50 the Northern New England Sled Dog Trade Fair And

1 The SLED DOGGER MAGAZINE Vol. 5 - No. 4 Winter 2018/19

In This Issue: Feature Stories: Regulars: • From The Publisher Pg 3 • Spotlight - Tamara Harvey-Coli Pg 7 • Macgregor Point Dryland Derby Pg 38 • New England Sled Dog Trade Fair Pg 48 Jr Mushers PG 108 • Ridgerunners Sled Dog Club Pg 58 Jr Musher Spotlights: • Alex & Anton Ahlfors Pg 110 • Waylon Kotulak Pg 118 Columns:

• Dryland Mushing UK & Ireland Pg: 84 SPECIAL FEATURE: Feeds Issue • Perfectly Raw Pg 13 • Mushing down under Pg: 66 • Fresh Choice Pg 18 • Training Pg: 102 • Mrs Beasley’s Pg 25 • Gear Addict Pg: 96 • Dog’s Choice Pg 30 • Women in Mushing Pg 106 • Home Made Recipes Pg 36 • Mushing Argentina (NEW!) Pg 68 • Husky Helpline Pg 76

COVER INFO:

Rider - Newton Marshall

Photo By:Carole Melville

Event: The 2009 Yukon Quest - 16th of February 2009

2 The SLED DOGGER MAGAZINE Vol. 5 - No. 4 Winter 2018/19

The SLED DOGGER Magazine Vol. 5 - No. 4 - Winter 2018/19 FROM THE PUBLISHER: *************** A Couple weeks late for this issue. Had an opportuni- Editor/Publisher: ty for a couple great stories but the opportunity wasn’t Bob Donovan available until well after deadline while I was putting together the issue. So, after getting the stories, I have Design/Layout & Website: to redo the underdevelopment issue. Then I was SledWebs.com sick and in the hospital briefly. But, much better now. Also, working on getting a couple people for Behind The Scenes Administrative work to help insure a firm Writers: schedule. Fingers crossed on that! Bob Donovan, Richard Meldrum, Rochelle Byiers, Suzy Man-Ray, Gabby Alterman, CHANGES: Eric Alterman As we mentioned previously, we finally got the new Columnists: software upgrades and I am still learning them. How- Gina Hinter, Siobhan Burrell, Ian Luke, ever, if all goes well, Mari from Little Frog Video and Web Design has offered to build a new website for us. Kelsy Gibos, Hernán Cipriani, Kristi Benson She is going to try to fit it into her schedule in Febru- ary. Contributing Staff: Della Severtson, Kaitlyn Tidewell, I figure we can update the software and the web- Purple Haze, Michelle Jackson site at the same time and come out with the Spring issue featuring the new software and website all at the same time. I hope to have a plug-in where the Staff Photographers : entire magazine can be viewed on the website itself Bob Donovan AS WELL AS independently on-line or downloaded to And, A Special Thanks To Alaska Bob! your computer. Our goal is to be able to have guest R.I.P. ALASKA BOB! posts as well as a PodCast with interviews right on the website. The new magazine software is more ca- Jr Staff: pable to allowing video within the magazine to! Bear Julia Cross with us! I think it will be worth it! William Shade Bob Donovan Publisher The Sled Dogger We Want Your Comments: The Sled Dogger and TheSledDogger.com is (c) 2014 - 2019 by Maine Busy Bee Publishing. All Rights Re- [email protected] served except where otherwise stated. All commen- This Is A Reader Supported Publication tary, reporting and content within the publication is the responsibility of the writer. Content may or may Your Donations Play A Huge Part not agree with the thoughts, feelings and ideas of Of Making It Available Free! the publisher and Maine Busy Bee Publishing. Writers are liable for their submissions. PLEASE DONATE 3 4 5 6 Photo By: Wendy Devent 7 Photo By: Maria Jolly

Musher Spotlight - Tamara Harvey-Coli. By: Rochelle Byiers If you are seeking an ambassador for the world of dog harness sports you need look no further than Tamara Harvey-Coli. Tamara encourages everyone to be involved and has helped promote the sport to all varieties of dogs and their owners. By mentoring urban mushers as they learn to run their dogs behind bicycles, scooters, skis and sleds she opens up the world of dog sports to those who would not normally have had the opportunity. This not only helps everyone to become involved but brings with it an understanding of the mushing world, and then in turn more support. When I first met Tamara 4 years ago I had been involved in dog sports for a mere 8 years and had no idea that she had been immersed in sled dogs all her life. Most likely I offered up advice the day we ran dogs together yet Tamara made me feel her equal that day. Incredibly humble, friendly and hon- est, you would not at first realize you were in the company with a hard driven top placing sprint musher. Tamara was born to Jackie and Jim Harvey in Alberta Canada and directly into the world of dog sledding. It is said that she was standing on the runners of a sled with a one dog team before she was even walking, and won her first race between the ages of 2 and 3. At 5 she won the Kid and Mutt in Ovando Montana and I would venture to say a natural born ‘musher’ was beginning to make waves. Although the rules were tough in the Harvey household they helped to instill the drive and passion in Tamara to care for a team of her own. It was expected that if you were to race a team you had to train and take care of your own dogs, and even at 10 your job was to run dogs 3 time a week. By 13, Tamara, her mom and sister, were traveling and racing the Alberta and Saskatchewan circuit. Jackie was the mushing equivalent of a hockey mom traveling from Rocky Mountain House to Canmore and Meadow Lake to Prince Albert. Dad, Jim, was busy running, successfully in the top 5, his own team 8 further North and South. Tamara’s confidence ran high as a teenager winning most of the races that she entered. Even when Tamara took time away from the ‘mushing world’ to start a family in the late 90’s dogs continued to be part of her life as she turned her attention to breeding and showing Boxers. However the adrenaline filled world of sled dogs would draw Tamara back and just over a decade later she was sprinting into first place at all the races she attended her first year back.The following years showed similar successes as Tamara has not placed less than second at any of her winter events. Her knowledge regarding the care and training of her dogs is exceptional and shows in her placement at all of the races and in the health of her team. Her care for the dogs takes on a holistic approach in which natural foods and supplements are used rather than purchased chemicals. As well the dogs routinely visit a chiropractor with essential oils being used to massage her athletes. Tamara believes that balance is key. By keeping on top of the front end with good nutrition, rest and hydration you catch things before they become a problem. With 8 dogs currently in the household she is a long way off in numbers from what she grew up with. However with limited space she is pretty picky with the dogs who do join her team. Tamara’s dogs are long legged beauties with a Eurohound appearance, and just by looking at them you know they are fast. She tends to look for an Alaskan mix with hounds, liking the Alaskans for distance and their ability to go faster, longer, and having a better recovery. Tamara and her team are quickly becoming the one to watch for and will be giving it their all when they head to the GCI Open North American Championships in Alaska this March. Although racing dogs behind a sled is her passion, and she prefers the snow and sled over the metal scooters and rigs, Tamara did compete in the Worlds Dryland events in Bristol Quebec October 2018 in the 2 dog scooter and 4 dog cart classes. Asked what she likes most about running dogs her response was that she loves the bond that she has gained with each of her dogs while watching the pure enjoyment of each one doing what they Photo By: Mike Forhan love most. Seeing them develop each season from lazy dog to pure extreme athlete running as the perfect team in the quiet of her surroundings as they effortlessly pull the sled on snow. The thrill of how it pushes her to be a better dog owner, more in tune to both their health and hers. With a strong support system from her parents who still follow their daughter to each race and a son who makes a fantastic dog handler Tamara is here to continue to make waves in the sprint world. The dogs get into your blood, whether you have only recently started training and running a team or you were born into the life, it becomes an addic- tion. The adrenaline and deep history of the sport along with the bonding and love for your dogs never leaves you no matter how far you stray. [END] 9 10 11 12 By: Rochelle Byiers In the world of dog harness sports if you were to sit down and speak with the owners about what techniques they use to train and raise their dogs nutrition inevitably comes to the forefront of the con- versation. They know there is a science about what goes into these amazing canine athletes and they are always searching for products that will give their dogs that competitive edge. The connection between nutrition and its impact on dog health and performance is well-understood by Kerry and Renée Baldwin. The Baldwins and their core staff team produce a line of healthy pet foods called Perfectly Raw at their third-generation family farm facility in Starbuck, Manitoba. Perfectly Raw pet foods are made from all natural, fresh, top quality ingredients carefully selected by the Baldwins. They are free of hormones, steroids, preservatives or other additives that have been linked to obesity, inactivity and other health complications in pets. All of their poultry and pork ingredients are proudly sourced from local producers within two hours of their facility. Their government-inspected, human grade food processing plants provide them with the same birds and animals that you and I eat every day. They process and freeze their foods within 24 hours to lock-in nutrients and keep them fresh for your pets. The Baldwins’ product recipes are also reviewed by nationally renowned, holistic veterinarian and pet nutrition specialist Dr. Lea Stogdale to ensure that each product is complete, balanced and vet approved for optimum health and wellness. Baldwin Feeds Perfectly Raw started organically 40 years ago, when they began producing specialty formulas for sled dog racers. Their first customer was Jackie Meaken, a local musher who asked them if they could create a special blend for his dogs that was high in protein, natural fats, oils and key nutrients so his dogs could develop stronger and healthier muscles and bones for increased stamina, speed and endurance. When Meaken sold his kennel to Larry Talman, he continued to use the Baldwin blend, and his racing success like Jackie’s caught the attention of other sled dog mushers. In the 80’s the Baldwins’ built a production facility on their farm to meet the demand and supplied their ‘Muster’s Mix’ (now Pro Energy Mix) to sled dog racers in Manitoba, Western Canada and the Yukon. From those humble beginnings, their reputation grew by word of mouth and they decided to diversify their products to meet the needs of pet owners across the country. Now they offer a line of specially formulated products that meet the nutritional needs of dogs and cats of all ages and stages. Perfect- ly Raw sells chicken, turkey, fish and pork products in a variety of sizes from 4 lb bags of EZ Snap bricks, scored to feed smaller dogs and cats to 50 lb nude blocks for mushers and larger pet families. The Baldwin name has become synonymous with nutritious, quality pet foods at an affordable price, and today they sell millions of pounds of food each year to mushers, breeders, kennels and pet store owners in Canada and the US. Plans for their next expansion have already begun, and their now grown children will carry on the family business.

