Evening Star Kennel: June 2009

Sunday, June 28, 2009

Sled Dog Vacation

So, people ask me all the time, "What do you do with your dogs in the summer?" I always say this is their vacation. In reality, they prefer working to vacation. Since I have a relatively small kennel, I am able to take the dogs out for free runs with the ATV or bike. Yesterday, I took 12 out for a crazy run and got some pictures. This is the group that I have to take the ATV. Otherwise, I can't keep up.

The tequila puppies set a quick pace along with Herbert, Margaret, Lightning, Detour, Happy, and Sneezy. Sometimes Etna, Goon, Whitney, Jersey, and Boggle with come with this group too. Cleo, Shilo, and Annabel prefer a more leisurely walk. And Charlotte can only go by herself because she never learned to play well with others.

It is always chaotic and highly entertaining to take the big group out for a run. They are generally well-behaved with a few scuffles between the littermates, and Herbert doesn't like when anyone challenges his position as the fastest dog in the bunch. But a pocketful of cookies and a quick pat on the head keeps everybody close.

They look like happy dogs, don't you think? Sled dogs on vacation can't be all bad. Fall training starts August 1. Only a few more weeks...

Sponsorship Options

Whitehorse Sponsor: $1,500+
Your contribution as a Whitehorse Sponsor will go toward the entry fee of $1,500 or toward travel expenses and major equipment (sled, harnesses, dog truck, etc.) needed for
the race.
Dawson City Sponsor: $500-$1,499
All Dawson City Sponsors will pay for basic kennel costs incurred throughout the year. A $500 sponsorship pays for the care for an individual dog throughout the year: food and
basic vet care.
Circle City Sponsor: $201-$499
Circle City Sponsors will contribute toward warm musher gear, headlamps and batteries to light the way, booties, assorted ointments and medications for proper dog care, and all the miscellaneous items the dogs will need.
Fairbanks Sponsor: $200 and under
Fairbanks sponsors contribute to the costs of dog booties to protect the dogs’ feet from the start to the finish of the race. A $100 sponsorship purchases all the booties and a dog jacket for one dog on my team for the Yukon Quest.
Sponsor a Mile: $20
There are 997 “official” miles on the Yukon Quest trail. That number can change from year to year depending on trail conditions or changes. For $20, you can sponsor 1 mile of the trail and help provide the dogs with all the things that they will need to complete each mile to reach the finish line.