Working Dogs/Show Ring Winners

I just got back this morning from an intense, month long 'training trip' to Minnesota with 24 of the dogs in contention for my Iditarod team this winter. Before I left I got the harebrained idea that I would 'drop by' the NorthWinds Show and Siberian Husky Club of Canada National Specialty in Winnipeg on the way home. Like you can really 'drop in' anywhere with 24 dogs....

Anyway, by Friday evening I was soundly kicking myself and wishing I was already back in Alberta. Saturday morning and the Specialty had me singing an ENTIRELY different tune.

I am so proud to announce that our Mannie, (Ch. Kainai's Anchorman - bred by Vivian Delude) took first Award of Merit and Best Overall Veteran. Chester (Chuchinka's Pathfinder - bred by Bob and Loreen Bridges) took his Open Male class and Draco (NorthWapiti's Draco) took the Bred By class, Winner's Male and Best of Winners. 

Mannie, Chester and Draco are all Iditarod finishers. 

This was also the first time Draco has been in a show ring since his one experience as a young puppy (about 6 years ago) and I can assure you I had no time in Minnesota to spend preparing him. It was lucky I was able to find a nearby grooming shop to knock off the mud that we were wallowing in for most of the last month. 

It is the same wonderful temperament that allowed me to get away with that that made me turn to him to lead my team out of Fairbanks and through the crowd of 15,000 people at the start of Iditarod last year. He is a special boy and I'm so proud of him. 

My sincere thanks to my wonderful 'Pit Crew' of Karen Armstrong, Brenda Potter and Jackie Wepruk. Without them I would have been lost. They juggled the six dogs I had entered, armbands and bait; made sure I had the right dogs in the ring at the right time; and showed dogs when I ended up with conflicts.

I am very lucky to have such friends. 

Finally, my congratulations to all the other winners, especially Brigitte Hunter (BISS) and Candace Cook (BOS and AOM). It was lovely to be in such nice company when the ribbons where being handed out. I think it is especially cool that all the dogs standing in the ring at the end of the judging are dogs that work in harness. :) :) :)

Karen