdm81ud7DlFKJllzZSAlU6bcJOpQd0LVGCYh7bN6sAav8N_md1JX4oQanxLnpCaUyIA-ONObpM2GEfxbZ95rUk8V4aFXS1zC2hKPeLustSO5gvHyAxRgsO3zuAr0k8gJUIrtf0Pa3LZ1/s1600/14273541_10154420070627822_825175651_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJLdm81ud7DlFKJllzZSAlU6bcJOpQd0LVGCYh7bN6sAav8N_md1JX4oQanxLnpCaUyIA-ONObpM2GEfxbZ95rUk8V4aFXS1zC2hKPeLustSO5gvHyAxRgsO3zuAr0k8gJUIrtf0Pa3LZ1/s640/14273541_10154420070627822_825175651_o.jpg" width="640" /></a>I could have lived my whole life and been happy not knowing that. <br />
<br />
Thanks Lily. <br />
<br />
<br />
This isn't over yet!Karen Ramsteadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11545806535358579374noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1960268082908671136.post-70704908425292159642016-08-31T08:29:00.001-06:002016-08-31T14:57:55.692-06:00What Goes Around Comes Around!!!For my 17th birthday, my parents bought me a car. Well, they wish they had bought me a car, but what they did was give me $1500 for my first vehicle - mostly I think 'cause my Mom wanted her car back!!<br />
<br />
Anyway, 17 year old, cowboy boot wearing, horse owning, country music obsessed me quickly talked by Dad into a truck. I had visions of something black and shiny but instead let him talk me into .... this.....<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyzhR-ELS4mSSof0zR8Wh_2sgC1W8ndXf0ObY5wHOKRKxTEmaVK1lhheZ0ve5MOmVvoIe0u9yGk1VrYmJNTAa1DpSgzTIpC30MTHzh4r9cXMmFFMQGOlqUqyGsvOiUOgvLxkH7IAeQHxk/s1600/FordF-150K.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="343" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyzhR-ELS4mSSof0zR8Wh_2sgC1W8ndXf0ObY5wHOKRKxTEmaVK1lhheZ0ve5MOmVvoIe0u9yGk1VrYmJNTAa1DpSgzTIpC30MTHzh4r9cXMmFFMQGOlqUqyGsvOiUOgvLxkH7IAeQHxk/s640/FordF-150K.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">No, this isn't my exact truck - I shamelessly stole the photo from an ANTIQUE car web site *sigh*<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I expressed my dismay at the colour and he assured me that we could paint it (we never did) and that it ran well was most important.<br />
<br />
Regardless of that horrid colour, I loved that truck. It carried bales of hay and straw, saddles, friends and all sorts of other things.<br />
<br />
After a few years Mom and Dad had concerns about it's reliability and derailed my plans to move out of the house by talking me into buying a newer, more reliable car.<br />
<br />
I don't know that a '77 Camaro was really a 'safer' vehicle for an 19 year old, but I ADORED that car despite the fact that the gas gauge dropped as fast as the speedometer rose when you floored it at a stoplight (not that I EVER did that).<br />
<br />
When Mark and I got married, we didn't have the budget to afford 2 cars, so the gas guzzling muscle car left us.<br />
<br />
Over the years a variety of vehicles have passed through my life - mostly SUVs and minivans. None were loved like those first vehicles and, other then the dog truck - which really wasn't a everyday 'personal' vehicle - none a truck.<br />
<br />
About a year and a half ago we traded in my little Toyota Highlander for a brand new Toyota Sienna. It really was a lovely van, well, maybe for someone that lives in a city - not for me though.<br />
<br />
My issues and frustrations with it were many - no offence to Toyota. We just weren't a good match. I was constantly having to jump start it due to the cold or leaving doors open to give airflow to dogs; having the wheels taken off to wash the mud out of the hubs and stop the shimmeying; swearing at the stow away seats that where so far in the back that you couldn't talk to a passenger sitting in them from the front seat; etc, etc, etc<br />
<br />
It was meant to haul groceries and kids, not shedding sled dogs, muddy border collies, muddy bikes, heaps of vegetation for the garden, bales of straw and an assortment of other oddities.<br />
<br />
