In Memory of Spyder ...
On May 8, 2008, our beloved Spyder passed over the Rainbow Bridge at 12 years old. Spyder was the epitome of a hard working and honest dog, always dedicated to her job in harness and always loyal to her people. As we kept her company in her last hours, we told many stories about Spyder, letting her know that we were with her in body and spirit and paving her release to the next world. The common theme to all of those stories was Spyder's intuitive and calm take charge approach to resolving situations for dogs and for us: the time she guided the team around a fallen tree that blocked a slippery trail on a steep side slope, the time she gave a pond wide berth so that the puppies in the team wouldn't get distracted by the water, the time Spyder led us home after a snow squall obliterated the trail, the time she took me safely down the right side of a steep, curvy, wooded hillside trail as a large and extremely fast moving team loped up the middle of the trail, the time she independently executed a perfect “Come Haw” without a command just as I was beginning to worry about how I was going to reverse direction with a team of 12 on a narrow trail at night, and the innumerable times she competently led the team in a race or on a fun run, often with a leader-in-training by her side.

 During her one year of retirement, Spyder trained puppies and finally gave herself permission to relax and enjoy life. She played hiding games with the other dogs' bones (she wasn't interested in chewing them herself!), she snoozed in the front seat of the truck while we ran, she let the respectful younger dogs share her space in a grandmotherly way, she played follow-the-leader in the kennel, and she chowed on spaghetti (her favorite food!). Thank you Spyder for letting us lean on your expertise so much,S for all that you taught us, for accepting us as companions, and for all the patience and loyalty that you shared with us and the members of your pack; you were always there, ready to do what needed to be done. Without you, we would not have been able to build this kennel and team to where it is today. We miss you dear friend. May you have happy trails and winning runs forever.