This section goes out to all of the dogs who have helped make Tukaway what it is. These dogs are and will always be some of my best buds, and hold a special place here at Tukaway. Depending on the dog, that could be either on my couch, my floor, my bed, infront of the woodstove, or as an adopted pet to a loving family, or simply an old dog that wont give into the fact they are retired, and they demand on living outside with the rest of the dogs for the rest of their days! Believe it or not, with some dogs it is hard to force them into retirement, born a sled dog, always a sled dog still barking with excitement at the first sight of a pile of harness, haha, but our door is always open!
Thanks for all of the miles and adventures and for a select few, slobbery tongues (you know who you are!)
Thanks for all of the miles and adventures and for a select few, slobbery tongues (you know who you are!)
Tuk (Tuk-Dog)
Female
Born 12/21/2004
Introducing the reason I got myself into this mess called dog mushing. This is Tuk, aka Tukdog. Many years ago, she became my best bud. I realized pretty quickly there was no controlling this dog. She’s a free spirit who can and needs to run! I spent Tuk’s first year chasing her around the woods of Northern Maine and the rugged mountains of New Hampshire only to realize this dog had the same desires as me. To explore the most wild places on the planet. She has taught me that by staying on any obvious path you never get anywhere that others have already gone. I remember the first day I put a harness on her and tied a rope around myself (we’ll call it a harness I guess) and off we went as she pulled me through the woods on cross country skis. This was my first dog powered experience! I guess that was the beginning of one life and maybe the end of another! Either way, this is a very special dog folks. I have known a lot of dogs, but never a dog like this! She has lead me into many adventures and even fought off some wild creature while I was camping out in the open in Northern Maine. This is my dog, my role model, and best bud. This is the namesake of Tukaway Sled Dog Kennel, Folks this is the amazing Tukdog!
Female
Born 12/21/2004
Introducing the reason I got myself into this mess called dog mushing. This is Tuk, aka Tukdog. Many years ago, she became my best bud. I realized pretty quickly there was no controlling this dog. She’s a free spirit who can and needs to run! I spent Tuk’s first year chasing her around the woods of Northern Maine and the rugged mountains of New Hampshire only to realize this dog had the same desires as me. To explore the most wild places on the planet. She has taught me that by staying on any obvious path you never get anywhere that others have already gone. I remember the first day I put a harness on her and tied a rope around myself (we’ll call it a harness I guess) and off we went as she pulled me through the woods on cross country skis. This was my first dog powered experience! I guess that was the beginning of one life and maybe the end of another! Either way, this is a very special dog folks. I have known a lot of dogs, but never a dog like this! She has lead me into many adventures and even fought off some wild creature while I was camping out in the open in Northern Maine. This is my dog, my role model, and best bud. This is the namesake of Tukaway Sled Dog Kennel, Folks this is the amazing Tukdog!
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Sponsor Tuk for the 2017/18 Race Season!
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Shorty (Bumble)
Male
Born: 2004
This is Shorty, aka 'Bumble'. This gentle giant was my former co-worker when I first got involved with dog mushing. Shorty is originally from Bemidji, Minnesota, but I first met him in Northern New Hampshire where he was used as a tour dog. Let's just say Shorty retired from dog sledding at age 3 and it certainly was not because he got old folks.... This bumble is quite possibly one of the worst sled dogs around! But..... he makes great friend. His main role here at Tukaway other than keeping the back seat of my truck warm as well as my floor in my cabin, is to just make people laugh! Life is never serious when you have a living stuffed animal in the room who is just a good boy! Shorty's been my buddy since 2007 and if you ever get to meet him please don't be afraid to say 'Hello!'
Male
Born: 2004
This is Shorty, aka 'Bumble'. This gentle giant was my former co-worker when I first got involved with dog mushing. Shorty is originally from Bemidji, Minnesota, but I first met him in Northern New Hampshire where he was used as a tour dog. Let's just say Shorty retired from dog sledding at age 3 and it certainly was not because he got old folks.... This bumble is quite possibly one of the worst sled dogs around! But..... he makes great friend. His main role here at Tukaway other than keeping the back seat of my truck warm as well as my floor in my cabin, is to just make people laugh! Life is never serious when you have a living stuffed animal in the room who is just a good boy! Shorty's been my buddy since 2007 and if you ever get to meet him please don't be afraid to say 'Hello!'
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Sponsor Shorty for the 2017/18 Race Season!
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Okie
In his prime, this gentleman was one heck of a lead dog! He gave me a sense of security every time he was at the helm even in the trickiest of situations. Now you can find Okie wondering the kennel, laying on the floor in the cabin, or occasionally teaching our younger generations of sled dogs how to behave like proper sled dogs! When he was running, he was always stern and proud of his job. This seriousness has followed through to his retired days, but if you watch close, occasionally you might catch Okie smile and wagging his tail! You have to be patient though, he has a reputation for being no fun and all business in the kennel!
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Wizard
Male Zorro (father) x Wilma (mother) Born: 2008 What can I say about this man... At almost 10 years old he continues to drive on with a youthful enthusiasm. I often times compare him to Brett Favre, he just keeps wanting to play no matter what and no matter how old! I first met Wizard as a glacier guide in Skagway, AK in 2010. When I first looked at him, I said, "now that's a sled dog!" Turns out, that is what he became! He was a youngin' back then, but in his later years he has gone on to accomplish quite a bit in the world of distance racing. He has finished every race he has started, and I am pretty sure he has wagged his tail every mile he has run, WHICH IS A LOT! Wizard is the father to my Jeep litter, and in everyway the father of Tukaway. This season. This will be his first year of being officially retired from the race team, but I am sure we will see him on the trail guiding tours and short training runs. This legend I am sure will chose to be a sled dog for the rest of his days although he is really digging the couch... Previous Races: Too many to list! Kuskokwim 300 champ and 5 time Iditarod finisher with his best finish of 5th place finish, Yukon Quest 1000, Yukon Quest 300 16'. 17' |
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Sponsor Wizard for the 2018/19 Season!
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Elroy
Male Born: 2012 Arctic (father) X Wilma (mother) After a few years, I was reunited with this big boy! He finished in my Yukon Quest 300 team in 2014 when we finished strong in second place. Since then, this enthusiastic giant has gone on to being on Pete Kaiser’s champion Kuskokwim 300 team which is arguably one of the most competitive 300 mile races in the sport. Elroy will be retired from the race team this season, but he will certainly be running with the tour team and training runs. I am also sure he will spend lots of time on the couch this winter because he is an expert snuggler! |
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Mystic
Female Born: 2008 Meet Mystic. This will be her first year retired from the race team and she has already begun to adjust well! in the summer you can find Mystic roaming the kennel living the dream. In the evenings she often welcomes herself into the cabin and makes herself at home. This fuzzy lady has done lots of racing in her career, and has finished a few thousand mile races. In her prime, she really was the perfect Yukon Quest dog. Her thick coat and old style build makes her perfectly at home in the harshest of winter conditions. Other than roaming around the kennel, this winter Mystic will still be working with the tour team as well helping out with shorter training runs. But I am sure, this near black bear cub will be nestled by the woodstove for much of the winter! |
