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Mark & Karen
Ramstead
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North Wapiti Siberian Husky Kennels
Iditarod 2003 -'Sponsor-a-dog' Program

As part of our fundraising we are offering the opportunity to sponsor a specific Iditarod dog. For $300 Cdn. sponsors get their name listed on this website, one of our limited edition prints by BC artist Denise Linley, a 2003 Ceremonial Start bandana (that will be mailed from Nome) and a certificate.

Of the dogs listed, 20 of these will accompany us up to Alaska next year 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 prints will be issued to all sponsors regardless of whether or not their dog of choice participates in Iditarod.

The Dogs in the Training Pool

Odie
NorthWapiti's Oden

Odie is one of the up and coming stars in our team. He was the youngest dog in our 2002 team and a finisher of the John Beargrease Marathon in Minnesota.

'Odie the Coyote' has been sponsored by the amazing June Price! For the truth about the Iditarod visit June's Iditarod Fact or Fiction site.

Smiley
NorthWapiti's Guy Smiley
IDITAROD VETERAN

Smiley is definitely a favorite in the kennel. Most folks that meet him comment on the 'twinkle' in his eye! He is one of our main leaders.

"Dear Smiley - Take her all the way again" writes Jackie Symonds of Sierra Run Siberians in South Carolina. Thanks for helping him do just that Jackie!


NorthWapiti's Orion the Hunter
IDITAROD VETERAN

Orion is, in our opinion, one of the finest built, most capable athletes on our team. A leader, who has not quite filled all his potential up front.

Orion is grateful to Alice Fitzgerald and her son, Travis of Connecticut for sponsoring his trip to Nome!

Draco
NorthWapiti's Draco
IDITAROD VETERAN

A little goofier and ganglier version of his brother Orion, Draco is impossible not to love!

Megan and Randee McQueen along with their dogs Maxx, Teruu, Kobee and Kilaa..  We wish Draco a good, safe run to Nome.

Surge
NorthWapiti's Sir Gallahad
IDITAROD VETERAN

Karen's nickname for Surge has always been 'the Puppy'. At the Iditarod finish line we decided that no longer suited this hard working adult dog. He's still shopping for a new nickname!

Surge thanks Jill Frick of Toronto, Ontario for once again believing in him and sponsoring his journey across Alaska! We know he will do you proud Jill!

Oreo
Ch. NorthWapiti's Oreo
IDITAROD VETERAN

Oreo is like a fine wine - she is just getting better and better with age. Although dropped in Nikolai on the 2001 Iditarod, she was in lead at the finish of Grand Portage, Race to the Sky, and Beargrease! An awesome dog in the show ring or on the trail!

Oreo is one again sponsored by our friends at the Perryvale Country Store! Probably the only Post Office in Alberta where it is not unusual to see a dog team parked outside! We appreciate all that Phyllis and her staff do for us! 

Rosie
Willo's WildRose of N'Wapiti

Rosie will be following in her father's , Ch. Stormwatch's Montana SDO, footsteps. He is a 2x Iditarod finisher!

Rosie has quite the Fan Club this year!
She is sponsored by -

Candace, Hayden and Lonie of Colorado;
Devonté and Tamara of California;
Erik and Iain of Edmonton;
 Jordan and Abby of Edmonton.
 Thank you to all of you!

Butchie
NorthWapiti's Butch Cassidy SD
IDITAROD VETERAN

We often refer to Butchie as our 'scud missile'. With him in lead - you know that you are going somewhere FAST - you are just not certain where it is you are going! Butch did a wonderful job leading for a leg of the 2001 Iditarod, but he listens to NOTHING that Karen asks, so he is most often found farther back in the team!

Once again, Butchie thanks Heather Brennan of Ontario, Canada for helping him get to Nome!

Freya
NorthWapiti's Freya

Freya is one of the smallest members of our team, but she is quick and focused! Still young, she is showing great promise in lead!

One of the best parts of Iditarod are all the great friends you get to make because of the Race. Freya's sponsors, Doug & Marlene Phillips-Daniels of Belgrade, Montana are examples of that. Thanks guys!

