Husky News

Mike Schwandt’s three rambunctious dogs won’t let him forget that he has several children to help this December.

Mike Schwandt is organizing his third annual Can’t Depend on Snow fund-raising sled dog race to benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation. The Reporter photo by Patrick Flood

For the third consecutive year, Schwandt is organizing the Can’t Depend on Snow Sled Dog Race. The event raises money for the Make-A-Wish Foundation, an organization that grants the dreams of children with life-threatening medical conditions. Races, weight-pulling contests, games and other festivities will be held 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 1, at Rolling Meadows Golf Course, 560 W. Rolling Meadows Drive.

As the name suggests, weather won’t affect the event, he said. If the ground stays green, participants will use special sleds with wheels.

Organizers would prefer snow, though, because citizens enjoy seeing an authentic sled dog race. The dogs can also run faster, he said.

“I don’t expect (snow),” he said. “I just hope for it.”

Schwandt, a Fond du Lac resident, hopes the third time’s the charm. He said donors gave $1,100 the first year and $2,600 last year. This year, he hopes to raise $5,000.

This year’s race shows promise. Schwandt said the 26 teams that raced last year all vowed to return. He’s also received many calls from interested teams. An estimated 30 to 35 teams from Wisconsin, Illinois, Minnesota, Kentucky and Iowa are expected to participate.

Attendance has steadily increased. Last year, more than 500 people visited Can’t Depend on Snow, but Schwandt hopes for more.

“I would like to have the whole city show up,” he said.

Schwandt attributed the success to generous hearts and four-legged friends.

“Everybody loves dogs,” he said. “It’s a fun event.”

People also can’t resist helping sick children, he added.

He’s willing to do all he can to grant a child’s final wish.

“The Make-A-Wish kids, they’ve got a pretty bleak future,” he said. “To hear the stories… it almost makes you cry.”

Local money raised assists local kids, said Heather Lindner, field office administrator for the Make-A-Wish Foundation. For the 2007 fiscal year, the organization granted 268 wishes statewide, 41 in northeastern Wisconsin.

Make-A-Wish tries to grant more wishes every year, so fundraisers like Can’t Depend on Snow are vital, she said.

“It’s awesome,” Lindner said. “We absolutely love to have people who are as enthusiastic as we are. Mike is very much that person.”

Training days

Schwandt not only organizes the event, he participates. He said he spends five days a week sledding with his three dogs, Kodiak, Nakita and Sabre. He’s also training two new ones this year — Mia (pronounced Maya), a wolf-hybrid, and Gavin, a young purebred Siberian Husky. Schwandt said he doesn’t own the two, but may run with one for Can’t Depend on Snow because the race requires four dogs.

He knows that preparing animals for Can’t Depend on Snow, or any race, isn’t easy.

Schwandt said he juggles his job and the fundraiser. He also has to care for his three “children,” who can be unforgiving if they don’t get to practice.

Sometimes, carrying a harness is like ringing a dinner bell. If the dogs see him holding the equipment, they think it’s time to run, he said.

“They go crazy,” Schwandt said. “Kodiak gets up and starts howling.”

Dog training also requires a balanced diet complete with nutritious dog chow, eggs and chicken and rice stew, he added. He said the eggs provide extra protein, but the stew is mostly a treat.

Schwandt said he loves his dogs and wouldn’t give up racing for the world.

“It’s a kick in the (butt),” he said. “You take off at 25 mph and you know there’s no stopping.”

Source: Fond du Lac Reporter