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Send news of interest to mushers to info@sleddogcentral.com A reminder about email to/from Sled Dog Central... 5/5/08 "Tails from the Trail" Charity Banquet a Success Eighty Five Fairbanks area residents attended the first ever "Tails from the Trail" Charity Banquet and Silent Auction on Friday, April 25th at the Fairbanks Princess Hotel. The banquet's guest speakers, 2000 Yukon Quest Champion Aliy Zirkle, 2008 Yukon Quest 2nd Place finisher Ken Anderson and 2007 ISDRA 10 dog Gold Medalist Jeff Conn entertained the audience after dinner with stories from this year's racing trails. Blake Matray, Executive Director of The Sled Dog Fund, Inc., which hosted the event, reports that the banquet raised over $4000.00 for the support of children with disabilities and their families. The Sled Dog Fund, Inc. is a non-profit organization that uses racing sled dogs to promote awareness and raise funding for the support of children with disabilities. The Sled Dog Fund, Inc. directly supports clinical research on disabilities, funds hospital programs, assists with parental education initiatives and sponsors individual disabled children who wish to compete in races of any kind. All donations to The Sled Dog Fund, Inc. are fully tax deductable. Donations are accepted via the internet or by mail. For additional information, visit The Sled Dog Fund, Inc.'s website at www.sleddogfund.org Photo by Deb Lanigan 4/29/08 Governor Corzine of New Jersey is proposing a budget cut that would close nine of the New Jersey state forests/parks. Governor Corzine (NJ) is proposing a budget cut that would close nine of the New Jersey state forests/parks. One of them being Brendan T. Byrne forest, which seems to be a prime area for sled-doggers to train. If it's at all possible, we'd like to see the dog-sledders, equestrians, OHV'ers, hunters, etc... all come together to keep these parks open. We are in the process of organizing a one-day rally on May 17, 2008 in this forest to show Governor Corzine that access to these forests and parks is critical to the quality of life in New Jersey. I've learned that this is not a hollow threat, and without resistance the parks could be closed as early as July 2008. We have verbal permission to use the park for our rally. My group is arranging for a PA system, electric generator for power, some sort of podium for speakers, and the attendance of local politicians. All we really need from other park users is attendance. Anyone who would like the podium/microphone to plead the case of their community will be welcome to do so. My contact information is listed below. Anyone interested in keeping these parks open can contact me directly. Jeff Robinson More details at http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2008/04/nine_state_parks_may_close_und.html 3/18/08 Mush for a Cure raises over $10,000 for the National Breast Cancer Foundation WOW! What an awesome day and awesome people who came out Saturday, March 15th to participate in Mush for a Cure. Through the dedication of volunteers and mushers we were able to raise over $10,000 for the National Breast Cancer Foundation. The combined effort of everyone involved made the day a huge success. Without all of the hands and paws involved the event would have never been possible. The trail was made safe for the mushers and dogs by careful planning, grooming, signage, radio operators and volunteers at crossings during the day's event. Gunflint Pines and Trail Center made sure there was parking, food, beverages and anything the mushers or spectators needed throughout the day. The many volunteers who registered mushers, made arm bands, cooked pancakes, collected donations, announced the race, cleaned up, made signs and everything else were just phenonmenal. A huge thank you to everyone involved. Many mushers, volunteers and spectators alike got into the "Pink Spirit" by dressing up in pink. The photo is of Gail Branstrom of Babbitt, MN finishing the race in her pink robe. Check out additional fun photos at The Mush for a Cure Photos. Be sure to keep an eye on the site and plan to be a part of Mush for a Cure 2009! 