Dog Biography

Bensen for a long time was the punk in the dog yard. He thought he was tough stuff — and why wouldn’t he? With parents like bossy know-it-all Tamere and rough-and-tough lead dog Boston, we expected him and his brother, Coda, to have a bit of attitude.

A bit of attitude however turned out to be a little too much. In June of this year we made the decision to neuter Bensen. Neutering sled dogs is often done when a musher feels that the dog would perform better. In Bensen’s case, a little less testoterone went a long way. Once neutered, Bensen went from being a feisty dog who had a hard time fitting in the team to being one of the superstars up on Godwin glacier.

His hard working attitude, beautiful trot, and loving personality make him a favorite amongst our guests. He has inherited Tamere’s terrific smile.

We love you Bensen! Keep up the good work and you’ll be on the race team in no time.

We heard the same thing over and over again this summer from our glacier guides. 

Penny is lazy.

Penny doesn’t pull.

You should find a home for Penny.

Travis wanted to find her a home. In fact, we had one lined up because the winter prior she had spent with our friends and had been a skijoring companion. On more than one occasion, they had told us if Penny didn’t work as a sled dog she was always welcome back with them.

But despite everyone saying she was lazy, I knew Penny. I also knew her mom, Fidget, had been lazy and unfocused when she was a young dog before sky rocketing herself into top-dog position.

She just needs time, I kept saying.

For a few weeks this fall, I wondered, however, if I had made a mistake. Still, I was determined. As a puppy, Penny and her litter mates had been some of the quirkiest dogs I’d ever raised. I loved them dearly for it. I knew she had it in her to succeed. It was never about her being lazy; it was about her being unable to focus on her job.

I will never forget bringing about 15 puppies inside to watch Harry Potter with me. Penny Lane always started the chorus of ferocious barking whenever Voldemort came on screen. She has always been a funny dog.

Now, it seems, she has finally matured. Like her mom, she’s discovered that one of her favorite places to be is at the front of the team. Like her mom, she has seamlessly mastered commands and appears to gain confidence with each run we go on. When not in lead, she jumps up and down almost non-stop with excitement. If the team is traveling too slow, she may just have to pop up and bark to show that yes she does want to be here.

She likes to bark at people and often hiwls when we pass other mushers. She has no problem with their dogs but feels she must announce herself to every human so they don’t try to get to close.

During the summer time, Penny did her fair share of sulking. Why are there so many people here? And, more likely, why must they insist on trying to get me to come out of my dog house?

She could be coaxed out by few which I always thought funny because this is a dog that thinks everything is fun. Everything, apparently, but meeting strangers.

Nonetheless she is working on her social skills as she continues to charge fearlessly down the trail.

Athena.  Her name could not be more fitting. This calm, even-tempered dog is much like the Greek goddess of war and wisdom she was named after. 

Athena has a can-do attitude and is always brimming with a quiet, excitement. She is always eager to put on her harness and get to work. Like the goddess of wisdom, she is quick to learn. She began leading this summer and although she doesn’t spend a tremendous amount of time in lead due to her age, she often runs in swing.

Athena is a consistent dog with a strong work ethic who is eager to please. What I love most about Athena is how carefully she seems to interact with all of those around her, whether they be dog or human.

I am excited to see what the strong, capable dog will bring and am excited to have her as a member of my team!

Athena’s parents are XENA and BOSTON. Her full siblings are Check and Zeus. Her half siblings, through XENA, are Shark and Hoover.