Happy Birthday Musher Mark! - Bet

Today Musher Mark turns 50, and the Musher asked me to make up a "normal" card for him... this is about as normal as it gets around here.

Happy Birthday Musher Mark!

They're Coming - Bet

Howdy ho everybodies, it's your Auntie Bet here!

I bet you're all wondering what I'm wearing. No, this isn't one of my new fashionable ensembles, although I do make it rock. This is for protection... MY protection.

No, it's not for the roving scary thingies, or bands of slathering coyotes, it's for something even more sinister and evil... something that is so scary that I dare not mention its name for fear that it will bring swarms of them upon us....

They are...

Hummingbirdus Pokeyoureyeoutus

I hate them!  I really, really hate them!

They're on their way, and the Musher insists on putting food out for them!  It's like she has this crazy wish to have her eyes poked out with their sharp beaks!

If you think she's crazy, check out this guy that developed a one of those evil beady eyed things feeding helmet!!!

Can you imagine having that thing so close to your eyes!  Its just a matter of time before they poke one out, flitting around like that!

Those THINGS ruin everything for me!  They ruin my time out on MY deck.  They ruin my FUN.  Not to mention that Tic hasn't been the same since they held him for ransom.

Thankfully the strange winter and the wacky weather has delayed their migration somewhat, otherwise we'd be swarmed by those dangerous flitty pests already.

I'm trying to figure out how I can keep them from invading us next year.  My latest plan is to take the shedded fluff from the Pretty Curly Tails and having Tic and Bait knit together a protective bubble that we'll cover the entire North Wapiti compound in.  I haven't figured out how to keep it from sagging onto us when it rains... and I can't imagine that smell. 

I also had a plan B, where I made Tic drink all of the evil beady eyed thing sugar water.  No sugar water, no dive bombing and missing eyes!  I thought that was a brilliant secondary plan, except for one thing... apparently sugar water packs on the pounds and now Tic can't reach the feeders.

It's so hard to find good help around here.

- Bet

Bring The Team Home Winner - Bet

Some of you may have seen my picture on the Facebooks today as we went to visit Grandma.

Notice my lack of fashionable ensemble... well, there's a reason for that... its because today we did the drawing for the winner of the Bring The Team Back Home contest!

There were so many peoples that helped the Pretty Curly Tails, Richard, and my wonderful Musher back home.  We were overwhelmed with your support and generosity and humbly thank each and every one of you for your wonderfulness.

There were so many of you, that all of the names wouldn't fit into any hat we had in the house.  We thought about putting them in the planter (aka Richard's bed), but it was filled with mud and icky dead flowers.

We thought it would be really cool if we had one of those baskets they use to call bingo games.  You know, spin it around and one of the little ball things would flip out and we could make a huge bigey big production about announcing the name on video or something really cool like that... but we don't have one of those spinning bingo baskets.

Sigh...

But then I had this fantastic idea!!!  We do have a large spinning thing that we can put all of the names in, but we don't have a way for the winning name to pop out so we could announce it... hmmm

I KNOW!  We'll put Tic in the spinning thing and whatever name sticks to his fur, that's the winner!!!

So, we threw Tic in the dryer with the names **.

The most disturbing thing was that each time he smacked up against the glass, it made him look like gigantic floofy cat... or it could have been that we didn't put one of those fabric softener sheets in there with him... but then none of the names would have stuck.

It did seem to take a long time for Tic to let us know that he had a name stuck to him... it was so hard to tell the angry screaming from the "I have a name" screaming....

But we have a winner!!!!

Congratulations Mary Atkinson!!!!

Please contact Heather Minion so we can get your prize to you jiffy quick!

And that's why I had to go to Grandma's house only wearing my collar... we have to scrub out the dryer because apparently it was a bit of a moving experience for Tic.

- Bet





** please note, we didn't actually throw Tic in the dryer.

True Story - Bet

This is a true story... no really, this actually happened!

Musher Mark and I needed a bit of out of the house time, what with the annoying herdy bunny things and stuffs, so we took off for the Perryvale post office to get the mail and maybe do a little retail therapy, maybe get a facial and our nails done (ok, that's what I wanted to do).

We figured we'd take the Musher's Highlander since it hadn't been out on the road lately.  It needs new tires and stuffs and frankly it could stand an air freshener while they're at it, I'm just saying.

