End of the Trail

This page is dedicated to the dogs who have shared their lives with us and who have moved on beyond the end of the trail. We are grateful for all that these dogs have taught us about genuine living and loving each moment. We miss them all.

U-CD WoodsRunner X Katahdin Wind CGC TT

7/20/1995 - 9/9/2009

Sire: North Wind Kiska

Dam: Bowerbank X Timba

Height: 23"

Weight: 75 lbs

Hips: OFA Moderate

Katahdin was an old soul from the time she was a pup. She was serious, gentle and calm, quick to learn and unbelievably patient with us. She was a fiercely loyal and constant friend. She was so smart – she understood complete sentences and complex requests. We talked her through difficult interactions, and she’d know what to do. She was the pack alpha and held the responsibility as sacred. She didn’t always get it right, but she tried awfully hard. She indulged our requests, like pulling a sled and learning competition obedience, because we asked, not because she loved doing the work. She would communicate clearly with us when she’d had enough. She taught us so many life lessons and offered us unconditional love.

Katahdin embraced what made her joyful – running, swimming, playing fetch, long walks in the woods, a good game of tug, camping trips, traveling anywhere with us, picking berries, rolling in the cool grass, chasing chippies and squirrels and FOOD.

But for Katahdin, there would be no GreatMountain Chinooks. She made us want to do our part to help the Chinook breed.

In her later years, Katahdin taught us about compassion, trust and caring. She struggled with arthritis and put complete trust in us for her care. Katahdin loved the fall best. She loved lying in the sun in the cool breeze. This is how she spent her days over her last few weeks, enjoying the fine fall weather in Maine in the cool grass and the sun.

She’s buried next to her good friends Rangeley and Cheena, who surely greeted her happily at the bridge. We know she was happy to see Timba (her mom), Trailbreaker and her other siblings, and friends she had throughout her life. Just after she died, Jess asked Katahdin for a sign. About an hour later, a very plain dragonfly with big brown eyes land on Jess’ arm. Their eyes locked. The dragonfly stared at Jess for at least a minute. Who knows if it was Katahdin? We think it's a sign that she’s fine and flying free.

See Katahdin's pedigree on Dogs Global - Chinook Global Database (dogsglobal.com)

UKC GRCH ARBA CH 'PR' Rain Mountain Rangeley Runner U-CD CGC TT

12/26/1996 - 6/26/2003

Sire: North Wind Rikki

Dam: Mystic Sahalee Rain (Holly)

Height: 22"

Weight: 55 lbs

Hips: OFA Good

Eyes: Normal

1998 - UKC Top Ten #3

1999 - Won UKC Total Dog

1999 - Won Bikejor Race

2000 - ARBA Ranked #3

2001 - Award of Excellence, UKC Top Ten

Rangeley was independent and her natural confidence and drive, took us down many trails, literally and figuratively. By 9 months of age, Rangeley proved she was a sled dog and ran in lead on the GreatMountain team for her entire life. As a lead dog, she took trail commands, trained other dogs to run in lead, and showed a solid temperament when sharing the trail. She ran in several races. She never let us down on the trail.

In Rangeley’s first conformation show at 18 months, she beat several champions and grand champions to win Best of Breed and then Best in Multi-breed Show. She won all weekend and earned her Championship title. After her next month of showing, Rangeley earned her Grand Champion title in 1999. She won Best in Multi-breed Show for a second time in 1999. Rangeley’s other winnings included ARBA Champion title; International Federation of Chinook Breeders and Exhibitors Specialty in 2000; UKC’s Top Ten ranking every year she showed.

Rangeley was an easy-going, “reserved one-minute, funny and manic-the-next” kind of dog with a quick intellect. In 1999, Rangeley earned a U-CD obedience title (after A LOT of effort). Rangeley became the second Chinook to become a UKC Total Dog.

She was a cherished lead dog and fun in the ring, but she most enjoyed long walks in the woods with her pack and longer naps on the couch. While all of her accomplishments are great, they do not compare to the joy she brought into our lives.

