Think back to the first weekend of February. Most of you might remember it as Super Bowl weekend. While everyone else was at their friend’s home or favorite watering hole, I was with Dr. Jackie, Dr. Aline, and Julie at the Apostle Islands Dog Sled Race in Bayfield, Wisconsin. It was my first ever dog sled race experience. All I can say is, wow! If any of you have ever been to a dog sled race you can probably appreciate my lack of words and are probably reminiscing about your first experience. Let me tell you about what I can articulate!
The first thing that comes to mind is the energy! Those dogs were bred to run and boy are they excited to do just that! A lot of the dogs are at the starting line either jumping up and down, barking and howling, or even hyper-salivating anticipating the feat they are about to conquer. That energy bounces off of them and onto you and you become excited for them!
I had the opportunity to help the Veterinary Team under the direction of Dr. Jackie and it was a lot of fun. We got to meet all the teams and interact with a lot of the dogs. I didn’t know what to expect but what I experienced was superb. The mushers come from near and far to participate in something they love with animals they love, and that love shows. There is a sense of community even if you’re amongst strangers. I think I overheard at least a couple of the spectators mention how they want to race sled dogs and be a part of this community!
I don’t think you need to jump the gun and start rounding up your dogs to race them, but I would strongly recommend finding a local race to check-out. I am pretty confident you won’t regret it! In fact, there may or may not be a race happening on Lake Minnetonka come February 2020
Written by: Meagan W.
Veterinary Technician Assistant
February 22, 2019