Husky News

You can be a musher but you can't say mush.

You can be a musher but you can't say mush.

"That's only on TV and in the movies," says Russ Sutherby, a dog sledding enthusiast, his voice hinting at the touch of sadness a purist feels when talking to someone beyond the pale.

Instead, mushers — those driving a dogsled — learn to shout such commands as "gee" (turn right); "haw" (turn left) and "whoa" (stop).

"They're the same command as you would use for lead horses," Sutherby says.

But since I've never driven either a team of dogs or horses before, I listen carefully. Understanding what to say when mushing is very important because these sleds have a rudimentary brake and the last resort stop action is a snow hook that you use to latch on to a tree. In other words, you either make the dogs understand what you want or else.

"That's why we train people before they start mushing," says Sutherby, who has participated several times in the Midnight Run, a 70-mile dog sled race held in the Upper Peninsula.

Sutherby and his wife, Sherry, own Last Chance Kennel in Mancelona, Mich., a small town about 150 miles north of Grand Rapids. Though the name Last Chance may sound like something out of a Western, the couple chose the name because here is the last chance for some 29 huskies.

"We've gotten most of them from the pound or from people who didn't want them anymore. We saved them from being put to sleep or being abandoned," Sherry said. "We've found some American Kennel-registered huskies at the pound. Can you believe it?"

It is hard to believe as these friendly — and noisy — dogs vie for attention and the chance to pull the sled or just lick your hand. Huskies come in several varieties according to Sherry, including Alaskan, Siberian and Seppela Siberian. She describes the Alaskans as good racers (Sutherby also does dog racing), while the Seppela Siberian Huskies are "real good pulling dogs."

Last Chance Kennel is located on 40 acres of land (the Sutherbys also live there and have a small farm with pigs, horses, Dexter cows, rabbits and chickens). If the hens are laying, visitors can pick up fresh farm eggs after dog sledding.

It's a pretty piece of property, comprised of hills and valleys, woods and fields. The dog sled trails dip and curve, and at times even the enthusiastic dogs have to slow down. It's a different perspective of the landscape — a winter wonderland immersion like being inside a snow globe.

"It's a really beautiful and different way of traveling," says Sherry, noting that sledding conditions usually are good since Mancelona is in a snow belt.

For someone who always was chosen last in gym class, I was surprised at how quickly I picked up on the rudimentary skills of dog sledding. You also learn about dog psychology — which canines make good lead dogs, which ones can be harnessed together, which ones should be kept apart and how to mix and match them into efficient sledding teams.

Last Chance offers two types of rides: an Idita Dash (named after the famous Alaskan dog sled race) that is a quick run down an open field or, for the heartier souls, there's a two- to four-hour trip (the length, says Sutherby, depends upon the people and the snow conditions) through the woods. There is one person per sled pulled by a pack of energetic dogs. For that, layer up the clothes and don't refuse the heavy blankets the Sutherbys offer. Despite holding the reins and shouting commands, the dogs are doing most of the work and it can get a little nippy.  But it's totally worth it.

At Last Chance, the dogs reign supreme. There are photos of them on the Web site including a memorial online to one who has mushed on to snowier pastures.

So entwined are the Sutherbys with their rescued dogs, that one named Hooch has been with Russ since he first opened, about 10 years ago. Kiwi, a very tropical-sounding name for an animal that thrives in the snow and cold, has been around almost as long.

"They're like family," Sherry said.

At least a dozen start barking, as if in agreement.

How to get there …

Take I-94 East to I-196 (near Benton Harbor, Mich.). Continue to Grand Rapids and take U.S. 131 north to Mancelona.

For more information

www.lastchancekennel.com or call 231 881-2688.
 
What to bring …

Warm clothing, lots of it.    

You'll like …

A stop for a meal in Cadillac (you'll be driving by on your way to Mancelona) where the award-winning Herman's European Café (214 N. Mitchell, (231) 775-9563, www.chefhermann.com) frequently has morel soup on the menu as well as German and Austrian fare and good American cooking including oversized hamburgers. There's also a deli for quick takeouts and the Opa Butcher Shop where you can stock up on individual Beef Wellingtons and unusual cuts of meat including lamb and veal.

Kids will like …

How the dogs also are available for skijoring — where a cross country skier hitches up to a sled dog for a ride. "Just bring your skis," Sutherby said. "I have the dogs."

And don't miss …

If you want to explore Northern Michigan, there are a lot of great places. Book a room at the Water Street Inn in Boyne City (240 Front St., (800) 456-4313), which has great views of Lake Charlevoix and is within walking distance of the historic downtown. Nearby are several ski resorts including Boyne Highlands and Boyne Mountain, which also has Avalanche Bay, Michigan's largest indoor waterpark. www.avalanchebay.com or (800) 462-6963.

Source: nwitimes.com