Rangeley left this world on 6/26/2003, exactly 6 years and 6 months from the day of her birth. She was diagnosed with multi-centric lymphoma, with a terrible prognosis. Our vet and Tuft's specialists provided great care, but Rangeley died 9 days after her diagnosis. One of our beloved vets came to our house to end Rangeley’s suffering. Linda (the vet) was helpful to Katahdin, explaining what was happening and showing her medical instruments.

Rangeley died peacefully, wearing her harness with her ears straight up, just like when she was running. Her loved ones (human and canine) were by her side. Rangeley is buried next to Allagash at the end of the trail, where dog walks and sled rides pass by. No doubt she joins us on some of those runs.

Rangeley was loved by all who met her. She was endlessly entertaining and was a tremendous friend to every member of our pack. Upon learning of her death, one of her friends wrote, "I am so sorry to hear that you had to say goodbye to dear Rangeley- what a wonderful girl and what an impact she had on so many people- the Chinook Ambassador- who turned heads and had an uncanny ability to know when a sister could do with an affectionate tackle."

See Rangeley's pedigree on Dogs Global - Chinook Global Database (dogsglobal.com)

WoodsRunner X Baxter Boulevard CGC DNA-VIP

10/10/1997 - 4/11/2012

Sire: WoodsRunner X Erebus

Dam: 'PR' WoodsRunner Lucille

Height: 22"

Weight: 55 lbs

Hips: OFA Excellent

Eyes: Normal

1999 - Best Crossbred Chinook, COA National Specialty, Judge June Pasko.

WoodsRunner x Baxter's sire is WoodsRunner x Erebus (Katahdin's brother), her dam is WoodsRunner Lucille. She is 3rd generation in the WoodsRunner cross line. She loved Connie and Bob deeply and wiggled with excitement when she'd see them.

Baxter began her sledding career in 1998. She ran in swing (just behind lead) and demonstrated lead dog know-how. She is wiggly waiting to start, but once she gets going, she runs hard! She loved running on the team (2, 4, or 6 dogs) and also ran on a 2 dog bikejor team with Rangeley. She also LOVED being a rabbit - a dog that the team could chase. Baxter was the happiest, silliest Chinook - though not the most confident.

She was small and compact - with beautiful conformation.

Baxter was bred with Hurricane Tucker, producing 3 boys (Kineo, Tavi, and Atticus) and Frontier Jackson, producing 2 boys (Ande and Cooper) - all special Chinooks.

Baxter left quietly and peacefully in my arms, regaled her about how much she was loved. How lucky we were to be loved by such a sweet, silly, beautiful and special Chinook.

See Baxter's pedigree on Dogs Global - Chinook Global Database (dogsglobal.com)

Northdown X Cheena TT

1/14/1993 - 10/1/2004

Sire: Timbermist Yukon Jack

Dam: Glendon's Sweetie

Height: 23.5"

Weight: 65 lbs

Hips: OFA Good

Eyes: Normal

Cheena had a sweet temperament and was a caretaker to most of our dogs, washing their ears and faces and keeping them safe. Although Cheena had never pulled a sled before, we hoped that she would become the fourth dog on our sledding team. After a few weeks of light training, Cheena was running in wheel position of our team and loving it. She added the speed and brawn our team was missing. Cheena, with her strength and motivation, embodied Arthur Walden's desired working dog.

Cheena produced the first GreatMountain litter in a breeding with WoodsRunner Duncan, producing two beautiful puppies. She was a great mom and was happy to have one of her pups remain with her (GreatMountain X Trav'ler).

Cheena's sire, Timbermist's Yukon Jack. Jack, was a purebred Chinook and is recognized by the COA as part of the Chinook breed foundation stock. Her dam, Glendon's Sweety, was a Chinook-a-like dog who is a cross between a German Shepard, Husky, and Labrador. Sweety is an exceptionally smart sled dog who was bred to several purebred Chinooks in the early 90's because of her outstanding sledding abilities, her gentle temperament and her remarkable Chinook-like appearance.

Cheena and her descendants were part of the COA's CrossBreeding Program.

