coverstory
Dogsled Dreams By Mya Hane Last year we got the best Christmas present ever. Our whole family got to go dog sledding. I was so excited but also nervous because I had never driven a dogsled before. When we arrived, giant flakes of snow were falling and the snow glistened. Paul, the owner of Boreal Journeys Sled Dog Kennel, met us by the warming hut and told us all about the sleds and how to drive them. He compared it to skiing, kayaking, and dancing— all things that I had done before. He also told us about the names and history of many of his dogs. His explanation was clear and very interesting. After he had given us the instructions I was feeling more confident and at ease.
Mya feels the powerful pull of the dogs!
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My favourite thing about dog sledding is the dogs! Each dog has a different personality. I like all the dogs for different reasons. Yukon and Bocus are affectionate, Conductor and Eureka are smart and obedient, and Savage and Rueger are strong and energetic. Based on their strengths, Paul created the teams that would pull our sleds. The two wheel dogs closest to the sled are some of the more energetic dogs as their job is to power the sled! The two swing dogs in the middle are responsible for steering the sled around corners and the two lead dogs in the front are the most obedient and keen of the team. They specialize in finding the trail and following commands. Paul helped us to choose teams and we brought the bouncing dogs down to the drop chains. Once the dogs knew that they were going to pull a sled they became ecstatic, jumping and howling. Paul taught us how to harness the dogs and we helped hook the dogs up in their proper positions. I had the privilege of experiencing both riding in the basket as a passenger as well as mushing on a tandem sled with Paul. Riding in the basket is so relaxing that I almost fell asleep, but mushing is a very different experience. The dog’s energy is at a peak right before you take off. I absolutely love the excitement of the dogs right off the start. I can feel their enthusiasm pounding in my heart. I can’t believe how quickly their attention is turned to their job and how completely silent they become as soon as they are running. It is amazing how free you feel when you are dog sledding. It’s just you, the dogs, and God’s beautiful creation! As you speed down the trail you feel as if you are flying across the world. The sparkling snow and lush evergreens add to the scene. All you can hear is the dog’s panting and the swish of the sled over the snow. When it is over you pull into the yard and thank the dogs for the wonderful ride, hoping that you will meet again.
The Walleye Junior
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