13 By: Rochelle Byiers The Baldwin family takes great pride in the products and service they provide and credit their success to the loyal customers who got them started years ago. “Baldwin Feeds will always be there for them, supplying the best products we can at an affordable price, as they have been there for us.” The Bald- wins also give back to their community in a big way, sponsoring an ever-growing list of dog-related charities such as cattle dog, stock dog and agility dog trials. They also provide food directly to animal shelters and rescues to help restore the health and well being of pets in their care. In 2016, the Baldwins launched the Alberta Wildfire Pet Families’ Assistance Program to help affected pet families in Fort McMurray, Alberta and surrounding communities. The program included providing immediate food assistance to Fort McMurray pet families as well as donating a percentage of customer sales to the Red Cross Alberta Fires Appeal. With a fondness for their roots, the Baldwins also support numerous races including the Canadian Challenge, Quest for the Bay race from Gillam to Churchill, Churchill’s Aurora Winter Carnival, races in Grand Rapids, Cross Lake, The Pas. The Baldwins also provide direct support to racers like the Turner family and Rachelle Courtney, as well as Aberta cattle dog competitor and champi- on Dustin Gonnet, and new this year, Sherri Tri- thart and her Canadian Eskimo sled dogs. Kerry also proudly shared that they will now be sponsoring Sidney Klassen, an experienced musher who is starting a youth sled dog program on the Bloodvein Reserve in Manitoba. For more information and to find a retailer near you, visit www.perfectlyraw.ca. Perfectly Raw is a trademark of Baldwin Feeds. [END]

14 15 16 17 By: Bob Donovan Feeding your pets the best food is always good for healthy pets. However, when you have working dogs such as sled dogs that have to be in tip top shape as they pull sleds through all kinds of wilderness weather conditions and terrain or pull scooters and rids on dryland trails, what you feed them can make all the difference in the world. Not only does it help with their performance, but also with their quality of life. There are a lot of brands of various types of food out there. His article today focus- es on Fresh Choice Complete, a nutritious, wholesome and well-balanced food for your pet or working dog. Based on information on their website, it seems when you partner up with a panel of food scientists, nutritionists, holistic veterinarians to develop functional raw and freeze dried diets that ensure optimal nutrition and meet AAFCO profiles for all lifestyles, you’d be talking about Fresh- Choice Complete. Especially when using whole cuts of meat sourced from local farmers located within hours of their processing plant. Fresh Choice complete manufac- tures 100% of their food and treats with no fillers, artificial flavors-products or grains. Their website www.freshchoicecomplete.com has a lot of information about the company and the high-quality products they make. At this point Fresh Choice Complete President and CEO Andrew Bullock made the time to speak with us briefly about the company and their products. [The Sled Dogger] Briefly, tell us a bit about your company and why you started it. [Andrew Bullock ] “Today, pet parents are looking for foods with high quality ingredients for their four-legged companions, and FreshChoice was developed to meet increased consumer demand for premium, natural pet nutrition,” said Andrew Bullock, president and CEO of FreshChoice. “Dogs and cats are best fed as carnivores, and our plant in Warsaw has innovative capabilities to make fresh and raw and freeze dried products that pets need for optimal nourishment. We’ll also have the infrastructure and capacity for sustained growth.” [The Sled Dogger] Please describe your company’s full range of products (kibble, raw, type/mixes, fresh, frozen, dried etc.). [Andrew Bullock ] We are an ultra-premium developer of complete compan- ion pet raw diets, with beneficial dried superfoods that are all fit for human consumption, along with freeze-dried diets, and naturally smoked treats and chews, all for both canines and felines. We utilize boneless whole cuts of beef, turkey, chicken, lamb, salmon and pork 18 for diets/treats. All are USDA inspected and passed and made in USA. [The Sled Dogger] Something important to working dog owners, where do you source the ingredients for your food and treats (specifically meat and fish)?

[Andrew Bullock ] Our meat, poultry and seafood are sourced from local farms and ranches located in the Midwest. Our keta salmon comes from the lower Yukon fished by local villagers for centuries. The only ingredient we source outside of the USA is our green lipped mussels, from sustainable New Zealand growers.

[The Sled Dogger] I understand your products are free from antibiotics and other additives? How hard is it to fine a place to source from that is antibiotic and additives free?

[Andrew Bullock ] In today’s world, it is difficult to source natural proteins and products, for humans or animals. We have very good supplier relationships that do the right thing for their herds.

[The Sled Dogger] Why would your products be especially good for working dogs like competitive and recreational mushing dogs?

[Andrew Bullock ] Several key advantages:

• High protein real meats, poultry, seafood, which are dense calories. • Innovative ingredients for joint, skin, organ health. • Clean, limited ingredients diets, 96% meat, poultry, seafood. • We use zero synthetic ingredients

19 [The Sled Dogger] Do you work with any mushers we may know?

[Andrew Bullock ] FreshChoice Complete is working with both the Iditarod Race, as well as partnering with the Seeing Double race team, Anna & Kristy Ber- ington, and Andy Pohl, Kristy’s husband. By providing nutrient dense raw diets, freeze dried foods for training and race, and tasty smoked bones and treats-the kennel and teams get added nutrition with ingredients specific to their dogs’ teams needs.

[The Sled Dogger] Describe the type of pet owner that buys FreshChoice products (i.e. ‘normal’ pet parents, kennels, rescues, sled dog kennels, etc.)

[Andrew Bullock ] Sold exclusively in pet specialty & farm stores, from baby boomers, empty nesters, millennial pet parents, educated, informed. We focus on breed community, holistic vet community, and help as many shelters and rescues as possible.

[The Sled Dogger] Does their company sponsor any events, organizations etc., if so please tell us a bit about them and why you chose them?

[Andrew Bullock ] FreshChoice is very involved in local events in many US cities and towns. We have

a new PUP Truck that we are already in planning stage for Midwest pet events for 2019. We partner with retail stores for special events and outreach.

[The Sled Dogger] How did you get involved with the Twins? Do you sponsor them?

[Andrew Bullock ] When I began speaking with Stan Hool- ey CEO of Iditarod, I told him I shared the entire musher line up for 2019, and asked them to pick one that we would be proud to support. I knew what the answer would be after re- searching the twins. Every one of us 6 chose the twins, Anna & Kristy.

[The Sled Dogger] Why did you choose the twins and what are you doing to help each other? 20 [Andrew Bullock ] When I reached out to Anna & Kristy, I found they were very engaging, gen- uine, super athletes themselves, very knowl- edgeable, and loved their dogs and their racing amazingly. We have helped them partner with Polaris Snow, and a leading cold weather apparel outfitter. I believe their future is very bright, and we look forward to growing our partnership and friendship with the Seeing Double family.

[The Sled Dogger] Is there anything else you’d like to mention to the readers?

[Andrew Bullock ] While we are new to the mushing world, we know food, and we know dogs. We hope to share our knowledge and expertise with the mushing world, for the good of the dogs and their human teams.

[END]

21 22 23 Photo From Mrs Beasley’s Facebook Page

24 By:Suzy Man-Ray I was excited to hear that this month’s issue would focus on feed and treats for our dogs, as I am passionate about food. Whole food is incredibly important for ourselves, as well as all our working and pet animals we share our lives with. Sourcing the right nutrition is key for us and our dog’s wellness. As a dog trainer and owner of Sled dogs, I am always looking for natural products for the benefits to health and behaviour.

25 “Dietary composition has long been a focus for improving performance in working dogs, such as sled dogs, where fats have been used to provide sources of both calories and water.” (Overall, Kar- en, 2013, Clinical Behavioural Medicine for Dogs and Cats; p458) Locally in my area of the UK we have a great natural food company called Natural Treats Bristol that produce British complete raw minces, quality kibble, bones, dried fish skins, gourmet dried sau- sages, training treats and much more. All products are carefully chosen for their super premium quality by the company. Treats are sourced from British producers, not wholesalers, suitable for any age or size dog/puppy. Mrs Beasley’s Dog Treats was started in 2007 in New Hampshire, US by Maydene Koppel after baking for her German Shepherd which he loved. After supplying family and friends with yummy baked dog treats she began to sell them at farmers markets. This became a full-time business, 10 different recipes, different treats and creating food for other species. Fresh ingredients are locally sourced like venison from Bonnie Brae Farm in Plymouth, apples from Apple Hill Farm in Concord, lamb and chicken from Meadowview Farms in Gilmanton, and eggs from Maydene’s own chickens, all from New Hamphire. Treats are baked daily and shipped fresh to your home. There are lots of different meats to choose from, venison, beef, lamb, moose, chicken, whether your dog is on a specific diet or protein there are many products to choose from. The training treat packs are perfect for reward based training and as a Christmas treat for your dogs. I am passionate about diet, natural products and wellness for my dogs and have seen a huge change in the pet market, with more customers asking questions about food for their animals. Dog owners buying from independent food and treat supplies is great for finding locally sourced ingredients, plus supporting a local business is also good for the community. In ‘The Heartbeat at your Feet’ by Lisa Tenzin-Dolma she says, “Aim for a diet that is free of colorings and additives, such as artificial flavorings and chem- ical preservatives, if possible. The healthier the diet is, the less likely your dog will become unwell, so paying a little more for his food could ultimately save you a great deal of money on future veterinary bills.” (2012; p83)

