Kodiak’s Gem of Northomes 11/12/99-5/11/07

Nina (as we know her) came from Northomes Kennel in February 2005. When the opportunity arose to purchase her I jumped having seen her run while visiting the Stead’s back in the fall of 2003. She was a proven leader racing several 6,10 and Open dog teams for the Stead’s. She finished on Al Stead’s Laconia N.H. team and ONAC team at only 3 years old. She was bred to Only in the Spring 2006 and 2 pups went to the Stead’s and 2 stayed at our kennel. Loosing our racing leader has been very devastating to Bill and I. Nina had a brain tumor that took her life. I often heard people talk about great leaders they have had; well she was mine. I can't take credit for her training as Ann and Al Stead trained her and raced her a few years before I had the opportunity to purchase her. The litter she produced has 3 out of 4 running lead. She ran lead in all 4 of her races for me this past winter. She trained 3 other dogs at lead for my team. She past away before her time and went as fast as she did racing. Nina taught me how a leader should be. She would keep the entire team gee over and out of trouble and would turn on command whether there was a trail there or not. She was a quiet dog who would go unnoticed in the yard and was all business in harness. She took her job in stride and helped us maintain good speed. She had a great racing career. She will be sadly missed by Bill and I and her 3 kennelmates-Harvey, Clyde and Coal.