Well, Spring is upon us, and like everyone else, I've been pretty busy trying to get things done. I've not a lot to say this month so I'll keep this short.

I'd like to thank Frank Hashek for his contribution to the Freight Dogs Column. I'd also like to thank you, the reader, for being patient for this over-due issue, and for reading of course!

Mid-April
Fairbanks, Alaska

In keeping with tradition we again packed up the dogs and flew north to Kotzebue to take part in their big racing event the second weekend in April. The past three years I had run the sprint race, the Arctic Circle Championships, racing 25 miles per day, coming home to a warm bed at my host families’ place. The same weekend as Arctic Circle is the Kobuk 440, which starts in Kotzebue and heads east 200 miles up the Kobuk River to the village of Kobuk, and back. Two years ago most of the 440 trail was under water, and I felt I’d dodged a bullet by choosing to run the sprint race that year. Last year had ideal conditions and I’ll have to admit some jealousy towards the 440 mushers for missing out on a fun race. Having not run the 440 the last three years, I figured it was time to make another go of it.

After running the race in 2002 I would describe it as a real “jungle” race, with very few rules, very few trail markers, and only one veterinarian. I felt it definitely was not a race for rookies. You had to constantly be vigilant to stay on the trail. With several 10-12 hour runs over rough trail in oftentimes volatile weather, you really had to know how to take care of your dogs and yourself. The race has a minimum of twenty hours mandatory rest, which most of the top teams now hit exactly to the minute. Since most teams rest the same amount, it all comes down to who maintains the highest run speeds in between checkpoints, which eliminates some of the strategy. In Iditarod sometimes the tortoise can beat the hare, just by cutting rest.

I had always shied away from races where extremely long runs are almost required to maintain a competitive standing. It didn’t seem like my idea of fun. However, I knew it was an aspect to Iditarod racing that I was unfamiliar with and needed to learn more about to progress as an Iditarod racer. Twenty hours of minimum rest over 440 miles means there’s going to be some long runs with very short breaks. My Iditarod style has always been to try to become the hare; essentially out-resting my opponents and beating them on speed. But, I’ve found that there’s almost always going to be someone faster than you and at times it’s necessary to shift gears and employ the ‘tortoise’ strategy. However, the ‘tortoise’ strategy always seems more risky and seems to take you and the dogs closer to the edge. Not to mention, it’s a hell of a lot more work. It’s certainly much funner to be the hare.

My first introduction to long runs came in the 2002 Kobuk 440. I had run the first run of the race fast, pulling into Kiana (85 miles into the race) right with DeeDee Jonrowe as the first two to arrive. It was a fun run, but it took the edge off my dogs. The next 200 miles I fell back, as the teams who had saved their dogs slowly passed us by. My dogs were eating well and not sick, but they just didn’t have the same edge to them. After 285 miles we did a thirteen and a half hour straight run from Shungnak to Selawik over soft, punchy trails. By this time I had fully secured the tortoise role. About halfway to Selawik all the top-five mushers were taking a break at a shelter cabin. I was tired and would have loved to stop, but my dogs seemed comfortable running on idle and I decided to just keep on going. We slowly passed the cabin and took the lead for the first time. Soon afterwards I was passed by two of the teams before reaching Selawik. Selawik is sort of the make-it or break-it checkpoint. Most of the mushers had used up all their mandatory rest. By then the dogs and mushers are getting tired. With 100 miles to go, a lot can still happen, but there’s also no time to be wasted.

I quickly got my dogs fed and grabbed a bite to eat. The top six teams were all there, waiting for someone to make a move. I knew I had the slowest team at that point and my only hope was to get out of there first. I had just did the longest run I’ve ever done with a dog team and was amazed at how the dogs handled it. They ate well and still had a clear look to their eyes. I decided the only way to learn about running on the edge is to get as close to it as possible. Noorvik, the last checkpoint in the race, lie 45 miles ahead. I figured we could get there and see how the dogs looked.

