Morning sun rise is so beautiful this time of year (at the ranch - the sled dogs summer home).  Snow is being illusive this winter.  The ground is covered in white but still not enough to run a sled over, much less put weight in the sled. Long range forecasts say it's coming.  Cross your fingers......and your toes!  Back to the Sun Dog Express Dog Sled Tours Home Page.

Fall training has started once again.  It has been somewhat of a challenge due to the rookie leadership the team has this year.  We had many very good leaders "age out" last season and will be unable to keep ahead of the young fast talent in the team.  We are working hard doing runs with the four wheeler.  Our directional commands are rough and need a lot of work but I think we'll get there.  http://www.mosquitonet.com/~sleddog/

Dog days of summer 2012

It's the dog days of summer.  Although we've not had much heat to speak of this season.  It's been very rainy here in Fairbanks.  We at Sun Dog Express decided to close the summer demo's for the 2012 season.  Looks like fishing, ranching and my "real job" work schedule will make it somewhat impossible to gather sled dogs and transport them to the winter dog yard for such activities.  The Sun Dogs are comfortably settled into their summer dog yard.  Digging holes  and scheduled howling sessions seem to be the norm.  All too soon the snow will return and we will be back to running the wilderness trails of interior Alaska.  http://www.mosquitonet.com/~sleddog/

Spring Is Just Around The Corner!

Days are lengthening in daylight and getting warmer. Thoughts can't help but turn to spring and summer. We've got just over a month of good dog sledding left before we'll have to park the sleds and get the shorts and gardening gloves out. As always March won't disappoint with some of the best mushing weather yet to come.

This is our busy time at Sun Dog Express Dog Sled Tours. We've got tours, private lessons and dog mushing schools going on daily. People can't get enough of those "crazy to run" sled dogs. Don't be disappointed and get your reservation in early for the tour or school of your choice! Give our office a call 907-479-6983 or http://www.mosquitonet.com/~sleddog/ . We're always happy to see you!

Dudley The Lead Dog Retires

Dudley the lead dog has retired. It's been hard and sad for me to leave the best lead dog I've ever owned at home each time we run. His body is weak but his spirit is still so willing. This season looked so promising for this 12 year old dynamo.

Late this last fall Dudley was leading a small 5 dog training team. Hard charging through some fresh snow, as is his custom. Suddenly he couldn't support any weight on his leg. His ankle pressed all the way to the ground as he tried to get around. He was more confused than in pain. I loaded him in the sled, a completely foreign experience to a dog that never has had a sick day in his life. Hyper extension of the joint. Without surgery to insert plates, he was done.

An agonizing experience to subject an old dog to extensive and painful surgery or let it heal on it's own and let him retire without the stress of recovery. It has been my experience that regardless of a mushers best intention, surgery on an old dog most times does more long term harm than good.

I'm glad I made the decision to just let him heal. For the first month we casted his leg. Then took it off for two more months of "bed rest" (sled dogs don't really do bed rest very well). He gets a daily dose of glucosamine. Currently he gets a nice long walk every other day.

His goals for the future.....to lead my team of retired sled dogs. I've got two others (14 year old and 12 year old) that can still run and pull pretty good......just not very fast. His days of leading the race dogs is behind him now. I miss him everyday I'm out on the trail. http://www.mosquitont.com/~sleddog/