Hi! I haven’t been in touch in ages and so much has changed since Iditarod start. What a whirlwind we have all been on, eh? Our world is a bit upside down. I feel like I just need to ‘Check In’ with you all. Here’s our current SPK status: All … Read More
Not every Iditarod dog musher finds choosing their final 14 racers an emotionally draining decision, but I’ll be honest… I do. Only 14. Only 14 of my best buddies who have all trained, pulled and run many miles this season will make the final team that gets to experience the … Read More
As the SP Kennel continues to digest, analyze and recover from the Yukon Quest, as well as prep, strategize and get psyched for the Iditarod, we took the three yearlings on their first race. CONGRATS: Bill, Gravy and Wu! The boys completed their first race. It was the Two Rivers … Read More
The 2 weeks prior to Iditarod are nail biters. These are the weeks that you cross your fingers, toes, paws or whatever appendage you have nearby and then you hope that all your dogs maintain their health, fitness and energy. I’m overly sensitive to the sounds of anyone coughing, or … Read More
I met Donna Dewhurst in 1990 in King Salmon, Alaska … a lifetime ago. Over the past 30 years she has become one of the best photographers in our great state. She has now retired from US Fish and Wildlife and decided to try her hand at writing as well. … Read More
It is just under 3 weeks until Race Time and Allen and Sam delivered over 1,500 pounds of Iditarod dog food and gear to Airland Transport in Fairbanks yesterday. Each Iditarod checkpoint has individually labeled bags. The sorting will happen in Anchorage this weekend with many Iditarod volunteers. Each musher’s … Read More
We’ve talked about all the Racers at SP Kennel. What about the youngsters? As you might know we have three excited, ready to rock-n-roll Yearlings here at the kennel. While they do not have the large training miles that the Racers do, they have been out and about. All three … Read More
SP Kennel is full of individuals. Dogs and mushers. Even though it would be easier if everyone fit the same mold… they don’t! Our conditioning and training program follows this same theory as well: every one is an individual. The challenge at this time of the season – for any … Read More
It’s a ‘FOR SURE’ now. Allen signed up for the 1,000 mile Yukon Quest International Sled Dog Race on the last day to enter with the hope that “everything would work out” and he could in fact run the race. After invasive shoulder surgery and months of intensive rehab… of course, … Read More
Okay… the dog truck is packed… except for dogs and humans. LOTS of dog jackets, blankets, booties and human long underwear. We are ready for a chilly race.