[END] 26 27 28 29 DOG’S CHOICE A Chat with Rudy Koller, Owner at Dogs Choice LtD. Interview By: Bob Donovan About 4 months ago I came into contact online with Christian Bajorat as he contacted us asking about advertising. When I was discussing ad costs and sizes, I asked what type of business or product it was for. He said it was a Raw Dog Food Company and he oversaw Direct Marketing and Delivery for the company. It worked out great as one of our staff Richard Meldrum, had just submitted a great feature on Raw Feeding that was going to run in the same issue (The Fall Issue). So, they supported what we do and was looking for another avenue to promote their products and they went ahead and purchased advertising for a year. As I was constructing the fall issue, I read through the Raw Feeds article that Richard had written. As usual, it was a very informative, interesting and well written article. Reading it made me think we should do a couple issues dedicated to Raw and Natural Feeds for our dogs and even our cats (even though my cats still adamantly refuse to pull a sled)! So, here in the Winter 2018/19 issue we re doing our first Feeds and Treats issue. Christian guided me to the company’s owner Rudy Koller, and Richard and I put together some questions and sent them over to Rudy. The e-mail interview went like this… [The Sled Dogger] Briefly, tell us a bit 30 about your company and why you started it. [Rudy Koller] I’ve been a Butcher for over 30 Years. I operated many butcher shops as well as dog food production. 12 Years ago, I started my own dog food Company! [The Sled Dogger] Please describe your company’s full range of products (kibble, raw, type/mixes, fresh, frozen, dried etc.). [Rudy Koller] Raw Fresh Frozen – 10 different types!! [The Sled Dogger] Something important to working dog owners, where do you source the ingredients for your food and treats (specifically meat and fish)? [Rudy Koller] All of our meat is from local Farmers and local Butcher Shops. Our fish is from Vancouver. All the vegetables are from Local Farmers!! [The Sled Dogger] Are your products free from antibiotics and other additives? [Rudy Koller] All our Products are free from antibiotics and have no additives!!! [The Sled Dogger] Why would your products be especially good for working dogs like competitive and recreational mushing dogs? [Rudy Koller] Our feeds contain important things working dogs need such as Protein, Energy and Nutrition which are mixed correctly together in all our products. [The Sled Dogger] Do you work with or sponsor any mushers we may know? [Rudy Koller] Yes, may of your readers may know: Jennifer and Jason Campeau, Aaron Peck, Anna Bolvin, Steve Taylor, Jill Lawton, Cody Lee, Carl Kristian Knudsen, Tamara Coli (Editor’s Note: Tamara is a Musher Spotlight in this issue), Michelle Phillips, and Lisa Joinson. [The Sled Dogger] Describe the type of pet owner that buys your products. [Rudy Koller] Both Competitive and Recreational Sled Dogs owners as well 31 32 as “normal” Pet parents enjoy our products. [The Sled Dogger] Does your company sponsor any events? [Rudy Koller] Yes, in addition to sponsoring or working with the previously mentioned mushers, we also sponsor several events including: – Canadian Challenge (Second Year) – Oil Sand Race Anzac (First Year) – St Fort James (First Year) – Under Dog Race Yellowknife (First Year) [The Sled Dogger] What makes your Raw Food different than others on the market? [Rudy Koller] Many years’ experience in mixing and recipes!! [The Sled Dogger] We have readers around the world. So, for any kennels that may be interested, how far do you ship for customers and is there a Min or Max order? [Rudy Koller] All of our products are available and shipped Canada wide! Our minimum order is 1,000 Lbs (1/2 ton). There is no maximum order. [The Sled Dogger] Is there anything else you’d like to mention to the readers? [Rudy Koller] We wish you all the best with good healthy Dog Teams!!!

[END]

33 70 71 Stuffed Pumpkin Dog Dinner ie cutters/ dust with coconut flour 1 Pumpkin whole I use a parchment paper on my cookie sheet Ground Beef Bake at 350 for 10 minutes Celery chopped Doggie upset tummy/Diarrhea I can of cream of celery 2 chicken breasts 1 cup of white long cooking rice 1 can of pumpkin or sweet potato Rosemary /Parsley/ Basil and Turmeric are great I cup of white rice/optional fresh ground ginger herbs for dogs …and I have used each and all of root boiled into mix these with this recipe I container of plain yogurt The bigger the pumpkin the more you can fill! Boil the chicken /use the water to cook the rice/ Cut a whole in the top of the pumpkin and safe add chicken broth if needed the top / Scrape out the seeds Mix yogurt in and serve as ONLY food Fry the ground beef [END] Cook the rice until tender Mix all together inside the pumpkin /Bake at 350 until pumpkin collapses/ Mix and scrape out use as a dog food USING THE SAME RECIPE for Treats Pumpkin Paw cookies Scrape out into large bowl and 3 eggs and I cup of wheat flour or gluten free flour/ mix together and stuff into marrow bones/ make cookies or your favorite cookie cutter BAKE at 350 for 20 minutes and freeze Peanut Butter /Pumpkin Treats of Cookies 1.5 cups of Coconut flour ½ cup Organic peanut butter 1/2 cup of coconut oil melted then slightly cooled 3 eggs 1/2 cup of pumpkin puree Combine ingredients /make shapes or use cook- 36 37 38 39 The MacGregor Point Dryland Derby – a review by Richard Meldrum In the last issue of the Sled Dogger magazine, I wrote a profile of the MacGregor Point Dryland Derby that was scheduled to take place on the 3rd and 4th of November. Since I attended and raced at the event, I decided to write a review of the race itself. MacGregor Point Provincial Park is about a 2.5-hour drive, but because we leave dogs behind in our kennel, we decided not to stay over and drive there and back each day. Rising at 4 a.m. isn’t ever fun, but we had to get there in time for the mandatory mushers meeting. On the first morning it started to snow, but thankfully by the time we arrived at the park the weather had cleared. It was still dark, so we secured a space in the dog yard and headed down to the Visitors Centre for the meeting. The meeting was run by the Race Marshall, Jim Cunningham, a towering figure in the world of sled dog sports. The meeting covered all the expected information, the trail map, trail etiquette, race schedule. After the meeting, it was time to get back to the dog truck to start getting things organized. For the first time in our racing career we were racing four times. I was running the 4-dog rig and the 2-dog bike, my wife, Sally, was running the 1-dog bike and we’d persuaded a friend of ours, Brian Ginn, to run the 1-dog canicross. All in all, it was going to be a busy weekend! So, what about the event itself? Well, let’s start with the location. As I mentioned in my previous article, MacGregor Point Provincial Park is situated on the shores of Lake Huron and is a beautiful location. The park is really close to the town of Port Elgin, with plenty of stores, hotels and restaurants. There is also camping available in the park for those people who want to brave the weather! The dog yard was definitely big enough for 40 all the trucks and trailers and the Visitor Centre was a great location for both the meetings and for lunch. It also served as a warm, dry location for racers, han- dlers and visitors to relax in-between races. The trails were excellent, clear and well marked. The infamous beach section that I mentioned in my previous article was challenging and it caused a couple of casualties over the weekend (thankfully, nothing serious). The sand was soft in places and thin wheels tended to get quickly stuck. Personal- ly, I had no issues; with the rig I simply pushed to keep the team moving and with the bike I managed to persuade the dogs to run on the hard sand near the water. Overall, the trail was technical, with plenty of twists and turns, and great opportunities to hit top speed and overtake teams. The race was very well organized. The start line was well located, just next to the dog yard. The finish line was only a few yards away, so teams could go straight back to the yard in a matter of seconds. The races were well spaced, with the rigs going out first, followed by the bikes then the canicross runners. On the Saturday, there were two novice classes for the 1-dog bike and canicross, a great opportunity for rookies. There was medical help on site, both for the dogs and humans. I loved the fact that members of the public were actively invited to interact with the racers and the dogs. At this time of political sensitivity about dog sports in general, it was really satisfying to see the race organizers do their utmost to ensure that the public saw the truth about sled dog racing. I spent a lot of

41 42 43 time in the dog yard during the weekend, and believe me, I saw a lot of smiling members of the public petting dogs, taking photographs and chatting to both racers and organizers. Having a rookie class also was a great idea, a way to encourage people to start racing. One rookie racer (the recipient of the Sportsmanship Award) was so enthused about his first race, he asked if he could come back on the Sunday for another go! So, now that I’ve mentioned it, lets talk about the awards. The awards banquet was great and scheduled to allow people to attend and then set off for home in good time. I also appreciated that the organisers gave awards for ‘Spirit of Competing’, “Veterinary Pick’ and, ‘Sportsmanship Award’, and for the first time, various Triple Crown awards for racers who had won the same race three times in a row. These awards were in addition to the usual Pure Bred and Open class medals and prizes for the racers. This event is the biggest dryland event in Ontario. It’s clear that this event is growing in importance as the first major race event on the calendar. I understand from the organizers that registrations are increasing year on year, and that is great to hear. With dog sports under pressure, it is great to see an already successful event gaining momentum. Thanks must go to Lisa DeGennaro for being the driving force behind the race organization. Thanks should also go to the rest of the organizing committee, especially Bill Gaspar, trail boss, who made sure the trails were clear and well-marked. I also think it important to express gratitude to all the vol- unteers who selflessly gave up their time to help out on the trails. And of course, we can’t forget Jim Cunningham, Race Marshall, and his time-keeping team who presided over the races. So, it was a busy weekend, very busy. But it was also incredibly good fun and very rewarding. It was a chance to run our dogs, win some medals, meet up with fellow racers and generally enjoy ourselves! [END] 44 45 46 47 48 49 The Northern New England Sled Dog Trade Fair and Seminars Hopkinton Fairgrounds, Contoocook, New Hampshire October 6th and 7th, 2018 Story and Photos By: Bob Donovan

The 2018 Northern New England Sled Dog Trade Fair and Seminars went off without a hitch the first of October. One thing I enjoyed right away is this year, we had better weather than the last few years! In addition, there were several new vendors there supporting the event and showing off their products and/or services. Being on a Holiday weekend, I honestly didn’t think it would draw a lot of people. To my surprise, there was actually a good number of people there both days. Maybe the better weather helped the really good numbers. This year things we run slightly different from a “behind the scenes” standpoint. A big part of this was the Trade Fair getting some much-deserved organizational help taking some of the pressure off Amy. This year Jaye Foucher from Sibersong Sleddogs and Natalie Van der Merwe of CTC 50 Dog Gear and Snowdrift Siberians, both poured their hearts into it to develop better and smoother organization, set up and breakdown. I think their help played a part in drawing more people and vendors to the event. The ONLY thing I missed, and I hope they return to is the Evet Program. Rather than being the multi-page booklet with a lot of information, this year is a double sided “flyer” type thing that listed the speakers with their info, a schedule of events for the 2 days, and a very basic list of the vendors. I think next year we will volunteer to create their Program / Guide and see if we can get a sponsor to print a couple hundred copies for all who attend. With that said, it was another great event. This is our 4th year and each year I have a great time! Not only do I meet new people who are mushers or big fans of mushing, but I also get to see friends I only get to see at the event. A good time is had by all each year. Between the vendors, the speakers and then the race, and, of course, the raffles, it’s very eventful weekend. The number of raffle prizes were a little less than usual, but this year we were able to donate a couple The Sled Dogger T-Shirts!

