Sled Dogs and Sunsets

Taking care of a dog team for a week was pretty cool, considering the only other exposure to sled dog racing before was the movie Balto.  A lot of dogs that mushers have are "Alaskan Huskies", which are basically just mutts that are bred for endurance and speed, rather than conformation to a certain breed look or standard.

From the ever-reliable source, Wikipedia, "the Alaskan Husky is a very affectionate dog, bred to cuddle with other dogs as much as with people. The Alaskan puppy will often walk right up to a strange dog and attempt to instigate a cuddle session."  A lot of the huskies I've met will try to grab you with their paw/leg to draw you in closer and then press their head against you.

That's my favorite of all the dogs on them, Jura.

This is Rita.  She's intense.

Pika (I call him Pikachu)

Marion is very shy.

Pumba

Yukon THE husky is the closest to the camera, then Earnheart and Trick in the front....and then Marion and Pikachu in the back.

Jura coming in close for a cuddle sesh

Sleepy dogs in their dog yard


The sunsets behind the dog yard over the tundra were incredible to watch (around 10:00 pm now).