After a brief hour and fifty minute stay we swung back onto the trail, finishing off my 20 hours of mandatory rest. I was amazed at how gelled the team was even though we were slow. I was patient with them and calm and they never questioned my decision to leave after such a short rest (even though I did). This was definitely uncharted water we were entering. We were the first to leave but as I left I could see the other mushers scrambling to get ready to go. About five miles out Ed Iten, the eventual winner, passed us, which I had expected. The trail was still soft and starting to blow. It’s all tundra running going over to Noorvik and a cold east wind was bearing down hard. We slowly trudged our way over rolling hills to Noorvik. About halfway there Rick Swenson passed and slowly pulled away. Coming into Noorvik I could see the light of another team coming up on us. It took six long hours to do those 45 miles, but the dogs still were eating and looked like they could keep going. I decided to feed the dogs quick, make a fresh cooler of dog food, fill my water bottles and keep on going. While I was doing this DeeDee pulled in and I could see she was wavering on whether to stay or not. After a short fifteen-minute stop we dropped down the bank and back onto the trail, bound for Kotzebue 65 miles away.

About halfway there the trail comes onto the notorious Kobuk Lake, a large brackish water lake that’s ten miles long by about five miles wide. When the dog teams get out on the middle of the lake at the end of a long, tough race it really plays games with their minds. In such a wide-open expanse it feels like you’re moving at a standstill. It’s mental torture. With no stimulation other than the odd trail marker slowly passing by, it feels like you’ve entered the twilight zone. Many dog teams have called it quits going across Kobuk Lake. Golovin Bay in between Golovin and White Mountain on the Iditarod trail has the exact same effect. I’ve actually seen dogs fall asleep while they were running going across Golovin Bay.

At this point it becomes all mental. The dogs have been eating well and their hydration is fine. We’re only moving about 7-8 miles per hour, which takes very little effort. The biggest thing is to just simply stay awake and stay focused. And that goes for the musher as well as the dogs. This year going across Golovin Bay I had to talk to my dogs constantly just to keep them and me from falling asleep.

The time of day you’re running at is also very critical. The dogs’ natural biorhythms are greatly disturbed if you’re running through the heat of the day or late at night. And at the end of the race the effect is more amplified. Part of my reasoning for not resting in Noorvik was that if I stayed a few hours it would push me right into the heat of the day the last twenty miles into the finish. Running on such little rest, I figured that might be the catalyst that throws us over the edge.

Slowly, we plodded along, making our way across the lake. I had been snacking the dogs every two hours, but other than that there was no reason to stop. The fatigue finally hit a level where I mentally became totally removed from the race. I couldn’t see DeeDee behind us and it felt like the race wasn’t really happening. All that mattered is that we kept moving. Hour after hour passed by. Gradually the sun got more and more intense that put a tighter and tighter grip on our forward progress. It felt like the world was closing in all around us.

Just before I could hardly keep my eyes up we crested a hill and the town of Kotzebue appeared before us like an arctic Shangri-La. The sight of the village slapped us back into the present, reminding me that we were still in a dog race. The dogs picked up their speed as I gave one last long, hard look behind us. With dry, wind burnt eyes I tried to focus on the horizon to make out the figure of a dog team. It’s easy to mistake a low patch of willows as a team, or a tripod marker as a sled and musher. Not trusting my fatigued senses, I turned around and lay what little focus I had left on the oasis ahead of us.

We crossed the finish line in third place. I was absolutely dumbfounded at what the dogs handled. We had run 285 miles at a net rest deficit. Then we ran thirteen and a half hours straight, rested less than two hours and ran fifteen hours to the finish line. That year most of the top teams took close to twenty-four hours of rest. I played the tortoise, resting just a few minutes over my mandatory twenty hours. The dogs were tired, but mostly sleepy. I was exhausted to the core.

