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About Zoya DeNure | About
John Schandelmeier |
"In wildness is the preservation of the world.....life consists
of wildness. The most alive is the wildest.
In short, all good things are wild and free."
- Henry David Thoreau –
ZOYA, MARLIN
& KAYAK |
ABOUT
ZOYA
Originally from Madison, Wisconsin, Zoya came to Alaska
in 2002 with “big girl dreams” bound and determined
to get her education about sled dogs and the Iditarod race.
I ntrigued by sled dogs, the outdoor
lifestyle and Iditarod, Zoya packed up and headed north on her mission;
hoping to make her mark as a top contender in competitive racing.
“Imagine walking into your office every morning and having
40 some friends there to meet and greet you with a big smile”
that is what it’s like in our kennel.”
GATHERING FIREWOOD
FOR THE
COLD WINTER MONTHS |
An International fashion runway
model & record label representative; for 13 years, Zoya lived
and traveled world-wide as a professional model; confident, compassionate
and hardworking are just a few words to describe this young lady
who strives to make a difference in the world around her.
Zoya’s future plans & goals?
"I’m racing to make a difference in the sport, improved
dog care on the trail and in the yard, positive race training
that works for every sled dog, young or old. I’d like to
get more families and kids involved in our sled dog rescue efforts
and interactive programs year-round. Celebrating women on the
sled runners, healthy lifestyle and strong minds-- we are awesome,
capable and looking forward to setting some new records!
“We are blessed with a terrific
Kennel of happy and healthy dogs. There’s no shortage of
time and attention for each canine athlete. We are spoiled with
perfect view of the Alaska Range; Paxson Lake is a little slice
of heaven.
Zoya, along with her kennel partner
& best friend, John Schandelmeier, have been working hard with
shelter dogs in rescue and rehabilitation. Crazy Dog Kennels outfits
45 sled dogs, 25 of these dogs are rescued and running! "We’re
retraining these 'discarded' dogs and running them in the main team
or placing them with the appropriate musher." “We’re
excited to say we’re making a difference, one dog at a time.”
"Going
to the woods is going home"- John Muir
Read about our adventures featured in back issues of Mushing Magazine
issue #105 July August 2005 , and issue #106 September/October
2005 . You can purchase back issues online at Mushing Magazine's
web site www.mushing.com
Mushing Magazine
/photos by Heath Sandall |
ABOUT JOHN
I was born and raised on a homestead near Anchorage, Alaska.
Moved to the Paxson area in 1970 and have been here since. Originally
I was a full-time trapper here, now it is a sideline. I commercial
fish in Bristol Bay and Prince William Sound. I
am the president of the local Fish and Game advisory committee
and a member of the Second Chance League of Fairbanks. The Second
Chance League is an organization devoted to evaluating and training
unwanted sled dogs from the Fairbanks Animal Shelter.
My personal goal is to raise awareness,
within the sport, of the ability of these cast-off dogs.
Some of John's Yukon Quest
Awards
- 1996 Yukon Quest Champion - 12
days, 16 hours, 6 minutes
- 1997 Yukon Quest Sportsmanship
Award - Presented to the musher exhibiting the best sportsmanship
along the trail. The selection is made by fellow mushers.
- 1994 & 1996 Yukon Quest Veterinarians's
Choice Award
Presented to the musher who demonstrates the most humane treatment
and overall care for his or her dogs throughout the race, in
the best spirit of the Quest. This aware is a legacy for aspiring
mushers to emulate in the humane treatment and care of their
team. Voted on by the race veterinarians.
- 1992 & 1996 Yukon Quest Golden
Harness Award Presented to the winner's lead dog.
A second chance for Schandelmeier's
team
This article orginally appeared in the Fairbanks Daily News Miner,
Wed. February 16, 2005 - Click
Here
Zoya & John |
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