Kara
NorthWapiti's Valkyrie Kara

Kara is a littermate to Freya, Odie, and Loki. She took a good part of last season off to raise a litter of pups (Dasher and Dancer) but looks very forward to getting back into harness.

Kara sponsors are special to all the kennel - the Kuerbis family of Perryvale, Alberta. All the Kuerbis' has always been big supporters of the team - and most importantly - at least to the dogs, is that Patti feeds the dogs whenever we are on the road! Our thanks to Patti, John, Padraig and Mark for all they do for us. 

Kaylinn
Chuchinka's San Antonio Rose
IDITAROD VETERAN

Kaylinn was the surprise star of our 2001 Iditarod. She is continuing to put excellent, solid performances in in races, that are making her very valued in the team.

Kaylinn has, as always, been sponsored by her breeders, our dear friends, and mentors - Bob and Loreen Bridges of Chuchinka Kennels.

 Kaylinn would like to dedicate her 2003 Iditarod run to her grandfather, BIS, BISS Ch. Chuchinka's Shawn Boy SD who passed away early this year.

Loki
NorthWapiti's Loki

Loki is well named after the Norse god of mischief! But he is maturing and becoming more serious about his job in harness everyday!

Debbie Custer is once again on board as a sponsor. Loki and all of us at NorthWapiti Kennels thank you!

Grover
NorthWapiti's Super Grover
IDITAROD VETERAN

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 thanks a very special friend, Karen's brother Jim Murray of Calgary - for sponsoring his trip down the Iditarod trail!

Gus
NorthWapiti's Mr. Snuffleupagus
IDITAROD VETERAN

Gus is another of the muppet litter and like the rest of his littermates, is a key leader in our team. Gus was in lead for the Ceremonial Start, the Restart, and the Finish line of the 2001 Iditarod!

For the third time running, Gus has been sponsored by our friend Robert Ford of Champaign, Illinois. We are all grateful for Bob's continued support!

Camilla
NorthWapiti's Camilla
IDITAROD VETERAN

A little dynamo in harness. Camilla is a strong puller and dynamic leader - especially for her size!

 

Once again, Camilla is sponsored by Elsie Chadwick of Etobicoke, Ontario. Elsie is also the historian for the Siberian Husky Club of Canada, a time consuming job that she is exceptionally dedicated too! Thanks to Elsie and all our other supporters, the NorthWapiti kennels team has a place in those history books!

Nik
Chuchinka's Nicolia II
IDITAROD VETERAN

Nik is the most ANNOYING dog in our team. Noisy and opinionated, we still wouldn't trade him for anything! :) 

 

If Nik could stay still long enough, he'd want to thank Mark's parents - Harvey and Sylvia Ramstead for sponsoring him again this year.

Squeaky
NorthWapiti's Robert E. Lee

Squeaky is a littermate to Surge, although he just came to live with us last summer. Called 'Rob' by his former owners, Mark nicknamed him 'Squeaky' because of the strange noise he makes because of being debarked! Sadly, it has stuck! 'Squeak' is a handsome and hardworking boy, who looks very much like his grandfather - Spud!

Ursula and John Rempel of Winnipeg, Manitoba have come to Squeaky's aid once again! 

Last summer the very graciously drove Squeaky and his brothers from North Dakota to Winnipeg when we brought them home from the US. We were all very grateful to them then and are grateful to them know for this sponsorship! We can't thank you enough guys!

Striker
Tumnatki Bosen NorthWapiti
IDITAROD VETERAN

Striker is a well built, hard working sled dog - and darn handsome too! One of our hardest driving dogs on hills!

Our thanks to Scott and Janet Sweeney of Enumclaw, Washington for their support of Striker. They wish us things that only other mushers can appreciate "happy feet, healthy appetites, firm stools and smooth trails"! Thanks guys!

Denali
NorthWapiti's Denali

This will be Denali's first season 'playing' with the big dogs. He has the pedigree and heart for it though. Both his Mom and Dad are from the premier Iditarod Siberian Husky kennel - Howling Dog Farms. We look forward to having this big guy in our team!

