Most of the Spiritrun gang recently returned home from the Alaskan Malamute Club of America Regional & National Specialty week in Ypsilanti, MI. What a time was had by all. Huge thanks to Kathy Mudryk, great friend and dog-family, who house, dog and cat-sitted the remainder of our pack for us. That took the heartache and worry out of the trip knowing they were in good hands. We spoiled ourselves and rented a Damon Outlaw toy-hauler which fit our ten malamute entries and all our gear quite comfortably. That rig is definitely on my vision board to acquire in the next couple of years. Goal is to drive our very own Outlaw to the Nationals in California in 2014.  We had a large entry of ten malamutes ranging in age from 11 months to 13 years. Most everyone placed in the ribbons in their classes and/or made the cuts. Edmund and Colleen Belanger became fast studies of the finer points of grooming and being stellar ringside assistants. Collen Stone bonded beautifully with Bea and handled her better and better each day...or should I say she behaved better and better for him each day. His handling skills are cream-of-the-crop, but her attitude is, well, her attitude. And I am forever indebted to good, scratch that, great friends Karyn Colman and Nancy Zinkhan for putting on the brave face and taking Silly-Dilly (Dylan) into the ring for his first foray into dog shows. Alisa Syar, Mike Stone, Pam Kovac and Bob Sturdivant, our amazing extended dog-family, were also on hand to walk, cuddle, hold things, spray things, brush things and basically do whatever was asked of them and for that, guys and gals, I am so thankful. xo Here is how the week went down:: Regional Puppy & Veteran Sweeps (Ron Pohl judge)
AMCA Regional Specialty (Robin Hug judge)
Nationals Puppy & Veterans Sweeps (Robin Haggard judge)
AMCA National Specialty (Nancy Russell judge)
Regional Specialty Performance results for Deuce, Can Ch Spiritrun's Uppin Th'Ante (titles galore)
Regional Specialty Performance results for Madison, Can Ch Spiritrun's Utter Maddness (titles galore)
What a week!!! Boxes of ribbons and prizes for all. Cassie, our Specials bitch, BIS Am/Can Ch Spiritrun's Singular Sensation, made the cut in both specialties as did Crystal as a 13 year old veteran. We were very proud of these girls. And Gabby showed beautifully yet did not place as we are still spoiling her for putting in so much effort with her nine Lichen puppies, therefore she was not back into "show condition" quite yet. We were also incredibly proud of Deuce and Madison for being presented with their SERVICEABLE ALASKAN MALAMUTE AWARDS at the banquet. Many thanks to Colleen & Dave Belanger for being a "dream come true" home for our dogs and for accomplishing so much with them! They are the 2nd and 3rd Alaskan Malamutes to earn these awards! Thank-you to the photographers who took the photos in our slideshow below, who were generous enough to share with us and allow us to share with you. Kat Copley-Holland, Jennifer Next year:: Chattanooga TN and we are super-excited for that trip already!!! Add Comment AMCA Natoinal Specialty 2010, Denver CO. 10/28/2010
For once in my life, I went without dogs. That was hard, but worthwhile nonetheless, and I do recommend it. There is always so much to take in during a National Specialty week and you certainly cannot discount the importance of networking and looking beyond your own dogs. I got to spend time with papa-to-be, Lichen, which is important to me. I like to know the personality traits of both sire and dam so that I can recognize them in the offspring. I also got to take Cruise for a run along with Kate Salvadore. Running at high altitude, I felt it. Kate, a mere two weeks away from her Ironman, didn't quite feel it like I did. Cruise and I relished any opportunity to stop and catch our breath. His tongue was hanging low, but it was warm for him and he just wanted to mark all of Denver to call it his own. He came back to my room, but when he found the full-length mirror, any opportunity for bonding went out the window. He was rather smitten with his image. Why wouldn't he be. And I got a moment of cuddles on the bed with Cindy, BIS BISS Ch Atanik SilverIce Hot Pants, where I gave her a belly rub and that will be a memory I will forever hold in my heart. RIP Cindy xo. The Top 20 emcee assignment went off as usual -- the same scope of glitches that we usually experience. Microphone technical malfunctions and handler pattern-execution fouls. Nothing major. We don't have teleprompters or dress-rehearsals, so considering that, I think we manage to pull it off quite well. Congratulations to all the participants and to the winners, Ricky and his team! It is always great to see everyone, especially the at-large members, who bring a new set of eyes, ideas and enthusiasm to the plate. Congratulations to all the winners of the week! A special shout out to the big Canadian successes Kathleen and T'ing with their National Specialty BOS and Gaylene, Leslie and Cruz'er with their National Specialty WD win. Oh Canada! The AMCA National Specialty is not just another dog show, nor is it just another place to showcase your dogs. It is a place where the students of the breed get together to learn and share their experiences, their knowledge and their passion. If you are a true fancier of the Alaskan Malamute, this is where you need to be year-after-year. Next year...Michigan...don't miss it. | AuthorSpiritrun Malamutes ~ breeders of quality Alaskan Malamutes since 1998  ArchivesNovember 2011 CategoriesAll |
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