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For more information on the results of the Canines for Charity, please go to the Canines for Charity website.

On February 10th and 11th, Mike Roy (President of CKC), Robyn Martin Alford (CKC Resident Photographer) and I (CKC Junior Musher Alice White) attended the 12th annual Canines for Charity sled dog races in Casper, Wyoming. Also known as the Casper Mountain Sled Dog Races, Canines for Charity raised money for the Arc of Natrona County, a non-profit organization dedicated to helping people with developmental disabilities. The Arc received money from entry fees, auctions, sales and donations. The Continental Kennel Club provided the first purse that Canines for Charity has offered. The top three teams in several classes received cash prizes, as well as race patches and hand-painted dog bowls.

Canines For Charity held over twelve different classes, including mid-distance, sprint, novice, junior and skijor races. One unique race was the disABILITY Dash, a one-hundred yard dash for mentally disabled children. The children sat on a special sled seat while race organizer, Pamela Dunn, rode behind them. Dunn, who lives at the top of Casper Mountain with her husband, Floyd, and a number of Siberian Huskies that make up their Timbermist Tracks kennel, says that one year, a child who rarely smiled squealed with delight at the sight of the sled dogs.

The atmosphere at Canines for Charity was very friendly and there were a number of families there - both in the races and as spectators. There were lines of dog trucks topped with sleds and visitors were constantly taking pictures and petting dogs. The dogs all loved being out in the snow and leaped for joy when they were hooked to the sleds. For larger teams, an ATV was needed to hold the sled, dogs and musher while they waited their turn at the starting chute. For most of the longer races, teams took off at two-minute intervals. In the shorter races, one team took off every minute.

Allan and Tabetha Berge of Deer Creek Sled Dog Kennels in nearby Glenrock, Wyoming, were kind enough to let this Georgia musher borrow three of their Seppala Siberian Sleddogs for the 1-mile Junior race. The Berges raise both Seppala Siberians - cousins of the more familiar Siberian Husky - and Alaskan Huskies, fast mixbreeds used by many competitive mushers.

I had never before competed in a sled dog race so it was a new experience for me. Surprisingly I did not feel at all nervous, just excited. The three dogs ran the one-mile loop at top speed. I kicked along to help them up a small hill but even a three-dog team is very powerful. We finished the run quickly and I was excited to discover that I had placed third.

The next day, I managed to hang on to third place, although I ended up off the trail once and wiped out twice. At the end of the race, I ran towards the finish line alongside Josie Berge. Both teams were evenly matched and it was a photo finish. I’m still not sure who crossed the finish line first, as place is determined by time, not by who finishes first.

Mike Roy entered the 4-mile novice race with a team of four dogs. As far as I know, it was his first time driving a sled but he still managed to win first place!

I believe the 2007 Casper Mountain Sled Dog Races were a great success. I learned that there were a record number of teams entered this year and I expect the number to increase as more dog lovers discover the excitement of sled dogs and sled dog racing.

If you would like more information on this annual event, call CKC’s Events Department at (888) 252-8042 or visit the Canines for Charity website at www.caninesforcharity.com.