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« on: November 17, 2006, 07:22:48 am »
EDMONTON - Wayne Alexander and Sherri-Lynn Krock planned their lives around dogs.
The Thorsby-area couple owned about 65 Alaskan malamutes, dogs renowned for their strength and stamina while pulling sleds through snow. They ran dog tours, including moonlight trips, through the Alberta wilderness.
The heavy snowfall over the past month was good for business, leaving Alexander to prepare for what he hoped would be one of his better years
But Alexander, 53, and Krock, 48, died in a highway crash during a snowstorm Tuesday when their Ford Taurus was struck by a BMW. The crash happened on Township Road 482 and Range Road 11, near the couple's Thorsby-area home, about 50 kilometres southwest of Edmonton.
The BMW was driven by a 16-year-old boy. He and his two teenaged passengers suffered minor injuries.
Alexander was a chef at a Nisku hotel and Krock had worked recently as a waitress at a restaurant in nearby Pigeon Lake. But they devoted much of their time to their dogs, and Alexander was contemplating trekking near the North Pole with them.
Terry Myers, who employed Alexander as a maintenance worker two years ago at VPL Developments, a private development at Pigeon Lake, said the dog tours were popular.
"That was really (Alexander's) passion," Myers said. "The people that went on the tours enjoyed it. It was a great thing to have."
The Cold Creek Kennels tours were advertised for families and outdoor enthusiasts. The couple offered corporate retreats, promising sledders "the adventure of a lifetime."
Alexander belonged to the Northern Alberta Mushers Association and attended annual club meetings to share sledding stories.
Family and friends are caring for the dogs temporarily, but people who knew the couple say they aren't sure what will happen to the malamutes.
Matthew Leach, a neighbour, said Krock was an antique collector. The couple was preparing for what was shaping up to be a busy winter season, he said.
"Last year, they had a tough year because the snow came late," he said. "This year he was looking forward to going on a good year on the snow. It was going to be a big year."
jkom@thejournal.canwest.com
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He is driving me nuts...I will do what is best for him of course, but I just don't know what to do
) so the cards might be a little late...