Cheena passed away on October 1, 2004, just a few months shy of her 12th birthday. She had been diagnosed with Hemolytic Anemia, a disease that causes the body to attack and kill healthy red blood cells. The disease and treatment were both challenging. She died with her dearest pal, Katahdin right next to her. She was laid to rest between Rangeley and Allagash at the "End of the Trail."

Cheena was a pure soul, and we know that she had a happy life here with our pack. She taught us a lot and learned a lot from us at the same time. We are grateful that she had a chance to regain trust in humans. She loved having her daughter, Trav’ler with her, was loyal and faithful to Katahdin, and doted on all of the other dogs.

See Cheena's pedigree on Dogs Global - Chinook Global Database (dogsglobal.com)

GR CH 'PR' WoodsRunner Allagash Springs

1/16/1999 - 1/29/2002

Sire: UKC GR CH ARBA CH 'PR' WoodsRunner Duncan

Dam: Northdown Ruby

Height: 23"

Weight: 55 lbs

Hips: OFA Good

Eyes: Normal

Allagash was a pure being, free with her affection and love. She loved hugging and cuddling. When she wagged, her tail went around in circles like a helicopter (not back and forth) which was comical - you couldn't help but smile at her. She was the happiest dog and always smiled back.

Allagash taught us about full bodied grief. She lived for just under three years. During that time, we loved each other deeply. She became ill in late 2021 and the diagnosis was illusive. She seemed to get better but became gravely ill a month later and died after exploratory surgery showed that a pancreatic abscess had disintegrated in her abdomen, severely damaging her pancreas and other organs. We never learned the cause. Just before her surgery, Allagash came out to see us. We told her how much we loved her. Of course, she already knew. Allagash's abrupt and unexpected death led to the pack struggling, fighting, and re-ordering themselves.

In her life and death, Allagash's legacy included:

Being an ambassador for the breed. Her photo was on popular breed search engines. Her fan mail always said, "I want a puppy that looks just like Allagash."
Showing the pack to sing - muzzles raised to the sky. They didn't sing before her.
Teaching the pack how to sleep together, with legs and heads and tails draped all over one another – creating some point of physical contact.
Helping the pack to be a pack.

See Allagash's pedigree on Dogs Global - Chinook Global Database (dogsglobal.com)

GreatMountain X North Trav'ler ELTD CGC DNA-VIP

9/26/1999 - 1/13/2015

Sire: UKC GR CH ARBA CH 'PR' WoodsRunner Duncan

Dam: Northdown X Cheena

Height: 23"

Weight: 60 lbs

Hips: OFA Good

Eyes: Normal

2001 - Canine Good Citizen Award

2002 - COA Chinook National Specialty, Best CrossBred Chinook, Judge Betty Umberto

2004 - COA Chinook National Specialty, Best Female CrossBred Chinook

2011 - Entry Level Team Dog, COA Active Chinook Program

Trav’ler is a second generation cross from Dog Zero, Glendon’s Sweetie, an accomplished lead dog on a Maine State Championship team. Trav'ler exhibited superior working sled dog attributes, beginning soon after her first birthday. She ran in the wheel position for 9 years, pulling hard every time she wore a harness. Soon after the COA Working Dog Program was implemented, Trav’ler took her last sled run of 5 miles and was awarded her Novice Sled Dog certificate at the age of 11 years. She did not want to retire.

We could not have asked for more when we bred our first litter of Chinooks.

Trav'er died in January 2015.As the vet prepared to euthanize Trav’ler, Jess and Pen lay on the floor on either side of her, spooning. We thanked Trav’ler for her companionship. We told her we loved her and that she was loved by so many. When the Doc administered the injection, Trav’ler kissed Jess, kissed Pen, rested her chin on the floor and she was gone. In the time after her death, the space that she inhabited moved with us. It changed. Parts of her energy and purpose were redistributed to others in the pack, to the songbirds, to the sunrise.

Pen met a psychic two months after Trav’ler’s death. As she walked into the room before she even said hello, she asked if I’d recently lost a dog. She told me that a dog had been running circles around her since she got out of the shower that morning and followed her to our scheduled appointment. Trav’ler told the psychic to thank me for helping her to pass on saying, “I had a love sandwich. Who wouldn’t want to die like that?”

