Gone but not forgotten...
Simba -
unknown - May 13th, 2004
Simba came into our lives in 1999 and was a delight and the kennel clown. He had the heart of a lion, but was unable to run because of structural problems. It didn't keep him down though - Simba would run along the fences barking and howling and letting us know he was on the job - especially when the teams headed out for a run. Although only with us a short time, Simba was a rare and wonderful delight. He is still sorely missed
Mandabar's Kodiak - October 31st, 1994 -
November 28th, 2005
Kodi was with us a very short time, and proved himself to be a loyal, cuddly, loving member of the team. He was great with all the other dogs, was hard working and ran in whichever position he was placed. He gave his all to the team.
Sometimes, the dogs that are with us for shortest times leave the most profound marks on us.
Chewy: Unknown - January 25th, 2007 - Chewy: of indeterminate age - Chewy was one of those 'invisible' dogs - she was always ready to play or cuddle, never pushed her way for affection and worked hard in harness - never goofing off or playing around while working. We lost our Chewy this past winter to cancer. Chewy is sorely missed by all.
Paco
- Sept 15th, 1995 - March 26th, 2007. Paco came to us after the
filming of Snow Dogs - and was so much fun to watch work that I jumped
at the chance to bring him home to join the lunatic bunch here. I
never regretted the decision - as Paco was a constant source of
amusement in the kennel.
From his stout heart and goofy trail habits - he could and would stop the entire team if he decided he had to have a poop on the go, from his diving into deeper snow while in harness and at full speed to rolling in the snow at every stop just because he could, and being Tom's constant trail partner for long walks, Paco gave his all, gave us laughter and was always a guest favorite.
Good bye my friend - Godspeed as you join your pals Tascha, Chewy, Kodi & Simba. wait for me at the bridge my friends.
Cisco: unknown - February 15th, 2007
Cisco
was one of our first rescues - and had a heart bigger then he was. He
was one of my original four racing dogs. He spent a lot of time with my
brother, Mark and they bonded in a relationship similar to mine with
Tascha. Mark & Cisco were inseparable. He loved the last few months of
his life, just wandering around the property, too old to run and chase
anything anymore - but too young at heart to give up totally. Cisco
chose his own time to go and went - with all the dignity he showed in
life - on his own terms. Cisco is very sadly missed by everyone he
lived with and loved.
woody
& friends 2002
"Woody" - WayMar's Woodland Warrior - May 31st, 2005 - May 12th, 2007
This news never seems to get any easier to share. Seems this is the year that I knew was coming and have dreaded for a very long time.
Woody - as most of you know is one of my
oldest boys, and the foundation male for my kennel. Woody has always
been a true delight and full of mischief, but always very gentle and
loving and very accepting of his crazy mom's mistakes along the way.
Way back when I first brought Woody home - people laughed at me and
said this pretty show dog was never going to be a sled dog - and
then a few months later were blown away by the crazy harness banger
and screamer that he turned into for running. Even after I had him
debarked - he made more noise at hook ups than most teams of dogs
altogether.
Woody LOVED his job. He loved schmoozing with the kids and joe public wherever we went. He was a grand lover - he romanced the ladies - even after he was neutered, and loved nothing more than a cuddle in the kennel.
Over the past year - and certainly the last few weeks - we have noticed that he has had a harder time getting around his kennel every day. This afternoon I went out to feed and he couldn't get up. He did struggle with my help and wobbled his way to the water bucket - but he didn't eat. This is quite possibly the first and ONLY time in his entire life, where Woody didn't inhale a meal in 30 seconds or less.
I have called the vet and Tom is going to take him in tomorrow. He is not suffering or in any obvious pain or distress Tom has agreed to take him in because I just don't think I can take him in and have to say good bye to yet another of my very very special dogs.
Happy trails dear Woody - Tascha and Paco and all the others await you at the bridge
Nakitsilik's Dream Weaver "Drayton"
May 24, 1998 - December 19th, 2007
You may have known him as Drayton.
To me he was one of the silliest, goofiest, most lovable lead dogs I have ever had the privilege of knowing.
Drayton, my friend you left us entirely too soon. My sweet sweet boy - you will be missed. But your legacy lives on in your kids, Mystic, Boomer, Data, Pilot, Ultra, Radar, Riley. May you run freely with the wind and wait for us all at the bridge.
I came home from errands in town this morning - and the kids met me with a - "we have some bad news for you"... I couldn't believe it when Fabian told me that Drayton was dead. They were down in the kennels doing water this morning - and noticed that he wasn't coming out of his dog house. So Fabian went in and discovered him dead. What is so weird about this is that Dray ran on a tour yesterday and was fine, I sat and cuddled with he & sister Suni while we were on a break. There has been no sign of anything being wrong.
My heart is breaking from the shock of it.
Nakitsilik's Nikita - February 1995 - December 28th, 2007
Niki came to me as a rescue back in 1999 and had been horribly treated. It took 6 weeks before she would allow me to touch her back in a light touch without hitting the ground crying. She was pathetically skinny, and not the prettiest of girls. She quickly came to rival Tascha in my affections because she was the sweetest, gentlest and smartest dog I have ever shared my life with.
As she became more confident that she was now safe and would never be mistreated again - she put on weight, was cast as one of the doubles for a character dog in Snow Dogs and went on to excel at obedience and movie behaviors. She had the best recall I have ever seen in a sibe .. except the one time she caught site of a deer in our back yard in Princeton.....
After Tom & I first met - the two became inseparable & Niki was never happier than when Tom would take her out for a walk - on his rare 'days' off.
Together with Tascha - Niki ran many many miles for me, for guests and friends - in lead and was a wonderful leader, an incredible companion and in her last few years after retiring from sledding - looked forward to her 'special' walks with my mother in law - in which the two grand old ladies would merrily wander & explore for hours on the trails and the roads around our property.
She curled into my lap and arms and this wonderful friend and companion crossed over to the bridge with all the incredible dignity and acceptance that she lived her life with.
Her gentle manner, and haunting woo woo in the kennel is sorely missed.
Godspeed my little girl - run free and with joy til we meet again. Say Hi to Tascha, Paco, Woody, Simba and the others who have preceded you.
Niki will be forever immortalized along with Tascha in the banner at the top of every page on our website. the two girls look wonderful in the picture chosen to represent us.