That race was one of the biggest learning experiences of my racing career to date. I come to have a greater understanding of what it takes to “march” at the end of a long race. I realized it wasn’t as hard on the dogs as I had thought. However, I respect the fact that it can’t be done with any team at any point in the season. The 440 is a unique race because it’s at the end of the year when the dogs are in peak shape. They’re mentally and physiologically dialed in much better to the longer runs than in say early January. All of my dogs that year had run the Iditarod a month prior.

Marching isn’t exactly fun, but it’s doable. Sometimes it’s the smartest option at the end of a race when you’re running out of time to “out-rest” your opponents. I was worried that such a hard push in the 440 might affect my team the next year. However, the next year we had our best year ever, winning the Wyoming Stage Stop and placing fifth in the Iditarod with many of the same dogs off the 440 team.

It also worked well for me this year in the Iditarod. I had been trying to position myself as the hare the whole race but realized by the coast that I just didn’t have the speed I needed to justify all the rest I was taking. The dogs were healthy and eating well, but weren’t as fast as I had hoped. We had been slowly gaining position but couldn’t shake a group of other mushers that were employing the same strategy. I decided at Unalakleet that the only way to beat them would be to quit playing their game. We downshifted and drastically cut our rest. The plan worked, as we moved from the mid-twenties to fifteenth place. Although running slow and cutting rest doesn’t sound like the most enjoyable way for me to see any race trail, it’s nice to have that wild card in your back pocket.

Editor's note: Ken placed 8th in this year's race. Way to go Ken!

WHAT IS CANICROSS?

The term canicross is of European origin. "Cani" signifies your canine companion. "Cross" means to move cross country on foot. Thus, moving cross country on foot with your dog is "Canicross". Typically, a skijor belt and line are used and attached to the back of the dog's harness as in skijoring.

Canicrossing can be a fun thing to do with your dog in the off season. Hiking or running on dry land or snowshoeing in the winter, your dog will benefit from the one on one attention and it is an excellent way to train a leader.  When doing leader training, a long line is attached to the dog’s collar to help reinforce the “gee” and “haw” commands.

UPDATE ON THE NUNAVIK PUPS

Qimmiit Utirtut is the name of the Inuit Dog Recovery program in Nunavik of Arctic Quebec. It means “the dogs have returned!” Since the program officially began with the introduction of three pure Inuit Dog puppies last October, the kennel has grown to a total of twelve with three more on the way!  The photos below were provided by Mark Brazeau who is a school teacher in Kangiqsualujjuaq, Nunavik and is an integral part of the program.

The Points Unknown pups, now 10 months old, are learning how to do their job and appear to be loving it!

These pups were sent to Qimmiit Utirtut from Jo Kelly in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, Canada. Three others came to the program from the neighboring village of Kuujjaq, Nunavik where Allen Gorden is helping with the quest for pure dogs. An additional three will soon be arriving from,  Ludovic Pirani from the Outaouais region, Quebec, Canada.

These are two of the Freight Dogs in Need.

Lumpy is a pure Canadian Inuit Dog in need of a home. Look at that smile!

Flop is a Polar Husky looking for the right place to call home. He is very handsome with his one brown eye and one blue eye.

DOGS IN NEED

Unfortunately, sometimes we run across Freight Dogs in need of a new home. Many times it is because they are too slow, too aggressive or just not considered an asset any more to the kennel by the previous owner. These kinds of dogs can change drastically if placed in the appropriate home. "Slow" dogs are merely just traditional sled dogs that need to be doing what they were build to do; pull heavy loads slowly in an adventure kennel and not a racing kennel or one that desires faster dogs. "Aggressive" dogs sometimes merely need to be placed in a new situation where they may be given the special one on one attention they have been asking for all along by "acting out". All of them are very special and unique in their own ways and all are very deserving of a home where they can be considered as such. These dogs will surely thrive if given a new beginning. To read about these Freight Dogs in need, please use the following link:  http://www.points-unknown.com/team.htm and scroll all the way down to the bottom of the page.