See Trav'ler's pedigree on Dogs Global - Chinook Global Database (dogsglobal.com)

'PR' Hurricane Baring Downeast

3/15/2001 - 11/15/2015

Sire: CH 'PR' Thunder Paws Taz of Boreayl

Dam: CH 'PR' Hurricane Electra

Height: 26"

Weight: 72 lbs

Hips: OFA Excellent

Eyes: Normal

Baring was among the most handsome Chinooks. His good looks were matched only by his sweetness – with people that is. We have fond memories of him lying on the living room floor, curled around a visiting toddler giving her gentle little kisses, surrounding her with tenderness and care. At the same time, he was exceedingly impatient with meeting new dogs and welcoming the parade of new puppies at GreatMountain always included consideration of Baring’s grumpy ways. He welcomed Jackman, a boy puppy, in a way we never imagined – with a playful, loving reverence.

Baring sired two litters - one that we arranged and one that HE arranged. He had a propensity for finding girls in season, which never changed once he was neutered. Fortunately, only one resulted in an unplanned litter of Chinook puppies.

Baring has been healthy and strong, enjoying long walks at the farm. He was just shy of his 15th birthday when he died peacefully.

See Baring's pedigree on Dogs Global - Chinook Global Database (dogsglobal.com)

GR CH 'PR' Rain Mountain Moxie O'Bear Creek TDI CGC ELLD DNA-VIP

11/10/2002 - 7/24/2018

Sire: 'PR' WoodsRunner Rorik

Dam: CH 'PR' RainMountain Jenna of Bear Creek

Height: 23"

Weight: 55 lbs

Hips: OFA Good

Eyes: Normal

2004 - COA National Specialty, Champion of Champions, Judge Rowdy Yates; UKC Top Ten

2011 - Entry Level Lead Dog, COA Active Chinook Program

There's much to say about a dog with a long life lived with gusto. Moxie was a damn special dog. Everyone who met her knew it. She was a joyous, kind, fearless, gentle, hard-working, funny love sponge. She lived 16 years and met hundreds, if not thousands, of people. Young and old alike would pet her, hug her and offer to take her home!

Moxie made each child feel like they were the most special child in her eyes. She was happy to meet a fellow dog and loved playing and running in a pack. She had a wicked sense of humor and made us laugh daily. She loved to sing and talk. First thing every morning, she would tell the world how happy she was to be alive.

Moxie was 18 months old when she earned her grand championship. She led the GreatMountain sled team for 9 years, never wavering in her desire to see what was around the next turn, even if she'd been there so many times before. She taught many other dogs how to run in harness and gave many people sled rides. She excelled in agility and doggy games and would let anyone work with her.

Moxie had one litter of five puppies. She was greatly loved by her daughter, Mahoosuc Jones, and granddaughter, Strider, with whom she lived out her days. We thought she might live forever. The world was blessed to have her for 16 years.

A few years ago, her likeness appeared on a postage stamp from the Solomon Islands.

Moxie approved!

See Moxie's pedigree on Dogs Global - Chinook Global Database (dogsglobal.com)

BIMBS GR CH 'PR' Hurricane Chocorua Moon ELTD DNA-VIP

11/22/2002 - 11/28/2016

Sire: CH 'PR' Frontier Buck Sullivan

Dam: GR CH 'PR' Hurricane Kniki

Height: 22"

Weight: 55 lbs

Hips: OFA Good

Eyes: Normal

2004 - Best in Multi-Breed Show (winning over 20 other breeds), Judge Karen Brancheau

2004 - UKC Top Ten

2016 - Chocorua appears on Republic of Togo postage stamp

2011 - Entry Level Team Dog, COA Active Chinook Program

Chocorua arrived two weeks after Rain Mountain Moxie came to live with us and they became fast friends. She loved living within a pack of dogs. Chocorua was loving and devoted to her people. At night, Chocorua would curl on the pillows, her head draped across my shoulder, and I would wake with her cradled under my arm.