3/17/08 Mid-distance World Champion & top Open driver, Joel Nelson, retires after 20 years I would like to thank those mushers who took the time to mentor me as I came up through the ranks. I will miss the thrill of running a sled behind these amazing athletes we call sled dogs. All fifty dogs were purchased by Terry and Buddy Streeper of British Columbia. Plans are to travel with my wife LeeAnn and to see the world without having to drop dogs along the way. I wish God's blessing on all the friends we made through the years!!!!! /Joel 1/10/08 Oxford, ME-Mushing USA - the National Governing Body for sled dog sports in the United States will use Regional Qualifying races to select participants to represent the USA in the 2009 IFSS Sprint and Nordic World Championships slated to be held in North America. The Mushing USA Board of Directors unanimously approved a proposal to use 4 regional qualifying races to select participants to represent the US at the 2009 IFSS World Championships. The proposal divided the United States into 4 geographic regions; the East, Central, including Michigan, the West, including Colorado, and Alaska. Existing races in each region were approached about acting as the regional qualifier. Races were chosen based on performance history, likeness to be contested and competitive nature of the race. The races will contest 4, 6, 8 dog and Unlimited (Open) Sprint as well as men's and women's 1 and 2-dog Skijoring. If a region does not contest a class, Mushing USA will not select a representative from that region. Winners of each qualifying race will be eligible for selection to the 2009 Mushing USA Team. Because IFSS rules allow each national federation to enter only 3 people per class, Mushing USA will select only 3 of the 4 regional winners. Final selections will include the 3 winners beating the greatest number of teams in the qualifying races. However, Mushing USA is currently in negotiations to allow all four regional winners to compete. In instances where a first place musher declines their berth the 2nd place participant becomes eligible for selection. 2nd place mushers may also become eligible if a winning musher has already won another regional qualifying race. Athletes must compete in the World Championships in the class they qualified for. Competitors do not have to compete in the region in which they reside. Mushers looking to compete at the World Championships in 2009 should plan to attend one of the following Mushing USA Regional Qualifiers: In the East, Jackman, Maine, will be hosting the Regionals March 7-9, 2008. Classes approved are the Sprint Unlimited (Open), 8, 6 and 4-dog Sprint and men's and women's 1 and 2-dog Skijoring. In the Central region, Frazee's Third Crossing Rendezvous will be one of the hosts. Running on January 25-26, 2008, it will have Regional Qualifying events in Sprint Unlimited (Open) class, 8, and 4-dog Sprint. Land O' Lakes (Wisconsin) will host the 6-dog Sprint class for the Central region on February 2-3, 2008. The men's and women's 1 and 2-dog Skijoring events will be contested by the Snowflake Skijoring Classic on March 1-2, 2008, in Duluth, Minnesota. Granby, Colorado, will play host to the West Regional Qualifier on February 16-17, 2009 at its 29th Annual Grand County Sled Dog Classic. Regional events will be the 8, 6, and 4-dog Sprint as well as men's and women's 1 and 2-dog Skijoring. There will be no Unlimited (Open) event in the West. Alaska's North American Championships have been designated to host the MUSA Regional Qualifiers for Alaska. The Limited North American, with the 8, 6, and 4-dog Sprint and the men's and women's 1 and 2-dog Skijoring classes will take place on March 7-9, 2008, in Fairbanks. The (Unlimited) Open North American will be held on March 21-23, 2008, in Fairbanks. Three venues have submitted bids to host the 2009 IFSS World Championships: Anchorage, Alaska, Daquaam, Quebec, and Cedaredge, Colorado. IFSS will be making its decision soon between these three cities. For athletes unable to compete at one of the regional races or who fail to win, IFSS also awards berths to the top three World Cup point earners in each region in each class. The United States is one IFSS region. Points are based on the competitors 6 best World Cup accredited heats. These berths do not count against the national federations allotment and will have no bearing on the Mushing USA Regional Qualifiers. For more information contact Sara Vanderwood at pulka4u@yahoo.com or Jason Sperry at sperryjg@yahoo.com 12/1/07 Canine rabies challenge studies begin! One of the most important vaccine research studies in