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Mark & Karen |
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North Wapiti Siberian
Husky Kennels
Yukon Quest/Iditarod 2006 -
'Sponsor-a-dog' Program
As part of our fundraising we are offering the opportunity to sponsor a specific Yukon Quest/Iditarod dog. For $300 Cdn. sponsors get their name listed on this website, a 2006 bandana, a certificate and some other cool NorthWapiti 2006 Quest memorabilia. (Click this link for information on currency exchange rates.)
Of the dogs listed, 22 of these will accompany us up to Alaska and only 16 will be chosen for our team. We cannot guarantee anyone's sponsored dog will make the final 16 - but certificates, bandanas, and other memorabilia will be issued to all sponsors regardless of whether or not their dog of choice participates in the Iditarod.
(Click on each dog's picture to visit their individual page)
The Dogs in the Training Pool
There is just not enough good things to say to do Grover justice. Grover is, without any question, Karen's favorite dog in the kennel. Our MAIN leader - he is a SUPER dog!
Grover always has - and probably always will - be sponsored by Karen's baby brother, Jim (Geek) Murray of Calgary, Alberta (Canada). |
Gus is another of the 'Muppet Litter' and like the rest of his littermates (Grover, Smiley & Camilla), he is a key leader in our team. Gus is normally the dog I turn to at starting lines and other crowded places - he knows his job and is always keen to do it!
Gus is not up for sponsorship this year. This year we are devoting his season to the memory of his long time sponsor and our friend, Bob Ford, who passed away in June. Whether Gus makes it to the Quest or not, the NorthWapiti team will all carry the memory of our friend on the trail. |
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Surge is one big puppy at heart. Even out on the Iditarod Trail he loves to take the time to play and will frequently bat at me with his paws to try and convince me to do some roughhousing with him. He is a fun dog to live and travel with!
This long term race veteran is lucky this year to be sponsored by one of our most veteran sponsors - what a perfect match! Many thanks to Marlene and Doug Daniels of Belgrade, MT for sponsoring Surge this year! |
 NorthWapiti's Draco IDITAROD VETERAN Big, leggy, hard working Draco surprised a lot of people, myself included by winning big at the 2003 Canadian Siberian Husky Nationals in Winnipeg in November - not because I don't think he is beautiful - because he definitely is - but he certainly looks more like a working dog then a show dog! In my mind, this is an impossible dog not to fall in love with!!
Draco thanks Megan and Randee McQueen - his Campbell, California (USA) Fan Club for continuing to sponsor his travels! |
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 Clout's Moses of Velikaya IDITAROD VETERAN Moses is a dog with an 'all knowing presence' about him. His work ethic is simply inspiring to all. A very valued and key dog in our team!
Moses doesn't really need anyone to tell him how wonderful he is - he is
very convinced he is a star, but having a fan like his sponsor this year,
Donna Quante of Blakeslee, Pennsylvania (USA) is a boost to
any dog's ego! Thanks Donna. |
 NorthWapiti's Seeley Lake Everyone thinks 'Batdog' was so named because he has big ears, not the case. When he was young, he loved to be hung upside down and survey the world from this vantage! He reminded me of a little bat - hence his call name. He is a very promising and exciting young dog!
What could be more natural then Jerry and Barbara Lake sponsoring NorthWapiti's Seeley Lake?? We are very grateful for the Lake's coming on board to sponsor their 'long lost son'. |
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Loki is well named after the Norse god of mischief. He always has a prank up his 'sleeve', but he never lets it get in the way of putting in a solid performance whenever he gets hooked up!
Loki has been supported on his Iditarod journeys by Debbie Custer of Texas (USA) for the last several years. Loki and Karen thank Debbie for helping us on this new trail! |
Another of the beautiful and talented Norse god and goddess litter. In harness, Odie has always been the star of this bunch. Hardworking to the core!
When Squeaky moved to Utah this spring - it left his long time sponsors, John and Ursula Rempel of Winnipeg, MB 'without a dog'. I'm sure Tia had some say in the fact that they have picked another handsome male to support! Odie sends many thanks out to all! |
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Nahanni is a beautiful dog. Fast, focused and tough as nails rounds her out! Although circumstances always seem to line up against Nahanni to stop her from running major races, but she is still a real asset to the team!
A group effort
similar to Kara's sponsorship is in the
works, so far $404.46 has been collected. The
final
amount and entire list of sponsor names coming soon...Stay tuned! |
 Ch. Kimlan's Xzackeryit at NWapiti Zackery is more 'show lines' then alot of our dogs - in fact, his brother Beamer is burning up the rings in Canada and the US, culminating in a BOW win at the US Siberian Nationals last year. Zackery is looking to prove that his lines are just as functional as they are beautiful. I think he stands a good chance.
