Category: Dog blog

Most pet dogs never do anything difficult.  They lay around on the couch, bark at the mailman, and maybe chew up all your socks.  Some lucky dogs get to go for a hike on the weekend.  Most of their time is spent waiting for their owner to come home. This can make our world seem strange to outsiders.  Our dogs have a job. I don’t mean to say that we make them run.  If a dog does not want to pull, I will not and could not force him or her to pull.  The desire to pull is a result of thousands of years of selective breeding and codependence.  They have a job in the same way that I have a job.  The fact that we have to earn our keep by working does not mean we can’t enjoy our work. What I mean is that these dogs have a responsibility, and they know it.  They are part of a team, and a team will not function if its members do not take their positions seriously.  Sled dogs have to pull, but they also have to cooperate with each other.  Dogs that don’t like each other must put aside their differences in the name of the ultimate goal: the trail.  Trails have their own personalities, and they can change from one day to the next.  Sometimes they are fast and smooth, and other days they are deep, soft, and slow.  Some have steep hills, wind, or even bare frozen ground. The most amazing and remarkable experiences in my decade of running sled dogs have also been the most difficult.  When we encounter adversity, a good sled dog puts his head down and drives harder.  There is no command needed.   When the trail gets hard, they get excited! Hawk is a perfect

The leaves have turned yellow and fall softy to the ground. The cold hangs in the air.  Frost clings to the grass. Summer has given way to fall, and all thoughts are on the winter ahead.   Many dread winter.  The long dark months loom on the horizon, and bring with them bitter cold.  Soon the trees will bend, heavy with frost and snow. The bears will settle into their dens, waiting for easier times. Many dread winter.  But not us. Winter is our time.  Winter is the time of the sled dog. I have never been in awe of another as much as when I see a sled dog in its element.  Nothing matters but the trail ahead. Not the cold or the wind or the deep drifted snow.  A well-trained team of sled dogs is an amazing force of will. Their relentless energy is balanced by fierce devotion. When the trail gets tough, they get stronger. Living with sled dogs has taught me what it means to be strong.  They have shown me that you must never back down from a challenge.  They take things as they come, without getting lost in what is past or what may happen in the future.  They continue to teach me every day. When our guests arrive for a tour, they get to meet our dogs and share a few moments of their lives.  This winter, I want to provide a glimpse of the life of a few of our sled dogs from the dogs’ perspective.  We will follow them through the season, from the excitement of fall training to the daily grind of tours. We might even be running a mid-distance race this winter. The first dog I want to introduce is Sol (pronounced soul).  He is 4 years old and