veterinary medicine is underway at the University of Wisconsin School of Veterinary Medicine in Madison. Dr. Ronald Schultz, a leading authority on veterinary vaccines and Chair of the Department of Pathobiological Sciences, has begun concurrent 5 and 7 year challenge studies to determine the long-term duration of immunity of the canine rabies vaccine, with the goal of extending the state-mandated interval for boosters. These will be the first long-term challenge studies on the canine rabies vaccine to be published in the United States. Dr. Schultz comments that: "We are all very excited to start this study that will hopefully demonstrate that rabies vaccines can provide a minimum of 7 years of immunity." This research is being financed by The Rabies Challenge Fund, a charitable trust founded by pet vaccine disclosure advocate Kris L. Christine of Maine, who serves as Co-Trustee with world-renowned veterinary research scientist and practicing clinician, Dr. W. Jean Dodds of Hemopet in California. The Rabies Challenge Fund recently met its goal of $177,000 to fund the studies’ first year budget with contributions from dog owners, canine groups, trainers, veterinarians, and small businesses. Annual budget goals of $150,000 for the studies must be met in the future. Dr. Jean Dodds, DVM states: "This is the first time in my 43 years of involvement in veterinary issues that what started as a grass-roots effort to change an outmoded regulation affecting animals will be addressed scientifically by an acknowledged expert to benefit all canines in the future." Scientific data published in 1992 by Michel Aubert and his research team demonstrated that dogs were immune to a rabies challenge 5 years after vaccination, while Dr. Schultz’s serological studies documented antibody titer counts at levels known to confer immunity to rabies 7 years post-vaccination. This data strongly suggests that state laws requiring annual or triennial rabies boosters for dogs are redundant. Because the rabies vaccine is the most potent of the veterinary vaccines and associated with significant adverse reactions, it should not be given more often than is necessary to maintain immunity. Adverse reactions such autoimmune diseases affecting the thyroid, joints, blood, eyes, skin, kidney, liver, bowel and central nervous system; anaphylactic shock; aggression; seizures; epilepsy; and fibrosarcomas at injection sites are linked to rabies vaccinations. Study co-trustee Kris Christine adds: “Because the USDA does not require vaccine manufacturers to provide long-term duration of immunity studies documenting maximum effectiveness when licensing their products, concerned dog owners have contributed the money to fund this research themselves. We want to ensure that rabies immunization laws are based upon independent, long-term scientific data.” More information and regular updates on The Rabies Challenge Fund and the concurrent 5 and 7 year challenge studies it is financing can be found at the fund’s website designed by volunteer Andrea Brin at: www.RabiesChallengeFund.org 9/12/07 Mush Mon! - Jamaica Dogsled Team Documentary SUN DOGS to be Released on DVD OCHO RIOS, Jamaica (September 8, 2007) - The feature documentary "Sun Dogs" chronicling the struggle and adventure of the founding of the Jamaica Dogsled Team will be released on DVD by Palm Pictures, October 2, 2007. SUN DOGS is a story of second chances. Rescued from the streets and animal shelters of Kingston, Jamaica, twelve stray dogs are trained to be the stars of Jamaica's first dog sled racing team. The crew, spearheaded by pop superstar Jimmy Buffett, brings the unlikely meeting of a traditionally snow-bound sport to the sand and surf. But it is not just the dogs that are given a second chance. The team's dog mushers are given the opportunity of a lifetime as they cultivate their love of animals while receiving an education and traveling the world. Special Features on the DVD include four mini-documentaries: "Jimmy Buffett and the Jamaica Dog Sled Team" - exclusive footage of Jimmy Buffett; "How to Teach Your Dog to Pull in Harness;" "The Jamaica Dogsled Team Taking on the World;" "The Work of the JSPCA;" plus a "Dog-ography: Meet the Mutts." To purchase the documentary or for more information about SUN DOGS and the Jamaica Dogsled Team visit www.jamaicadogsled.com - Chukka Caribbean Adventures: www.chukkacaribbean.com ; Palm