The sight of Chocorua running was breathtaking because of her speed and agility. She would run with the pack and then, with a smile crossing her face and a wink of her eye, she turned on a speed that left all others baffled and far behind. She’d circle back to them and us with a pride and satisfaction. She loved to have fun, to be sassy and be bigger than life. Her granddaughter, Granite Hill Dirigo, has many of these same attributes including the love of running (and no desire to be a sled dog).

Chocorua earned her Grand Champion title pretty quickly. She was a BIMBS winner where the judge responded, “Everything!” when asked, “What did you like about her?” Chocorua – beautiful conformation and in her movement, with a touch of zaniness and zest for life.

Chocorua whelped 3 litters – one with each of these COA cross line descendants:

Cloudburst Kennebec, producing 3 puppies
Balsam Ridge Tucker (WoodsRunner cross line), producing 5 puppies
GreatMountain Schoodic Mist, producing 4 puppies

See Chocorua's pedigree on Dogs Global - Chinook Global Database (dogsglobal.com)

Chocorua and her son Jackman (and Intervale sled team) were used for the Republic of Togo postage stamp. Postage stamps pay tribute to greatness – bigger than life beings. That honor befits Chocorua.

Chocorua loved being a mom – her soft heart grew with this experience. When the last pup from her first litter drove away, Chocorua let out a painful sounding wail.

With her second litter, we determined to not cause that pain again – so, GreatMountain Tupelo Jackman remained here to be with his momma.

GR CH 'PR' Northeast Wind Otter Run CGC

6/28/2003 - 7/27/2018

Sire: 'PR' Hurricane Baring Downeast

Dam: CH 'PR' WoodsRunner Rain Shadow

Height: 23"

Weight: 57 lbs

Hips: OFA Severe Dysplasia

Eyes: Normal

Otter is the beautiful daughter of Hurricane Baring Downeast and CH WoodsRunner Rain Shadow. Otter arrived here and immediately fit right into our pack. Moxie & Chocorua loved her, and the older dogs even thought she was swell. She had a full life. From the time she was young she'd go to work with a friend, acting as therapy dogs for older folks in a nursing home. They sometimes dressed her in doll dresses - what a good sport she was from the beginning and across her whole life.

She worked on the GreatMountain sled team, showing tremendous promise until we found out she had severe hip dysplasia. She was an unhappy retiree from the team! She moved beautifully in the show ring, finishing her Championship and Grand Championship quickly.

Otter loved to swim and run on the trails. She had a combined nature of focus and silliness. Then came the year when my remaining 3 Chinooks were the silliest, after the death of giants in the breed. We worked with their capacity to face life's challenges.

We walked the wooded trails as we created a new life together. We turned onto the trail that has no name, the one that winds and rises and falls through the trees. I heard a rustle in the woods and thought “oh, a deer.” I turned and saw a man walking in the woods just yards away from me. In my woods. Frightened, I stepped backwards. I didn’t make a sound until the dogs charged in his direction, barking. I called to them. They stood shoulder to shoulder holding a perimeter between me and this “intruder.” They barked and then stood in silence. They did not wag. They did not take their eyes off him. Nothing more remarkable happened that day - except for me recognizing the depth of character in these beings and in the love we shared.

See Otter's pedigree on Dogs Global - Chinook Global Database (dogsglobal.com)

GR CH 'PR' Hurricane Nokomis Dream CGC DNA-VIP

4/24/2004 - 7/28/2011

Sire: GR CH 'PR' Rivertrail Seneca

Dam: GR CH 'PR' Hurricane Electra

Height: 24"

Weight: 65 lbs

Hips: OFA Good, PennHIP 40th percentile

Eyes: Normal

Nokomis' sire is Rivertrail Seneca, her dam Hurricane Electra. She joined half-brother Hurricane Baring Downeast when she came to live with us.

Nokomis was a gentle, silly Chinook who had her own list of things she loved. She deeply loved anything that she believed to be edible. Deeply. She had a lovely goofy side. She ran on our sled team, though it wasn't her favorite past time. She earned her UKC CH. Again, she didn't really have that much fun in the ring.

