Beemer and Viper have officially retired as SP Kennel race dogs. They will live the rest of their lives together as pet dogs with Tom and Cindy in Pennsylvania.
This “Good-Bye” photo is not very glamourous of me but please note Rambler’s photo bomb nose under my left arm pit. He wanted to say his good byes as well.
The boys were born in 2007 to ChaCha and Oddball. They started racing in 2009 and were tremendously successful for the next 6 years. They combined for nearly 20,000 race miles; including twelve Iditarods, four Yukon Quests and numerous mid distance races (all before the age of 8 years.) Beemer is a two-time Yukon Quest champion and both dogs raced on 2nd place Iditarod teams.
The brothers’ last race was together on the Iditarod Black Team with Allen in March 2015. Tom and Cindy came up to the start and wished the boys good luck on their final sled dog adventure. Ten days and one-thousand miles later, Viper finished in lead and Beemer finished in team. Congrats boys!
This video is a celebration of the 7 1/2 years that Beemer and Viper were SP Kennel sled dogs.
This past week, Tom and Cindy came up to SP Kennel bonded with the boys, bought airline crates and all four of them flew back to the Lower 48 yesterday.
Retirement PARTY!!
We had a grand retirement party earlier in the week. Everyone got a chance to give their congrats, good byes and plenty of butt scratches. We had a celebration cake for the humans and rawhide chews for all of the SP Kennel dogs. (And, yes… Cindy I did see you sneak some frosting to Beemer when you thought no one was looking!)
Tom was supposedly in charge of the BBQ however Beemer’s needs won out; Viper tries to get moose burgers from Linda; everyone enjoyed the ‘Retirement Video’.
Often I get asked “Is it hard to retire dogs like Beemer and Viper?”
Oh my goodness… yes.
But, is it the right thing to do?
For them? Yes.
For our overall kennel management and the young ‘up and coming’ dogs? Yes.
For Tom and Cindy? Yes.
For me? Yes and No.
I won’t lie. I cried when I made the celebration video and I cried when I said my final good byes. Will I miss them? Yes, I will. I will miss their unique personalities, their super sled dog abilities and their constant tail wags. I have a very personal connection with both of them. I am sad that they will not be at SP Kennel anymore. But, at exactly the same time, I am happy that they have graduated to a new life. It’s almost like my kids have moved out and gone away to college. Beemer and Viper will be part of an incredibly loving and happy family. I could not have computer generated a better retirement home for these boys. I believe that there is a “right time” for retirement for dogs (and humans, for that matter.) Not everyone is lucky enough to be able to retire at that time. For Beemer and Viper, the time is now. So I need to let them go. This makes me happy because they will retire at the top of their game and the younger dogs left behind must now rise to fill these two enormous spots. Who will it be? That’s exciting just to think about…
Do I think they will miss me? Yes, I do. I think in the back corner of their doggie brains, they will always remember me and when they see me again it will be awesome. But, they will not long for me. That I know for sure. These are very select humans who adopt my dogs. I have known Tom for over 15 years. And getting to know Cindy has made me like Tom even more. They are dog people and if Beemer and Viper aren’t in love after this past week, then they will be within the first day of moving to Pennsylvania.
Tom and Cindy take the boys for their last romp in Alaska; Arrival at their new home in Pennsylvania.
So, this is not a time for tears. But, if it happens, then at least cry with a smile on your face. I am!
I have tears in my eyes for you too…because it is hard to give them up…but how lucky they are to have you place them where you know they will enjoy life! I know the joy Happy has with Macgellan but I know that when she sees you again her cup will run over with love for the past…
ok, wow…definitely tears…fare thee well Beemer & Viper and I can't computer generate enough thanks for all the sharing you do with us! {{{ }}}
Definitely crying…….happy tears…….for 2 amazing, AWESOME super star boys who it has been an incredible pleasure and privilege to watch and root for and cheer on as they excelled and accomplished what few atheletes, human or canine EVER achieve to be the ELITE among the elites. We will miss seeing them run, but know that their enthusiasm and unadulterated joy for life….as happy, tail-wagging, woof-woof-woofing dogs will not skip a beat as they begin this new chapter in their lives. Happy days ahead boys! We love you!