After a shove from Mark a few weeks back (who was sick of me complaining about the van), I took the plunge and came full circle in my vehicle owning life. Yup, I bought a truck. She is beautiful, needs no paint, and has features 17 year old me could NEVER have dreamed of.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinGKeQmOBSnRfSng23UUn_XN2EedWH5VlfGox2m2pOdR6e1xOYh0MiimLbnHE-UBvrRka5lzt2Fb9mJEOYgQxpkz4emc4Nq490AoUlGK_8vduf2mnQr-Rp8E6FJDJu_VvqcekcgB3wk7U/s1600/14215369_10154399180242822_1117277260_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinGKeQmOBSnRfSng23UUn_XN2EedWH5VlfGox2m2pOdR6e1xOYh0MiimLbnHE-UBvrRka5lzt2Fb9mJEOYgQxpkz4emc4Nq490AoUlGK_8vduf2mnQr-Rp8E6FJDJu_VvqcekcgB3wk7U/s640/14215369_10154399180242822_1117277260_o.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5QQiVVxvsjw5_e8TmabmawYVnUftgZ-6gk6qyqPlmuu3NbghIsKLq3BcNzWbv-DUENZTO5y9l81UyRTtxd7oN1xedTjCv1jzud1vU2cY-qTHBJ5TcABINEoxg_FDPDJ4SMyTM2WtPhkc/s1600/14163682_10154399661647822_874972685_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5QQiVVxvsjw5_e8TmabmawYVnUftgZ-6gk6qyqPlmuu3NbghIsKLq3BcNzWbv-DUENZTO5y9l81UyRTtxd7oN1xedTjCv1jzud1vU2cY-qTHBJ5TcABINEoxg_FDPDJ4SMyTM2WtPhkc/s640/14163682_10154399661647822_874972685_o.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Please excuse the cat checking it out. We have discussed that. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
It's been a long time, but I think I'm ready to love again!!!!!!!<br />
<br />
(PS. Thanks Mark - and I appreciate you breaking your left arm rather than your right so you could still sign and finalize the paperwork yesterday!!!)<br />
<br />Karen Ramsteadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11545806535358579374noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1960268082908671136.post-40409021057149444392016-08-08T16:59:00.002-06:002016-08-08T16:59:35.773-06:00NorthWapiti's Wolverine<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBOtML_c85-ujsQdbmvJddsNR3IFwbSOOLAuq7V5lwznllSBJ4xaeyU3sZlKyEd4_Rm_RQ0n-hOVQAjq5sdEf5XD8QWL9sIuDaikmb-IIF-h8maP3J7o-MPWBwGxK6nME_fWDk7IO1dsA/s1600/wolvie1209-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBOtML_c85-ujsQdbmvJddsNR3IFwbSOOLAuq7V5lwznllSBJ4xaeyU3sZlKyEd4_Rm_RQ0n-hOVQAjq5sdEf5XD8QWL9sIuDaikmb-IIF-h8maP3J7o-MPWBwGxK6nME_fWDk7IO1dsA/s320/wolvie1209-2.jpg" width="284" /></a></div>
<b><br /></b>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>NorthWapiti's Wolverine</b><br />
August 1, 2005 - August 8, 2016<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Wolvie was certainly not the next dog I expected to be writing an obituary for. But kidney failure hit my handsome boy fast, hard and unforgivingly. What a nasty bitch of a disease.<br />
<br />
Wolvie was simply a beautiful dog - beautiful in body, beautiful in his mind, and a beautiful worker. He did his job exceedingly well, without drama or fuss. I don't ever recall raising my voice at him or having to reprimand him for anything. <br />
<br />
In 2012 he and I road tripped together to the US Siberian Husky Nationals in Utah and had a great trip. He was a perfect roomie and took everything (other then a cool bath that he complained loudly throughout) with complete professionalism. I was so very proud of him and pleased to have him 'representing' the kennel there.<br /><br />A consummate gentleman and a great friend. I can't believe he is gone.<br />
<br /></div>
Karen Ramsteadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11545806535358579374noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1960268082908671136.post-7333981060162144322016-07-31T14:15:00.001-06:002016-07-31T14:16:12.517-06:00Blueberry Picking Time - BetHowdy Ho Everybodies!<br />
<br />
I hope you are all out enjoying your beautiful weather, or hiding from the oppressive heat, or cowering from the flash floods, or whatever you are doing, but having fun or somethings... and stuffs.<br />
<br />
We all went out for our ceremonial Blueberry picking festivities!!!<br />
<br />
