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This story is dedicated to all the faithful canines that have and will contnue to grace my days, bringing life's lessons in their own special way.
�What a ride! We made it, pups. You�re the best! Stepping from the broken, ice-covered sled, SableHawk brushes off Running a team of ten dogs is a joyful venture for the
�����I would like to begin my story at the starting line. After all, that�s where all races start.
�����The lead dog is called Lass. A blond-haired beauty, she holds the line steady.
�����Behind her are two seasoned veterans, Tiny and Echo. Following in the third row are Boots and Chauncy, a mismatched but faithful pair. Then come Sass and Simon, the team stabilizers. Taking up the end of the line are Stryker and Destiny, the attentive ones. Nijah rides in the sled bag(3), waiting her turn.
�����Lass comes to me when I am a tiny girl of four years. Being rookies(4), we have much to learn about each other and the world around us.
And I remember Daddy said,
Lass and I grew up together,
�����Once I enter school a new fuzzy muzzle joins the team. I call her Tiny. She is very shy; she cries a lot and doesn�t want to play. She puts quite a few scars into my hand but we don�t give up on each other. I need to reassure her that she needn�t be afraid and that I will be her friend. We grow close to the point that she waits for me in the school yard all day and then we walk home together. She never leaves my side.
And I remember Daddy said,
Tiny and I grew up together,
�����The Summer I am twelve, Echo comes into my life. Flown in from the "Land of the Midnight Sun"(5), she is a plump snowball emerging from her flight kennel. It is love at first sight! For two weeks she has no name until she finally barks and it echoes through the house. A brick shelter is built for her beneath the backyard maple tree. Becoming a busy teenager, I feel badly that I do not have more of my time to spend with her. Daddy exercises her when I can�t. She loves to be out in the yard when he mows the lawn or shovels snow, running ahead, guiding his way.
And I remember Daddy said,
Echo and I grew up together,
�����Then comes Boots. Boots is given to me by a very caring, responsible man who is unable to care for the young pup. The man visits Boots many times and brings him biscuits and toys. Now, Boots is a nutty sort, filled with mischief. Did you ever hear of a dog climbing a tree? That�s Boots!
And I remember Daddy said,
Boots and I grew up together,
�����Chauncy is a fiery redhead. Growing quickly, it seems that his legs are always too long for his body. He runs like the wind and becomes my best friend.
And I remember Daddy said,
Chauncy and I grew up together,
�����Little Sassy, �Sass� for short, is very gentle and loving but somehow doesn�t have the strength to lead. She�s so little but very brave. She gives her all and asks for nothing in return.
And I remember Daddy said,
Sass and I grew up together,
And I remember Daddy said,
Simon and I grew up together,
�����I know when Stryker�s around! He upturns that whipping tail and says, �Look! I am here!� Stryker can be feisty when he wants, but a pat with a kind word usually brings him around.
And I remember Daddy said,
Stryker and I grew up together,
�����Sweet Destiny comes to me one early Spring evening. She is a breath of fresh air to the team. Obedience and faithfulness are her creed. Winter�s storms will not chill her and summer�s heat will not rile her. Totem�s(6) daughter, a champion breed, she is a true leader. She is the spirit within my heart and the weaver of many dreams.
And I remember Daddy said,
Destiny and I grew up together,
The sled bag is empty today.
Nijah knows that she has much work to do in the upcoming season. She must take the lead; there are no others. I don�t know where she will take the sled nor where the journey will take all of us. She, too, is great Totem�s daughter, his Winter Promise(7) to me and my family. She is a champion breed and a destined leader.
And I remember Daddy said,
Nijah and I will grow together,
for May
WORD LIST FOR THIS STORY
(1) HARE MOON - the May Moon
(2) MUSHER - one who runs sled dog races
(3) SLED BAG - a canvas bag that covers the sled 'seat'; used to carry a passenger, supplies, an injured dog, etc...
(4) ROOKIES - those running their first racing season
(5) "LAND OF THE MIDNIGHT SUN" - the State of Alaska
(6) TOTEM - Nijah and Destiny's sire (father); owned by Jeanne and David Beroza, Totem Kennel, Portland, Michigan. "Totem" is an American and Canadian Champion Alaskan Malamute.
(7)"Totem's Winter Promise" - Nijah's registered name; she is a daughter of "Totem",
SableHawk
"And I Remember Daddy Said"�
Couldn�t have done it without ya!�
her parka. Smiling beneath the silvery Hare Moon(1), she taps
each leader on the muzzle, hugs, and thanks each one for a job
well done. With snows diminishing from the valley, there will not
be another race for a while. It�s time to rest and count the blessings
of another tough but successful season.
seasoned musher(2). Each year brings unknown challenges.
Each day brings new adventures.
Each night brings the satisfaction of
having tried.
�Go now and mind what the dog is tellin� ya.
Let HER lead you.�
played and ran in sunshine and shadow
while learning kindness and caring.
�Allow the dog to trust ya
and you�ll have a friend for life.�
played and ran in sunshine and shadow
while learning trust and love.
�Treat the dog with patience
and you will know inner strength.�
played and ran in sunshine and shadow
while learning patience and respect.
�A dog�ll make ya laugh and make ya cry, too. They�ll get ya either way.�
played and ran in sunshine and shadow
while learning to laugh through tears.
�A dog�ll always love ya. He�ll be by your side in sadness and in joy, whether ya want �im to be there or not, he will.�
played and ran in sunshine and shadow
while learning to comfort each other when Daddy passed away.
�A dog�ll lie by the fireside if that be her choice. Just treat her kindly and she�ll never stray.�
played and ran in sunshine and shadow
while learning to share and accept life as it comes.
�����Simon is part of the team for a long time. He guards my children and snarls when strangers approach. Simon�s a protective angel who loves us all too much.
�It doesn�t matter to a dog your station in life. He�ll guard yours with his.�
played and ran in sunshine and shadow
while learning caution and guidance.
�A dog don�t care if you�re gone for five minutes, five days, or five months. He'll always greet ya with a smile, a nip on the fingers, and a waggin' tail.�
played and ran in sunshine and shadow
while learning awareness and courage.
�A dog�ll be with ya to the very end and never give up on ya; so don�t ya dare give up on her.�
played and ran in sunshine and shadow
while learning hope and vision.
�You�ll find your soul in the dog�s spirit. Let it lead you. Just listen!�
Play and run in sunshine and shadow
as we continue to learn about the world around us.
It is said that we all have a 'totem' animal, not one that we choose, but one that chooses us.
born December 3, 1995
� 2001. Allrights reserved.
Library of Congress
Washington, D.C. 20559
USA