"Asuna" Meredith Mapes
Date Of Birth: 04/26/2019
Sex: Intact Female
Breed: Alaskan Husky
Dam: "Raspberry" Brenda Mackey
Sire: "Ebb" Jeff King
Sex: Intact Female
Breed: Alaskan Husky
Dam: "Raspberry" Brenda Mackey
Sire: "Ebb" Jeff King
I can't say I was ever planning on Asuna. My team up until her had been solely Siberians, and Asuna is an Alaskan, need I say more? However when I saw Meredith Mapes from Fun On The Run Kennel was downsizing her race team, this girl just tugged at my heart. I knew I wanted to build up my team for mid distance, so I also figured she would be really beneficial given her training with Meredith and her pedigree. So one flight from Alaska later and Asuna, formerly Symbol, joined the Yukikaze pack late 2021. I thoroughly enjoyed having Asuna on my team. She never tired, has incredible work ethic, and is always eager for more. She has the happiest personality and is always wagging her tail.
While Asuna is the biggest sweetheart and super easy going, I found that my focus on running a purebred only team was still strong as can be even as I switched to the 10-30 mile races. These races don't often have purebred classes, but there's just something special to me about running a team of all Siberians among a world of Alaskans. This mindset led me to not choose Asuna for my race team as the season went on, which I hated because this girl loves to race and she's still young at only 4 years old, so plenty of seasons left. I made the decision to rehome Asuna, now named Beedle, to a smaller kennel where she will be a main string dog vs sitting on the bench. Beedle joined my friend Taylor Squire's kennel in the late summer of 2023 where she will get more one on one attention and get to go to all the races with her. No fault can be given to Beedle for this decision. She has a great personality, easy going temperament, never misses a meal, good feet, so she has basically all the traits I'd like to see in a sleddog and she is truly adorable. If I ever made the switch to Alaskans, I would want a team just like her. I LOVE her fun personality and sweetness. However I don't see myself owning another Alaskan again, and while I was sad to place Beedle, I am also excited for her future as I just know she will shine for Taylor!
While Asuna is the biggest sweetheart and super easy going, I found that my focus on running a purebred only team was still strong as can be even as I switched to the 10-30 mile races. These races don't often have purebred classes, but there's just something special to me about running a team of all Siberians among a world of Alaskans. This mindset led me to not choose Asuna for my race team as the season went on, which I hated because this girl loves to race and she's still young at only 4 years old, so plenty of seasons left. I made the decision to rehome Asuna, now named Beedle, to a smaller kennel where she will be a main string dog vs sitting on the bench. Beedle joined my friend Taylor Squire's kennel in the late summer of 2023 where she will get more one on one attention and get to go to all the races with her. No fault can be given to Beedle for this decision. She has a great personality, easy going temperament, never misses a meal, good feet, so she has basically all the traits I'd like to see in a sleddog and she is truly adorable. If I ever made the switch to Alaskans, I would want a team just like her. I LOVE her fun personality and sweetness. However I don't see myself owning another Alaskan again, and while I was sad to place Beedle, I am also excited for her future as I just know she will shine for Taylor!
Pedigree
Racing Information
2022-2023
Wilderness 35 Sled Dog Race in ME
8 Dog Sled - 1 Day - 35 Miles
Can Am Crown 30 Sled Dog Race in ME
6 Dog Sled - 1 Day - 30 Miles
*Raced with Alex Gurka and her team
Great North Woods Sleddog Challenge in NH
6 Dog Sled - 3 Days - 22/22/18 Miles
*Raced with Alex Gurka and her team
Wilderness 35 Sled Dog Race in ME
8 Dog Sled - 1 Day - 35 Miles
Can Am Crown 30 Sled Dog Race in ME
6 Dog Sled - 1 Day - 30 Miles
*Raced with Alex Gurka and her team
Great North Woods Sleddog Challenge in NH
6 Dog Sled - 3 Days - 22/22/18 Miles
*Raced with Alex Gurka and her team
Titles/Accomplishments
Asuna placed 2nd out of 10 in the Open Class in the 2022 Siberian Husky Sled Dog Showcase Canada judged by Jim Cunningham of CedarPaws, Marcel Garneau of Whisperin Timber's Adventure, and Jaye Foucher of Sibersong Sleddogs.