Inuit Dogs From Mawson Station, Antarctica

by Frank Hashek

Misty and her favorite activity, eating.

Misty and Judy

My first experience with the Inuit Dog, or any working dog, occurred at Voyageur Outward Bound School. There, I participated in an eight day dog sledding expedition.  My prime motivation in doing so was to demonstrate to our son, whom we had sent on a summer expedition for personal development that I would not ask him to do something that I would not do myself.  As it turned out, I came away from the experience with much more.

On arriving at VOBS, we were given snowshoes and trekked in to a campsite on a frozen lake, where we spent the night. The next morning, we met the dogs. The Inuit Dogs from Australia's Mawson Station had arrived the month before. Please click the link for more details on the Mawson Dogs' history.

The next morning, we were given a brief history of the dogs and told why they had come to VOBS, courtesy of David Pottage, of the Australian Weather Service, who had traveled with the dogs and was handling them for the first season at VOBS.  Then, we received instruction on handling the dogs and the sleds, followed by a few short practice runs.  After that, we packed the sleds and headed out on our expedition.

During this expedition, as well as on a second trip to Ely, the dogs showed great spirit and intelligence.  They worked hard, pulling heavy sleds (the Australian term is sledge) and went about their duties despite the low level of experience of the mushers.  I recall that the first time that we hit soft snow, when turning off of the main trail, the sled began to slow a little. As I began to get off the sled to push, Zipper, the lead dog, turned around and gave me this "why aren't you pushing yet?" look.  So, with one simple gesture, Zipper showed his knowledge of his work and also acted as my teacher.

On my second expedition, I had the privilege of mushing a different team of the Mawson Dogs and went skijoring with Bundy.  Again, this was a new experience for me.  Bundy was very tolerant of my learning curve and assumed the role of instructor.

Since my youth, I've been involved with hunting dogs and have had dogs as pets.  When VOBS offered to allow me to adopt Misty, who was from the last litter born at Mawson Station, I knew that I really wanted to do so. Still, I had to give it a great deal of thought and devise ways to make it work in an urban setting.  The Mawson dogs, like all Inuit Dogs, are working dogs whose needs must be met differently than the needs of a typical domestic dog.

Ultimately, I committed to accepting of the responsibility to care for Misty in her retirement.  Although she had spent most of her life on a tie-out, she had a reputation for slipping her collar at VOBS.  I fenced our back yard, with a lockable privacy fence.  When Misty came to live with me, I gradually got her used to being off the tie-out.  Now, I am able to grill out in the back yard without her getting too excited.

The Inuit Dog needs mental and physical stimulation.  Many domestic dog owners only walk their dogs sporadically, and the dogs do seem to adapt.  However, I do not think that would be the case for an Inuit Dog.  I would expect them to be very vocal and to do a lot of digging.  Misty gets two walks daily, about 1/2 to 1 mile in the morning and 1 1/2 to 3 miles in the evening.  I work varied shifts and days, so her feeding schedule can vary a bit, but she is quite tolerant of this.  We use the typical sled dog commands while walking, so Misty stays sharp on those.

I have found that Misty does better in a walking harness.  I got a fitted harness from www.gearfordogs.com and also had them make a leash that I could easily slip over a heavily gloved hand.  Misty is eager to get into her harness and is much more comfortable, as she had a tendency to pull hard against her collar, when the leash was attached.

During the winter, after a snow, we go skijoring on the residential streets and in a nearby park.  Misty still remains eager to work.  I've resolved some lingering health issues from an old back injury and plan to harness Misty up and go roller blading this summer.  That should prove to be good exercise for both of us.

We have found a vet who has experience with working animals and who is willing to go the extra mile to see that Misty will be comfortable in her old age.  He tells me that she is in very good condition for a dog of fourteen years. 

