Summer in AK/Flying dogs to AK

I’ve been so excited to share my news with everyone…..I’ll
be working in AK from May 1 to Aug 21. I’m psyched! I’ll be working for a tour
kennel where I’ll be in charge of 25 dogs give or take. I’ll have two 10-dog
teams (and a few spares) that I’ll use to give rides to tourists (who are
mostly interested in photo-ops). I’ll be living on a glacier just outside
Juneau, only reachable by helicopter. On my weekends, I’ll have to take the helicopter
into town! Even better, I’m allowed to take some of my own dogs to fill out my
team. Everything was finalized just a few weeks ago; it’s hardly even sunk in
yet!


The only drawbacks: I’m not sure if Connor will end up
coming with me and, number two, I’ll miss Cherry Fest and Premier. UKC Premier
is my FAVORTIE event of the ENTIRE year but maybe if I leave Connor and Elsie at home my mom can jump them or something


Last thing- does anyone know rules/rates for flying dogs? I’m
looking at taking somewhere around 3 dogs give or take (and space permitting….still
have to hear back on how many I’ll be able to bring). Any info would help.


Oh and the very last thing….think Connor would count as a
carry-on???

With the new increase in cost for checking a bag on the plane I would imagine that checking your dog/s would be quite expensive. I know Anna has flown with her dogs in the recent past, so maybe she will know.

Yeah, I'm worried that I won't be able to afford it.

You really should call the airline you will be flying with since I'm sure fees will vary by carrier. I'm thinking in the range of $100-$200 per dog but it could be much more. I wouldn't expect it to be any less than that.

We will be at premier and cherryfest, we would be happy to help your mom with connor & elsie. I live in portage and so it would be no problem.

Have a blast! Sounds like an adventure of a lifetime! Too cold for me :-)

I know when we looked at flying a dog to Florida it was like $250 for them. But I know some airlines are good at making exceptions.

I know, I know....I've been procrastinating on calling any airline in particular. I think my brother in-law is gonna help me out and look for tickets, so I'll need to give him the heads up. I should be figuring it all out pretty soon. I'll keep everyone posted. But whether or not I take my OWN dogs, I'm still going to AK. Though, it would be wayyyy more fun with my home-grown mutts!!


And about jumping Connor....I think my grandpa (some of you may have met him at Premier this summer) is really considering taking Connor. We only live about 25mins from there. Even before UAD, we stopped by every summer for as long as I can remember.....my grandpa is the one who started me in the dog world as a whole. Since I've been in college, he's been living with The Black Dog and I'm pretty sure he likes Connor more than he likes me!! Elsie ate his remote last night though....so she's not on the top of his list right now. (needless to say, both of my heathens drive my mother crazy...so I'm sure she wouldn't be caught dead with them in public ....she put up with them long enough during the years I lived at home! ha)

I am SO jealous! Lol. That is awesome! Be sure to tell us all about it when you get back (or give updates while you're there). It sounds like an absolute blast.

As for current rates... I'm not sure. But you will likely need health certs for each dog, as well (a couple airlines are apparently no longer checking for/requiring them... but near all will). Those generally can cost you anywhere from $50-90 each.

And I would also be more than happy to help out with your pups at Premier or Cherry Fest. We'll definitely be at Premier... possibly Cherry Fest.

Ooh, Annie! A young musher's dream job! Take lots of pics and post some- if you have access at your location. Otherwise we'll settle for hard copies later in the year at whatever events you can make.

Alaska is beautiful in the summer. I wan't in the Juneau area, but in the Anchorage area.

One place you should really try to get to visit while you are in Alaska is Seward. It will be quite a hike from Juneau, but well worth it. It is the original start of the Iditarod. It's a really neat little town and they have an interesting Fourth of July tradition: run DOWN Mount Marathon.

Northwest is probably the best airline to get there. I have friends that swear by flying their dogs Northwest. They supposedly care for the dogs the best. Northwest also offers non-stop flights from Detroit to Anchorage, so that would only be one stop, from Anchorage to Juneau.

Have fun and enjoy yourself while you are there!

