Gypsum (aka Gypsy)

I’m Gypsum, but everyone calls me Gypsy. I love to wander. My humans call me a master escape artist. I’m not sure what that means but I know I love to see what’s on the other side of my kennel, or the run, or the door … I just love to explore. I learn so much by exploring.

I live in New Hampshire and I’m 8 months old. My birthday is January 25th. I have 5 brothers and 2 sisters. My brother Slate and I still live at the same house we were born in with 7 other Siberians including my mom and grandma. We are going to be a part of a recreational sled dog team that may do a few mid distance races in the future. I can’t wait until I can join the team. You see, several of my relatives, including my daddy, Skor, have participated in and/or completed the Iditarod with Karen Ramstead’s team. I love hearing the stories of their adventures. Running out in the open, exploring new places, sure sounds like my kind of fun.

First I need to know what it takes to be a lead dog because that’s my goal. I want to lead my team. My humans tell me that I have to listen, and practice a lot. I have also decided to talk to as many other lead dogs as I can and find out what they do and what kind of training they have had. I also want to know what their humans need to know so I can teach mine things like when I should get a treat! Of course to talk to these lead dogs, I might just have to get on the other side of my kennel unless of course, I can talk my humans into more computer time. Stay tuned to see what adventures await me.

Here’s an article I wrote about myself a few years back.  I love to write, so get ready to read!

Hi everyone,

My given name is Gypsum. I was nicknamed Gypsy because I love to wander. As a puppy, I was the first to roam away from my mom and brothers and sisters. My humans were always chasing me or catching me in midair as I would try to get out of the puppy pen. I always want to see what’s on the other side of the fence. I know there has to be great adventures waiting for me.

I am a Siberian Husky and my birthday is January 25th. I was born in New Hampshire on a very cold snowy day which seems right for a sled dog. I have 5 brothers named Slate, Granite, Coal, Obsidian (nickname Obi) and Mica. I also have 2 sisters, Opal and Agate (who is now called Aurora). When you read Zuma’s Who am I? post, see if you can find something similar in her brothers and sisters names and my brothers and sisters names. Slate and I still live in the same home that we were born in. We live with 7 other siberians including my grandma Lyra, my mom Paige and several aunts and cousins. My dad and several other relatives have participated in the Iditarod. They have told me wonderful stories about life on the trail. The team at my house is a recreational team. My human says we will not run the Iditarod but I will get to run on a team all fall and winter. We may even do a few small races. I really hope we do. My humans are also planning a few camping trips this fall for all of us. I’ve never been camping but my human says we’ll have lots of fun. If any of you have gone camping before, you can write me and let me know what it’s like.

I’m always asked about my favorite things. My favorite color is blue. My favorite food is my kibble with salmon soup that my human makes for us. My humans make sure we eat healthy although we occasionally get a special treat. Some of my favorite treats is doggie ice cream and lobster bisque dog biscuits. My favorite things to do is play with my kennel friends and go on runs. My hobbies are running, meeting new people, writing, and playing with my friends.

I started K9 journalism school last year where I met Zuma. I am in my 2nd year of school. We just started back last week and it’s much harder than it was last year. I have to spend more time studying and doing my homework. I am going to have to learn how to find time to do my school work and to train with my team. Both are very important to me and I want to do them both well.

Last year I was a pup and didn’t run with the team much. When I did run, I loved it. My goal is to be a leader for the team. My human says it takes a lot of hard work and I have to listen and follow directions. I have been have trouble following directions lately but I’m going to work really hard at it. If I make the team, I have been promised a blue (remember my favorite color) harness. We should start training very soon. There has been a crispness in the air which signals that Fall is almost here.

I think that’s it. I hope that let’s you know more about me. If there is anything else you’d like to know, please write me.

Happy trails,

Gypsy