The Fan Hitch, the official publication of the Inuit Sled Dog International, is published about 6 times a year.  It is available to those who do not have access to the world wide web by subscription for $4.50 USD/$8.00 CAD to cover the cost of printing and mailing.  U.S. subscription requests should be sent to Sue Hamilton, Editor, The Fan Hitch, 55 Town Line Road, Harwinton, CT  06791, USA.  Send Canadian and international requests to Geneviève Montcombroux, P.O. Box 206, Inwood, Manitoba, ROC 1PO, Canada. * Contents of The Fan Hitch are protected by international copyright laws.  Neither photos, drawings nor text may be reproduced in any form without written consent.  Please forward these requests to the Editor at qimmiq@snet.net * The Fan Hitch welcomes for publication your letters, stories, comments and suggestions.

I would like to share with you the following e-mail correspondence.  It appears here with permission of Terry Miller. 
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Date: Mon, 31 Jan 2000 08:40:15 -0600 
From: Scott & Terry Miller <qimmitsi@pinenet.com> 
To: Susan & Mark Hamilton <qimmiq@snet.net> 
Subject: Salute to Ilik! 

Hi Mark and Sue, 

I'm really just writing to let you know what an exceptional dog we have with Ilik.  Our [Alaskan Malamute] Walker, who died a couple years ago, was a great dog--a sled dog extraordinaire.  I never thought anyone could fill his paw prints.  But [our Inuit Sled Dog] Ilik has raised the bar to a new level.  That dog is truly amazing.  She is a natural leader who just got better and better as the trip got longer and the stress mounted up.  She rose to every occasion with unbounded enthusiasm, taking commands perfectly, single leading when necessary, and always, always, always keeping her line as tight as a steel rod.  She is a winner on personality alone, but her work ethic is unsurpassed.  I don't think I'll ever have another dog like her. 

Thank you for the opportunity to own her and to love her.  It gives me chills to watch her work.  She is amazing--absolutely amazing.  Here's to you, Ilik! 

Terry 

Date: Mon, 31 Jan 2000 
From: Susan & Mark Hamilton <qimmiq@snet.net> 
To: Scott & Terry Miller <qimmitsi@pinenet.com> 
Subject: Re: Salute to Ilik! 

Hi Terry, 

Glad to hear you and the dogs are back in Minnesota safe and sound from your Washington and British Columbia adventures. 

As  you know, Mark and I have been rather critical of the Alaskan Malamute's abilities as a freighting dog, this despite 25 years of owning and breeding with a focus on the working side of the breed as opposed to showing (of which we did a little).  Of course there exist some exceptions to our overall impression that the malamute's ability to get the job done in harness slipped rapidly at the point where specimens for reproduction were selected on the basis of markings, eye color and show wins.  You are one of these exceptions, and your beloved malamute Walker stood out as a shining example of the fine working qualities generally lost to his kind. 

But with your description of Ilik,  you have succeeded in touching on several important issues.  One is that of the unsurpassable work ethic of the Inuit Sled Dog and its ability to meet challenges and overcome adversities.  Another is that you have set an example, showing the way for others seeking fine freighting dogs.  Interested mushers now know that their desire for an animal they can depend on through thick and thin can be achieved, with proper handling and training, by owning ISDs.  Finally, Paul Landry of Iqaluit, Nunavut states in his interview as the Fan Hitch's Featured Inuit Dog Owner, that the ISD reaches its full potential in the Arctic environment. While we don't dispute this,  you have demonstrated beyond any doubt that there surely IS a place for the Inuit Sled Dog south of the tree line for freighting dog mushers who both understand and appreciate the nature of this breed.  For all this, Terry, it is I who needs to be thanking YOU, not just for providing Ilik with a great home but also for the way in which you have so aptly described the Inuit Sled Dog and have represented the breed everywhere you go. 

All the best, 

Sue and Mark