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 Alaskan's Olena of Anadyr IDITAROD VETERAN Definitely the 'Alpha Bitch' in this kennel. Ollie is tough as nails and knows it well! Although she took 2005 Iditarod off to whelp out an unexpected litter of puppies, she is a FORCE in harness and contributes big to the team whenever she is a part of it!
For another year Olena's evilness will be balanced by the kindness of her long time sponsors, Doug and Marlene Daniels of Belgrade, Montana (USA). We are grateful! |
 Chlout's Hector of NorthWapiti IDITAROD VETERAN Hector is a character. During Iditarod 2004 he took great delight in starting 'group howls' in checkpoints along the Race. Just outside of White Mountain - on a cold, clear morning - he led the team in a stirring song to start us on the last leg of our journey to Nome. It is a memory I will always cherish.
After three years of Kansas sponsorship, his sponsors have designated Hector as an honorary
JayHawk! |
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 Chlout's Hilda of NorthWapiti IDITAROD VETERAN Although nicknamed "Broom Hilda" after the cartoon witch - there is nothing 'witchy' about Hilda - she is sweet and hardworking. A real delight to have in the team.
Hilda has a secret wish that being Donna Quante's sponsored dog will get her a starring role in Donna's soon to be released Documentary "Pretty Sled Dogs" about the
kennel's 2005 Iditarod! Keep hoping Broom Hilda! |
 Chlout's Herman of NorthWapiti IDITAROD VETERAN 'The Hermanator', as Mark often calls him - Herman is all business. He just wants to get to work!
The Herminator (and his family) thanks Alice Fitzgerald and her son, Travis for sponsoring his trip this year. Maybe next year Travis can show Herm some black belt moves to really help him boost his confidence! |
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 NorthWapiti's Pepsi Harnessing this high energy gal is our version of the 'Pepsi Challenge'. If we can funnel that energy into running - she will be an amazing sled dog!
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 NorthWapiti's Sprite IDITAROD VETERAN Cute, athletic, and energetic - Sprite was the only girl left in my team in Unalakleet in the '05 Iditarod. An amazing up and coming girl!
Sprite has one fabulous fan and friend in Heather Walls. We all thank you, Heather for you continuing support! |
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Although being a Grover son automatically earns you a favoured position in my heart, Crunchie wasn't happy 'inheriting' that and has definitely earned his status all on his own. A cool dog - one of my very, very favourites.
Crunchie and Karen once again thank Dana and Judy Kevelder of Pickerington, Ohio (USA) for believing in and supporting us! |
 NorthWapiti's Barq, He's got bite Barq promises to be one of the fastest dogs we own. He looks and acts a lot like his half brothers - Draco, Orion, and Surge!
If Barq could settle down and focus on anything for more then 2 seconds - he'd want to thank Heather Brennan of Georgetown, Ontario for sponsoring him for the last 3 three years. Looks like this could well be the year he comes through and makes the trip to Alaska Heather! |
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 NorthWapiti's Snickers IDITAROD VETERAN Snickers is a perpetual motion machine - always on the move - except when she is getting snuggles!
Snickers was thrilled to get lots of pre race snuggles and attention from her Sponsor last year, Pat Ford. As Pat is sponsoring her again this year, Snicks has her paws crossed that Pat will make the trip up to Fairbanks this year to give her another great send off! |
Skor took longer to
mature then his brother Crunchie, but last year got to prove
himself on the Iditarod. A solid leader and hard driving team
dog.
Skor and his brother Crunchie are one of my favourite pairs of leaders - how cool that they are both sponsored by the same folks now! Many thanks to Dana and Judy Kevelder of Pickerington, Ohio for sponsoring Skor, as well as his brother, Crunchie this year.
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 Ch. NorthWapiti's Dasher IDITAROD VETERAN Dasher is very much unlike her sweet and loveable Mom, Kara. She is bossy, opinionated, and demanding of getting her own way! She is proving to be an amazing leader and was a key dog up front for the first part of the '05 Iditarod.
Dasher and
the rest of the team would like to thank the Friends of SOS-SRF
(Save Our
Siberians - Siberspace Rescue Fund) for the support. |
 NorthWapiti's Holland Lake AMAZING is really the only word to describe this little girl. Holly has been leading big strings of dogs out of this yard since she was just over a year old. I can't wait for her to mature enough to be able to race with us. She is definitely going to be a special leader!
