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Su
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Su is a four year old
Alaskan Malamute. She is the only puppy we have ever had. We have
always adopted older dogs. We purchased her from Shelon Bedford at Black
Ice Kennels in New Germany, MN. We have purchased most of our
equipment from Black Ice. Su was one of eleven puppies and Shelon and
Cianna believed she was the best match for what we wanted to do. She
was willing to share with her siblings and was loving and kind from the
first moment.She made the trip with us back to
California. At ten weeks old, she performed at her first
school assembly and has been a star (not quite a drama queen) ever
since. She was less than a year old when we took Su and three teammates
and evacuated our home for thirteen days due to a large southern
California forest fire. Su traveled back to Montana with us in 2004 and
it became her home. She nursed three members of our original team
through to the end of their lives. She is a precious member of our
family. Pixie and Sorrel will play with her on their terms. Su has
been a reading buddy with students of different ages and a
therapy dog with seniors in nursing homes. Everyone she meets
becomes her friend.
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Pixie
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Pixie is a 10 year old Alaskan Husky. She
was a main kennel leader at Denali National Park until her
retirment with us in 2005. She was always a solid, hard working dog.
She was retired early because of a torn ACL injury to her rear left
leg. When we brought her back to Montana she had surgery on that knee
and within a week she was up and moving again. Our vet said these
Denali dogs are like Olympic athletes. They run an average of 2,100
miles every year patroling this beautiful park that belongs to all of
us. Both Pixie and Sorrel are such sociable, adaptable dogs. Before
leaving Denali they had never stayed in motels, ridden on elevators,
climbed indoor stairs or traveled long distances in cars. When we stay
in motels while touring, we always get two beds ... that way Pixie gets
to choose hers first!
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Sorrel
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Sorrel
is an 11 year old
Alaskan Husky. He was one of the strongest dogs in the Denali National Park
kennel and
therefore made a great wheel dog. A wheel dog pulls at the back,
closest to the sled. This is where you always put your strongest dog.
Sorrel was called "Posterboy" at the park because his picture appears
on the cover of the book entitled "Sled Dogs of Denali National Park,"
written by kennel manager Karen Fortier. Sorrel would get upset if he
had to stop while the team was on the trail. He just wanted to work
hard and pull. He was supposed to go to another home in 2005, but
because that didn't work out, Karen asked if we would like to take him
and Pixie. Without taking a breath we said, "Yes!" We are so glad we
did. He has such dignity. He is a little timid and frightened by
thunder. He always sleeps on the floor and has his own spot right in
front of the entertainment center! |
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Harry
and Lela
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Harry is part dog at heart. Lela is a
teacher at heart, who loves dogs. The combination has led to a
wonderful adventure with two teams of sled dogs that has gone on for
the last fifteen years. Prior to 1992 when they began the business
Harry had worked for a major airline for 26 years. He served in the
U.S. Air Force. He has an A.A. degree in Business and operating
Mountain Mushers has been the culmination of the dream of owning his
own small business.
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Lela
is retired from 21 years of teaching in an urban school
district. She holds a California Life Teaching Credential and a
Master's Degree in Counselor Education. Lela enjoys
reading, writing, and is trying her hand at quilting. |
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