As we head into our summer ‘off season’, we thought it time to restart our Throw Back Thursday (TBT) series. We’ll take a look back at posts from the previous years to help fill in some blanks or remind you of when your favorite racers were puppies!
Our first one for this summer is about Mac. Mac is a superstar! He turns 6 years old August 21st. He is a Yukon Quest and Copper Basin 300 champion and was an important member of the Iditarod 2nd place teams. Mac is solid, dependable and energetic husky.
As we’ve mentioned before, Mac is the largest dog at the kennel – weighing 70 pounds at the peak of the 2014 – 2015 racing season. There are only a few dogs at SP Kennel who have even reached the 60 pound mark: Driver, Mismo and Woody and the ‘soon to be’ Yearlings: Five, Rodney and Scooby will most likely weigh at least 60 pounds as adults. So to have an athletic and gorgeous 70 pound dog at SP Kennel is rare!
But, remember Mac as a puppy? In this post, Macgellan had taken Mac out with Auntie Tig and Auntie Stella for an afternoon run.
Despite the fact that Mac is a very big guy, he is not a brut. He is a stoic, pensive and thoughtful dog. Yes, he has tremendous energy and when he wants to go… he goes! But, while at his spot in the yard he is a perfect gentleman. Mac will sit proudly on top of his house until you find your way across the yard and over to pet him. He doesn’t often jump up and if he does, he will glide up onto your side gracefully, trying not to knock you over. He understands his power and strength. On the other hand, Mac will unceremoniously knock you over and drag you across the driveway when he knows that he is either going into the dog truck, put into a play pen for the day or loaded up for an afternoon walk. Then it is probably in your best interest to just let him go or you might find yourself being drug like a Yukon Quest dog sled across the parking lot.
“Hey you… get over here and pet me!!”; “When are we starting this race?”
Here is a video of Mac and the team at the Pelly Crossing Checkpoint during the 2014 Yukon Quest. You’ll see the unbridled passion of being an SP Kennel sled dog.
What a fabulous idea to help us all remember or just inform newer posters and dog fans what "went before" for some of the mature racers here in 2015!
Thanks so much!
Love the footage of all and especially to see Stella… Hugs to all SPK dogs!
Julie
I love me a Big Mac! How fun seeing him in puppy glory and now so solid on the SP team.
Holly
Thanks Aliy! Love this Video of Mac as a lil' pup. The first time I met him he stood tall on my shoulders as tall as myself. What a lovely big guy. Nice to hear Mac Macgellan's voice too. Great Summer post.
Padee Santa Rosa, CA
Hooray! Thanks for the romp!
It is fun to see such a fun loving and energetic dog! Way to go Mac. I hope he is tolerating the heat wave you are having ok.
Val
The thing that always strikes me about Mac is how he has "old soul eyes". Handsome boy!
What great videos –Mac was really enjoying his romp with Tig and Stella. Great shots of Black team at Yukon Quest. Thanks for throwback Thursday. Mac is an awesome dog.
Wow…he IS a big boy!! Powerful dog for sure….look at those paws!! Go Mac Daddy!! Love watching the romp in the snow!! Thanks for posting!
Gentle giant is a good moniker for Mac. What a great dog. He's going to leave some big booties to fill when his career winds down–but not too soon, of course! Great post. He has a sweet face too.
And her has an awesome sponsor, too!!!
Best of everything to Mac and his Daddy, Macgellan!!!
Best,
Margaret
Mac is great! Wondering how many more bowls of food and snacks does he need on the trail compared to the others. Extra large booties?
Mac eats a lot more food in the summer and winter. He actually wears large dog booties, as do Woody, Driver and Mismo. The rest of our dogs wear either small or medium boots.
Thanks Aliy!
Mac has such a cute face! LOL on the "unceremoniously" comment.