Aliy and Allen,
I am sure it was sad to retire Beemer and Viper. However, they appear to be very content in their new "digs" judging by the looks on their faces. A picture is worth a thousand words. How lucky Tom, Cindy, Beemer and Viper are. What an awesome retirement they will have. Thanks for posting their retirement party.
Maryalice
Virginia
Congratulations to Tom, Cindy, Beemer, and Viper! And thank you, Aliy, for the video memories. It seems like only yesterday Beemer was the lucky yearling to be chosen for Allen's Black team. Here's to many years of new adventures .
Both Elizabeth and I wiped the tears from our eyes after reading this post….bitter sweet….first of all knowing we won't see Beemer and Viper in the next season… but then also knowing they both have an awesome home to go to…how sweet is that! I recall how impressed I was when Aliy rattled off the location of homes of past retired dogs during the Meet and Greet in Anchorage in March. Your connection to SPK dogs doesn't end at retirement…that was very apparent! Happy Retirement Viper and Beemer….and thanks to Tom and Cindy for making such a cool retirement home for them!
It is so amazing what Beemer and Viper accomplished through the years! They are Rock Stars and will be missed. Love that you gave them a retirement party- very well deserved. Thank you so much for sharing, Aliy! Good luck to Beemer and Viper!
From a fan in Iowa
Still crying. What a beautiful and fitting tribute to Viper and Beemer. Thank you very much for sharing.
Happy Trails and Congrats to SPK superstar lead dogs, Beemer and Viper, in yet another new adventure, a long and happy retirement. Champs, you earned it!
Oh my, here's the thing… I am a 2015 fan of Viper, and I live in Pittsburgh, PA. I would LOVE a road trip to visit Viper and Beemer, if you are able to put us in touch. Best retirement wishes to two great SPK athletes!!!! Jeanne Hammel, Pittsburgh PA, email: 0300jh@gmail.com
Happy they have such a loving home. What does retirement life look like for them?
Your respect for and love of these creatures is such a generous and loving act. What a mutual bond and friendship you all have – it's wonderful to hear your words and I'm happy you are sharing this story with others.
Beemer and Viper are beautiful sled dogs. I know it's bitter-sweet for you all there at SPKennel, as well as many fans. I love the fact that they retired in good health, and at the top of their game, as you said. I also smiled at the fact that they were on the Black Team with the rookies during the 2015 Iditarod. Job well done Beemer & Viper. Enjoy your remaining years with your new loving guardians. As Dee Dee Jonrowe said in an interview a couple of years ago "the only fault I find in dogs is that they don't live long enough." You all are awesome in the care and responsibilityof your dogs.
What a lovely celebration as they continue on the path of life. What lucky dogs to have a life so filled with adventure.
And nice photobomb Rambler!
What a fabulous life these 2 are living! To spend their energetic youth having adventures, and retiring to a wonderful home where they will continue to be loved and cherished: who could ask for more?
(I was in tears by the end of the video). Thanks for sharing your thoughts and adventures with us.
Blessings, Jane Eagle
I'm weeping as I write this. I confess I have always loved Beemer. ChaCha's "Car" litter is special.
Viper is a great leader, too, and both are so handsome.
But yet I am happy for them to be retiring at the top of their game, and they are sort of near me, in CT! Can't imagine how to fill their 8 booties…
Beemer and Viper deserve to find a wonderful place to ease into retirement – thanks to Tom and Cindy for taking these SPK favorites!!!
Happy for these two great dogs and very, very sad too. Saying goodbye is always hard. I know the bonds we form with special critters we work with and cried goodbye to a lot of horses and mules in the past. But these two guys are lucky and I can see they'll be loved. Out with the old and on with the new. That is how life works.
Brightest blessings to Beemer and Viper in their new home and to their new folks.