Misty is fed Redpaw twice daily, as well as vitamin supplements and glucosamine/condroitin for her joints.  She gets a couple ounce pieces of fish, inserted in a Kong toy every evening.  I think that the Kong satisfies a number of her needs and also serves as a punctuation point, so that she knows it is time to go to sleep and be quiet for the night.  She gives the Kongs a good workout.  She has two different shaped Kongs and they must be replaced every 4 to 6 months.

Overall, Misty has been a joy to work with.  I've asked her to learn only a few new things that make life easier in an urban setting.  She has done so, both willingly and quickly.  We can pass within a couple feet of a cat and she will not touch it, if I tell her not to.  A couple "let's go" commands and we are past the cat.  Conversely, I did not see a cat on one occasion and Misty took a quick jump to the right and snatched the cat off of the steps of the house where it was sitting.  Yes, I was able to convince her to release it, unharmed.

It is not necessary to raise my voice to Misty, since it is only her and not an entire barking team.  I give her commands in a conversational tone and she executes them flawlessly.  It is actually kind of funny, as we walk and encounter other dogs, with quiet encouragement, Misty keeps on walking.  Meanwhile, the dog owner across the street often has difficulty managing his/her dog and sometimes resorts to ineffectual shouting.  I feel it is being consistent in what I expect of Misty and not allowing any inappropriate behavior that leads to predictability of her behavior.  However, I know that, as with the cat mentioned above, she might resort to her instincts, if I did not keep a close watch on her.

She has often taught me little things.  For instance, she began the practice of getting up on our back step after a walk, because it is easier to take her harness off there, since I don't have to bend over.

There is much more to Misty's story, that won't fit into a short article such as this.  However, in summary, I can say that I have found living with an Inuit Dog to be a rewarding experience.  I have reached the point where I am ready to commit to building a team, as we plan our move to a rural setting. 

If you are considering adopting a rescue dog, you can have a very rewarding experience, if you are willing to make the commitment of time necessary to meet the dog's needs.

Although we currently have some geographical restrictions working for an airline, if a career move becomes necessary (in this unstable industry), we plan to consider only opportunities further north, so that we may enjoy living with our dog team.

Setting Up Your Dog Yard

We are asked all the time about tips for setting up a dog yard and how to do so.  Not everyone will be a professional musher.  Deciding your ultimate kennel size is the first question to ask.  This article should provide suggestions, answer questions, and raise questions about planning your dog yard.  We hope to share thirty years experience racing, raising, and owning sled dogs.

A well planned dog yard can provide huge benefits to a musher for convenience, as a step-saver, and for ease of hook-up.  It should be well laid out, a plan for growth in place, and always kept clean.  Don’t forget to purchase a kennel license for your kennel.  

Where you live (rural, in town, on edge of town), dollars available for dog equipment, age of dogs (pups vs. running dogs vs. retirees), availability of kennel assistance, physical space for the kennel, and trail system are other questions to consider.  Ground slope will improve soil drainage and will allow the ground to dry quicker.   It is best to choose a site with naturally draining soil and a slight slope.  

Dirt, Wooden Platforms, or Cement Runs

Dogs need physical space to play, run, and just be dogs.  Dogs can either be staked out in the dirt or grass, on wooden platforms, in kennels, or in cement runs.  

We like large wooden platforms and place ours close enough to each other so each dog can play with the neighboring dogs but not get into trouble.  A 10x10 or 12x12 foot wooden platform works well.  Wooden platforms can be hosed down easily and cleaned quickly.  The dogs are not laying in mud, either.  One disadvantage is when the dogs do get on grass or dirt, they tend to dig tunnels.  There is grass between our platforms so dogs can eat grass and there is limited digging activity.  Rock eaters may need to be housed on a platform.

For a dog yard set up on soil, you can choose to add gravel in an attempt to provide better drainage and keep the dogs drier.  It has been our observation that some dogs will eat gravel and create potential health problems.  The gravel doesn’t stay where you put it, though.  If you use gravel, plan on constantly renewing the gravel and filling holes.  If it is really dusty, the yard might need a sprinkler so the dogs aren’t breathing in dust.  It does have an effect on their lungs.