Young Living Essential Oils A First Time At The Northern New England Sled Dog Trade Fair

Along with the usual vendors that come and support the event each year, there were some new vendors I’d never seen there in the 4 years we’ve been attending. The new vendors included “D.O.G.S.” or Dogs Of the Granite State, High’s Adventure, Young Living (Essential Oils), Black Mountain Dog Gear, Mrs Beasley’s Dog Treats, Granny’s Garments, and Pet Paintings by Meredith Reynells. The repeat vendors that were they again this year included Mountain Ridge, Northern Exposure Out- fitters, Can-Am Crown Sled Dog Race, New Hampshire Mushers Association, Vermont Mushers As- sociation, Kryska Siberians & Reflective Sled Dog Gear, Snow Star Farm, Hilltown Sled Dogs, Arctic Star Dog Sleds, North Country Mushers and yours truly, The Sled Dogger Magazine. Guest Speakers this year included: Stage & Mid-Distance Racer BRUCE MAGNUSSON, Iditarod 51 Finishers and owners of High’s Adventure Kennel & Highs Adventure Gear, Jaimee & Justin High, and Veterinarian DONNA HARWOOD DVM. Really had a great time this year, but I ALWAYS do. I guess it just seemed like better weather, more people and more vendors made for an even better event. One thing I did miss, and it surprised me was the lack or participation for the usual Saturday night Pot Luck Supper. Usually there is quite a spread but this year I didn’t eat there as there wasn’t much to choose from. Next year I hope that promote that more as that always seems to be really popular when people know about it in advance and bring things. We were part of that problem this year too though as I forgot to bring my contribution to the Pol Luck Supper; it was good when I got home and ate it though, LOL! Another regular part of this event are the Sunday morning races! There are were classes for Cani- cross, Bikejor/Scooter, and Rig Races. The weather was very good with temperatures that were fine

52 53 for the dogs. One of the Trade Fair’s new vendors was Chris Wheeler St Cyr, a representative for Young Living Essential Oils. I had heard about Essential Oils some time ago but I’m not a huge “believer” in things. So, Chris spoke with me at great length and wanted to do some advertising. So, I ended up with a starter package containing a diffuser and a bunch of essential oils to be used for various things from freshening the air to relieving stress and a million things in between. I didn’t really start using the oils for a time. However when I was having some Anxiety during an MRI at Brigham and Woman’s Hospital, they sprayed some Lavender Oils in the air and waved a cloth with some sprayed on it in front of me. I was told to breath in and relax. It seemed to relax me. So, now I use it at home as it does help with my stress and anxiety. So now I’m learning the used for all the oils and will see what happens. I’m surely trying out the “believer” path when it comes to Essen- tial Oils.

54 Emma T of Barking Brook Siberians 55 What’s great is not only are they for humans, but you can use them for various things with your dogs as well! This is something that I had no idea you could do! Apparently, it can really help your dogs in a lot of areas and to overcome certain things. In fact, there is a great article by another Young Living representative that tells you how you can use it with your dog. It also give a breakdown of all the various oils and what they are for and how to use them You can see that here: http://www.littlemissdexterous.com/ young-living-oils-for-dogs/. Also, you can find a lot of information on Chris’s site about using these oils for a lot of different animals! See the info here: https:// yldist.com/gbfoilyessentials/pets/ Other- wise, for more information, please be sure to check out the website of GBG OILY ESSENTIALS, an official Young Living representative: https://yldist.com/gbfoilyessentials/pets/. I am looking forward to the 2019 event already as it’s such a joy to participate and it signals the beginning of the fall Racing Season here in New England. And, we know after that comes the Winter Season; well, at least in Northern New England like the Great North Woods and better still The Fort Kent area! If you are from New England, NY or our neighbors to the North in Canada and New Brunswick and 56 haven’t been to a Northern New England Sled Dog Trade Fair and Seminar yet, YOU NEED TO GO!! If you go at least once, I really feel you’ll be hooked! The Trade Fair has people from across the country that attend! Hope to see you there next year. Stop by The Sled Dogger table in the vendor area!

[END] 57 58 59 21 teams signed up for the race weekend 35 individual competitions were held. Acana our main sponsor

RIDGE RUNNERS SLED DOG RACING CLUB SET MILESTONE FOR NEW ZEALAND SLED DOG SPORT The Ridge Runners Sled Dog Racing Club (RRSDRC) is a sled dog racing club based in the lower North Island of New Zealand. An innovative club that went out to change the face of New Zealand sled dog sport as it is today by hosting the First International World Cup event on dryland the weekend of the 21st and 22nd of July 2018. Sled dog racing began in the South Island of New Zealand in the mid-1980s and developed slowly throughout both islands until the early 1990s, when it expanded out from the breed specialty Clubs that initially organised most races. Formed in 1991, the Ridge Runners Sled Dog Racing Club was estab- lished to serve the lower and central North Island of New Zealand as an all breeds sled dog club. After exploring potential venues, the Club’s first major race was held in the Kaiangaroa Forest near Taupo in 1992. Two smaller events were also held in the Southern Waitarere Forest in 1992 and the club returned to the same venue for New Zealand’s First IFSS Dryland race in 2018. By 1993, Ridge Runners were hosting three races a year and Club members trained their own teams, travelling to compete around the North Island. With many clubs forming on both Islands, local racing was now available. Unfortunately, the cost of travel between the North and South Islands to race was quite prohibitive for many, as it is today, limiting the competitive exchange between both major islands. 60 Work had also begun on establishing a national body for sled-dog sport in New Zealand and in 1993, with rules based on the International Sled Dog Racing Association (IRSDA), the New Zea- land Federation of Sled-dog Sport (NZFSS) was formed. Ridge Runners was amongst the founding members. The NZFSS joined the International Federation of Sleddog Sports (IFSS) as full voting members in 1995 and was officially recognised by the NZ Ken- nel Club in 1998. Entering the new millennium, Ridge Runners, along with Clubs all around the country, found it increasingly difficult to secure access to private forests and new and somewhat novel race venues were sought – vineyards in the Hawkes Bay were utilized as part of the varied race calendar offered by the Ridge Runners over the ensuing 17 years. A strong and innovative Club, Ridge Runners set out to host the FIRST IFSS WORLD CUP EVENT DRYLAND in New Zealand this year. Preparations were made months in advance of the event and despite some drawbacks the club encountered, it Lucy Anderson, Hayden Franklin (right) Eric Altermann (left). The first 3 NZ musher that signed up for International World cup points all came together for a fantastic Dryland Race. Ridge Runners have been fortunate to count the first IFSS National Race Judge, Gabriele Altermann, among its members. Gabriele is also an accredited RM for the NZFSS (New Zealand Federation of Sled Dog Sports). Under her guidance, the organisers were able to learn and implement all the IFSS requirements first hand. Ded- icated seminars were offered to NZ Sled dog clubs prior to the World Cup event to inform interested drivers about the international rules. Current NZ rules and regulations for sled dog sport are different from the International Body and are based on ISDRA rules from 1993 with some ad- justments over the years. The IFSS WORLD CUP event meant a new approach for everyone, from the Organiser to competitors. Ridge Run- ners experienced a fantastic race weekend and all competing drivers and every volunteer that helped went home with a smile. Three musher from Ridge Runners, Lucy An- derson, Hayden Franklin and Eric Altermann registered with the International Federation this year and competed for World cup points. Congratulations to all three for taking the first step and putting NZ on the world stage of sled Head time keeper Helena Horswell on the dog sport. start line counting down the starting teams 61 ERIC ALTERMANN 3 Dog rig Team coming over the finish line. Finishing the 6.2km in 18minutes and 41 seconds

In particular, the new starting procedure with set times was appreciated by many and it was noted that this took away much of the stress experienced by the traditional countdown-based start. Further, the seeded race setup with slightly longer intervals between teams facilitated a clean race, although for some teams it will mean a change in their training makeup. Another dis- tinct point of difference was the strong empha- sis on animal welfare at an IFSS race event, a point that was high- lighted and fully em- braced by RRSDRC. Based on this very positive experience, the club will continue to promote IFSS races in the future with the help of many behind the scenes, and already more clubs and teams are showing an interest in trial- ling IFSS in the future. Gabriele will spend much of her time traveling across NZ to give Hayden Franklin 2 dog scooter on The nightmares on Pointer Street the finish line racing with owner Lucy Anderson. Fastest 2 dog scooter team and fastest mixed breed team 62 Race officials National Race Judge Gabriele Altermann (right) head time keeper Helena Horswell (middle) time keeper Heather Wald (left)

seminar and facilitate race events, a role she is looking forward to step up to. The third IFSS Dryland World cup event for New Zealand was held by the South Island Sled Dog Association (SSDA) in Invercargill on the 25th of August 2018. The North Island teams including the Race Judge travelled 2500km to participate in this event. Thanks to all that made it happen to set this excit- ing milestone for New Zealand and we are looking forward to many more clubs, race organiser and drivers embracing IFSS in the future. If you would like to get more information about Sled dog racing please feel free to contact us via our FB page Ridge Runners Sled Dog Racing Club.