We ran, but the Musher rode her trusty fat bike... erm, that seems a bit harsh... her full-figured bike!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJjbgg6UmabvJ07ZjFGD5mY5h_nYjKS1u76nI48brwRFE3jm2oSlFJAvA6J1AB7z9z7dVec2ofXeqL0Vbp40DHDGq6vGTJA6wp6UlflflEzdw-xBy0C6Y_PE3iD_OnUQDtljhQNjKVb_bQ/s1600/13823422_10154299603117822_1697475849_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJjbgg6UmabvJ07ZjFGD5mY5h_nYjKS1u76nI48brwRFE3jm2oSlFJAvA6J1AB7z9z7dVec2ofXeqL0Vbp40DHDGq6vGTJA6wp6UlflflEzdw-xBy0C6Y_PE3iD_OnUQDtljhQNjKVb_bQ/s640/13823422_10154299603117822_1697475849_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Twig: Is this it? I don't see any blueberries, are blueberries a vegible?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
Because blueberries are tasty, tasty to bears, we go along to alert the musher if any bears come along.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHbFMBw6byPzBpHb2w8b4DqCntGg4G3enHz3s5lLwRS9cyBz_tVJqc3BIEgAhGbbXQV1LygEfiMSOb_IsQ1z4DLVpUseX7ZUZS-juCDJ1GA5M5ffoCGds19v9hrHam6x9bS89W84qYFRrs/s1600/13823704_10154299603932822_1768295653_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHbFMBw6byPzBpHb2w8b4DqCntGg4G3enHz3s5lLwRS9cyBz_tVJqc3BIEgAhGbbXQV1LygEfiMSOb_IsQ1z4DLVpUseX7ZUZS-juCDJ1GA5M5ffoCGds19v9hrHam6x9bS89W84qYFRrs/s640/13823704_10154299603932822_1768295653_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Twig: BEAR!!!!!<br />
Bet: No Twig, not THAT Bear, real bears</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyaqGhaVW-6dUq0ns1Dgqi7V2mAItmoAkLnL9T5CBLfVTub-6ucDRtex9m7L31ygaLvPebUxctHgCyV19fInFukIzbL3H0nhQL1kwVH6We_ZK9vQ75v2ewjda6kLHOkzVd8WhINo7JhEjw/s1600/13823620_10154299600682822_523748210_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyaqGhaVW-6dUq0ns1Dgqi7V2mAItmoAkLnL9T5CBLfVTub-6ucDRtex9m7L31ygaLvPebUxctHgCyV19fInFukIzbL3H0nhQL1kwVH6We_ZK9vQ75v2ewjda6kLHOkzVd8WhINo7JhEjw/s640/13823620_10154299600682822_523748210_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Twig: There's no need to yell at me, you just said "bear", and that's BEAR!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRVFwjdn2E5nFeSftMwHTCnr6ogDCQYekbyoDzTyOTVSLziZfcgYvRMq27r32gXxceSynHJlNdPty4XwztdCbdOlcp71wp5HzlB5i70jGbfsYUv3_OKvF8Ej1oOLtL3tIPTVzKiO2TFMoZ/s1600/13819857_10154299602072822_668531241_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRVFwjdn2E5nFeSftMwHTCnr6ogDCQYekbyoDzTyOTVSLziZfcgYvRMq27r32gXxceSynHJlNdPty4XwztdCbdOlcp71wp5HzlB5i70jGbfsYUv3_OKvF8Ej1oOLtL3tIPTVzKiO2TFMoZ/s640/13819857_10154299602072822_668531241_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Zac: This is kinda nice... when do we herd the blueberries?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhewfJCowslUl2Bs-GbMPYaJsNRJHMhiD8229oQT3QDxNxKlHRc17yZTpF2E8lYcDEZhMoixugrGD8pEPLyM9IGLHs1qfiRxW-Hd4fUOvVlB-YvD0t8OWo7Bu1QpdwG631ftNBiNZoF1hfs/s1600/13814531_10154299600442822_400023135_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhewfJCowslUl2Bs-GbMPYaJsNRJHMhiD8229oQT3QDxNxKlHRc17yZTpF2E8lYcDEZhMoixugrGD8pEPLyM9IGLHs1qfiRxW-Hd4fUOvVlB-YvD0t8OWo7Bu1QpdwG631ftNBiNZoF1hfs/s640/13814531_10154299600442822_400023135_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bet: You don't herd blueberries, you just lay in the blueberries and keep an eye out for bears</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivMmrjTkcAKFt7AKIGiN55qv6bR-P8BYA95yD3bYX8kiJVrJQcZN1mMlNpkBnkq37V8Jvzvjj-94CAJhrX3xWSuG7HvOl63inn-cvwwM14pBd1lQy2gNwjJB6uV3-I4iAaddYMN_Aa2f50/s1600/13819631_10154299602362822_973752027_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivMmrjTkcAKFt7AKIGiN55qv6bR-P8BYA95yD3bYX8kiJVrJQcZN1mMlNpkBnkq37V8Jvzvjj-94CAJhrX3xWSuG7HvOl63inn-cvwwM14pBd1lQy2gNwjJB6uV3-I4iAaddYMN_Aa2f50/s640/13819631_10154299602362822_973752027_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Zac: There's one right there!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxWEzhzBeGzv6TWqsTJ-ETwJsYAmCYl2NSBZDaB6phN3XdTNvgcWqx-G1V-Yhr-MRl8DT2ek3YM3j0scZoDZJ1VFGyOJ3ifvhz8HgIvowLgYimv7ABMOxzY_WQQ3DtH-2kNKNrH7TbkBZp/s1600/13820901_10154299602732822_1499762565_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxWEzhzBeGzv6TWqsTJ-ETwJsYAmCYl2NSBZDaB6phN3XdTNvgcWqx-G1V-Yhr-MRl8DT2ek3YM3j0scZoDZJ1VFGyOJ3ifvhz8HgIvowLgYimv7ABMOxzY_WQQ3DtH-2kNKNrH7TbkBZp/s640/13820901_10154299602732822_1499762565_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bear: Did someone call me? Is there food?