First and foremost we've completely, head-over-heels, utterly and completely fallen in love with the dogs here, specifically the working dogs. I can understand, if you haven't been here and seen it, how you might think that people are crazy and even mean to run these dogs or have them hauling sleds all over the place but then you get here and you meet the dogs and the mushers. The howl of a pup just waiting to be set loose to run in harness is an amazingly inspiring sound. It's the craziest thing!
These dogs want nothing more to be in harness and pulling for all they are worth, it is their purpose and their enjoyment. The dog probably won't even stop. The musher needs to know the pups and let them know when it's time to stop. The dog/ musher/ handler relationship is an amazing thing that I just love to see. The musher know they can't do it without these dogs and vice versa, they are each helping the other complete and amazing task and loving every minute of it.
We've had the amazing opportunity to meet up with a lot of pups here in AK:
Sue's dogs (all but one former sled dogs) have taught us about the working dog and have been able to teach us how to skijor (attach yourself to the dog, stick on some skis and go! - or fall... it's all good). There is nothing cooler than skiing with a dog attached to you, even if they may be slightly disappointed with your ability to stay on your feet.
Our friends Rod and Julie were kind enough to take us out with 8 of their pups on a tandem sled run that was so amazing. To be behind the power of 8 dogs is an incredible experience.
We've also been able to take in events such as the Yukon Quest (endurance dogs) and the Open North American Championships (speed dogs) as well as the Dog Pull Competitions. To see a working dog be able to pull unfathomable weight with no assistance other than the encouragement (all hands free) of it's owner is beyond words.
Here are some pics of the working dogs. Sue's dogs haven't been included in this one yet - they're a special group that'll get their own pic but here's Rod and Julie's dogs and the a pulling competition pup.
1. At the trails end with Rod and Julie's whole team behind us. 8 dogs pulling 2 sleds (tandem is one sled ahead and one hooked behind, this way we got to ride a sled without worrying about not knowing what to do), 2 grown men and me (probably around 450 lbs in people alone).
2. Tandem sled on the trail, Joey is on the sled here and I'm ahead on a snow machine.
3. Our fearless leaders, these dogs are smart and quick and definitely dogs you need to trust and rely on when you're on a sled. They know better than you a lot of times.
4. Dog pulling competition: This guy was in the 100 lb weight class (there's one more weight class above this) and he's pulling 1640 lbs. all on his own - crazy awesome!
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