Our new star Karibou wins the hearts of every family who visits our farm. This sounded reasonable, but the new puppy annoyed Kodiak with his playful energy, so our older dog was not onboard with the mentoring. We planned to get another Malamute puppy with the notion the seasoned Kodiak could teach him the ropes of being our Christmas tree farm mascot. After a nice long life, we lost Kianna at age 13. Our female Kianna, spooked by everything, stayed inside. The friendly male Kodiak greeted all the families. Within a short time, we moved to Fort Osage Farm and our two beautiful Alaskan Malamute dogs became distinct mascots for our farm.
If Nick would agree to wrestle in a spring tournament in Saint Louis, they would travel on to Tennessee and pick up the dog! After forty-eight hours our wrestlers returned home with not one but TWO Alaskan Malamute puppies! (this is another story to be told, but surprisingly hubby and I are still hitched) At that time my husband was a head high school wrestling coach, and Nick would be a freshman hoping to make his team. He didn't sign any contracts about his responsibility towards caring for an animal, but his father made a deal he couldn't refuse. Nick was hot on the trail to bring one home. I began to think his aptitude for cruising the fairly new internet highway might be a curse, because he found a breeder in Tennessee. He somehow glossed over the shedding dynamics of the thick-coated northern breeds. Our fourteen year old research guru son found the Malamute variety is family/pack oriented, good with children and a dry mouth breed (no drooling). The thought of adding a dog to the mix of our busy household did not appeal to this mom. Long before we owned and operated our Christmas Tree Farm, both Bob and I were busy with three children and demanding careers. I prayed that owning a tank of fish, and a kitty might suffice, but after five years the desire for a dog still remained. Each of our three children are seven and eight years apart, so Nick missed out on our first two dogs, but I didn't. How did we ever end up with the unusual breed as our family pet? Our first Alaskan Malamute puppy made its home with us long before we owned a tree farm.įifteen years ago the saga began with our son Nick's passion to own a dog. Huskies generally have blue eyes, and are smaller and faster. Malamutes have brown eyes, are more broad and strong. Although both Huskies and Malamutes are northern breeds they are distinctly different. He is often mistakenly referred to as a Husky. Alaskan Malamutes are a unique breed in Missouri. Part of an outing to Fort Osage Christmas is seeing Karibou, many having never seen a dog like him. Each season those same kiddos grow older and Karibou grows bigger.
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He effortlessly tolerates even the little ones who are only learning how to pet an animal. When his high energy routine wears him out, he lies by the bonfire and accepts belly rubs for the rest of the afternoon.
Often times he gently swipes the candy from the smaller ones then gulps it down unwrapped! Usually replacing the candy cane immediately quells the crying tot. Karibou knows the sound of cellophane opening means a peppermint treat, and eagerly anticipates candy droppings. In the first couple seasons, Karibou had to be distracted from crouching under the tree as the saw blade moved back and forth! After the tree is harvested, families enjoy cocoa and candy canes near the cherry red wood-burning stove.
After being welcomed the hunt begins and Karibou wanders into the field with the jovial groups. Christmas tree shopping produces a unique kind of adrenalin among children, the young at heart, and gigantic white Alaskan Malamutes. Thankfully visitors to our farm love being greeted by the brawny snow-white greeter as they slowly open their car doors upon arriving. They would make a marvelous cast of characters, as long as they STAY OUTSIDE! Our strapping Alaskan Malamute "Karibou" lives both outside and inside. Every day we see turkey, raccoon, turtles, hawks, fox, coyote, deer, and the smaller varieties: frogs, snakes, squirrels, moles, possum and mice and rabbits. More than once the storyteller in me fantasizes about plot lines starring these wonderful little characters in the magical place we live. Creatures are everywhere at Fort Osage Farm.
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