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6diMa_GaT3febENHT2zKicYbw6YaqJkRkBfBgyIfsydqcmsLB6D-ALbm0KcvbHtIQbdTt4CcnwwJTj9d5TadRcBUgWLMndAOUNjrEl8d6ZUeCX-8lBW-l0FimFQuFqasJmXZ6ZuvYtAAA/s1600/13823398_10154299600602822_560317850_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6diMa_GaT3febENHT2zKicYbw6YaqJkRkBfBgyIfsydqcmsLB6D-ALbm0KcvbHtIQbdTt4CcnwwJTj9d5TadRcBUgWLMndAOUNjrEl8d6ZUeCX-8lBW-l0FimFQuFqasJmXZ6ZuvYtAAA/s640/13823398_10154299600602822_560317850_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Twig: See, I told you there was a bear!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYtFHZv25RTf0LcBdVJA1JElzlq3yvjcHHeQqUO1jjmtjBx1BEBKdBf8837Ye7hgehYvByrmIMD16VQahHO8OaqpAEJqM6aYyLIiiW90p6HyX_7HhAiPWJ1l0z_X3wQDN7j9DRcL613Mex/s1600/13820899_10154299603232822_2008703535_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYtFHZv25RTf0LcBdVJA1JElzlq3yvjcHHeQqUO1jjmtjBx1BEBKdBf8837Ye7hgehYvByrmIMD16VQahHO8OaqpAEJqM6aYyLIiiW90p6HyX_7HhAiPWJ1l0z_X3wQDN7j9DRcL613Mex/s640/13820899_10154299603232822_2008703535_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Twig: Oooh, excuse me, must be the broccoolie<br />
Zac: I'm not coming over there, stay downwind</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNF3DdAN0mRL10qKoIKiq4BNYw2qAO9NYbvO8WGhFdxlseiaCTxStupQfK7rsMquL7R4JdazC6uRgNLCNwcAyaN8SfEml8y0_nnlGopG0XZmU1qFFyRtmVxsSXeJt0aWRyO0hwPfVc1kB0/s1600/13817132_10154299602857822_829199354_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNF3DdAN0mRL10qKoIKiq4BNYw2qAO9NYbvO8WGhFdxlseiaCTxStupQfK7rsMquL7R4JdazC6uRgNLCNwcAyaN8SfEml8y0_nnlGopG0XZmU1qFFyRtmVxsSXeJt0aWRyO0hwPfVc1kB0/s640/13817132_10154299602857822_829199354_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bet: Is ANYONE keeping an eye out for bears? </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh52vz-sKH8LTfXDAKAnorXT11VWAB6C6F0FvyspM0z18dOYlHoQuJgrDXEwlQVCuBTB2g-ejiLkbOXMKBqD4IkScr-UBqMIYq7RskkohCxTxbsrnfeEvwmJH0B6krLUiTUkyuSO8Wq1fnm/s1600/13820922_10154299600947822_504763799_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh52vz-sKH8LTfXDAKAnorXT11VWAB6C6F0FvyspM0z18dOYlHoQuJgrDXEwlQVCuBTB2g-ejiLkbOXMKBqD4IkScr-UBqMIYq7RskkohCxTxbsrnfeEvwmJH0B6krLUiTUkyuSO8Wq1fnm/s640/13820922_10154299600947822_504763799_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Twig: Yep, he's right over there</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8IkFRa5coIL06RMyz7_L9v4h1Vk77qD59eSnXvRJX5XFHzklSNJbMj4JlGawGkOd8alrMWSr1tMHVLJcxp07BoHcbaekWwt0ZNW4w8dZ0crw200VQUjGB0a9mL301njtRroyrY3N4Dcle/s1600/13652380_10154299601337822_1811479424_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8IkFRa5coIL06RMyz7_L9v4h1Vk77qD59eSnXvRJX5XFHzklSNJbMj4JlGawGkOd8alrMWSr1tMHVLJcxp07BoHcbaekWwt0ZNW4w8dZ0crw200VQUjGB0a9mL301njtRroyrY3N4Dcle/s640/13652380_10154299601337822_1811479424_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bear: What? Do you guys need something? Did someone bring sandwiches?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXKn2bI3bfhRm5MMxQH0Vw_59tvKAU-uYWZIIMz5_NTb5eFI5J5ZFPuiz0rBDX9GMvMidcTWKtvB_eldKgW2aKfqa1nVytVGyD9a4hgINtonfucuyDpX2dVXv-Qe-oxgAHkLDcFKU6FUm8/s1600/13817043_10154299603577822_2027135639_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXKn2bI3bfhRm5MMxQH0Vw_59tvKAU-uYWZIIMz5_NTb5eFI5J5ZFPuiz0rBDX9GMvMidcTWKtvB_eldKgW2aKfqa1nVytVGyD9a4hgINtonfucuyDpX2dVXv-Qe-oxgAHkLDcFKU6FUm8/s640/13817043_10154299603577822_2027135639_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bet: Twig, go guard the bicycle, I'm going to go check on the Musher</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_IiB6aqzVLtrDGdeeBzYOgcrlQDbQlWNSPxexlrtZ5H6SiCjkMV9C_2PHSaJqwLgIg2khPpQ2VBDC5rIGaUexhb7BVwlRud8Imaf4EPuoW7G1uH9GF7NKuwyT3cF2y1kwRPYWlNNLrq3q/s1600/13817055_10154299602607822_212269013_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_IiB6aqzVLtrDGdeeBzYOgcrlQDbQlWNSPxexlrtZ5H6SiCjkMV9C_2PHSaJqwLgIg2khPpQ2VBDC5rIGaUexhb7BVwlRud8Imaf4EPuoW7G1uH9GF7NKuwyT3cF2y1kwRPYWlNNLrq3q/s640/13817055_10154299602607822_212269013_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Twig: I think I heard something... it might be a Bear!