Nokomis was bred to:

GreatMountain x Tanacross, producing 5 puppies. Two of these puppies became foundation bitches with Mountain Thunder Chinooks and Vanguard Chinooks (previously Bashaba Chinooks).GreatMountain Tikaani became the first from the GreatMountain cross line to be registered as a UKC purebred.
Aspencreek Belfast Blue, producing 8 puppies. One of these pups, Riley, lived a good life WoodsRunner Chinooks' Connie and Bob. That was good for our hearts.

Offspring from these litters went on to produce 72 puppies.

We smile remembering Nokomis romping in the woods with a deer, both of them wagging tails. Later her grandson Kai did the same thing. His owners sent us a video of him playing with a deer. Of all qualities to pass along, this was lovely. She loved play and connection.

See Nokomis' pedigree on Dogs Global - Chinook Global Database (dogsglobal.com)

'PR' Balsam Ridge Ripley River DNA-VIP

6/30/2004 - 8/13/2011

Sire: GR CH 'PR' Cloudburst Kennebec River

Dam: 'PR' Balsam Ridge Katherine

Height: 24"

Weight: 65 lbs

Hips: OFA Good

Eyes: Normal

Ripley's sire was Cloudburst Kennebec River, her dam was Balsam Ridge Katherine. Our very first Chinook was Katahdin, a 2nd generation cross from the WoodsRunner cross line. Two dogs later came Baxter, the daughter of Katahdin's brother, Erebus. We had hoped one day to have a Baxter granddaughter join our pack, but this was not to be. So, we added Baxter's great niece! Baxter's sister, Raqui went to live with Syd and Ann of Balsam Ridge Chinooks. She produced a lovely female, Balsam Ridge Katie. Katie was accepted as a purebred Chinook by the UKC in April of 2005. She was bred to Cloudburst Kennebec River to produce the first purebred litter from the WoodsRunner cross line.

Ripley was a beautiful and well conformed Chinook who loved to run and play. She had no interest in the dogsled team, but we hoped that might change.

Ripley was a complicated Chinook, who had sweet, loving connections with humans and dogs. At the same time, she had unpredictable behavior that we had to keep an eye on. One of her favorite pastimes was staring at the chipmunks in the bit white pine in the backyard. She is buried there so she can keep an eye on those critters.

See Ripley's pedigree on Dogs Global - Chinook Global Database (dogsglobal.com)

GreatMountain X Yukon Charley ELLD DNA-VIP

10/5/2004 - 12/22/2016

Sire: GR CH 'PR' Saghalie's Kaniksu Reign

Dam: GreatMountain X North Trav'ler ELTD CGC

Height: 24"

Weight: 65 lbs

Hips: PennHIP 60th percentile

Eyes: Normal

2006 - COA National Specialty, Best Crossbred Chinook

2011 - Entry Level Lead Dog, COA Active Chinook Program

Charley was the only surviving girl offspring in her litter, among 6 brothers. Their arrival was dramatic with a c-section and a team of vet staff expending effort to revive these pups. They were special - 3rd generation crosses, beautiful in conformation and solid in loyal companionship.

We’ve lived with a lot of legendary Chinooks – Charley was great in her own quiet, understated kind of way. She was steady on the sled team. She was a very kind soul – unless you were a small critter. She had an appetite for small game and got her share. She once plucked a chickadee out of the air. Thankfully a friend standing nearby shouted “drop it!” Charley opened her mouth and the Chickadee flew away.

One day, walking in the woods, I asked Bob Jones, “if you could produce your perfect Chinook, what would you produce?” He pointed to Charley. In 2006, Charley was selected for the National Best Chinook Cross. While the award was lovely, Bob Jones' assessment meant much more to me.

Charley was bred once to Crispin and produced 5 pups – 3 girls (Redington, Saba and Gracie) and 2 boys (Cutler and Macwahoc). Four out of the five were bred.

In 2016, on the darkest night of the year, the longest night of the year, we said good-bye to GreatMountain Yukon Charley in the wee hours.

