Sanka W. Dog

Bigger Than Life Critters

All of us dogs loaded into the dog truck and we headed to the Veterinarian’s Clinic for our annual visit. Handler and Musher told us that if we were all very good dogs – listened to and followed directions while at the vet – we’d get a special surprise on the way home. We all …

Zoom Lens – Yooper Moose

Tulip and I were mighty excited to learn we’d be traveling to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan for the Mid-west Musher Symposium and Teacher Conference. Tulip was born at Nature’s Kennel in the U.P. Her brothers still live and work there. Way before we packed our bowls, food and favorite bones we did some research …

Zoom Lens – Open House at Nature’s Kennel

  Ed and Tasha Stielstra invited everybody out to their kennel to take a look around, meet the big dogs and love up the puppies. As a dog, this Sunday morning event is the most exciting part of the Mid-west Musher Symposium and Teacher Conference. Tulip, my team mate, came along. She moved from Michigan …

Mushers and Teachers Gather

The Mid-west Sled Dog Symposium and Iditarod Educator’s Conference offered information and topics of interest for one and all. Some of the presenters focused on the basics and other presenters offered information on advanced topics. It can’t get much more basic than Kennel Organization and Management and it might not get any more technical than …

Trail to Alaska, Part I – History

Ever wonder how the dog teams from the lower 48 – perhaps Michigan, Colorado or Montana get to Alaska to compete in the Iditarod? They drive and there aren’t many choices for routes. They take the notorious Alcan Highway. My black lab friend, Ellie, travels the highway frequently. Hoping that I might have the opportunity …

The Trail to Alaska, Part II – Dawson Creek

I can’t believe I’m actually standing at mile 0.0 of the infamous Alaska Highway! It’s my black lab friend Ellie and me traveling with Ellie’s human Pam Flowers. Oh this is so exciting, I can hardly keep from jumping and barking! From my last story you know the history of this storied road. It was …

Trail to Alaska, Part III – Summit Lakes

We’re back on the road, looking at Dawson Creek and Mile Zero in the rear view mirror. This portion of the Alaskan Highway is also known as British Columbia Highway 97. Ellie has told me that we’re going to see amazing things today. We’ll be going up and over the Canadian Rockies and there’s bound …

Trail to Alaska, Part IV – Muncho Lake

We’re heading down from 4,250 feet, the highest point on the Alaskan Highway. Visibility at the summit was limited – maybe a quarter of a mile. We had to drive very cautiously. We have a saying in Wisconsin – if you don’t like the weather wait five minutes it’ll change. Lucky for us, the same …

Trail to Alaska, Part V – Watson Lake

Six hundred and five miles from Dawson Creek, we leave British Columbia behind. Ellie and I are quite excited about reaching the Yukon Territory. We’re now traveling on Yukon Highway 1. Watson Lake is the first settlement we come to – it’s known as the “Gateway to the Yukon.” Handler has filled us in on …

Trail to Alaska, Part VI – Whitehorse to Alaska

Drive on the top half of your gas tank. That’s the advice given to all travelers on the Alaska Highway. It’s a long distance between pumps and you never know if the gas stop that you’re expecting to be open will be open. The distance from Watson Lake to Whitehorse is 274 miles, not a …