Howling Husky Homestead has 8 sled dogs, all over ten years old. They spend 100% of their lives outside, and live in little wooden houses lined with thick straw in the winter and a dusting of sawdust in the summer. We exercise them at least every other day by bringing them to an enclosed area where they can run free, hide in brush, and be safe from the quills of porcupines or angry moose moms.
In the fall when it starts getting cooler; they will be harnessed and their traces hooked up to a 4-wheeler for snowless mushing practice through the wooded trails. Sled dogs need cooler weather for when they are exerting themselves pulling and running, even 20 degrees above 0F is uncomfortably warm for them! When snow is on the ground and the temps fall even more, they will begin running in earnest.
The dogs get two meals a day (breakfast and dinner) and a bedtime biscuit snack in the late evening. Rain water and salmon powder is added to their kibble, so it becomes a soupy mix that encourages them to drink their water and stay hydrated (and is also part of the reason I can no longer stand the smell of salmon!). Of course, part of the daily chores includes plenty of poop scooping.
Each dog has their own unique personality, and it starts to show through once you get to know them! Below is a little bio and photo of each of the dogs and their personal endearing quirks:
Angelina Jolie
I know with children (and maybe with dogs too?) you're not supposed to pick favorites... But Angie is totally my favorite! Her face is very expressive, she follows me around, and she loves to put her paws on my chest and lick my chin while I scratch her back. She is gentle, intelligent, and playful- and I think she'd make a great house dog. Since I don't have much opportunity to tell humans about my thoughts on a daily basis- I whisper all my plans and feelings to her sweet ears and she presses her head into my stomach, asking for more scratching and less talking.
Surf
Surf is the oldest dog in the bunch. He doesn't have many teeth left, so he needs special smaller treats because he can't chew. In the winter when the other dogs are running the trails, Surf gets to come inside the house and lay by the fire. He does a special happy prancing dance when you approach him- he loves attention!
Blue
Blue, or as I like to call him because of his lonely howl, Blue Moon. A notorious hole digger, Blue has boundless energy. Recently he dug a hole so deep, his little house fell into it! He doesn't give kisses, but he loves to look lovingly into your eyes while you pet him and especially loves butt scratches.
Mary
Mary is the alpha female of the pack. She is similar to Angie in her friendly disposition, but much more subdued and quiet. She is perpetually on a diet, loves to eat, and because of this received the nickname "Fat Mary" for most of her life.
Bill (Murray?)
Bill's house is right next to Angie's. They get VERY jealous of each other when there is human attention involved, and cry loudly when they are being "ignored". Sometimes I stand right between them and let them both jump up on me, using one hand for each dog. Bill is a professional treat-finder, he will find your pockets and manage to dig his entire muzzle deep into it mining for snacks! He is a ferocious kisser and I've had my nose smacked a few times trying to turn away from his advances. I like his wolfish appearance.
Poboy
Poboy is quiet most of the time, except before meals when he lets out an excited deep-throated bark. He is very shy about having his head or back touched, so he will only allow pets on his upper chest. In the winter he runs at the front of the team, as alpha male.
Tessie
Tessie is without a doubt the strangest dog I have ever met. In this photo she is staring at a treat on the ground that she took from my hand, and promptly dropped. She is the only dog I know who is not 100% food or attention motivated. Once I caught her trying to bury her breakfast while it was still in her bowl, making a big soupy inedible mud pie. She is timid, but is more relaxed around women and is slowly warming up to me.
Bruce
Here is Bruce attempting to "sit". Also a very timid dog (he is from the same breeder as Tessie), is always the first one to bark when I step out of my cabin, and he digs the deepest and widest holes. If only there were a way to train him to dig on command, it would be excellent for planting trees!
Bruce, Billy, and Angie, being little nuggets on a cold windy day.
That's all for now!
I hope you enjoyed meeting the dogs,
Xoxo
Haley
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