I just remembered there was a shot during this year's Iditarod of the Black Team resting and I'm pretty sure it was Beemer with his foreleg across his partner and team mate–a very precious picture that I snatched and added to my special dog file. Even more so now. The partner may have been Viper; I'll have to find it and check.
As a retirement home for many a good dog….Last time I looked out the window, I saw about 26 dogs…..12 of whom can still be in harness and not hobble out of the yard…:), I can honestly say that the older retired sled dogs are more thankful, and more grateful than any other dog I have ever known. Right now, I have Grit…a good ole boy who has led Jim Lanier on about 8 I'Rods more or less….and Skunk and Finn from Sab are sitting on the couch munching treats and watching TV….Marble, one of Ray's dogs is also on the couch, but he just would rather sit around and rule the roost if he can…..Everyone needs a retired sled dogs. They are by far the very best dogs that anyone can imagine having…Each one is different, each is unique….It is wonderful to see them all mog/jog around the yard as a pack and accept each dog that comes in to join their pack…They can tell such wonderful stories about their lives……
Terrific video! I, too, have been fond of the car litter. Those handsome ambassadors will be missed. I appreciate that Beemer and Viper get to retire living together. Way cool. Thank you Tom and Cindy. From what I can make out, looks like they have unique and special houses.
And Bonnie, thanks for sharing your perspective. Interesting.
Beemer and Viper certainly are going out, or rather moving on, at the top of their game. Both as distance sled dogs, and ambassadors for their sport.
Thank you for including your fans in this wonderful tribute and celebration of Beemer and Viper's accomplished careers.
Wishing many more happy healthy years for Beemer, Viper, Tom and Cindy.
😢👏🏻 Denali 🐾🐾 and I wish BEEMER & VIPER all the best in retirement . We are glad that they are both going together to Tom and Cindy . We hope we get retirement up dates , loved the party and the video hugs & woofs to Aily and Allen and all the SP KENNEL gang. Jo and Denali 🇦🇺
So I watched the wonderful career retrospective for the boys again… and I cried even harder – the finish of this years Iditarod showed Beemer's special macho gait and Viper in swing was running as fast as he could go, so it seemed!
Great video, great pair of veteran SP Kennel dogs, they will be missed!
Best,
Margaret
Well, I a too am crying. Happy tears for the pups and a retirement life but sad tears for SP Kennel and the the fact they will be tremendously missed. They truly are your babies and are off to a different and new life.
Best, Trish
I first started following SP Kennel a few months before Beemer ran his first Iditarod as a yearling. It is wonderful to see them end their careers on a high note. Happy retirement boys!!
– A fan from Northern California
And would you believe how touching this is now!
Beemer & Viper what magnificent careers you both had. You are truly very special sled dogs & have earned your retirement with Tom & Cindy. I am typing this through my tears also. How hard Aliy to say goodby to such special boys. Thanks so much for sharing the retirement
party with us. It will be interesting to see which of the younger dogs step up to fill the void of Beemer & Viper. Thanks so much for the video of their careers. Beemer & Viper have a wonderful life in PA with Tom & Cindy.
Time for different adventures for Beemer and Viper. A part of your heart goes with them…and I believe a part of their spirit stays there at SP. We'll look for updates on these amazing fellas!
Holly
Aliy, you said the photo of you with the retirees was not glamorous. My friend, all you have to do to be beautiful is to smile, that wonderful smile that comes from the real beauty inside. The dogs love you because they know. And I think your friends do too. Just be you and that is perfect. Not flattery but the truth!
Ditto to Gaye's comment.
Puffy eyes don't hide the beauty that shows through the smile.
They just show the depth of the beauty.
Glamorous inside and out!
Rambler looks sorry to see his brothers go, but he's sticking close to his favorite musher! And he is friendly guy…with friends!
"Rambler epitomizes the happy nature of the Alaskan Husky and will spend time playing with his neighbours Sissy, Quito and Izzy whenever time allows." From the Dog Log @2012