Pictures: www.palmpictures.com ; SUN DOGS www.sundogsmovie.com 7/3/07 Dean Fairburn drowns in Idaho's Payette River Dean was well known among mushers in the west. He was a great friend and a very good musher. He loved his family and the dogs. He won the Eagle Cap 200 race this year, and got Red Lantern in this year's Race To The Sky. He was planning to run the Iditarod next year. Details from the Idaho Statesman: www.idahostatesman.com/531/story/97073.html 6/25/07 Wally Herbert, passed away on June 13th. Wally made an historic 3620 mile unsupported trek from Alaska to Spitsbergen, Norway by way of the North Pole by Inuit Dog team back in 1968. More information at and here: http://sirwallyherbert.com/Profile.html 5/29/07 R. Glendon "Dick" Brunk, February 14, 1945-May 13, 2007 Former Fairbanks resident R. Glendon Brunk, 62, died May 13, 2007, in Santa Fe, New Mexico A memorial celebration will be at 6 p.m. June 9 at the Dog Mushers Hall located on Farmers Loop Road in Fairbanks. Details are at www.glendonbrunk.com 1/11/07 Tragedy Strikes Alaskan Mushing Family My name is Kelly Wright and I am a sprint musher from Chugiak, Alaska. On Saturday Jan. 6th tragedy struck my family. My 4 year old niece, Daiquiri Rose Wright, and my 2 year old nephew, Christopher Dirkes, where critically burned in a house fire while on a play date with their cousins Amber and Matthew Lieghton in Eagle River, AK. Unfortunately Matthew died in the fire but the other three children are all in critical condition at the burn center at Harborview Hospital in Seattle, WA. As you can imagine the expenses are staggering and even with help from the Shriners and Red Cross we are still stuck with transportation, food and many other bills. We are looking at several months for Daiquiri and Amber before they may possibly be able to be back in Alaska. Christopher's burns are so extensive that he will be required to remain in the burn center for much longer. Anybody wishing to make a contribution can contact my father or me at flyingpawsracing@hotmail.com Thank You for your support, 12/12/06 Langlade County, Wisconsin Mushing Family needs help. One of our local mushing families is facing a serious medical challenge. Dawn Breedlove’s daughter, Michaela, has been diagnosed with bone cancer. Michaela has begun receiving lengthy and difficult chemotherapy at Children’s Hospital in Milwaukee. Fortunately, Michaela and Dawn will be able to return home between series of treatments. However, their house must first be properly prepared. Family members, as well as mushers, are quickly pitching in to make this happen as they may be able to come home next Saturday. In effect the house must be sanitized – everything cleaned with bleach, all animals and plants removed, carpet pulled out, etc. Even an artificial Christmas tree must be used. A key factor to Michaela’s safety and comfort is the use of hepa filter air purifiers. Three are needed – one for Michaela’s bedroom and two in the living room. Total expense involved will be approximately $300. The folks at Menard’s discounted each purifier by $20 when they learned why they are needed. Further paperwork has been completed for the possible donation of a 9 X 12 carpet and the air purifiers from Fleet and Farm. Many other unusual expenses will be incurred by Dawn and Michaela as they travel down the road to recovery. A fund has been set up through the Langlade County Sled Dog Club to help them. Mark Levitski, as treasurer, has agreed to handle the donations. Please send your donation as soon as possible. If your budget requires that you mail your donation at a later time it will be helpful for us to know how much you intend to give. Then we can better plan immediate necessary purchases. Thank you so much for opening your hearts and your pocketbooks for Michaela. I will send out up-dates on Michaela’s progress. Mark Levitski If you have questions,I'll do my best to answer them. Thank you, Beth Castaldi If you plan to carry dog food/meat across Canada/US borders check ahead... The situation in carrying dog meat and/or dog food with certain ingredients across the border in 2005/2006 seems to have changed very little from last year. Note that there is now a problem with chicken passing through British Columbia. Thanks to Karen Ramstead for providing the following information on November 22, 2005:
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