See Charley's pedigree on Dogs Global - Chinook Global Database (dogsglobal.com)

GR CH 'PR' GreatMountain Mahoosuc Blueberry ELTD CGC DNA-VIP

4/19/2005 - 6/10/2019

Sire: 'PR' Northeast Wind Moosilauke

Dam: GR CH 'PR' Rain Mountain Moxie O'BearCreek TDI ELLD CGC DNA-VIP

Height: 25"

Weight: 65 lbs

Hips: PennHIP 70th percentile

Eyes: Normal

2006 - National Best Female, COA National Specialty

2011 - Entry Level Team Dog, COA Active Chinook Program

Mahoosuc is the daughter of Rain Mountain Moxie of Bear Creek and Northeast Wind Moosilauke. Moose lives in NH, Moxie in ME. The Mahoosuc mountain range runs between the two states, and we had to cross it to accomplish the breeding. We thought it was a perfect name!

Mahoosuc was a very sweet and attentive dog. She loved EVERYONE she met, especially kids. She made an easy transition into the pack once her siblings left, making Charley and Ripley her favorite playmates. She was happy, though, when she got to hang out with her siblings for a play date!

Mahoosuc was an exceptional sled dog - taking after her mother and running in lead at only 18 months. She clocked many miles on the GreatMountain team. She and Moxie looked like a match set running in lead together.

Mahoosuc was beautiful in the conformation show ring, winning her GR CH title.

Mahoosuc had one litter with GreatMountain Cutler, producing 4 puppies. All of them lived their lives out with people in our wider circle of connections. That was special. One daughter went to live with our vets and whelped 2 litters of puppies (15 in total). Mahoosuc was an exceptional mother to her 4 pups. She nursed them all and played endlessly with them. She loved to play - every night with her mother for years she played tug-of-war with some toy or another - and at least once a day, she'd pin down her daughter, Strider, to bite her neck and clean the "bugs" off her ears. What a gift she had to live her whole life with her mother and daughter!

Mahoosuc's greatest love in life was Jess. Jess reflects on this, saying, "I don't know why she chose me, but she did. I am and have always been so humbled by her love and I tried to return it in the same measure because I surely felt the same way about her. She was such a good teacher and an unwavering friend. I really don't know how I got so lucky."

See Mahoosuc's pedigree on Dogs Global - Chinook Global Database (dogsglobal.com)

Alt CH 'PR' GreatMountain Tupelo Jackman DNA-VIP

4/5/2006 - 2/15/2019

Sire: CH 'PR' Balsam Ridge Tucker

Dam: BIMBS GR CH 'PR' Hurricane Chocorua Moon ELTD DNA-VIP

Height: 27"

Weight: 70 lbs

Hips: Good

Eyes: Normal

Many years ago Chocorua, Jackman’s momma, won my heart. I loved her even more for creating this zany, sensitive, loving, fun loving, wiggly boy dog. Chocorua loved being a mom to puppies. She was so sad when the last pup left from her first litter. Keeping Jackman was meant to be a gift to her. And it was. He was an incredible gift to us and to all who met him.

He performed well in harness, strong and steady. He loved being with us and with all the dogs. We could have been doing anything! He loved puppies. He loved the pack. He loved being the younger brother. He loved being the big brother. He loved everyone, everything with equity and joy. During a reiki session once, the practitioner quietly had her hands on him and said, "oh wow. his heart is like the sun with love radiating out in all directions to other beings." He was a poet - we collaborated on a few poems together that I cherish now.

In his 11th year he earned his UKC Championship, strutting around the ring with a big smile and a gait so gorgeous that the UKC Judge became tearful when she learned he was 11 years old. Jackman made people smile and laugh and feel happy.

Jackman and his momma Chocorua (and Intervale sled team) were used for the Republic of Togo postage stamp.

See Jackman's pedigree on Dogs Global - Chinook Global Database (dogsglobal.com)

NBOB GR CH 'PR' GreatMountain Redington Guide ELLD CGC DNA-VIP

6/14/2007 - 9/27/2016

Sire: 'PR' Hurricane Crispin's Soul

Dam: GreatMountain X Yukon Charley ELLD DNA-VIP

Height: 23.5"

Weight: 60 lbs

Hips: OFA Good, PennHIP 50th percentile

Eyes: Normal

2009 - Accepted as purebred from COA's CrossBreeding Program

2009 - National Best of Breed, COA National Specialty Judge Tina Camp

2009 - UKC Top Ten

2011 - Entry Level Lead Dog, COA Active Chinook Program

Redington was a Chinook of big energy, beauty, a deep desire for connection. She was who she was. She was a champion kisser and lap dog. She was edgy and anxious, vigilant and sweet, serious and affectionate. Every morning she would run into the living room and roll around on her back, making growling and groaning noises.

