Bainbridge NY:

Hurray for Bailey, Can Ch Spiritrun's Stands Alone, for picking up her second MAJOR from the Bred-by class (her third actually, for those counting, but we lost the one from Harrisburg as I did not have her entered correctly according to the AKC's detailed Bred-by class rules --  live and learn!). Thank-you judge Ron Spritzer! And on Sunday, her mother Kali , Can Ch Spiritrun's Kahlua N'Ice, won the large Open class and went on to win the Reserve spot. Nice going, girls!

Monarch Kennel Club, Ontario:

Am & Can Ch Spiritrun's Might T Maliik, "Maliik", our notorious lead dog, has been looking good lately. After spending all these years in brother Tobe's shadow when it came to the conformations ring, I though we'd take Maliik out to play. At a couple months shy of his tenth birthday, Maliik, in his debut back to the show ring in over 6 years, WON THE WORKING GROUP on Saturay under judge Bart Miller. He earned a Group 3 on Sunday under judge Clive Davies. What a thrill! He acted, moved and showed much, much younger than his years, almost, in fact, acting like...dare I say...a puppy? Some things never change...and that is a good thing. Lucas, Spiritrun's Perfect Take, made his official show debut -- no more "matches" for this guy. He earned his first two points by going BOW/BP both days. He had fun, too.

Clayton, NY:

 Bailey, Can Ch Spiritrun's Stands Alone, goes WB/BOS both days to pick up a couple points towards her AKC championship.

Kalamazoo, MI, Apple Blossom Cluster:

Our pretty Bailey, CKC Ch Spiritrun's Stands Alone, is on a roll. She won the BBE bitch class and Winner's Bitch 3 out of 4 days, picking up more points and a MAJOR towards her AKC championship. On Friday she was WB, Saturday WB for the major and Monday WB/BOW. Littermate Elliott earned a RWD and WD win over the weekend inching him ever closer to his AKC championship, as well. Deuce, CKC Ch Spiritrun's Uppin The Ante showed very well this weekend, handled by owner Colleen Belanger. He was a consistent winner and/or placer in the Open dog class. His litter sister Sunny, Spiritrun's Good Day Sunshine showed beautifully in the Open bitch class and earned two RWB ribbons this weekend. Bailey's 1/2 sister Kimmy was BOB all weekend. Congratulations to the Peel's for winning the $1000.00 Best Bred-By in Show competition! What a weekend all around :-)))

Lucas, Spiritrun's Perfect Take, won Best Puppy In Working Group in the sanction match held on Friday night. His sidekick, Gordon, our Golden Retriever buddy who travelled with us, won Best Puppy In Sporting Group. We were a force to be reckoned with in the BPIM ring, unfortunately for us, the Bouv pup won. The Bouv people were happy, though;-)

Forest City Kennel Club, Tillsonurg, ON:

We have a NEW CANADIAN CHAMPION!!! Bailey is now CKC Ch Spiritrun's Stands Alone (BISS AKC Ch Nanukes Snoklasic Still Standing x CKC Ch Spiritrun's Kahlua N'Ice) having finished her championship on Sunday under Kim Ramy-LeBlanc. Clarence picked up his first CKC points on Saturday under judge Franki Leung. Way to go!!!!!

Harrisburg Cluster & Specialties, Harrisburg, PA: What a weekend!!!!

Thursday was Bailey's (Spiritrun's Stands Alone) day to shine as she won the BBE Bitch class and went on to Winner's Bitch & Best of Winners for a 3-point MAJOR, under judge T. Gomez!!! Breed winner was half-sister, Kimmy, who shares the same sire, Abbott. Bailey's  brother, Elliott (Can Ch Spiritrun's Grandstand Man), was winner of the BBE Dog class and went on to Reserve Winner's Dog (to a major).

On Friday, at the Specialty, under Wendy Willhauk, Ms. Bailey won the BBE Bitch class again, brother Elliott was 3rd in the BBE Dog class & mother Kali was 4th in the Open Bitch class. Our Brace, consisting of Bailey and mother Kali, performed amazingly & won Best Brace in Specialty.

On Saturday, another Specialty, under judge Kathleen Kanzler, Bailey placed 2nd in the BBE Bitch class; Elliott 4th in BBE Dog class & the Brace consisting of Kali & Bailey won Best Brace in Specialty, again. Four month old Lucas, (Spiritrun's Perfect Take, pending) entered his first match, won Best Of Breed and a Working Group 2. Now understand, there were 50 Boxers in the match entry, or so it seemed, and the judge who awarded Best Puppy in Breed to the Boxers, judged our Group, so the Boxer win was a shoo-in. Lucas was the real star...no really, he was. Really. You had to see him. ;-) 

On Sunday it was Elliott's day to shine. He won the BBE Dog class under judge J. Glendinning, and went on to Winner's Dog for a 3-point MAJOR!!! Bailey won the BBE Bitch class again.

Additional brags belong to my Red Roof Inn roomies. Sharon Robinson put 2 Weight Pull Exellent legs on Gambit (A/C Ch Spiritrun's Luck of the Draw) and finished her bitch, Maisey, at the Specialty on Friday. Sharon's veteran bitch, Fancy, still shines in the conformation ring. Does she ever love it still. Regina put 2 Weight Pull Excellent legs on Puck and was Grand Sweeps winner with her puppy, Lars. I think she has won Grand Sweep at the Harrisburg Specialties something like 4 times? She is a piggy! That is an awesome record!!! Her other puppies fared incredibly well, too. Jatta placed in her classes and Maximus won all of his, I do believe. Laura put a Rally-Advanced title on her 11 year old boy Stoney...so it is never too late! She also put a Weight Pull Excellent leg or two on her girl, Rhya. Both Tassi and Rhya placed/won classes over the course of the weekend on conformation. It was hard enough remembering what my own dogs did, let alone what the roomies dogs were doing. Suffice it to say, we had a great weekend and a lot of success!!!

We are all dog-tired and our legs and feet are KILLING us from the long hours on concrete floors and no help for our ever aging bodies. Many thanks to Assistant Extra-ordinaire Stephanie Johnson. She is an invaluable asset to have around, except when she is asleep in the folding chair. (I'm totally kidding with you, Steph!!!) ;-)

Dog-sledding weekend get-together at Spiritrun Kennels.

Summary:  Despite a huge snow storm, we managed to get in some sledding and hiking. The sun came out on Sunday -- it was a brilliant day!

February 16-18, 2008. A fun weekend gathering of malamute-lovers and sledding enthusiasts will gather for a weekend that celebrates our favourite season.

Summary: We had an incredibly sunny, crisp winter day on Saturday for Winterfest which encouraged many people to come out. The dogs had a ball receiving all the attention from their admiring public. Many kids took turns learning to ride a dogsled. It was a  very successful day, indeed, and we thank everyone who came out to offer a helping hand! An Alberta Clipper had to roll through on Sunday and Monday, bringing with it rain. Thanks Alberta! So, we kicked back and relaxed (how very rare) and watched the Daytona 500.