So, we toodled down the mile long gravel road with no problem.  Once we hit the real road, ol lead foot hit the gas and we were zooming along at about 60 mph and started to hear this strange noise.  It was a cross between metal on metal and someone squeezing a gaseous marmoset.

What is that horrible noise????

Musher Mark thought that maybe one of the tires were low, so he turned down the radio and slowed down a bit, but the noise was still there!

Dude, seriously, you need to check out that noise!

So, Musher Mark pulled the Highlander over and got out to see if he could figure out where the noise was coming from and found Bait on the roof:

That cat is crazy!

- Bet

North Wapiti In Review (7- 11 August 2011)

A wrap-up of events that happened at North Wapiti in the past week 

Bet had some not so breaking news about the Musher registering for the 2012 Iditarod.

Karen will be in Calgary  September 16-18 for A Weekend of Mushing for Everyone  click on the link to find out more information!

Turtle is having some difficulties figuring out which way is forward... but he'll get there with some time

Yearlings Fletch and Todd sorting out the whole "puddles are good" thing

North Wapiti is still looking for a handler for this winter (Dec - April), so please contact us if you might be interested and we can provide you with more details.

Bet opens up sponsorship to everyone, and announces a contest 

Bet and Karen were going to head out to run the Tramplings on Tuesday, but Cricket and the "big dogs" were telling them there were creatures lurking in the woods that morning, so no Trampling running that day.  Karen speculates that it was likely a coyote or a deer, but there are also moose, elk, and bear.  She also saw some wolf tracks a few weeks back, and there was a rumor that a cougar was prowling the valley.  Of course she also confided that the dog yard doesn't always "comment" on people coming into the yard, and they are often shocked by visitors to their door without having a clue they even pulled in, but if those visitors show up a "unexpected" hours or if they step off the path to the front door... they will be notified.

In a very common theme, Karen wonders what it would be like to have normal pets  Which prompted Bet to post a "normal" blog update while wearing a tartan snuggie and dillyboppers.

Karen points out the Neo really thinks highly of himself

That Cricket is FAR from normal

Bet is very upset that the Barrista at Starbucks asked if she was a Sheltie

On Thursday Karen found that the neighbor's cows were down behind the handler cabin.  Bet was ignoring them, Cricket watched them suspiciously, and Bait was stalking them.  There wasn't enough light for a picture, but here is the Cartoonist's rendering of the event.

Click the picture for a bigger view

Finally, Crickiet went to the vet yesterday for her rabies and general check up.  We are now playing: Guess the Cricket weight

Of Hummingbirds and Neurosis - Bet

Bet: Is it safe?
Bait: Yes, its safe, I checked all around the feeder and there are no hummingbirds

Bet: Are you sure?  Those things are fast.
Bait: Yes, yes, I'm sure, I sat under it for an hour, no sign of any birds.

Bet: Those things aren't birds!  They hover around and stare at you with their evil beady eyes!
Bait: Well, they taste like birds, even if they don't have a whole lot of meat on them.

Bet: I'm not going back there until fall when they're gone... they can poke an eye out with their sharp little beaks, zooming round like maniacs.
Bait: I'm telling you, there aren't any around.

Bait: ... but I did see some grasshoppers....
Bet: GRASSHOPPERS??!??!!  I HATE those things... jumping all over, landing on you with their sticky little feet!

Bait: Watch out!  There's a hummingbird carrying a grasshopper!
Bet: WHERE????  WHERE????  IS IT ON ME????

Bait: hehehehe
Bet: You suck... that's not funny!  I'm not talking to you any more!

Post Torch River Run Update - Bet

Howdy ho everyone, its Bet, your not so roving Border Collie reporter, reporting here on the couch.

For those of you following the adventures of the Pretty Sled Dogs only on the blog, you must be wondering: "What the heck happened yesterday?"

Yeah, yeah, I know, bad Bet, BAAAAD Bet.  I totally dropped the sheep on that one.  It was just a bit busy yesterday, what with all that happened and stuff, and ok, ok, I'll get to the point.

