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)

• Spiritrun's Making My Mark 2nd 9-12 mo dog
  
• Spiritrun's Like A Rolling Stone 4th 9-12 mo dog
  
• Spiritrun's Cool Ride 3rd 9-12 mo bitch
  
• Spiritrun N'Nahanni's Beatrice 4th 12-15 mo bitch
  
• BISS Am/Can Ch Spiritrun's Luck of the Draw 2nd 8-10 yr dog
  
• BVIS Am/Can Ch Spiritrun's Might T Maliik 2nd 12+ yr dog
  
• Am/Can Ch Spiritrun's Arctic Crystal 2nd 12+ yr bitch

AMCA Regional Specialty (Robin Hug judge)

• Spiritrun's Making My Mark 1st 9-12 mo dog
• Spiritrun's Cool Ride 4th 9-12 mo bitch
• Spiritrun N'Nahanni's Grace 3rd 12-15 mo bitch
• Spiritrun N'Nahanni's Beatrice 4th 12-15 mo bitch
• Can Ch Spiritrun's Uppin Th'Ante 3rd open dog
• BVIS Am/Can Ch Spiritrun's Might T Maliik 2nd 12+ yr dog
• Am/Can Ch Spiritrun's Arctic Crystal 1st 12+ yr bitch

Nationals Puppy & Veterans Sweeps (Robin Haggard judge)

• Spiritrun's Cool Ride 3rd 9-12 mo bitch
• Spiritrun N'Nahanni's Grace 3rd 12-15 mo bitch
• BISS Am/Can Ch Spiritrun's Luck of the Draw 2nd 8-10 yr dog
• BVIS Am/Can Ch Spiritrun's Might T Maliik 3rd 12+ yr dog
• Am/Can Ch Spiritrun's Arctic Crystal 2nd 12+ yr bitch

AMCA National Specialty (Nancy Russell judge)

• Spiritrun's Making My Mark 2nd 9-12 mo dog
• Spiritrun's Cool Ride 1st 9-12 mo bitch
• Spiritrun N'Nahanni's Beatrice 2nd 15-18 mo bitch (they had a birthday)
• Spiritrun N'Nahanni's Grace 3rd 15-18 mo bitch 
• BPIS BPISS Can Ch Spiritrun's Perfect Take 4th BBE dog
• Can Ch Spiritrun's Uppin Th'Ante 4th open dog
• BVIS Am/Can Ch Spiritrun's Might T Maliik 2nd 12+ yr dog
• Am/Can Ch Spiritrun's Arctic Crystal 1st 12+ yr bitch

And in the performance arena, Colleen Belanger with Deuce and Madison rocked the house with these results::

Regional Specialty Performance results for Deuce, Can Ch Spiritrun's Uppin Th'Ante (titles galore)

• Obedience: Beginner Novice- 191
  
• Rally Excellent-83 3rd place
  
• Rally advanced- 95 1st place
  
• Agility: Novice 95 1st place
  
• Wt pull: pulled 1,166 for a AMCA WWPD leg

National Specialty Performance results for Deuce, Can Ch Spiritrun's Uppin Th'Ante (titles galore)

• Agility: MOST MEMORABLE RUN!!!!!!!

Regional Specialty Performance results for Madison, Can Ch Spiritrun's Utter Maddness (titles galore)

• Obedience: Beginner Novice-191.5 3rd place
  
• Rally Excellent- 90 1st place
  
• Rally Advanced- 90 2nd place

National Specialty Performance results for Madison, Can Ch Spiritrun's Utter Maddness (titles galore)

• Obedience: Beginner Novice- 195 2nd place (her title)
  
• Rally Excellent - 71 3rd place
  
• Rally Advanced- 87 3rd place
  

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!