Moonstruck's Ghost Writer 'Tascha" - December 15th, 1993 - July 26th, 2006  

Today marks one of the saddest days of my life. The end of an era.

 

Today I had to say good bye to a silly little girl named Moonstruck's Ghost Writer. You probably knew her only as Tascha, who, over the years has been my constant companion, creator of many laughs and equal amounts of frustration.

 

Tascha began her journey with me on Christmas Day 2003. She was 10 days old and given to me as a Christmas present. Lucky me - I couldn't bring her home until Valentine's Day! She instantly went to work teaching me what life with Tascha was going to be about. She loved running in harness, making us laugh, and little royal blue stuffed toys. Her favorite position was the front of the truck, the middle of the bed or the lead of the team. We won races, we lost horribly in obedience - and well - she just HATED being bathed or taken into the show ring.

 

Tascha taught me patience, Tascha taught me to laugh at all the silly little things in life. She taught me that no matter how bad things may have seemed - there was always a demanding little girl waiting for my attention.

Tascha taught me humility.

Tascha taught me that when it came to training dogs I had a LONG way to go. Tascha taught me to listen to and understand my dogs. She taught me all about this amazing, wonderful breed known as the Siberian Husky.

 

She taught me to run, smiling into the wind, and to watch the trail ahead. She taught me that it is okay to lose your dignity and roll on the ground in something smelly.

 

Tazzie was an amazing lead dog, a horrible obedience student, and always hit her mark on set - as long as there was a wiener treat waiting for her. She always leaped and screamed to get going on a run - and was quick to let the dog next to her know she would tolerate NO goofing around - unless - of course- she was the one doing it. She was a great 'Auntie' to pups, very vocal about her likes & dislikes, and steered me through some pretty rough waters in her short life.

 

I owe Tascha my life. If not for her - I would not have had the opportunity to realize & live my dream. I would not have had the wonderful experiences of working on film sets, with some truly amazing animal trainers and individuals. I would not have met my wonderful husband and would never have taken the plunge to do tours full time.

 

To Tascha - baby.. thank you so much!

 

There is a saying that animals have such short lives because they are here to guide us. Once their jobs are done - they pass on to their special place in heaven. Well - no matter that I was not ready to let her go, Tascha let me know it was time. And now I know that she is in a better place, waiting with her friends Simba & Kodiak for the rest of the gang to cross over the "Rainbow Bridge" and leading her celestial pack with as much silliness and 'give em hell' as she did here on earth.

 

God Bless you baby girl, Good bye and God's speed.

Tascha - remembered by others.. Jo White, Langley, BC:

I remember you coming to 'computer class' with great funny stories of what your little girl had gotten up to.  Still blows my mind the time we came back to your temporary digs in a high rise in downtown Vancouver, only to get off the elevator and be gleefully greeted by Tascha!  She'd always rather hang out with you than with the other dogs - I think she felt she was above the kennel scene!

 

She was certainly a big part of your life, like you say, she was with you each step of the way and loving it as you took a huge risk and followed your dream.  It was an awesome relationship you two had, you sort of guided each other along life's path. 

 

Take care, Tascha's memory will always be with me as I'm sure it has a special place in your heart.

Chantal Caron, Abbotsford, BC -  Oh Laurie I am so sorry.  I know how that loss feels, the one dog that changes your whole life for the better.  I can’t say I know how it feels to lose her, the way you did, but it is an indication of your tremendous emotional strength.  I know your probably feel anything but strong right now but that is because you just used up a huge whack of it.  It will come back; Tascha will make sure of that.  She hasn’t stopped being your tormentor, she just changed places.  She will torment your until the day you die.  Watch for the signs.

Rodney Whaley - Franklin Tennessee - I am in tears myself about Tascha.  She too brought mushing back into my life back in 2002.  My first Nakitsilik run, I had Tascha, Nikki, Reba, Indy, Woody and Warrior.  I truly believe Tascha was the best lead dog I ever ran (to include the Anadyr's at Natalie Norris’ kennel).  I knew from the first time I was there that Tascha was your NUMBER ONE dog.  When she ran lead, she was definitely the boss!  She could hang with the “Alberta team” and never miss a beat

I have a wonderful picture of Tascha and myself that Dylan took.  I will treasure it along with my wonderful memories of her.

Thank you for sharing Tascha with me.  You are in our prayers.

John Brama - Aldergrove, BC - Sad news indeed, there were misty eyes here upon reading the news of Tascha passing as well. It seems such a short time ago that we were driving the motley crew to the tree farm to do a training run. I can still remember the first time I saw Tascha. You had brought your dogs to Joanne's for a 4-H judging class and you talked glowing about Tascha and all her fine attributes. I will always remember her as the take charge Alpha that she was. She always carried herself  as if  she knew she was special and carried out the responsibilities that went with it with such class. You said that Lead Dogs aren't made, they are born and Tascha was certainly proof of that. I will miss Tascha as I have and will miss all of the pioneer group. As each passes a piece of my heart seems to go with them. They have  become mortal too quickly and has put a bit of urgency to enjoy the time we have left with the ones who remain. Give Woody and Warrior and Cisco a big hug for us and tell them we love them and always will.   Love and Tears    John and Cathy     Nikki and Indy
 

2008 & 2009 has seen the passing of all of our old guard.

Sadly over the past 18 months, we have had to say goodbye to Destiny, Inuk, Chance, Warrior, Autumn, Suni, Devon, Mica and Seymour. And lest we forget - our dear Maverick, who lived with our friend Rodney in the states. As each one leaves - another piece of my heart goes with them.

As much as I miss them - I feel them on the trail - in the whisper of the runners, the light breeze in my hair, and echoes of the old guard in the newest generation of pups on the ground.

My only solace is knowing that the entire team is now running together again, pain free over the bridge and waiting for the rest of us to join them. Run free my friends, run with the wind.