[END]

63 64 COLUMNS

65 Winter edition

The Winter edition of The Sled Dogger sees the Southern Hemisphere heading into summer, leaving very little to report on in the way of results. It is the time of year for Club’s to attend to administrative matters.

Both of the national sledding organizations have conducted their Annual General Meet- ings, and are facing the oncoming year with strong committees, promising productive years to come.

A sad and difficult incident, which saw one se- nior official resign, is forcing all organizations to review immunization policies over the summer break. While it is a sad situation, any increased focus on dog care can only be a good thing.

Most organizations are releasing their 2019 dates, and mushers are making plans and reviewing gear. And looking forwards to the back of summer and the start of the cooler months.

66 67 My name is Hernán Cipriani, and thanks to the invitation from the Sled Dogger Magazine, I would like to introduce the history of Mushing and sled dogs from the opposite end of the continent, from Patagonia. Born and raised in a rural town in the province of Buenos Aires, Argentina, I grew up with an assortment of animals, and worked for some time as an animal handler in movies. Often the animals ended up coming home to live with me, from chickens to hamsters, horses and even monkeys! In my twenties I came across the Siberian husky, and from 1988 began to breed them. To begin with, the huskies I bred were pure Siberians and were entered in competitions such as ‘Best In Show’ run by the Club Argentino del Siberian Husky (C.A.S.H). I found that a dog such as the Siberian Husky, such a close relation of the wild wolves, could not simply pass through life walking over a red carpet and following the smell of a piece of liver whilst judges decided whether its tail or ears were perfect as the breed’s standards dictate. I searched for information to improve my understanding of this type of working dog. At this point I lived very far from any snow, and these were the days before the Internet. I constructed something resembling a sled on wheels, attached the dogs to the front, and the rest is history! From this moment until now, 28 years on, I have barely gotten off the sled. Whether on snow during winter or Dryland in the spring and autumn, the more time I can spend running with the dogs, the better. In 2001 my family and I moved into the middle of the Andes Mountains, in the North of Patagonia, Neuquén. Close to a mountainous border crossing with our neighbors in Chile, we are 5000ft above sea level and enjoy snowfall between June and October. The 50 huskies with whom I now share my adventures are majority Alaskan, 68 Greysters and a couple of Siberians. I have a modest place, called “Horses and Huskies, Patagonia”, where we offer adventure tourism; during the winter months we organize several-day expeditions tra- versing the Andes mountains with sled dogs, and during the summer months, on horse-back. Mushing History in South America The history of the sled dog in South America started in Antarctica, when the scientific and military bases used a mix of the Greenland dog, Malamutes fromAlaska and Siberian huskies to check, navigate between, and explore the various scientific and military missions. After various years of breeding and selection, an unofficial breed was created: theArgentine Polar

69 Dog. Perfectly adapted to the coldest climates in the world and the tough work they endured, they resembled a large Siberian husky with small ears and thicker hair. However, the Antarctica Treaty was passed in 1991, and it was declared that all dogs were to be removed from Antarctica in order to protect the native animals living in the extreme yet delicate environment. The Argentine Polar Dogs were removed and re-homed in Tierra del Fuego, Argentina. This is the most southern tip of the continent and is also known as the End of The World. In time, the Polar Dogs were unable to adapt themselves to the warmer summer temperatures (in comparison to the constant sub zero temperatures of the Antarctica) and were exposed to illnesses, and therefore their numbers rapidly declined. There is one Argentine who was essential in the evolution of sport with sled dogs in Argentina; Pablo Ger- man. Pablo arrived off the Bahia Paraiso ship to work a season alongside the Polar Dogs in the low latitudes of Antarctica. Once he’d returned to Tierra del Fuego, Pablo had an idea to develop what he had learned with the Polar sled dogs in Antarctica, and began to work with sled dogs and tourism. Meanwhile, 2000 miles to the north and very far from the snow, I had begun to breed Siberian Hus- kies in Buenos Aires. The cart I created to train and race the dogs was based on a frame from an old lawn mower, and we trained during the coolness of the night around the dirt streets of our small town of Maschwitz. It was fate that I would meet Pablo German in the C.A.S.H and exchange our experience and knowledge of Mushing. One with experience on a sled in the snow whilst the other in suburbia on wheels! Pablo’s next idea was to organize the first sled dog race in South America and I was willing to throw my all at this adventure. By then it was spring 1992, and thus began the story of sled dog races in Argentina… Sled dog Races The first sled dog race on snow took place in Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego in 1992. This was the kick –start of a race calendar called the Andirod, in honor of our majestic Andes Mountains and the mythical Iditarod race on the extreme 70 opposite of the continent. The Andirod race covered the entirety of Patagonia, from Ushuaia in the south, to the most northern tip of Patagonia in the province of Neuquén – an area that covers more than 1000 miles, enlaced with various timed stages of varying distances – short sprints, night circuits and medium length races over active volcanoes. After many successful years, sadly the last race of this kind was in 2001. An economic crisis overtook in Argentina, the financial support for these races disappeared and it became impossible to organize, particularly with the logistics of large distances. However, in the 1993 and 1994 editions of the Andirod, we had the luck and honor of meeting many Mushing legends who traveled from all parts of the world to Race Marshall. They helped immensely to develop the sport and our ability to practice it. They educated us Argentines about the sport with sled dogs, the styles of toboggan race sleds and the equipment necessary to compete. To those young generations reading this, I’m talking about time before Internet and there were not too many books to be found on the sport either! Many thanks to Joe Runyan, Tim White, Monique Bene, Joel Rauzy, Bernard Pépin, Dominique Grandjean, Frank Teasley, Rob Downey, Fabrizio Lovatti, Pep Parés. Before the arrival of these Race Marshalls, we were running with pure Siberian huskies and had not come across Alaskan huskies and definitely not Greysters or Eurohounds! The generosity of Monique Benet and Tim White for introducing the first Alaskan huskies to our teams meant we were able to return the following year as Mushers enriched with more valuable information on the sport, and more importantly, with faster dog teams! I still remember to this day… in Ushuaia 1994, Tim White and I went to check the race track. He had just 3 Alaskan Huskies in his team pulling his sled. Tall, strong, white Alaskans, of which these descendants I have in my kennels now. At the time I had 6 Siberi- an huskies pulling my sled and I thought to myself, “Well we’ll have to take it steady, he obviously doesn’t have the power”. But how wrong I was! My 6 Siberians and I were unable to keep up with the speed and rhythm of his 3 dog Alaskan team. From here began a debate in Argentina- those lovers of the traditional Nordic breeds were not happy to race against these Mushers with their faster Alas- kan huskies, more efficiently built sleds, different harnesses and equipment. During these early 90s the majority of the Mushers taking part in the winter race circuit were still based out of Buenos Aires and Cordoba, far from Patagonia and the snow. Therefore, training took place as ‘Sleds on wheels’ 71 which of course now know as Dryland. Our first Dryland races were in theAutumn of 1994 in towns on the Atlantic coast of Argentina. We ran with 6 dog teams and the carts we built had no steering like the ones today. The dog line was attached to the front wheel and the handlebars were fixed thus we steered the carts with our weight and the brakes were like those on a snow sled; steel bars which we drove into the ground when needed. It was madness! One race took place in the small mountains in

72 Konrad Jacob have been and continue to be driving forces in the development and current existence of racing on snow and Dryland in Chile. Konrad is our representative and Continental Director of South America for the International Fed- eration of Sleddog Sports IFSS for South America and organizes winter races on Villarrica Volcano ‘The Villarrica Challenge’ and in October 2018 saw the 10th edition of (and second year as an accredited IFSS race), The Villarrica Dryland Mushing Race. Race report to follow in the next edition. With entries from Argentina, the province of Cordoba where we ran twice over Chile, Columbia and Brazil, this sport with sled two days covering 20 miles each day. Distances dogs be it canicross, bikejoring, kart or with sleds much larger than the Dryland sprints we see to- on snow, is growing in popularity and hopefully day. During the first decade of the 2000s, Mush- taking us to the same level as the world bests. ing racing in snow and Dryland lay dormant. After the economic crisis in 2001, it became expensive [END] to breed and feed so many dogs with good quality food, importation of anything into Argentina became restricted, and we were unable to get hold of equipment or dogs to improve our bloodlines. Two willing and historic mushers from Argentina, Sergio Curio from Buenos Aires and Gustavo Co- bos from Cordoba, traveled together to the USA and imported into Argentina an Alaskan Husky named Rheno. At this time also, Monique Bene so kindly brought a female Alaskan Husky named Dharlielin. Despite the end of the Andirod, with thanks to the force of these Mushers, many of us still to this day are pursuing this wonderful sport . Fast forward a decade, and we saw a resurgence of Mushers from Ushuaia introducing more Alaskan huskies to the country, such as Juan Pablo Fam- ma. This resurgence came hand in hand with the roll out of winter tourism in Ushuaia and sled dog trips. Now, the races in Ushuaia are held between just local mushers, without competitors from all over Argentina like in the Andirod days. Ushuaia is a city on an island seemingly so far from the rest of Argentina, in fact it is closer to Antarctica than to our capital, Buenos Aires. Our neighbors in Chile have been organizing races for several years. Ignacio Escobar and 73 74 75 76 77 Is a Sled Dog Right For You? Some Considerations for Urban Mushers

By: Kristi Benson Disclaimer: This article is designed for educational purposes only. The services of a competent pro- fessional trainer or applied behaviorist should be sought regarding its applicability with respect to your own dog(s). Interacting with dogs is not without risk. The author and publisher shall have neither liability nor responsibility to any person or entity with respect to any loss or damage caused or alleged to be caused directly or indirectly by the information contained in this article. Are you an avid skijorer, bikejorer, or canicrosser? Or maybe even not so avid...if you’re in love with any of these micro-mushing sports, you may have considered adopting a husky or other sled dog to be your team-mate. I’m biased, living with many such dogs over the year, but I say they’re among the most interesting companions you could ask for. It’s absolutely false that dogs who will work in harness must be kept outdoors, so if you have an active pet home to offer a sled dog, read on! If traction sports are your game, sled dogs are among the best canine companions you can have. They’re not for everyone, though, so it’s worth considering how well they’d fit into your family before taking the plunge. Many non-husky dogs are delighted to pull in harness without the particular foibles of sled dogs, so don’t let a lack of a sled dog hold you back. And of course, all dogs are individuals... not all sled dogs are sled-dog-ish, and many don’t even like to pull. But at least some of these cave- ats will apply to many sled dogs.