The Pretty Curly Tails were still pretty tuckered out from the Canadian Challenge race thing, and they just weren't enjoying their time at the Torch River Run.  It was nothing to do with how the race was organized, the Musher said all of that was just fine and dandy, except for that pesky route to Piprell Lake.  The Musher said that she got lost too, but not as lost as the other teams.

The Musher did make it first into Lower Lake Fishing Lake, but the Pretty Curly Tails weren't having fun, and some of the issues they had at the Canadian Challenge were popping back up.  If the Musher wanted to continue on in the race, she would have had to drop Jinx, Tess, See, and Rocket, and that wouldn't be fun for everyone else, so she decided that it was best just to scratch.

Richard's team was running ok, and Astro got mad at me for calling him a race rookie when he was on Richard's Eagle Cap team, so... sorry Astro, you aren't a race rookie... cry baby.  Rather than push his team, and so the tired Curly Tails could get some rest and recuperation, Richard also scratched, and they loaded up the team and headed for North Wapiti.

So, although it was a bummer, it was also a lesson that it takes more than a few days for the Pretty Curly Tails to recover from a race, and that's good to know at least.

Since there wasn't a lot of coverage from the Torch River Run, here's some really cool pictures from the Rail Train race of Richard and the Musher and the Curly Tails.

Right now we're all watching the little cars go round and round on the circle road and relaxing... well, we would be able to relax if Tramp would JUST SHUT UP FOR ONCE!

An Announcement From The BCBC - Cricket

As the General Manager, and head of Security for North Wapiti compound, and the Border Collie Broadcasting Center (BCBC), it has come to my attention that one of the BCBC correspondents, Kara, has played a practical joke on the North Wapiti viewing audience.

Kara's use of the "Rick Roll" was inexcusable and will not be tolerated.

I assure you that as GM and head of Security, I take my job very seriously, and the correspondent has been summarily suspended from reporter responsibilities at North Wapiti.  If Kara had used the annoying, yet addictive "Numa Numa" video, or the mind numbing "Cat, I'm a kitty cat" video, we would have fired her from her position immediately.

I will not stand for frivolity and mischief on my watch!

I have also investigated reports that Bait has returned from Sherpa jail with a tattoo and demonstrating deviant  behavior.  My investigation has found that the "tattoo" was merely a sticker, and forensics have shown oddly familiar black husky fluff and dentastix residue on the sticky side of the sticker.  We are investigating some leads at this point, but do not have a definitive suspect.  Bait is not cooperating in the investigation.



Kara has decided to end her lease on the Cloud for use by the BCBC as the nerve center for reporting, and as General Manager, I am looking for another site for use in reporting on North Wapiti events.  Space is at a premium here at North Wapiti.

I think I have found a suitable location for the BCBC, and construction on the nerve center will begin this spring. 

In the meantime, Bet will be reporting from the living room chair.

We now return you to your regularly scheduled race updates.

Regards

Cricket

Sponsorship Drive - Bet

Howdy Ho!  Bet here!

The Musher, Richard, and the curly tails are still very busy training for the upcoming Canadian Challenge, and we're all very busy here helping them get ready as well.

As you probably know, mushing is expensive!  The curly tails require a lot of food, and medical stuff, and straw, and booties, and blah blah expensive things.  Plus there's that whole driving them all over to races, racing fees, and blah blah expensive other things, and lets not even mention that cursed truck.

We know that times are tough all over, and appreciate your support and encouragement, but we also realize that there are those of you who would like to support, but maybe can't afford some of the sponsorship levels... so we've found some additional levels of support that you can provide to the North Wapiti Kennels and the Pretty Sled Dogs!

The Kara Dentastix Fund

We all know how ruff it is to be a retired sled dog, what with the laying on the cloud, the constant vigilance with the fire extinguisher whenever the Musher cooks, and generally looking adorable and regal.  It takes a lot out of poor Kara especially when she only has one person to give her Dentastix while the Musher and Richard are out gallivanting around with the curly tails.

Therefore, we've started the Kara Dentastix Fund to ensure that Kara gets her well deserved treat for years of faithful sled dog stuff.

Sponsors of the Kara Dentastix Fund will receive their name on the blog, and an Official Kara Dentastic Fund certificate via e-mail (suitable for framing or whatever).  Plus, the most valuable gift... the gift of knowing that Kara gets her Dentastix and has bright, shiny toofies.

