But with a summer off work, I couldn't bear to spend it all at home, so when McKenzie was only ten weeks old, we loaded up the van and set out on a five-state road trip. McKenzie had a blast. Her first stop was in Boise, Idaho to spend a day playing with her cousin Mahng Odei Outlaw Camas and his owners, Tom Christiansen and Janet Floyd. Then it was on to Colorado and a five-show cluster in Boulder. McKenzie was the hit of the whole show. Though she was too young to actually go into the ring, her big pen was "party central" for all the young Chinooks in attendance. She was a great ambassador for many prospective Chinook owners and was spoiled rotten by everyone. I think she especially enjoyed all the people that bought her toys at the vendor stands!

The fun wasn't over after the show as we then headed to Colorado Springs for a few days of R&R with Carlee Carson and her family. With over a dozen Chinooks either in residence or visting at Carlee's, McKenzie was never short dogs to play with or humans to hug her. And it just kept getting better. Our next stop was Great Falls, Montana where McKenzie spent a weekend with her cousins at High Plains Chinooks before we headed back home to Seattle.

McKenzie relaxes in the shade with her family while visiting in Great Falls.
Left to right: Rain Mountain Bannack (her 1st cousin), WoodsRunner Lady Rain
and WoodsRunner Phoenix (her half sisters)

We finally met Kay Lee and Dave Brown.  Kay Lee was an avid dog lover and had many years experience with border collies. She was looking for a Chinook in hopes of having a less intense dog to live with. So McKenzie moved to their beautiful home outside of Eugene, Oregon. The Browns have been kind enough to allow me to continue to co own McKenzie though they are the custodial parents and get to cope with her oversized intelligence on a daily basis.  She has earned the nickname of "Houdini" as a result of her ability to get out of just about any kennel.  Kay Lee has also started her in skijorring and McKenzie loves to run.  She has done wonderful in her obedience training and is Kay Lee's assistant troop leader for a group of Camp Fire Girls.

Today McKenzie is a graceful young Chinook with the long legs of her sire and the strong structure of her dam.  She has even grown into her ears.  She and Kay Lee attended the prestigious Mushing Boot Camp during late winter of 2002 where McKenzie was pronounced one of the most physically fit dogs they had ever seen.  She has also started her show career this summer and began with a bang!  At her first show she went Best Female, Best of Breed, and a Group 2 placement.  At this rate, we expect McKenzie to finish her UKC Championship by the end of 2002.  

Pending her helath clearances, we hope to breed McKenzie in mid to late 2003..