You're talking about dogs and Iditarod dogs. Dogs as well trained as those are, are much easier to handle than the run of the mill dog team. Also, if you've got 10 or more dogs you don't have to work a lot. Also the trails are broken and relatively clear. The stress on the Iditarod is sleep deprivation.

Now take that same musher and put him behind 6 or 7 non-descript huskies that like to run, fight, and generally ignore the driver. Try breaking trail in 3 feet of snow or climbing a hill steep enough that you have to get off the runners. The dogs can move faster than you can, but you have to maintain a grip on that sled and keep up. You've got a string of different personalities out there and they all want to do something different.

Now throw a moose in the trail or a herd of caribou a few hundred yards in the distance. You better be sure you can stop them or at least manage to get through the trees without breaking the sled or yourself. Then add some darkness when these things happen.

Oh it's fun !

But it really is nice in bad situations. I recall one time it had warmed up while I was on one end of my line and a slough opened after I crossed it. Coming back home I had to cross that open water. Never could have done it with a snowmachine but my leader looked back at me and we decided to go for it. They were swimming and I was in water up to my chest but we got across. Home was 4 miles away.

Another time in a blizzard I could hardly see my leader (he was white). I just put my head down on my arms as I held on to the handle bar. Eventually we ended up in front of the cabin. I'd sure rather trust that dog than any GPS you can buy.

I was in a bit better shape back then but you have to start fresh every fall and it doesn't get easier.

Makes perfect sense to me... I think I best get my phat butt in shape!! lol Why are the Iditarod dogs trained so much better than any other? Just because of the stakes?

I am in the process of working a trade with someone for sled and dogs and I plan to have fun...lol

To be honest, I love the company of a dog better'n most people But that's me.

More training and a lot of the bad habits like fighting have been bred out of them.

Flew down to Seattle yesterday. Took a one day class that only really lasted about 3 hours and now getting ready to fly back home. 19 hours here is more than enough for me. Plus sign is that I'm on the clock for work until I get back.

Milk it Trunew...Those opportunities don't come everyday...lol

First snow of the season here. 2 inches on the ground .

Dogs are a lot of fun. How much snow does Lake Louise have? I got my dog truck in the shop getting fixed and soon as that is fixed, I plan on heading to Wolverine Lodge and train out of there for a few days. You guys looking for dogs? I got lots, and lots of good ones if your interested. Good deals on them too, trade for some beaver meat. New York, I thought you was moving to Bethel? Your still there in New York?

Ever notice how mushers only sell "good" dogs?

Then you ever wonder WHY they sell the "good" ones?

And does that mean they are keeping the ones with the slack tug lines.....?!!!!

Pete
(recovering musher)

The dogs that I have for sell have won races and some even hold the record to halfway point of the knik 200 and have won the knik 200. Last year I finished second in the klondike 300 and third place finisher was lance Mackey, and I got a couple dogs that was in that team for sale. You think I only have a few good dogs(I have over 60 right now) ? "I want to know what you meant by what you have said. "

Easy easy, he was just kidding around Dogmusher.

FWIW, its pretty well known, at least in the circle of mushers i hang with, that Dogmusher and his extended family will part with GOOD dogs at fair prices...(and i know that Pete was kidding)

I don't want fast dogs, I want only good dogs that listen and will lay down and stay on command!!

Snow!! Lots of HEAVY WET snow this morning... about 8" or so.. and NOW it's freaking RAINING!!! YUK

Not asking for much are we WW?? LOL!!

I heard on the radio that north of palmer was supposed to get 18-30" today!! That would be inconvenient to say the least Im sure...I hate getting that much snow at once!!

Hey, I can hope can't I?

North of Chickaloon at Bonnie Lake area I heard there is 20+ inches of the wet heavy stuff. Power is also out.

"Ever notice how mushers only sell "good" dogs?

Then you ever wonder WHY they sell the "good" ones? "

This also applies to houndsmen.

I've bought a couple of "good" sled dogs over the years...

Good at eating, fighting and barking anyway..They're all good at something..

Oh man, they are ALL good at eating!! lol

This is what I did with that heavy WET NY snow today...lol

Is that Canvasback ?

I be taller than that !!