You can find the Kara Dentastix Fund button at the right hand side of the blog under "Sponsorship".


Bait's Bail

Um, yeah, about that.  It seems that although the Sherpas were able to retrieve Bait from the top of a mountain when our little plan went awry, there were some spying charges filed against Bait, our camera has been confiscated as evidence, and he's languishing in lock-up... so we need some bail money.

Sponsor's of Bait's Bail will receive their name on the blog, and receive an authentic looking Bail Bondsman's certificate of bail, and Bait's undying gratitude because they mentioned something about him having to take a shower soon.

Click on the Bait's Bail sponsor button located under "Sponsorship"

Bet's Sheep Recognition Book

Ya know, really... I don't think this one is needed at all, but apparently my book is a bit outdated or something (who knew sheep changed throughout the years), and the Musher really wanted to get me the new version (on Kindle) that also has sheepy sounds, and a scratch and sniff place so that I wouldn't keep identifying Big Horn Sheep as deer.  Plus, there was that sorta embarrassing thing where I did herd some deer into a paddock and let the sheep out and I told the farmer guy that the Musher would pay to replace the sheepy things... but... whatever. 

So, everyone sponsoring my new Sheep Recognition Book will get their name on the blog, and an official certificate of Sheep Stewardship, suitable for bragging rights!

Just click on Bet's Sheep Recognition Book sponsor button located under "Sponsorship".

Sponsor a Dog!

There had been some earlier confusion about sponsoring a dog, we want to clarify that individual Sponsor a Dog sponsorship is $250, and yes, if you'd like to get some people together to go in on sponsoring a dog, contact that Karen E person at: karen@digitalartsupplies.com

There are plenty of very good and hard working pups that don't have sponsors... sniff... seriously?

Here are the pups that are currently racing and giving it their all... except that nobody has sponsored them and they are feeling left out and unappreciated:


Astro

 So distraught over lack of sponsorship, the poor curly tail can't even get up! 











Runner

 I'm pretty sure this look says:  "Seriously?  Nobody wants to sponsor me?  Really?

I hear him cry at night.








Tramp

 Please, will someone PLEASE sponsor Tramp so she'll shut up!  All day and night, blah blah nobody sponsors me, blah blah blah.










Utin

 Um... I'd really appreciate it if someone would sponsor Utin.  He's kinda cranky, and frankly he keeps saying something about kicking some Border Collie... you know what, if he doesn't get sponsored.  Seriously... for my sake... thanks in advance.








Finally... if my post doesn't get you to sponsor anyone... then I'll just lay here and stare at you until you do... don't make me whine

- Bet

Rail Trail 200 Is On! - Bet

Hey everyone!  Bet here, your roving Border Collie Reporter!

We're please to announce here at North Wapiti Central that the Musher and Richard are on the trail and racing in the Rail Trail 200!

Richard is Bib #1 and the Musher is Bib #5.

Unlike some of the other "big time" races, these little races are hard to report from (especially since I'm not along on the trip) because the updates from the race organizers are sparse, and the Musher and Richard (for some reason) don't like dragging along 200 miles of ethernet cable so they can provide real-time updates.

We've made a few attempts at improving communications with the mushers during races:

We also tried another, lighter method of tracking, but the Musher put her foot down:

So, using space-age technology and some duct tape, we are proud to announce that Team North Wapiti has launched its first video Catallite:

Bait "volunteered" for the duty and bravely sailed up into the air with a nifty camcorder, ready to take overhead shots of the race as it happened.

Unfortunately we made the mistake of allowing Kara to determine the best time and wind direction for the launch, and we're sad to report that Bait is now somewhere near Alaska, but sending back fantastic shots of the mountains... along with some pretty pathetic meowing in the background.

Training Begins - The Cartoonist

Now that the word is out about the 2011 schedule, and that Richard will be running in some of those races, we've been given permission to release this one photo of Richard in training.

I'm sure a lot of you are speculating, and perhaps even placing bets on which dogs Richard will be racing this year.  As a novice musher, Karen is entrusting Richard with seasoned veterans and even allowing him to use one of her finest sleds for his training to make sure he gets the most experience on the trails.

I'm sure we'll have more exciting pictures as Richard's training progresses.

- The Cartoonist -