We hope that Holly will live up to the last name of her sponsor on the trail this year - swift. Many thanks to Edna Swift of Grants Pass, Oregon (USA) for helping Holly out this year! |
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 NorthWapiti's See Spot Run Spotty Dog is vying to replace Nik as the most annoying dog in the team. She has a high pitched, ear piercing scream that she turns loose every time there is something going on that she wants to be a part of. Despite it, we adore her and look forward to her working on the team this season! Maybe all the work will settle her down some!
We are very grateful to Sue Smith of Australia for sponsoring Spot, even after she knew she headed off to Utah to run with Team Carmacks for the winter. We really appreciate her understanding that sponsoring any dog helps the whole team - whether or not that dog makes the trek to Alaska! |
JR is well named - he is a junior Grover, but with the vivid blue eyes of his mother, Joey. I'm beginning to see the same stride and carriage in him in harness that his Daddy has. That makes me very excited about his future!
Pat Ford is showing exceptional taste in selecting dogs - Snickers, her other sponsored dog, and Jr and both terrific leaders that we expect big things from this season! Thanks for your support Pat! |
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 NorthWapiti's Dare The only daughter of Iditarod veterans Smiley and Oreo, this cute little cookie has alot of the traits that made both of them assets to our team.
As feisty Dare makes her first attempt to crack the 'A' team - she is supported by her equally feisty Mom, Oreo and Karen's sister in law, Melissa Murray of Calgary,
Alberta (Canada). |
 Four Winds Newt Newt came to live with us as an adult dog in the spring of this year. He's done some sprint racing, but never distance stuff. It will be interesting to see how this athletic boy does on the team this season.
While Irving Horowitz is awaiting for the k9 'Irving' to grow up and be on the main string - he has been gracious enough to sponsor Newt as he makes his first attempt at distance racing. Thanks Irving! |
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 NorthWapiti's Q Q is a stunningly built boy. His early performance in harness is also wonderful. Another exciting Grover son!
Q sends big thanks to Jay and Janet Elliot of Kettle Falls, Washington (USA) for backing him on his first attempt at making the main string! |
 NorthWapiti's Jinx A pretty, little black girl, born on Friday the 13th. James Bond fans will figure out the connection between that and her name. Jinx is long, lean and build to move. We look forward to her first serious season in harness.
Jinx thanks all the folks at Tundra Spirits Rescue in New York (USA) for sponsoring her first crack at making the 'A' team. In our books, all folks that support rescue are 'A' team material! |
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 NorthWapiti's Hear Me Roar Roary is one of those sled dog that is almost invisible. She just does her job well without ever causing problems or bringing unnecessary attention to herself. Those kinds of dogs are the backbone of good teams.
Roary was disappointed that her sponsor Lee DesJardins of Ancaster, Ontario
(Canada) didn't make the trip out to the kennel to pick her out in person,
as she has done for her sponsored dogs in the past, but I'm sure they will get a chance to visit sometime down the road. |
 NorthWapiti's Eeek Okay, I confess, as a pup I didn't care for Eeek that much, so when Mark picked his goofy name, I wasn't too bothered. Of course, he has grown up to be my favourite dog from that litter!
With a special fondness for 'red dogs' Mary Curtis has snapped up the lovely red and white piebald colored Eeek to be her sponsored dog this year. We are grateful! |
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 Tucoldturain's Vortec at N'Wapiti Yet another Grover offspring. This boy is still young, but exhibits alot of the quiet confidence of his father.
Vortec thanks his 'first' Mom and Dad, Jackie Wepruk and Rick Austin, and all the rest of his former kennel mates at TuColdtuRain Siberians of Lacombe, Alberta (Canada) for sponsoring him this year! |
 Tumnatki's Ms Muffet of NWapiti If Spidey is half as good in harness as she is at getting out of pens, she will be a real asset to the team. At about 3 months of age she was routinely climbing her way out of our 6 foot high chain link pens - she is definitely athletic.
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1983 Iditarod Champ Rick Mackey claims Kara is so cute "you can't help A hard working sled dog, a good little show dog and a dream to live
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Canadian
Sponsors
USA
Sponsors
Sue Smith - Australia |
Honorary Sponsorship
Butch isn't on the team this year, but one of his fans INSISTS :)
Sponsored by a Fan of the Scud Missile from California |
Our Yukon Quest/Iditarod 2006 Main Page
Click on the paws above to follow the team back to our main page...