78 Hair Sled dogs, even the short-coated types, do shed. A lot. More than you’d expect. They do “blow” their fluffy undercoats twice a year, but that doesn’t mean there won’t be hair in-between. It will be easier to handle if they are regularly brushed and washed, but there will still be a constant supply of hair. My advice: buy matching furniture, a good vacuum, and accept the inevitable. And if you’re particular about your clothes, your furniture, your breakfast cereal, your car, your air quality, your friends... well, get ready. Sled dogs are worth it, but they’re very, very hairy.

House Training and Other Training If you acquire a sled dog who has lived exclusively outside, you will have some training challenges unique to bringing outdoor dogs in. (And: if you acquire a sled dog who has lived exclusively outside, bravo to you and your big heart!) Sled dogs can need a bit of house-training help. Sometimes food-re- warded outdoor emptying and crating/supervision indoors for a few weeks does the trick, but some dogs need a more graduated approach. And like all new pet dogs, they need help to figure out what is a chew toy and what is not. This is usually accomplished by simply preventing errors through supervision and getting them “hooked” on chew toys you’re happy to provide. A good trainer can be a god- send here, so if there are struggles, call one in (the earlier, the better). But there’s a good news story here: every sled dog I’ve ever worked with has transitioned just fine into a pet home, even if there were a few hiccups along the way. If you enjoy training fun tricks, or standard “obedience” type behaviors, you might find that you can’t expect a Border Collie performance from a sled dog--they’ll take a few more repetitions and your food 79 rewards better be sled-dog worthy (big and delicious). You get beauty and the insatiable desire and ability to pull you around all winter in exchange, though… a pretty good deal, in my opinion.

Skittishness and Bolting Sled dogs tend to be “skittish” which is just another word for fearful and anxious. They can be fearful of people they don’t know, but it can also be a bit more generalized. New places, new sounds, and new sights can cause them to tuck tail and run...and I do mean run. New sled dogs are known to bolt if scared, so must, must be leashed securely for the first six months and fenced very securely for life. With time, patience, behavioral medication if indicated, and good training technique (counter-conditioning with food is the gold standard), skittish dogs can learn to be much more chill with new- ness. However, a skittish sled dog will almost certainly never be a happy- go-lucky Golden Retriever type. But heck, if you wanted a Golden retriever, you wouldn’t be looking at the leggy, regal sled dog, would you?

Cats and Other Critters Some sled dogs view cats as food, not friend. In fact, some individuals are perfectly content to hunt down any animal from cows to cats to critters like squirrels. They also seem to love porcupines and skunks, and have a remarkable inability to learn from previous mistakes. They don’t do this because they’re bad or evil, though, no matter what your neighbor or elderly auntie says! Sled dogs have simply retained a bit more wolf-like behavior 80 81 than non-predatory dogs have: all wolves hunt to Independence and Roaming eat. Although some sled dogs live, or can learn to live, comfortably with cats, this is not always the Unlike some other breeds, sled dogs can be a bit case. In some cases it is unsafe and unfair for the more independent and into doing their own thing. cat to have sled dogs and cats together. They like humans, and they occasionally like cud- dling, but they also like doing their own stuff, and all of it is mostly on their own terms. Like all dogs, they are adult beings with their own agendas. Scraptacular Sleddies They reserve the right to choose what perks their One of the most glorious thing about sled dogs is that curiosity and keeps their attention. they are so very, very full of doggishness. And this, Sled dogs do like to be part of the action, mill- unfortunately, includes their well-honed scrap- ing around if anyone moves or even considers ping skills: sled dogs do occasionally settle minor a walk or run, so expect to walk around them canine disputes among each other by fighting. as you navigate your house. They “mill around” Luckily, most sled dogs tend to fight in a dog-typ- a lot. And sled dogs are simply not the “stay-at- ical way: it might be noisy, but it’s not injurious. home” type. If your fence isn’t fortress-like, they’ll There might be small cuts or wounds on the face escape like hairy Houdinis and roam at will, and or legs, but generally nothing more. See my Hus- they can go for miles. Your preference here will ky Help Line article in the Spring 2016 issue for come down to taste: some of us like this inde- information on how to safely separate fights. pendent part of their personalities, and some of us don’t. If you like dogs who are much more into you and in tune with you, there are a multi- tude of glorious options, and many of these dogs also pull in harness. Which brings us to our final point...

Pulling If you enjoy any pulling sport, nothing beats a sled dog. They tend to love pulling in harness, especially if it’s introduced thoughtfully. And they are so, so good at it. Plus, they get a real kick out it. And heck, we get a kick out of being pulled around, so it is kind of a marriage made in heaven, isn’t it?

About the author: A dog musher and trainer for ten years, Kristi is an honors graduate and employee of the prestigious Academy for Dog Trainers. Contact her for any training questions through her website www.kristibenson. com, or https://www.facebook.com/KristiBen- sonDogTraining. [END]

82 83 84 85 Dryland Mushing in the UK & Ireland By: Siobhan Burrell Well Autumn has arrived here in Northern Ireland even though it has been a strange one so far with a few cold frosty nights but also night time temperatures reminiscent of day time temperatures. On Saturday 10th November The Siberian Husky Club of Northern Ireland held the First Dryland Rally of the Season in Gosford Forest Park, this was the Clubs First Night Rally and it was a huge success with over 30 Entries in various Classes ranging from Canicross to Four Dog Rig Class. Results can be viewed later in the Article.

Photos above and to the left show the start and finish lines. SHCNI would like to thank our Sponsors: The Sled Dogger, NI Vans, Beechview Kennel Runs, Raw Dry, Alpha Feeds. Alpha Feeds produce Alpha High Perfor- mance Kibble which quite a few Mushers in the U.K. and Ireland feed their Sled Dogs. Alpha High Performance has a Protein and Fat content of 32/20 and is nutritionally formulated as a complete and balanced food to help enhance stamina for dogs that require sustained physical effort including Sled Dogs 86 and greyhounds, the Kibble is wheat gluten free. The Race Course was a Challenging and Technical Three Mile Trail with quite a few uphill parts. My Team ran into a Kamikaze Bunny on the first turn, one of my Lead Dogs almost caught it but fortu- nately the Bunny disappeared into the Trees after what seemed like ages darting back and forth on the Trail! Last week also saw the Start of the Yu Can Quest Mileage Marathon 5th November, which runs until March 2019. More photos can be viewed on the SHCNI Facebook Page.

Daniel Torley and Dave Finney along with Tim Cassidy at the Start Line with his 2 Dog Dave’s Dog on the Podium, One Dog Male Nordic Breed Team Nordic Class

Photos courtesy of Diane McFarlane and Briege Ward at the start line with Her 2 Dog Siobhan Burrell Nordic Breed Team 87 Damian Farnon, Michael Rolston and Siobhan Burrell on the Podium, 4 Dog Nordic Breed Class Results of the SHCNI Gosford Forest Park Night Rally Gosford Forest Park Race Results - 3 Mile Challenging Course Canicross Female Bikejor Female Open 1st Karen Wilton - 19:17 2nd Tara Campbell - 1st Louise Jones - 11.26 29:36 3rd Rebecca Reilly - 38:15 2nd Aisling Gribben - 11:44 3rd Breigin Lagan -12:45 Canicross Male 4th Alicia Reilly - 17:55 1st Sam Gardiner - 17:21 2nd Daniel Tarley - 5th Karyn Cooke - 23:58 31:12 Bikejor Female Nordic 1 Dog Female Open 1st Louise Jones - 28:19 1st Louise Jones - 17:43 2nd Tanya Hazley - 30:14

1 Dog Female Nordic Bikejor Male Open 1st Nikki Smyth - 23:26 1st Sam Gardiner - 19:14

1 Dog Male Nordic Bikejor Male Nordic 1st Dave Finney - 15:59 1st Dave Finney - 12:58 2nd Daniel Tarley - 20:12 2nd Mick Reilly -15:23 3rd Daniel Tarley -17:50

88 2 Dog Female Nordic 1st Briege Ward - 16:35 2nd Diane McFarlane - 19:07 3rd Samantha Martin - 22:05

2 Dog Male Nordic 1st Jim McFarlane - 12:21 2nd Tim Cassidy - 13:2 3 3rd Daniel Torley - 18:50 4th Ian Miles - 22:58

2 Dog Male Open 1st Gary Reilly - 20:09

4 Dog Nordic 1st Michael Rolston -11:46 2nd Damian Farnon - 13:15 3rd Siobhan Burrell - 16:19 4th Daniel Torley - 22:29 5th Tanya Hazley - 50:41

Well done to all competitors, both 4 legged and two legged. Hope to see you all at Castle Cald- well on January 6th. [END]