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDhZTuUl-mmscTyrQ_psGYojrT9FrUFUVruPfuoA1C8amBJXA2kjdWFmS9XUrC_2wX3THF-ElFh_yNhFEJ_0L3QhJUcdWC7FzdxaXwkKFnmSUAMhwprL5-pURnkFBOf2TsYuOmPFWaJSou/s1600/13650382_10154299600522822_1781166147_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDhZTuUl-mmscTyrQ_psGYojrT9FrUFUVruPfuoA1C8amBJXA2kjdWFmS9XUrC_2wX3THF-ElFh_yNhFEJ_0L3QhJUcdWC7FzdxaXwkKFnmSUAMhwprL5-pURnkFBOf2TsYuOmPFWaJSou/s640/13650382_10154299600522822_1781166147_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Twig: HEYYYY! Where did everyones go??? I think I heard a bear!!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVfhj-g5hs0lfH0SZWOtiUcxZbSw_dFV8ZjTC4-4DwsuCuQGbpraw1Ke7pgVfcEdYByTqX3kHACiqV6XF_eWKW_kf1E9xHKJZTRgtn0gLygqNNpwTsIPGLB55Xp_zESwmymEFf0_HaE1lc/s1600/13815064_10154299603467822_1868441746_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVfhj-g5hs0lfH0SZWOtiUcxZbSw_dFV8ZjTC4-4DwsuCuQGbpraw1Ke7pgVfcEdYByTqX3kHACiqV6XF_eWKW_kf1E9xHKJZTRgtn0gLygqNNpwTsIPGLB55Xp_zESwmymEFf0_HaE1lc/s640/13815064_10154299603467822_1868441746_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bet: Yes Twig... it's BEAR?! ugh, seriously?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFHWidA2G9wP6q3zYZoWk0tayBhxTJ0FrjPXVh17awCbd6vKeCGC3gIWsgP-8h0b4GvQ8WgAQv8dSgHwDjQIuciySZDKnMj4CJ2Ia8hfCOzSpX2C9axWpdcyRzZyI3NVM2ds-TKdCqEyH1/s1600/13816783_10154299601017822_142064853_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFHWidA2G9wP6q3zYZoWk0tayBhxTJ0FrjPXVh17awCbd6vKeCGC3gIWsgP-8h0b4GvQ8WgAQv8dSgHwDjQIuciySZDKnMj4CJ2Ia8hfCOzSpX2C9axWpdcyRzZyI3NVM2ds-TKdCqEyH1/s640/13816783_10154299601017822_142064853_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Twig: Hey, what are these blue berry things? Nom nom, hey, they're pretty tasty!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi63AQ3JMiBrl_HE4Z-LKWO-VnBsHUX5gcC6ux3g7EZ3P2YzmgdLNlsmMtth2W8djjLrDtEzmq9iASf6dR9bAqQgGlqf6GiKY97E2_yJ5FuCFf-2L_W6pwjw06wwMwj6UlQ39BDktQTGcvQ/s1600/13819590_10154299601802822_1255034168_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi63AQ3JMiBrl_HE4Z-LKWO-VnBsHUX5gcC6ux3g7EZ3P2YzmgdLNlsmMtth2W8djjLrDtEzmq9iASf6dR9bAqQgGlqf6GiKY97E2_yJ5FuCFf-2L_W6pwjw06wwMwj6UlQ39BDktQTGcvQ/s640/13819590_10154299601802822_1255034168_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Twig: Nommy nom euuuw... Bear, when was the last time you had a bath? Move, you're stinking up the berries!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicMlrNKwM01yulriOV7IZ1oM45PAMqeOjMXzuBQ3OugdGM9z1TLHCS4ZC8udS_aCh0N0by9FSHp0sTSzqdXsOqNWdiGe7u71MKZzWJ0dV_HRMXCxtXaBSAZ1l4FA9i8yHOyKY2dxpNYC96/s1600/13819382_10154299602947822_166118993_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicMlrNKwM01yulriOV7IZ1oM45PAMqeOjMXzuBQ3OugdGM9z1TLHCS4ZC8udS_aCh0N0by9FSHp0sTSzqdXsOqNWdiGe7u71MKZzWJ0dV_HRMXCxtXaBSAZ1l4FA9i8yHOyKY2dxpNYC96/s640/13819382_10154299602947822_166118993_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bear: That's not very nice, I was up guarding all night, I haven't had time to freshen up</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
So, the Musher picked some berries, Twig ate so many she's pooing blue, and Zac wasn't exactly thrilled with the whole adventure-less adventure.<br />
<br />
I just went home and took a nap because ooosh, that's exhausting work.<br />
<br />
- Bet<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivMmrjTkcAKFt7AKIGiN55qv6bR-P8BYA95yD3bYX8kiJVrJQcZN1mMlNpkBnkq37V8Jvzvjj-94CAJhrX3xWSuG7HvOl63inn-cvwwM14pBd1lQy2gNwjJB6uV3-I4iAaddYMN_Aa2f50/s1600/13819631_10154299602362822_973752027_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNF3DdAN0mRL10qKoIKiq4BNYw2qAO9NYbvO8WGhFdxlseiaCTxStupQfK7rsMquL7R4JdazC6uRgNLCNwcAyaN8SfEml8y0_nnlGopG0XZmU1qFFyRtmVxsSXeJt0aWRyO0hwPfVc1kB0/s1600/13817132_10154299602857822_829199354_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDhZTuUl-mmscTyrQ_psGYojrT9FrUFUVruPfuoA1C8amBJXA2kjdWFmS9XUrC_2wX3THF-ElFh_yNhFEJ_0L3QhJUcdWC7FzdxaXwkKFnmSUAMhwprL5-pURnkFBOf2TsYuOmPFWaJSou/s1600/13650382_10154299600522822_1781166147_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Shmoohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01290170566232915521noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1960268082908671136.post-71291252187835859572016-07-08T16:21:00.001-06:002016-07-08T16:21:38.411-06:00Herding Trials as Explained by BetHowdy Ho Everybodies, and what an exciting time we've been having lately! <br />
