Good news...

June 10, 2003 - We haven't updated our diary for a while... So what's up? A lot, actually. First of all we grieved heavily over the loss of Skachonka and every now and then we still have to swallow away some upcoming tears, for instance if we undertake something she'd especially enjoy. We will really never forget our unique white lady Mal!

But we do have some good news for you too. Let me start by telling that we decided to get married! Rather soon, actually: on June 19th to be precise. But most of our Malamute friends of course are aware of this fact, as you are all invited to our big Midsummer Night garden party on the 21st!

Another nice thing is that we will get our new puppy next week: Chimarrons's Chilaili!! Peter van Opstal has a litter of 5 (1 male and 4 females) and one of the females will extend our little pack. We're not quite sure which one it'll be, but that is to be decided tonight, when we go and look at the little ones for the last time. We think Chilaili is a beautiful name: it means 'snowbird' in the language of the native americans. Let's hope she will honour her name and fly like a bird in our team...

Of course we hardly can wait till she gets here. We hope she will be a spicy lady who will love to run in front of the cart or sled, like the other two. Although we try to choose our pup based on her build and character, you just can't really be sure until they've become mature. At least we are convinced a good, playful education has great influence on the development towards becoming an active sleddog. So... we'll do our best!

And just maybe we'll decide to buy another female puppy in September this year, so that we will have a small team next winter and be able to realize our mushing plans for that season (Scandinavia, Czech Republic?) . And after that.... mmmm, we have some internal discussions about that, haha.... Edmond would prefer having a fifth and even more, but I think four is a good number. Ah well, Malamute fever. Keep you posted...