I've actually been to Seward before and you're right....what a gorgeous little town!! Two summers ago I went on a hiking trip to AK. We stayed a few nights in Anchorage (which I didn't like....though downtown isn't bad) and we went to Seward to board a wildlife viewing boat where we also had dinner on board. AMAZING. We saw so many Sea Lions and the captain was able to steer the boat (which was huge) directly into a cliff so that we could all touch the rock. And the 28 mile hiking trip through/over Crow Pass wasn't bad either.

And that new camera I got....well, it was in direct relation to my AK plans. My family has already told me that I'm supposed to take as many pictures as possible.

If Connor stays, anyone available can help my grandpa control the beast. But the real question is, Kel, will you be around to play frisbee with Elsie? lol (and since you're one of the few who's seen her jump...maybe she'll show off a little. Title her for me while I'm gone!! )

Lol, if I'm in the area for any disc events, I'd be happy to run Elsie (or Connor). Same with dock jumping. Maybe she's just okay with jumping in front of certain people? Who knows... crazy dogs.

Again, that is very, very cool and I'm still jealous. Be sure to post lots of pics!

Speaking of pics, I checked out your website again the other day... under the "introducing" end of the dog's list section, are those your new Alaskans? I love the pic of Sosa looking straight at the camera... such a sweet face (which I'm sure is hiding the "I might just be a pain in the butt for the Sibes today!" thoughts... lol).

Labwake wrote:
If Connor stays, anyone available can help my grandpa control the beast. But the real question is, Kel, will you be around to play frisbee with Elsie? lol (and since you're one of the few who's seen her jump...maybe she'll show off a little. Title her for me while I'm gone!! )

I know of one Jr. Handler that would be more than willing to help if the adults are too tired .. and did someone say frisbee... Well if Kel is tired Sarah will be more than willing to play that game lol..

Yes, help with exercising Elsie while I'm gone would be wonderful. And if you're a FEMALE, there's a good chance she WON'T bite you! hahahaha of course I'm only kidding....she won't actually BITE, but she's VERY partial to a select few (remember the story of our Novi mishap?!). I'd let my mom try working them (not that they listen to her, but they do kinda love her after all) but for one, Mommy can't swim (dangerous to have her anywhere near the water when working Connor!!) and for two, my mother throwing a frisbee would be just a dangerous

And Kel, yep those are the newbies! There's one guy I don't have posted yet (or maybe I'm just missing the pic) because he's soooo shy.....which I also attribute to his lack of solid education in mushing 101 . I've changed everyone's name to give them a completely fresh start (and because I hated their original names) so hopefully completely fresh behavior in harness will follow. Ran them last night and had much better control....their main problem is passing. (though the original owner told me they were on his MAIN RACING team....again....mushing 101 )

Yeah... my boys' main problem is passing, too. Lol. They like to socialize. Best of luck with the Alaskans! They look like a very nice group (and nice lean, leggy builds, too). I'm sure with time you can uncover some very nice sled dogs with them.

Annie, if that new camera is a digital make sure you take a some extra memory cards for it. Either that or make sure you take a computer and download cable. We went to Alaska two years ago on Spring break and it was so awe inspiring. The two cameras I had with me were well used and took over 4500 pictures in less than a week. I know you will have much more time than I did to shoot pictures and I would love to see them sometime.

Thanks for the camera advice. I know I'll take my computer with me, so I can transfer all the pics there. But you're right, I should get an extra memory card or two. And I also think (though I'm not positive) that I'll have internet access....which would be verrrrry nice!

Oh and Aimee, how old is Sarah? If she's close enough to me, maybe Elsie wont even notice the difference! hahaha

I think Sarah would be a good one to work with either of your pups, Annie. She's a very good handler and tends to adjust to and "read" new dogs very well. She is in Canada, though...

Both you and she are definitely some of the most talented junior handlers I know... and having instructed and judged so many, I know a LOT!

Well hey don't forget that I'm 18 now! haha But in all seriousness Kel, that really means a lot to me.

And if only Sarah would come to MI to play fetch with my mutts during the summer.....

Technically... 18 is still Jr handler age in several organizations.

Ha oh jeeze....and here I thought I was free of all that Jr stuff hahaha