<br />
Normally in the summers, we just lounge around and wait for it to snow, but now with a house full of Coolies, the Musher has a warm weather thing to do! Herding Trials!!!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_MfFIyfDE393w8JpKuZIxy4Y45eLXvaAYY1P_bxAob-Z8RHPcv7VE1Z5FGGAi21qVVS_xdxhyphenhyphenHo28h2_77Vd8gsUN-ko1OUBGt2N6IkUibleZ12XKH-HyL6ZC1vE3Tg8N2Kzkc9gg0uHY/s1600/Herding+Trials.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="544" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_MfFIyfDE393w8JpKuZIxy4Y45eLXvaAYY1P_bxAob-Z8RHPcv7VE1Z5FGGAi21qVVS_xdxhyphenhyphenHo28h2_77Vd8gsUN-ko1OUBGt2N6IkUibleZ12XKH-HyL6ZC1vE3Tg8N2Kzkc9gg0uHY/s640/Herding+Trials.png" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Oh no! Not that kind of herding trials, although those baa baa sheepy things do deserve to be put away for good.<br />
<br />
I'm talking about the Herding Trials where we Coolies go out and make the baa baa sheepie things go where we tell them to go. Full disclosure: after the movie "Babe" the baa baa sheepy things changed their stupid secret code, so that doesn't work any more... stupid movie.<br />
<br />
Anyhoooo, where was I... oh yes, the herdie trials!<br />
<br />
The Musher took Zac to a herdie trials thingamabob the other week.<br />
<br />
Ok, I must admit that calling her "The Musher" when she's herdy herding is a bit weird, so maybe the Merder... um... that sounds oogie. The Husher! <br />
<br />
Ok, so the Husher took Zac to the herdie trials doohickey the other week, and since she's never done herdity herdy herding trials, she should have started out at the 'Novice' level, but Zac is a professional herdie herder Coolie, and he's been trialed at a higher level with his previous owner, Noelle Williams. That means that they had to compete at the 'Pro Novice' level. Wow! No pressure there at all.<br />
<br />
Zac assured the Husher that he had her back, and he sure did!<br />
<br />
This is how the herdity herdy herding trials work: You start off with 90 points (you may want to go get a calculator now), and if you make mistakes, they take points off. The judge assigns an allowed time to get through the course.<br />
<br />
Everybodies starts at the post.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKG3sfE4ajlA91rNgqp_zx8C1Zp6TeHifDhe4c0DdIroIK6pUoVSWO2IXQ96c44Jy6X0vrwnGuKZg8g4FCE4h0NNCHiYJWUV4Y3FsdICZVFVMMAMYolS8VGV72d2OGOzSARev1NCZYRolA/s1600/The+post.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKG3sfE4ajlA91rNgqp_zx8C1Zp6TeHifDhe4c0DdIroIK6pUoVSWO2IXQ96c44Jy6X0vrwnGuKZg8g4FCE4h0NNCHiYJWUV4Y3FsdICZVFVMMAMYolS8VGV72d2OGOzSARev1NCZYRolA/s320/The+post.png" width="218" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Probably not what it looks like</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The handler must stay at the post until the sheep have negotiated the second set of drive panels, after which time they need to move to the pen.<br />
<br />
I have no idea what all that means, so let's take a look at the professional Husher drawing of the course, which I'm sure will make everything crystal clear.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtKQ28Deq2y0gDdXBbTy8xLGGKE7XZ3FBqPyZ_LxPagfCRzos1En8rJnDymPD21pQwHYgQQRbfWXuGeHOhCTdbykq_Fki72s_36dBa4dzXIxHKUiQT2vApkFdhvh_pNW-ejg1XJCLQpvR9/s1600/13570218_10154233683467822_1389993208_o+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtKQ28Deq2y0gDdXBbTy8xLGGKE7XZ3FBqPyZ_LxPagfCRzos1En8rJnDymPD21pQwHYgQQRbfWXuGeHOhCTdbykq_Fki72s_36dBa4dzXIxHKUiQT2vApkFdhvh_pNW-ejg1XJCLQpvR9/s640/13570218_10154233683467822_1389993208_o+%25281%2529.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
Umm... are those rabbits?<br />
<br />