She was a beautiful Chinook - she and Jess were a pretty unbeatable team in the show ring. People knew, when Jess an Red were entered into a dog show, that they won - a lot! Redington was awarded the National Best of Breed (NBOB) in 2009.

She was a strong sled dog - hard-working in wheel and determined in lead. She ran with Charley (her mom) and Trav'ler (grandmom). It is so satisfying, as a breeder to think of the 3 of them running in a team with strength and speed.

She was bred with GreatMountain Riley O'Jones and produced two handsome males – both lived nearby. She lived her life with her grandma Trav’ler and her momma Charley – and the GreatMountain pack. Redington died too young - age 9. During surgery to remove a tumor she just faded away. She was not one to fade. I know her energy has come back to the pack. Lucky.

See Redington's pedigree on Dogs Global - Chinook Global Database (dogsglobal.com)

'PR' GreatMountain Strider's Fuel DNA-VIP

11/15/2009 - 1/12/2023

Sire: GR CH 'PR' GreatMountain Cutler COA-WCX ELT1 TDI CGC DNA-VIP

Dam: GR CH 'PR' GreatMountain Mahoosuc Blueberry ELTD CGC DNA-VIP

Height: 23.5"

Weight: 60 lbs

Hips: OFA Good, PennHIP 50th percentile

Eyes: Normal

Strider's mother is GreatMountain Mahoosuc Bluberry and father is GreatMountain Cutler. Strider was blessed to live out her life with her momma, Mahoosuc, and maternal grandma, Moxie.

Strider was a sweet, unassuming, easygoing, silly gal. Mahoosuc taught her at a young age, the importance of play. Strider got it. She loved playing catch with water coming out of the hose - for hours!

As a young pup, Little Strider was walking up the drive this morning, enjoying the birds singing. Strider watched a Mourning Dove that flew overhead as she walked along. She stretched herself toward the sky as if she could fly along after it. It reminded me of Katahdin chasing the ducks in a pond and then trying to fly after them when they would sneak off to the sky.

Early in her life she sustained some kind of leg injury - we don't know how or really got a clear diagnosis. It periodically bother her, so she didn't work much on the sled team or the show ring.

Strider never whelped a litter, but boy she put so much good, loving energy out into the world.

See Strider's pedigree on Dogs Global - Chinook Global Database (dogsglobal.com)

Tangles

When we set out to build a dogsled team, a few people advised us to find an experienced sled dog, perhaps a retired racing dog with a few miles left in them. This dog could teach the others what it means to be a sled dog, to teach them to run away from us when in harness (instead of turning around to visit us).

Tangles, a 9-year-old Siberian Husky, turned out to be that dog. She came to live with us after she retired from a racing team. She was to teach our Chinooks how to work as a team. And she did a great job at that. She was a happy, easy going dog and had the heart of a sled dog, as long as we didn't go too fast.

We have so many fun memories of Tangles, who had lived her life outside before coming to us. She was de-barked and had a raspy "woof" when she did bark. Preparing dinner one evening, with Louis Armstrong and Ella Fitzgerald singing, “They Can’t Take That Away From Me,” Tangles bounced into the kitchen. She looked around as if she were hearing someone she knew. We stood there dumbfounded and watched as she began to sway back and forth, leaning on one foot, then the other. In unison with Satchmo, Tangles reared her head back, closed her eyes, and sang “woo-woo, woo-woo” through the remainder of the song. At the tune’s conclusion, she turned and walked out of the kitchen. She did that time and again - with that particular song (and BB King's The Thrill is Gone).

Many thanks to Tangles. We're grateful for all she taught us about being a good team.