Cement runs are easily disinfected and have quick clean up.  The disadvantages are the cost to set them up, extra doors to open and close, the possibility of aggression between the fences, worn foot pads, and callouses on the dogs elbows.

Plan on several heat pens that are completely fenced in the design of your dog yard.  The heat pens are equipped with a dog house, fresh water, a covering from the hot sun, and a locking door.  

Stake-out Chains

Stake-out chains work well in dirt or platform dog yards.  Chains 5-6 feet long and up off the ground make clean-up easier.  Excrement doesn’t get dragged around the platform or in the dirt by the chain.  Use either 2/0 straight link or 3/16 proof coil chain.  Don’t use twisted chain.  When the chain starts to tangle (kink) the swivel won’t work and it must be replaced.

Keeping your Kennel Cool

Using shade cloth over our dog yard to cool them off really reduces the temperature in the kennel sometimes more than 15 degrees.  The shade cloth is draped or stretched and screwed in the wooden framework (in several pieces).  It has certainly paid off in comfort level for the dogs in the hot sun.  There are varying degrees of shade cloth, from 90% sun screening ability all the way down to 50% sun blocking.  We purchased the 90% sun screen and it has made a huge difference in kennel temperature.  

Some mushers have kennels located in or near trees for shade.  Shade trees are perfect provided you can make a path through to easily navigate through the dog yard and can get a 4-wheeler through or sled for hook-up.  Some mushers have kids’ swimming pools for their dogs to play in, others have bigger lap-type pools to exercise their dogs, while some spray down the dogs in the warmest part of the day.

Can We Ignore Mosquitoes?

We have to say the best piece of equipment we purchased a couple of years ago was a mosquito magnet.  We live in the north woods of Montana and mosquitoes can be a big problem about feeding time each night.  The one we purchased uses propane and electricity.  We found it is important to follow the directions carefully so it is positioned around the yard for optimum success.  We use about one large propane bottle a month and pennies a day for electricity.  We highly recommend them.  

Brass vs. Swedish Snaps

Swedish snaps are by far the most durable and dependable snap around.  They outlast Italian brass snaps and the dogs will stay secure on their stake-outs.  They may cost more but they are well worth not having loose dogs.

Also check the tightness of your dogs’ collars. If you have a dog that really hits the chain hard, think about a double slider collar so it stays completely secure.  Anything bigger than a 1 ½” ring on collars is overkill in your kennel.  It might be easier for you to grab the ring but a dogs tooth could get hooked on it.  When you are double kenneling, watch that one of the kennel mates isn’t chewing the other’s collar off.

Doghouses

We have seen dog houses made from discarded wire spools, round plastic barrels with a wooden base, wood dog houses, igloo-style houses, wood houses with vents, wood houses on legs, and even cement.  A dog house’s function is to provide shelter for the dogs.  Putting metal edging on the sides of the dog house to prevent chewing the wood part of the box is good provided the metal is heavy-duty.  The spools have a long life but they are heavy to move and can leak with time.  The round barrels with wooden foundations are easy to use.  The dogs will chew the bases off eventually and they can chew the plastic.  Don’t shingle the houses, the dogs will just chew them off.

For those dogs that urinate into their dog houses, put the dog house on legs.  That way they don’t lift high enough to get the inside wet.  We like flat tops on the dog houses so the dogs can lay on top.  The dog houses should be at least 2 feet by 2 feet by 2 feet minimum.  Don’t make them too tight and be sure to leave a large opening in front so they don’t get moist inside from condensation.  Also be sure to keep the bedding dry.

Some mushers prefer to have all their dogs in actual kennels, usually doubling up two dogs that have similar personalities in each kennel.  We have even seen cement dog houses.  Condensation would be a problem in there and if they didn’t have a floor, moisture is a problem.