89 90 91 Positive Urban Mushing Spending time out in the world with your dogs is best times that both of you could have together. Every moment is a lesson and every sniff tells the story of what was. Combined with just being a part of your life, this is the best treat a dog could have. This is the time of year that we are all busy with errands, voting, and fast food. Did you know all of these errands could be done with your sulky driving or dog scootering? A dog and owner supporting a local candidate during the election shows how involved our dogs can be with us in our daily lives. A trip thru the McDonalds drive thru can be a blast… Hamburgers for all! Lots of smiling workers and customers. Many times, while urban mushing it’s not the parks, fields and grass. It’s sidewalks, Stop signs and Red lights, not to mention the everyday people that always want to ask questions about the dogs and the rigs we use. I have a full statement that I could repeat in my sleep as to “How to get started” Taking it slow and easy on sidewalks with control over the dogs will keep pedestrians at ease. Teaching the “right of way” to the dogs has been a major part of our plan. Walkers, baby strollers, 92 wheel chairs all have it over us. I pulled onto the grass beside the sidewalk the other day to make room for the approaching pedestri- an. The dogs lay down politely and watched her approach them and even put her phone into their faces. She was filming the dogs and me and live streaming it to her little daughter! She was speaking in language that I did not recognize. Teach public manners to the dogs! Walkers, baby strollers, wheel chairs all have the right-of-way. My adventures out with my dogs have benefit- ted me in many ways… Meeting people, new clients and opportunities to put on demon- strations. Recently I have been invited to the “Small House “Festival in St. Augustine Flor- ida to not only set up the bus I travel with the dogs in, BUT they had an interest in the dog carts for the people that are downsizing into the small homes. I am setting up an educational booth for the event which will include The Sled Dogger Magazine, International Dog Drivers Association, and Chalosullky. Follow- 93 ing that weekend, we will be set up at a Music Festival that is hosting rescues for adoption and many dog driving workshops are planned for the following weekends. Promoting Urban Mushing has always been a goal for me to help save dogs that would normally be given up on because of their energy levels. Alterna- tive transportation is a huge second on that list, of course I am not talking about a vacation road trip but local trips if it can be done safely. Traveling with the dogs can be a wonderful experience as well as cha- otic… If your vehicle breaks down towing becomes a factor as well as the dogs. Having AAA and several other road side assistance programs can be a great source of back up during an emergency… and having the sulky on board can move the whole team to a motel if needed. Of course, 4 dogs in a motel can also create an issue however if they are well behaved usually not. La Quinta is my favorite place as they always take the dogs even those that are not service dogs…just the family pet.

Being a behaviorist /trainer of Service Dogs also is helpful in being able to bring dogs into places. There are so many places nowadays allowing pets to come in that even if you don’t get into Urban Mushing you can take your family pet out to have them learn more about our world. Always call ahead to verify that an outdoor seating establish- ment may allow pets along with your local Home

Depot, pet supplies stores, Lowes, Bass Pro shops and even the Barnes * Noble Bookstore that is close to me. Of course, being in Florida all of our restaurants usually has outdoor seating and usually welcome pets.

[END] 94 95 96 97 Gear Addict with Kelsy Gibos Ruffwear’s Omnijore Joring System

Greetings on this verge of winter! Now is the time to stock up on all the gear you might need for the upcoming sled dog season- or perhaps you’re looking for that perfect holiday gift? I’m going to review Ruffwear’s Omnijore Joring System in this issue’s column. Sled dog sports are becoming more and more popular with everyday pet owners over the last few years. You no longer need to have a huge kennel and house thirty sled dogs to experience the joy of pulling. Many pet owners are now getting out and trying sports like canicross, skijoring and kick- sledding with all shapes and sizes of dogs. Ruffwear traditionally makes gear for adventurous pets including backpacks, climbing harnesses and sleeping bags. They have tapped into the sled dog market with their Omnijore Joring System which includes a belt, a bungee style line and a harness for your dog. WHAT YOU GET The human component of this system is pretty jazzy- shall we say, the Cadillac of skijor belts? The hip belt has a comfortable, load-dispersing design that is well-padded and made of a fairly breathable fabric. The size of the belt is easy to adjust and it comes with two large pockets on either side as well as a water bottle shaped holder in the back (think of a beer koozie attached to your butt!). The pock- 98 ets have a zippered closure and are large enough to fit rolls of poop bags, extra dog booties, a granola bar and some lip balm. There are adjustable leg loops which hold the belt in place; the leg loops can be removed if required. The towline is international regulation length (6.5 to 8.75 ft) with a nice loose bungee and swiveling clip that allows for one-handed attachment. The webbing itself also absorbs shock and the line has a quick control handle at both ends as well. The towline attaches to the belt via a small plastic piece that threads onto a quick release line. The idea is that in the event of an emergent need to detach yourself from your dog, you can one-handedly pull the release and the line will unthread itself. The dog harness has a pulling-specific design with four points of adjustment including around the neck, around the back and total length. The harness is lightly padded around the neck and chest with a foam style material and loose ruffled webbing. It comes with reflective trim for low-light visibility and a loop where identification tags or lights can be attached. PROS and CONS Okay- now to the meat of this review. I have been using the Omnijore system for about 4 years now (I believe they have updated the design slightly from my original version). Let’s start by talking about the things that I liked: first off, the pockets and water bottle holder are super convenient. When going out for a longer ski, it’s nice to bring along extra boots, vet wrap, a snack and some water without hauling a full backpack. The pockets definitely hold a lot and being able to zipper them shut is a definite bonus, as I tend to end up upside down at least once a ski. I also really like the leg loops; I started out skijoring using a proper rock climbing harness that was designed to keep my center of balance in the same place. I find regular running or skijor belts that tend to ride up on my hips and settle in my skinniest spot, which is not the best forward pulling point for me. The leg loops keep the belt at my hips and maintains a proper center balance point. Another pro- the quick release system is actually quite clever. It is simple to use and great for training new dogs that you may want to quickly disconnect yourself from as they lunge perpendicular into the bushes to chase that squirrel. I could easily detach myself from my beast using one, fully mitted hand with no problem. Lastly, I run a local sled dog sport school where we aim to introduce folks to basic sled dog commands and required equipment for sport like canicross and skijor. I have used the Omnijore dog harness during a number of our classes because it is super easy to adjust to fit weird-shaped dogs. It’s nice to be able to change the neck tightness as well as the length of the harness on the fly. Now for the things that I think need a bit of improvement. The first thing is the price- this is definitely at the higher end price point for a belt, line and harness at $169.95 USD (https://ruffwear.com/ products/omnijore-joring-system). You do get a bunch of bells and whistles but there are definitely 99 other, cheaper options out there for good quality gear. Secondly, I have some concern with a few of the plastic components in this set up. The attachment of the towline to the belt is done via a small plastic piece, as well as the cinch-down for the quick release line. These pieces are not only a concern under super cold conditions, but I also found them fiddly to maneuver with gloves on. I could definitely use the quick release with gloves, but assembling it back together afterwards definitely involves baring your hands to the cold. To be fair, I have not had any of the plastic components fail, even under – 40 F conditions. Also, the system is not really compatible with anything else. You sort of need to use the three together to get the best effect. I have used it with another dog harness and I can attach a different towline using a system of locking carabiners. The towline is pretty hard to strap to anything else. That being said—the line is an okay length for me to skijor with, but I would not recommend it if you taller than 5ft7. As for canicross, I tend to like to run with a shorter line and it pains me to not be able to switch back and forth. So if you’d like to try more than one sport, or you are at an advanced enough level to want to trade lengths, this might not be the set-up for you. Lastly, the pull point on the dog harness bothers me a little bit. It’s sort of a weird mix between a shortie-style and a cross-back style harness. Sports like skijor and canicross have a much steeper angle than that between a dog team and a sled, so a different style of dog harness is recommended. It would be very easy for an inexperienced user to end up with a poor pull angle between them and their dog. This can lead to more pressure on your dog’s hips or a higher likelihood of shoulder or ankle injuries. SUMMARY Ruffwear’s Omnijore Joring System is a great package for those who are getting into the fun of sled dog sports like skijoring and canicross. The human hip belt is comfortable and has convenient places to store gear, snacks and water. It is easy to adjust and includes leg straps to keep it positioned correctly. The towline can be released quickly in an emergency to disconnect the runner/skier from the dog. The dog harness is easily adjustable to fit many shapes and breeds of dog. There appear to be a few design flaws, including the use of plastic on a few key components of the towline and hip belt. Some of the features of the set-up are difficult to maneuver with mittens or gloves on.The adjustment of the dog harness should be done with guidance from someone with experience fitting harnesses for sled dog sport to ensure the safety of your pet. This is the Cadillac of set-ups- a strong set-up with lots of extras and at a high-end price point. Good quality gear for those who are interested in getting into pull sports with their pets! [END] 100 101 102 103 ATTENTION MUSHERS:

I’m sure you are all familiar with our “TRAINING” Column writer, Meredith Mapes. She has been writing the Training Column since just about when we started. She has been very dependable and passed on some really great information over the last few years.

Unfortunately, between training her own teams, getting ready for the racing season and a new job that is consuming a lot of her time, Meridith has requested a “Leave of Absence” for 3 or 4 issues. So, we won’t have her words of wisdom for about a year.

WE NEED A “FILL-IN” TRAINING COLUMN WRITER This is an all volunteer run publication and the position will be as a volunteer. It is listed as a Temporary Position, but if you’d like, it may end up as an on-going position or, when Meredith returns, you can choose a topic and start your own column or become a feature writer here at The SLED DOGGER Magazine!

