BIS Australian/Am Ch Karnovanda’s Gray Spirit (imp USA)
‘Casper’

Coming to us late in life, “Casper” proved his worth and efforts in our kennel from day one, winning 5 Best In Show from his first 6 shows ever in Australia. What a debut - I wonder if any other dogs have debuted with such success here in Australia.

A prodigious winner in the U.S. and a prodigious progenitor of worthwhile issue including the wonderful “Boomer” (Am Ch Chrisdons Distant Thunder), Casper was handled to glory in the U.S by the talented Mike Szabo.

It was our good fortune to come to mutual agreement with his breeder Judy Russell to be able to purchase this lovely dog. Always aloof and always his own person, Casper didn’t need anyone. He was truly an independent spirit, loving nothing more than his own company and that of a bitch in season. Nothing beats Casper as a stud dog. We called him the serial rapist! This has to be the easiest stud dog to breed with. He could sniff out a bitch coming into season within ten blocks!

I’m sure Casper didn’t like the heat of Australia after living in Michigan and the snows that regularly carpet the hills there, but, he did manage and he managed well enough to win the Specialty in Sydney handled by Simon Briggs under Alice Watt (USA) a breed specialist. I think she was very surprised to find this dog in her ring and that he was Casper from the U.S.! We took great delight in her loss of aplomb after the event and her relief that she hadn’t missed him in the line-up!

Dear old Cassie! He never asked anything of anyone - always his own man. Beautiful, worldly, serene, epitomising all that a Siberian should be, he passed this world to the next without any fuss or ado digging his last hole in the yard the day before. I think he went knowing he could still dig if he wanted to and that this was as good as it ever gets, a decent hole to dig, a hug from someone who said nice things to you, a full stomach and a comfortable bed. I can go now! His legend will live on!