Mikel Love, a 10-year-old fifth grader from Kendall, certainly has one of the most unique and interesting hobbies around. Mikel and his dad, Mike Love, keep four Siberian Huskies which they train as sled dogs at home and along the canal towpath in Clarkson. They’ve been involved in this hobbie for six years, which Mike senior first got interested in after observing another local sled dog enthusiast, Jim Phillips of Bergen. In the years since his father began, young Mikel has shown both skill and enthusiasm for the sport of sled dog racing and a growing resonsibility in caring for the dogs. The father-son duo frequently demonstrate dog sledding techniques and offer rides to the public at fund-raisers. Proceeds often go to charities like Make a Wish Foundation and Lollypop Farm. Demonstrations this winter will be held locally at R.C. Steele in Brockport in January and February. The Loves have four dogs -- the minimum number needed for sledding -- three males and one female. “Males make the better sled dogs,” says Mike, “females are stronger-willed and less eager to pay attention to commands. The males listen better.” His first dog, Meko, is the only one they’ve raised from a puppy. Omaha was a gift from the retiring racer from whom he bought his sled. Knight is the largest dog. He was rescued from the Chili Animal Control, where he was about to be put to sleep. Rounding out the team is Rasha, a feisty female, considerably smaller at 43 pounds than her bulkier 50-55 pound male teammates. But what she lacks in size, Rasha more than makes up for in her vocal enthusiasm for racing. While still a novice at racing, Mikel has already distinguished himself by taking second prize in a one-mile “Kid Mutt” race held last winter at Allegheny State Park. For experienced adults, a sprint race is four miles long as distinguished from an endurance race like the Iditarod or the Yukon Quest. At the start, dogs can reach a speed of 30 mph, thereafter slowing to a cruising pace of 12-15 mph depending on the terrain. The dogs typically pull a light-weight, hand-made sled, crafted from ash lashed together with natural bindings. Any metal or other material must be kept to a minimum both to avoid snow and ice accumulation, maintain flexibility in freezing temperatures, and to keep weight down. Where metal is used, it usually forms the surface of the runners upon which the sled glides over the snow. Various waxes, similar to those used on cross country skis, are applied to the metal runner depending on the weather and type of snow. Sleds can cost anywhere from $300 to over $1,000. During sanctioned races, every sled must carry a canvas-like bag in which to enclose and carry an injured or sick dog. A typical outfit, including sled, dog harnesses, ropes, lines and clips costs a minimum of about $700 and weighs about 50 pounds. On long distance races like the 1,180 mile Iditarod, where sleds are larger and supplies, including straw bedding and food for the dogs must be carried, weights close to 500 pounds are common. Caring for the dogs and keeping them in good health is vital to the sport. Mikel and his dad share the chores. They feed the dogs once a day with a high-quality, protein-rich dry food supplemented several times a week with a frozen product formulated especially for sled dogs containing fish, meat and supplements. Because of their heavy coats, small compact bodies and years of selective breeding, sled dogs, especially Siberian huskies, do well in, and prefer cold weather. Mikel and his dad do not run the dogs hard in temperatures over 50 degrees, but they make an occassional warm weather run using a special wheeled cart just to keep the dogs in shape. They always water the dogs before a run and time the exercise so they’re never out too soon after feeding. Because the dogs can suffer from heat, the kennel is kept shaded in the summer and a spray-misting system is used to cool the dogs when temperatures get too hot. One of the special pleasures only the Loves and their nearest neighbors enjoy by keeping their Huskies is what Mike senior calls “night singing.” From their kennel, on certain nights, the dogs will, in unison, begin vocalizing. The result is an eerie song, a melodic harmony of howls, brays, yips and barks. It’s unclear what drives the dogs to break into song, but whether it lasts for a few seconds, or for several minutes, it’s always a joy to hear, Mike says. Dog sled racing has a long and noble tradition both in Europe and North America. The use of dogs has helped people living in icy lands explore and inhabit some of the most inhospitable areas of the planet. Fame and glory came to the sled dog in 1925 when relay teams delivered diptheria antitoxin 650 miles over rough terrain, through blizzards and across Bering Sea ice to Nome, Alaska where an outbreak of the disease threatened that community. Ever since, sled dogs have been praised and admired for their intelligence, fidelity and endurance. These qualities are tested and demonstrated every year during the famed Iditarod race that recreates the 1925 feat. Over the years, snowmobiles and other motorized vehicles have superceded dog sleds for transportation in the Arctic and elswhere. But dog sled racing continues to grow in popularity as a recreational sport both in Canada and the lower 48. Today, sled dog racing enthusiasts keep the tradition alive in competitions in France, Germany, Japan, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Sweden and several other countries. For more information, log on to the International Sled Dog Racing Association’s Web site, www.isdra.org Sled Dog Talk: Every dog-sled driver develops his or her own vocabulary to talk to the dogs and give commands. But many commands are used in common. For instance: Tighten up - means, before starting the dog should pull any slack in its harness while moving away from the sled. Straight on - Keep going straight, don’t turn. Gee - Turn or bear right. Yaw - Turn or bear left. Come gee or Come yaw - U-turn right, or u-turn left. On by - The same as straight-on, no turns. Hike, hike, hike - Said in rapid succession, meaning to go, go, go - fast. Okay - Used to first start the dogs pulling. |
