Barbara Schaefer
I have run my dogs recreationally since getting Kyla from Sam & Michelle Terry, Sangilak Siberians, in 1987. My first 10 years in Siberian Huskies I primarily trained and showed my dogs in obedience and conformation. In Fall of 1998 John and I attended Jamie Nelson/Ann Stead's Mushing Boot Camp and I was propelled into the world of sled dog racing.
I am grateful for all the wonderful mentors who have helped me over the years. Ann & Al Stead, Northome on Windhill, show and teach me how work ethic magnifies integrity. Integrity in health, in harness, in relationships, and in life are all mirrored in our dogs. Siberian Huskies are a natural breed and Ann & Al helped to remind me that's why I was attracted Siberian Huskies in the first place. Ann & Al entrusted to me with some amazingly healthy, wonderful tempermented, and great working dogs who are a pleasure to live with and get along with our cat! Northomes Jon, SDX, Northomes Spot, SDX , and Northomes Dale, SD gave me a really great start. That great start was further supported with Kodiak's T Moki, Northomes Roller, Kodiak's Sox, Northomes Boss (aka Handsome), Northome Bright, Northomes Seeken, Kodiak's Buddy at Northome, Kodiak's Skippy at Northome and many more.
Jamie Nelson continues to guide me on how to run my dogs longer distances. Running with my Siberian Huskies on longer distances in the wilderness has expanded my experience of the magic of the journey in life.
My first mentor, Maureen Gundersen, Fraka Kennel, wouldn't "let me breed" until she taught me everything she could. Maureen taught me about movement and temperment and how to have attentive, obedient Siberian Huskies. She passed on to me her "Puppy Kindergarten" skills, a dog imprint training founded on equine imprint training that makes the puppy, and later the dog, quieter, and easier to handle with an increased connection to humans. Maureen also entrusted me with some fabulous dogs like CH Fraka's Sparkl'n Jewel O'Kossok and CH Fraka's Rocky Mountain High, CGC.
Kaila Siberians, Dick and Pauline Price, supported me through pedigree evaluations and analysis, teaching me things such as line breeding versus outcrossing. Dick and Pauline were very generous to me with their dogs through breedings to dogs such as CH Wildestar's Wedgewood and CH Kaila's Silent Snow and loaning me females to broaden my kennel.
John Berdner
I love the dogs as much as Barbara and I am very supportive of her passion with Siberian Huskies. I figure Barbara and I own the dogs 50/50, my 50% is the middle part because that's the part you love and pet, Barbara's 50% is made up of the front and back because that's the part that needs feeding and cleaning up after. Barbara sees dog chores such as scoop pooping as a form of meditiation, to me chores are chores. I love driving my '67 Chevelle Super Sport, my motorcycle, and my snowmobile that I can easily fill up with gasoline and head out on the trail. I enjoy being out on the trail at dog sled training camps and races providing trail support to the dog teams.