Author's note: Some of these dog houses are chewed from our guys.  We haven't built any new ones this year yet.  Everybody's will look like these sooner or later, though.

A suggestion during warmer weather is to attach a bucket to each dog house.  Change the water a couple times a day.  That way the dogs have access all day to clean, fresh water.


Fenced Play Yard and Perimeter Fencing

A fenced play yard for exercising dogs is great fun for the dogs.  Just make sure the dogs that are out together are compatible and that there is always supervision.  Perimeter fencing is very practical to keep out visitors (human or otherwise) especially if you don’t live in the country.

Training Trails

It is ideal to train from your house.  Access to a training trail can be a good enough reason for a musher to purchase a specific piece of property.  A large, secured hook up post buried where you want to hook up is a great way to secure the 4-wheeler or sled until you are ready to go.  It is inevitable you will have to truck for longer runs somewhere but after last issue, you must have a great dog truck in which to transport the dogs.

So, the big questions, what do you plan to do with the dogs and how many will you eventually have?  If you are racing, think about the potential of your dogs and what your goals will be.  A dog yard with a convenient water source, dog food storage close (away from mice, clean, and dry), a freezer for frozen meat, good visibility to the dog yard, and a place to cut up frozen meat (with good lighting) are very important.  A mudroom off the dog yard works very well for getting food ready.  If you are designing a dog yard, build these items into your plan and you could save lots of steps.

We hope this article answers a few questions and gives you more to think about when setting up your dog yard or reworking your current one.  Anything that will save steps during hook-up, feeding, or maintaining the kennel is all worthwhile.  It’s all about what’s best for the dogs.  If you have any questions, please ask.

Remember, this newsletter was created for you. We encourage your input on any sporting dog related topic. If you have tips, questions, or suggestions, please send them to us.

Training Tips: training@redpawfeed.com

Dog Health or Yard Maintenance: dogyard@redpawfeed.com

Traveling with Dogs: traveling@redpawfeed.com

Feeding Strategies: feed@redpawfeed.com

Gear Reviews or Suggestions: gear@redpawfeed.com

Question of the Issue, Either your answers to the current question or to pose a question: QOTI@redpawfeed.com

Any other topics: editor@redpawfeed.com

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Makin' Tracks accepts advertising from non-profit groups that benefit dogs and dog sports. Please show your support by visiting the organizations below. If you would like to see your organization listed here, please contact editor@redpawfeed.com.

Midwest Skijorers

A non profit organization that strives to promote dog sports and work to gain community trail access for other dog sport enthusiasts.

Midwest Skijorers Club is committed to advancing the sport of skijoring in the Twin Cities and upper Midwest.

We endeavor to develop and promote events and activities related to Skijoring.

We seek to educate the public about the nature and benefits of skijoring for dogs and dog owners.

We work with communities to expand trail access and improve trail safety.

We assist beginning Skijorers with seminars and novice events so they may more fully enjoy this unique sport.

http://www.skijor.org

Adopt A Husky, Inc.

A Siberian Husky Rescue Serving
The Midwest and Pacific Northwest Regions

A 501(c)(3) NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION

Over 700 Siberians Saved Since August 1998

Visit our website, send us email, or call:
262-909-2244 (Wisconsin and Illinois)
612-986-2244 (Minnesota area)
248-892-2244 (Michigan area)
440-522-2244 (Ohio area)
509-999-5118 (Pacific Northwest area)

What is Mush with P.R.I.D.E.?

P.R.I.D.E. stands for Providing Responsible Information on a Dog's Environment. The relationship between sled dogs and humans is one of the oldest bonds of its kind. Modern sled dog owners are proud of their dogs as canine athletes that are bred and trained to do what they love: run as part of a team. Mush with P.R.I.D.E. supports the responsible care and humane treatment of all dogs and is dedicated to enhancing the care and treatment of sled dogs in their traditional and modern uses.