Please Drop Us A Line At: [email protected] Subject: Training Column

Photo Of Meredith Mapes in the 2016 Yukon Quest

[END] 104 CLICK ANYWHERE ON THISDONATE PAGE TO

105 106 107 108 109 110 111 JR MUSHER SPOTLIGHT Alex & Anton Ahlfors Photos By: Heidi Ahlfors [The Sled Dogger] Please take a moment to briefly introduce yourself (your name, age, where you are from) and how you came to be involved in Mushing. [Alex] I am Alex Ahlfors, a 12-year-old Finnish boy from Finland. Sled dog racing and the Siberian Huskies have played a significant part on my journey in life while growing up. Moms kennel is Artic Runner´s and our team is Free Racing Sled dog sport Finland. I’m mushing now about 3 years. [Anton] I am Anton Ahlfors; a 10-year-old boy from Finland. Siberian Huskies and Sled Dog Racing have been a significant part of my life from a very young age on. I’m mushing now about 2 years. [The Sled Dogger] What’s your favorite part of running dogs? [Alex] I love the training with them because you never know what they are doing, and when you can teach them some new things. [Anton] I like training because dogs are fast, and we always have so much fun. [The Sled Dogger] Are there any differences between mushing in Finland and in North America or anywhere else? 112 [Alex] I think differences is because we don’t have so much snow here, so we run canicross and bikejoring. We also have warm summer, so I can start training in autumn. [Anton] I think difference is because we don’t have so much dogs in home. [The Sled Dogger] I understand you are involved in, both, snow and dryland mushing where you are in Finland. Which do you like better and why? [Alex] I love mushing scooter. However, the best thing is when you can mush in sled and you have 4 dogs in front of your sled. I’m usually taking my little brother Luca with me sitting in sled. [Anton] I love canicross. Winter time I also love mushing with one dog sled. I love both things. [The Sled Dogger] As for Dryland Mushing, do you compete in canicross, dryland rig and/or Bikejor; do you have a favorite and why? [Alex] I’m training in all things. In canicross I’m teaching the dogs, and bikejoring is the class where I compete. Bikejoring and scooter I think are best because there is so must speed. [Anton] I like to run canicross. [The Sled Dogger] How long have you been mushing? Do your parents mush, or just you? [Alex] I started competing in the sport 1-1/2 years ago in the Canicross category. I took my first steps with the sled last winter. I think I was 4 years old when I started to mushing. My mom is mushing too. She started 2005. [Anton] I also started competing in the sport 1-1/2 years ago in the Canicross category. I started mushing 2 years ago. [The Sled Dogger] Do you train your own dogs for racing or recreational mushing? [Alex] Our family train for racing. I’m training my own dog together with my mom. [Anton] I’m training my own dog together with my mom, and I train just for fun and canicross race. [The Sled Dogger] Do you have a specific breed of Dogs you run or Mixed Breed and why did you choose them? [Alex] My dog is a 2-year-old Siberian Husky male; Radai’s Bad Judgement, aka “Jack.” My mom, Heidi Ahlfors, and I have trained Jack since he was a puppy. A strong bond has formed between the three of us. I have had an amazing opportunity to develop with such a young dog. Jack runs independently with me as well as leads my mom’s pack in the sled-pulling pack. He has massive potential. 113 114 I want to race just with Siberian Huskies and I hope I can start to race with them in WSA competition. I like Siberians because they are not so heavy. [Anton] One of my dogs is a 6- year-old Siberian Husky female; Kuurakuonon Borealic Icy Winters, aka “Icy.” She is our queen, small girl. I have also another dog, Parson Russell terrier 1-year-old boy; Pikkunokan Kaffeplörö, aka “Rocky.” I just started to train with Rocky. [The Sled Dogger] Do you prefer sprint mushing or distance/mid-distance Racing and why?? [Alex] I race the sprint class because I just started competition. [Anton] I race sprint and canicross, we don’t have longer competition for juniors. [The Sled Dogger] Who’s your main lead dogs, and what made you choose them? [Alex] Jack is my lead dog. I choose him because it is my own dog. [The Sled Dogger] Where do you see yourself in 10 years (in regard to mushing)? [Alex] I hope I can race with IFFS and WSA competition and also teach new mushers. Finding the balance between school and training can be challenging at times. However, I acknowledge that I have a few years’ time to grow before being able to compete in the junior division. I am looking forward to turning 14years which will open doors to competing abroad. [Anton] I don’t know yet, because I also would like driving motocross. [The Sled Dogger] Do you have any mushing mentors, and how closely do you work with them? 115 [Alex] The chairman of The Finnish Sled Dog Racing Union; Mr. Jukka-Pekka Ahonen has designed a customized fitness program for me. I follow Nutritionist Ms. Jonna Hämäri’s nutritional diet that supports my training. I attended a training camp held by Team Lipponen during the spring where I learned the basics of handling a kick-bike & dog-combination. [Anton]This Fall I am attending The Kids Dog Racing School together with my brother Alex and my mother Heidi Ahlfors. The teaching will be held by Mr. Jukka-Pekka Ahonen. Our mother Heidi has taught us a great deal about being a responsible dog owner. We take care of our dogs according to the directions and rules set by our mother. Whenever she does not train the dogs herself we help around. [The Sled Dogger] What mistakes have you made while mushing, and what did you learn from them? [Alex] Fall down many times! I’ve learned you just have to be nice to dogs and they started also listening you. [The Sled Dogger] Has dog mushing taught you anything that you can apply to other aspects of your life? [Alex] Being responsible, according to the directions and rules set by our mother.

116 [Anton] Being responsible, according to the directions and rules set by our mother. [The Sled Dogger] Thank you so much for taking the time today for this interview. The entire staff of The Sled Dog- ger wishes you the best in your future of Mushing! [Alex] I hope my mom can make some training camp for all Jr Musher kids and they can come to Finland. [Anton] Best wishes for Finland

Photos by: Heidi Ahlfors [END]

117 118 119 Waylon Kotulak Yellowknife, NT Canada Kotulak Kennels

My name is Waylon Kotulak and I am 5 years old. I’m from Yellowknife, NWT in Canada and my mommy introduced me to mushing. [The Sled Dogger] What’s your favorite part of running dogs? [Waylon Kotulak] Going fast and jump over bumps. And that I can do it by myself. [The Sled Dogger] How long have you been mushing? Do your parents mush, or just you? [Waylon Kotulak] My mommy mushed while pregnant with me and started taking me on runs when I was only a few months old. She slowly taught me to run my own dog. When I was 4 I got my own little sled. My daddy also likes to mush. [The Sled Dogger] Do you train your own dogs for racing or recreational mushing? [Waylon Kotulak] Recreational mushing but I would like to start racing this winter. [The Sled Dogger] Is there a specific breed of Dogs you run or Mixed Breed and why did you choose them? [Waylon Kotulak] Moses (Siberian Husky), he is now in doggy heaven. He was very nice, and I liked to take him. Siberian Huskies have been great for us and all the activities we do... [The Sled Dogger] Do you prefer recreational mushing, or the competitiveness of sprint mushing or distance/mid-distance Racing and why?? [Waylon Kotulak] My mommy only does recreational mushing, but I would like to get into racing. – I’d like to do sprint races. 120 [The Sled Dogger] Who’s your main lead dogs, and what made you choose them? [Waylon Kotulak] Skookum and Tuk. I like them because they are fast. My mommy says for now I can’t run the others yet. [The Sled Dogger] What’s the best advice you’ve learned from another musher? [Waylon Kotulak] Say ‘Whoa’ when you want to stop. Never let go of the sled (but it still happens) [The Sled Dogger] Where do you see yourself in 10 years (in regard to mushing)? [Waylon Kotulak] I will have 10 dogs and pass everyone on races. [The Sled Dogger] Do you have any mushing mentors, and how closely do you work with them? [Waylon Kotulak] My mommy and Jo Kelly. I always go with my mommy. Sometimes with Jo as well, she has taught me lots. [The Sled Dogger] What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned from dog mushing? [Waylon Kotulak] Say whoa when I want to

stop [The Sled Dogger] What mistakes have you made while mushing, and what did you learn from them? [Waylon Kotulak] I don’t slow down on downhill curves and crash into the snowbanks. I’m still practicing. [The Sled Dogger] Do you have any advice for kids who want to start mushing, but don’t know how? [Waylon Kotulak] Talk to their parents or a local musher. [The Sled Dogger] Has dog mushing taught you anything that you can apply to other aspects of your life? [Waylon Kotulak] It has taught me that when I fall, I have to just get up and keep going. [The Sled Dogger] Do you have any funny stories or “crash” stories from being out with your dogs? If so, tell us one… [Waylon Kotulak] The funniest was when I lost my 121 122 sled going downhill. I got up and started running [The Sled Dogger] Thank you so much for as fast as I could. Susie (a friend) went by me taking the time today for this interview. The in her sled and I jumped in her sled while on the entire staff of The Sled Dogger wishes you the move to catch up to Skookum. He was waiting at best in your future of Mushing! the bottom with my mommy. [END]

123 124 125 Watch for the Winter 2018/19 Issue Due Out: Between December 1st and 14th

NOTE: This Is A Rough Draft Of The Next Issue Cover The Text or Im- age Could Change

COVER INFO: Mushers: Musher Kristy Berington and Iditarider Sherry Lesar, with Anna Berington on second sled Photo by Dan Bailey/SchultzPhoto.com Event: Cordova street hill in downtown Anchorage, Alaska during the ceremoni- al start of the 2011 Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race 126 COMING IN THE SPRING ISSUE OF

ANNOUNCEMENT: Jaye Foucher of SiberSong Sled Dogs was supposed to be inter- viewed in this issue. Unfortunately a glitch in our digital recorder has scrambled the transcription. I’ve been working on fixing the transcription for 2 months. It’s a slow process. If we can get it fin- ished up real quick, we will re-interview Jaye with her permission. Sorry To Jay and Our Readers For Any Inconvenience This May Have Caused

FEEDS & TREATS ISSUE PART 2 MUSHER SPOTLIGHTS JR MUSHERS INTERVIEWS & PHOTOGRAPHS

SPECIAL FEATURE: Seeing Double Sled Dog Racing

FEATURING: Anna & Kristi Berington 127 128