Denali has been sponsored by the globetrotting, June Shelley of L.A., California. You can follow June's adventures on her website

Jumper
Alaskan's Jumper of Anadyr

Jumper was one of the last cuts from our team in 2002. Each year her relationship builds with Karen and she does better and better!

Jumper is eager to thank Susan Davies, Ann Conser, Holly Conser and Ruth Lloyd -all members of the The Siberian Husky Club of Greater Kansas City for their support. Holly and Ann are apparently headed up to Alaska for the start of the Race and Jumpy hopes to be able to thank them in person then!

Joey
Alaskan's Georgio of Anadyr

Joey's bloodlines make her well suited for Iditarod - her daddy is a 3 time finisher. Always bouncy and happy we hope this will be her year to make the main string.

Joey thanks Correen Pacht, Marc Ralsky and all the CORMAR Gang (Kodi, Monty, and Junior) of Toronto, Ontario for sponsoring her!

Kobuk
NorthWapiti's Kobuk

Kobuk is a big, leggy, goofy boy. A littermate to Denali, this will be his first season vying for a spot on the main string.

Kobuk has been sponsored by Lee Desjardens and his old kennel mates - Sammie and Slik now living with her in Ancaster, Ontario. 

Lee came out to the kennel on holidays and picked out Kobuk personally - he was the only one that didn't try to knock her over! 

Visa
Northome's Visa

Visa - 'the velcro dog' is one of Karen's favorites. Now, if just only she could make the main string! We are hoping this will be her year!

Our thanks to Shanean Hicks, Laura Neville Woods, Ruth A. Lloyd, and Cecile and Lisa Toth for sponsoring Visa.

Kluane
NorthWapiti's Kluane

Kluane is the beautiful, delicate sister of Denali and Kobuk. She is a dynamo in harness though! We just have to get her past her picky eating habits!

Karen's Mom, Morna Murray of Calgary is sponsoring Kluane. Mom has never managed to pick a dog that made the Iditarod team - hopefully this will be her (and Kluane's) year! :)

Cassie
NorthWapiti's Casseopia

'Evvvvil Casseopia', as she is better known! Cassie is stubborn and dominant - a terrific combination for a great leader. If only she and Karen can sort out who is calling the shots! :) Karen loves the potential of this dog!

Cassie thanks Kim and Kelly Berg and her sister Lyra, who resides with them at Kelim Kennels in New Hampshire for sponsoring her on her journey to Nome. 

Nahanni
NorthWapiti's Nahanni

Nahanni is another beautiful girl from the 'National Park' litter. Fast and focused, we have high hopes for her!

Nahanni has been sponsored by longtime supporters Barb and John Armour of St. Paul, Minnesota. We are sure this hard working dog will do you proud!

Olena
Alaskan's Olena of Anadyr

Although nicknamed 'Rolly Polly Ollie' - there is nothing 'rolly or polly' about this dog. Olena is all hard muscle and attitude! Definitely the most gung-ho of the 2 year olds. An absolute FORCE in harness!

Glen Todd of Woodland Park, CO

Chester
Chuchinka's Pathfinder
IDITAROD VETERAN

It's hard to know where to start talking about Chester. The fact that he has his own Fan Club should tell you something about the amazing personality of this boy! He is the dog we always take to school visits. His passion for kids is only second to his passion for running (and dinner). He is also one of the toughest dogs we have ever met in harness.

Chester has the World's Greatest Fan Club and they are once again sponsoring his trip to Nome. Rio and Sahara, the Golden Girls at Heartprint Kennels are always emailing Chester words of support and encouragement. Only problem is it gives Ches a bigger ego then he already has - if that is possible!

Mannie
Ch. Kainai's Anchorman
IDITAROD VETERAN

Mannie has secured his spot in the history books. He is the first CKC champion showdog and the only Group Placing dog to finish Iditarod. What more can we say - except that we are very proud to own him!

Mannie welcomes Kay and Jennifer Arnold aboard as first time sponsors!
Kay will be up in Nome for the finish of the Race - Mannie will be waiting for an ear scratch Kay!

Our Iditarod 2003 Main Page


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