A TRIBUTE TO BISS CH TASMAN’S RUSHING WHITEWATER

MAY 20, 1996 TO FEBRUARY 27, 2009

Unfortunately, our four legged friends leave us much too quickly. While I have lost quite a few in my lifetime and grieved for them all, there is always the special one that leaves a little bigger hole than the others.

Kayak for me was that dog. I can remember the day he became mine as if it were yesterday. Lloyd and I had plans of going to a puppy party at Tim and Cheryl Scheall’s (Tasman Siberians) house too look for a girl. Cheryl had two litters at the time that were 4 days apart. I had picked my girl out of the one litter pretty quickly but I also fell for this gray boy from the other litter. However the gray boy had already been promised to another show home. But by the powers that be, fate or just luck the other show home changed their minds and decided on another puppy instead. I was ecstatic with the change of events and was now wondering how on earth I was ever going to talk my husband into not one but two puppies. Lloyd was ahead of me as usual and was already negotiating with Cheryl on purchasing both puppies. Lloyd called me into the house and I saw him holding the gray boy which I thought kind of odd. That’s until he handed him to me and said he was all mine.

How funny it was that the day before I jokingly said how cool it would be to get a boy and girl so I could name them Kayak and Kanoe.

As Paul Harvey would say “here’s the rest of the story”.

Kayak was a complete joy to raise always easy going and happy. He loved being a show dog. I think it was because of all the friends he made and of course the treats. Kayak was shown on a limited basis but finished his championship, despite my inexperience in handling, at a little over 1 ½ years old. He finished in style at the Siberian Husky Club of Greater Chicago specialty on Oct 11, 1997 by going WD/BOW under Judge Mrs. Duvella Kusler.

Kayak had other wonderful accomplishments as well

• SHCGC 2000 BISS under judge Mrs. Helen Miller Fisher
• SHCA 2000 nationals AOM under judge Mr. Donald Booxbaum
• Westminter KC 2002 1st AOM under judge Mrs. Betty Leininger
• SHCA 2002 nationals 4th place –Stud dog class judge Mr. Paul Willhauck
• Kayak was also a top 10 dog while he was being campaigned 2000-2001

Kayak wasn’t just another pretty face he was also a working dog for a short time. Team Tasman (Tim and Cheryl Scheall) had suffered a tragic accident in 1998 just before sledding season, which left them short a couple of dogs. So Tim and Cheryl asked if they could give Kayak a try. Tim hooked Kayak up at wheel and off they went. Kayak never hesitated he just ran. Kayak ran on Team Tasman during the 1998 and 1999 season.

Kayak never forgot those racing years. Several years later at the nationals in Carlisle, PA they ran dry land races. As soon as Kayak heard those familiar racing sounds and saw the dogs running he went nuts. Screaming, barking and almost dragging me over to where all the excitement was at.

Kayak was always good with puppies. He always seemed willing to take on the role of teacher, friend, protector and nap buddy. Kayak was a wonderful stud dog. He produced limited litters in the USA as well as in Alaska and Australia. A lot of his offspring did very well in the confirmation ring and in sledding.

His last time in the show ring was at the 2007 SHCA nationals in California. He placed 2nd in both the 11-13 vet sweeps class and the regular vet class. I look back at his placement pictures and remember just how excited he was and how much fun he had being in the show ring again after his retirement. I swear he was smiling from ear to ear. Come to think of it I was smiling and laughing too, as we went around the ring, because I was having fun along with him.

And last but not least I want to say Thank You to all of Kayak’s fans wherever you may be for your support and kind words over the years. Especially to Nancy Werstak who was by far his number one fan.

Kayak will be forever missed but always loved.

Suzie and Lloyd Willis
Northern Exposure Siberians