Ok, how about a drawing with subtitles:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZJGvOEd2Sijt-j-eCKL7lpHML_F7F4xZTwwnXEYoXuOOckjdkCc637hVitPDJ4DQ8dM9LRg1tXRRm5ET2Hr0z13ds15RxMrnUeWz94YgBIExRGRMoxI0u6rO1UQwYc9df4nLXO9Uj8VsO/s1600/13555688_10154233686662822_759160036_o+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZJGvOEd2Sijt-j-eCKL7lpHML_F7F4xZTwwnXEYoXuOOckjdkCc637hVitPDJ4DQ8dM9LRg1tXRRm5ET2Hr0z13ds15RxMrnUeWz94YgBIExRGRMoxI0u6rO1UQwYc9df4nLXO9Uj8VsO/s640/13555688_10154233686662822_759160036_o+%25281%2529.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
I'm pretty sure those are rabbits, but whatever...<br />
<br />
Ok, so the first part is the "OutRun", where the Coolie runs out to the rabbits... I mean sheepie things. The goal is to have the coolie run around and behind the sheeps without disturbing them. Disturbed sheeps tend to flee willy nilly. <br />
<br />
The goal of the "OutRun" is to run out, but not too far bendy and wasting time (lose points), and not too straight and freaking out the sheeps (lose points and sheep poo all over). The Coolie has to do the outrun all by themselves, if the handler has to correct them... yep, they lose points. <br />
<br />
The Lift is where the Coolie makes contact with the sheeps and begins to move them. This is supposed to look like the sheeps up and decided to move on their own, perhaps a group decision to go get some coffee and croissant (as sheep like to do).<br />
<br />
The lines that the sheeps move in is very important. They need to move in a direct line between each obstacle. Points are taken off for being off-line or if all sheep don't negotiate an obstacle.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCV2f698s2BxYSDtg6JYuVeDlYhFlA793Pp-Q4wvzhfZe8RMSCxBY4Iv4KA_Wb-ATlL3AgLREZWz5xSjxlHAfukrMMACoc8BJ54S9D6K9OdqLgyoN8IGsf5JcnLrKZh3Fhyd_k25zxiSlc/s1600/Sheep+obstacle.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="500" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCV2f698s2BxYSDtg6JYuVeDlYhFlA793Pp-Q4wvzhfZe8RMSCxBY4Iv4KA_Wb-ATlL3AgLREZWz5xSjxlHAfukrMMACoc8BJ54S9D6K9OdqLgyoN8IGsf5JcnLrKZh3Fhyd_k25zxiSlc/s640/Sheep+obstacle.png" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
After the lift, the Coolie needs to move the sheeps (with direction if needed) in a straight line to the handler, moving the sheeps through the Fetch panels.<br />
<br />
The sheeps then need to 'Turn the post' going around the handler and in a straight line to the first set of Drive panels<br />
<br />
Note - a sheepdog's instinct is to bring the sheep to the handler, so 'driving' the sheep away from the handler - or cross the field is a trained skill.<br />
<br />
The sheeps go through first set of drive panels, across to the second set and then to the pen, where the handler will have opened the gate and waiting.<br />
<br />
The sheep are driven in the pen and the handler closes the gate.<br />
<br />
There are commands for each of those maneuvers, either by voice or a whistle.<br />
<br />
So, the voice commands for all of that are:<br />
"Away to me" - Circle counter clockwise<br />
"Come By" - Circle Clockwise<br />
"Walk Up" - Move straight on the sheeps<br />
"Lie Down" - take a load off, hang out<br />
"Time" - take your time or slow down<br />
"That'll do" - basically a recall, stop herdy herding<br />
<br />
The commands can be nuanced for more detailed instruction, like Awaaaaaay to me means wider circle, and bring me a laaaaaaaate means go get her a latte.<br />
<br />
There are other types of trials that include a shed<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFeHL7od7QNpCIbLJeXYqwGbw3pGSbPGs-ps84cj49uox65R4UezVLINps2HiN5hFMJlmCkDv2BUZE8sf7nBK2D5PMV7fqB5KQkX1ajPMJQD6HENBUxEDNexd6ir8JtrbW4tssPVb2sUvm/s1600/Shed.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="436" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFeHL7od7QNpCIbLJeXYqwGbw3pGSbPGs-ps84cj49uox65R4UezVLINps2HiN5hFMJlmCkDv2BUZE8sf7nBK2D5PMV7fqB5KQkX1ajPMJQD6HENBUxEDNexd6ir8JtrbW4tssPVb2sUvm/s640/Shed.png" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Ok, not that kind of shed, a shed is where the Coolie has to peel off a certain number of sheep from the herdy herd that they're herdy herding.<br />
