Joy Davis, Educational Journalist, IN
From the fashion runway to the dog yard, Zoya DeNure has an interesting background. For 13 years she was an international fashion runway model and record label representative. Originally, she is from Wisconsin. Zoya saw a dogteam in action and was hooked. She moved to Alaska in 2002. In 2003 she married John Schandelmeier and they started Crazy Dog Kennel and Canine Rescue. The kennel consists of rehomed dogs from other mushers and dogs from area animal shelters.
Zoya said, “There are no failures at our kennel; all of the dogs are successfully rehabilitated and go on to race with us or are sent on to adoptive homes where most are used for recreational mushings.”
The 2010 race will be Zoya’s second running of the Iditarod. Her goal is to use her experience and improve her placing while maintaining healthy dogs. Personally, she is motivated to be stronger and wiser.
Zoya maintains a kennel of 60 dogs. Working with the dogs and chasing after her 1 year old daughter, Jona, keep her in shape. A typical day starts at 7:30 a.m. with training and chores. The dogs are separated into teams. The teams have a few days off each week. This downtime allows Zoya to spend time with her daughter and family. Currently, Zoya has help from her husband, 1-2 handlers, and Grandmother, Shirley, from Wisconsin.
In the off-season, some of the dogs work in Skagway meeting and greeting tourists. The rest remain at home. John operates a commercial fishing business in Nahnek, Alaska, while Zoya operates their Denali Highway cabin rentals, gift shop, and kennel.
Zoya has 2 proudest moments. One was becoming a mother. The other special moment was finishing her first Iditarod. With her love of dogs and the Alaskan lifestyle, Zoya plans on running the Iditarod Trail for many years.
Please visit her websites at: www.dogsleddenali.com and www.denalihighwaytours.com
Safe trails- Zoya.
