April 29, 1996 - June 9, 2007
Drifter
totem: the bison
Drifter is at peace now (June
9, 2007). He is able to eat
all the ice he wants, run through the snow and work hard in harness
anytime he wishes. I will take his ashes with me to The Gold Rush
Mail
Run in Jan. 2008 so he will do the event with the team.
It is sad to report that Drifter was diagnosed with lymphosarcoma early in May of 2007. It appears it has spread to his lungs and his lymph nodes are swelled extensively through out his body. He is still eating and seems comfortable and my goal is to keep him comfortable during what time he has left. Information on this cancer may be found at Lymphoma Information Network - Lymphomas in Animals
This is Drifter's last dogsledding run Feb 2007. Gavin and Callie are lead dogs, with Smokey (l) and Drifter (r) at team and Cooper (l) and Anna (r) at wheel. Drifter is fighting lymphoma and I will be retiring his harness with his passing.
Winter 2007 in Manitoba, Drifter (left) and his half brother Smokey (r).
Drifter
looks down from the shining night sky
Upon the trail-hardened dog team that's now running by.
His silver harness sparkles and he wears it with pride
Unbeknownst to the team, he is there by their side.
The weary sled dogs grow tired trudging up the long hill,
But Drifter's spirit whispers, "You can do it, you will!"
The tuglines then tighten as the strong dogs dig deep.
Up the laborious hill, the sled team does creep.
The musher calls, "Whoa" once they get to the top.
The furry, hot sled dogs, in the snow they do flop.
Silence and cold seem to be all that is here.
Yet a light, arctic breeze sighs, Drifter's spirit is near.
The musher remembers those times long gone by
When Drifter ran with them. He made the sled fly.
Soon the team's rest is finished. Hike! Ready for fun?
In memory of Drifter, they complete the Gold Rush Mail Run.
Upon the trail-hardened dog team that's now running by.
His silver harness sparkles and he wears it with pride
Unbeknownst to the team, he is there by their side.
The weary sled dogs grow tired trudging up the long hill,
But Drifter's spirit whispers, "You can do it, you will!"
The tuglines then tighten as the strong dogs dig deep.
Up the laborious hill, the sled team does creep.
The musher calls, "Whoa" once they get to the top.
The furry, hot sled dogs, in the snow they do flop.
Silence and cold seem to be all that is here.
Yet a light, arctic breeze sighs, Drifter's spirit is near.
The musher remembers those times long gone by
When Drifter ran with them. He made the sled fly.
Soon the team's rest is finished. Hike! Ready for fun?
In memory of Drifter, they complete the Gold Rush Mail Run.
It is sad to report that Drifter was diagnosed with lymphosarcoma early in May of 2007. It appears it has spread to his lungs and his lymph nodes are swelled extensively through out his body. He is still eating and seems comfortable and my goal is to keep him comfortable during what time he has left. Information on this cancer may be found at Lymphoma Information Network - Lymphomas in Animals
This is Drifter's last dogsledding run Feb 2007. Gavin and Callie are lead dogs, with Smokey (l) and Drifter (r) at team and Cooper (l) and Anna (r) at wheel. Drifter is fighting lymphoma and I will be retiring his harness with his passing.
Winter 2007 in Manitoba, Drifter (left) and his half brother Smokey (r).
Drifter came to live with us in Dec. 1998. He is a half brother to Smokey and he is a big teddy bear. He gets along great with all the other dogs, but our cats stay clear of him!! Drifter is a "velcro dog", he sticks very close to my side when not working in harness. He does extremely well at wheel with Naoisha.
Drifter resting after a sled run
Drifter on the right with his lead buddy Naoisha
Drifter giving Helen a kiss shortly after Drifter became a part of
our family
Here is Drifter getting to know his pack in the house.
Drifter (in front) with his brother, Smokey, chasing him.
This was a freight race, Snowflake Days, put on by the MN Malamute
Club.
Bob is driving Smokey(l) and Drifter (r) during a snowstorm. The
boys took a 3rd place!!!
Bob skijoring racing at Snowflake Days with Drifter and Naoisha.
They took second place!!
click here for more working pics