<br />
A Double Lift is when the Coolie has to run out and get one group of sheeps and then go back and get another group of sheeps.<br />
<br />
So, how did they do???<br />
<br />
Very well actually for the Husher's first herding herdy herdity herd trial!<br />
<br />
Day 1:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ1tPn7LH6nxOCRsh1OfU_THCowUOrJudBfeFQyyFobUPnCSSGPfDJAQMz5bqD-CyyyV_HYJ_JGA-MjPuNytFTTfOOC_yfqW0nBJBg5wr0aY29pF2OW67PO3gAVZvNkmDopP-eU96h2O67/s1600/13501681_10154223916447822_952075544633683674_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="632" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ1tPn7LH6nxOCRsh1OfU_THCowUOrJudBfeFQyyFobUPnCSSGPfDJAQMz5bqD-CyyyV_HYJ_JGA-MjPuNytFTTfOOC_yfqW0nBJBg5wr0aY29pF2OW67PO3gAVZvNkmDopP-eU96h2O67/s640/13501681_10154223916447822_952075544633683674_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Day 2:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5C2SU4Ws9MknvH8W5uT0BEtpDD8WzA2fL4fnxKA_qZWPDuc7zXIHPG0H6nuRvsDfJgS94td9L9qcbu1CToWsxRg_L84_vOz-AwUO3Ey0M4CUadn7zOzQWF6MaOpVVpBo-VfdA7-eRfXsZ/s1600/13450027_10154226133977822_5894850794545766353_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="518" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5C2SU4Ws9MknvH8W5uT0BEtpDD8WzA2fL4fnxKA_qZWPDuc7zXIHPG0H6nuRvsDfJgS94td9L9qcbu1CToWsxRg_L84_vOz-AwUO3Ey0M4CUadn7zOzQWF6MaOpVVpBo-VfdA7-eRfXsZ/s640/13450027_10154226133977822_5894850794545766353_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
They did FANTASTICAL!!!!<br />
<br />
And now for my favorite command: Bucket!!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaMUPNHdEuRedzbwoqWfIPIRaww9Ig7AuMaMSilieGumXmzZE_qYkXdQbhNM2VJfkQVK3upNHiur_kS6YBA7sqT7tqXmTCMJvAmA8Tg2_6mXy9Qldqq6kD0NvcaHlX5KNOlc7ciDSxv5_v/s1600/13619838_10154253049282822_4125561755626476189_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="498" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaMUPNHdEuRedzbwoqWfIPIRaww9Ig7AuMaMSilieGumXmzZE_qYkXdQbhNM2VJfkQVK3upNHiur_kS6YBA7sqT7tqXmTCMJvAmA8Tg2_6mXy9Qldqq6kD0NvcaHlX5KNOlc7ciDSxv5_v/s640/13619838_10154253049282822_4125561755626476189_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
- BetKaren Ramsteadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11545806535358579374noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1960268082908671136.post-66411903311736057962016-07-05T19:36:00.001-06:002016-07-05T19:36:07.721-06:00NorthWapiti's Barq's Got Bite<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj24cO-CyObloNv4R6zJbKFegxzgG5L4CcgeZWIk_wubO9ZG44MNZiiHislvvCtjJldlz5542Wz_sGyvcPJh9wUeZw0F66-REtWYtvQmrB0nkGK27PSi-eEXoSDbbIZ6amSvxNqtxrAzqw/s1600/barq207-5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj24cO-CyObloNv4R6zJbKFegxzgG5L4CcgeZWIk_wubO9ZG44MNZiiHislvvCtjJldlz5542Wz_sGyvcPJh9wUeZw0F66-REtWYtvQmrB0nkGK27PSi-eEXoSDbbIZ6amSvxNqtxrAzqw/s400/barq207-5.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
NorthWapiti's Barq's Got Bite<br />July 01, 2001 - July 05, 2016</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Everything about Barq was big - big dog, big stride, big work ethic, big personality........<br /><br />He lived his entire life on his terms. Didn't make my main string till he was 5, never cared to lead and yet was still was a key team member. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br />The last few months he refused to eat out of dog dish and shared his meals with a raven. That was so Barq. I fed him on the ground and gave him extra so he had some to share.<br /><br />Today, Sven - one of the many kind and compassionate vets at the Westlock Vet Clinic, suggested we lie him down to make his passing easier. I told him that was unlikely to happen and sure enough, Barq took his last breath on his terms - on his feet. <br /><br /><br />Big dog, big stride, big work ethic, big personality........ big hole in the kennel and in my heart at his passing.<br /><br /><br /></div>
Karen Ramsteadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11545806535358579374noreply@blogger.com15