One of the great strengths of any preservation program is the people who choose to become part of it.
Today we are excited to welcome Josh, Amanda, and their young son as the newest co-breeders in the Kamia Stewardship Program.
For some time, Josh and Amanda have followed the development of the Full Blood Restoration Program and have patiently waited for the opportunity to become directly involved. Their enthusiasm for the Full Blood population, the Norwegian Return Program, and the Jamthund Return Program made it clear that they understood both the purpose and the long-term vision behind the restoration effort.
Not long ago, Linda made the trip with Josh up to BC so I could visit with Josh, and it was immediately obvious that this was a family that shared many of the same values that have helped build the Kamia Stewardship Network. Located roughly four hours from Linda, Josh and Amanda will add an entirely new dimension to the Montana Full Blood program and expand the preservation footprint in an important region. Excellent for them to have the 50 years of experience Linda brings to Kamia right close to them.
And for this family, there could hardly be a better match than Varja.
Varja is quite simply one of the finest females we have ever had the privilege of working with. Her intelligence, hunting ability, stability, and overall quality have made her a standout female, and we could not be happier with the home she has joined.
Recently, Varja was bred to Posso. We are hopeful that the breeding was successful and that a litter will once again be whelped in Montana, this time at the new location with Josh and Amanda. The prospect of seeing this next chapter unfold is incredibly exciting for everyone involved.
What has impressed us most is how quickly Varja has become part of daily life. From the moment she arrived, Josh and Amanda integrated her into their activities. She is already accompanying the family on hikes, working trails, exploring the outdoors, and settling naturally into the lifestyle she was bred for.
Another unique aspect of this placement is the family’s outstanding pack-goat program. Maintaining and working with pack goats is a tradition that requires dedication, knowledge, and a deep appreciation for outdoor living. Varja is already becoming accustomed to traveling the trails alongside the goats and participating in a lifestyle that reflects the working roots of the dogs we strive to preserve.
Of course, it didn’t take long for some of that famous hunting-line luck to show up.
During a recent hunt, Josh managed to harvest one of the most impressive elk of his hunting career to date. Congratulations on an outstanding animal. No doubt there will be plenty of bones and rewards for Varja, and perhaps for a future litter of puppies as well.
The future looks exceptionally bright for this partnership.
Josh, Amanda, and family bring enthusiasm, commitment, outdoor experience, and a genuine appreciation for preservation breeding. Those qualities make them a natural fit for the Kamia Stewardship Program, and we are honored to have them joining the effort.
On behalf of everyone involved, welcome to the Kamia preservation family.
We are excited to see where this journey with Varja leads next. More adventures, more stories, and hopefully some exceptional Montana-born puppies are still to come. Josh has sent some great video’s I’ll get them up in the next update right away with details on the litter, when it’s coming and preparations are underway in Montana!
