Dallas Seavey is an Iditarod racer. He is also a kennel owner and dog trainer, multi-generation musher, as well as born-and-bred Alaskan by way of Willow… but Dallas first and foremost considers himself an Iditarod racer. It is in his blood. His entire life — in both passion and pursuit — is and has been a drive towards the finish line of the most well known sled race. Hell, his main competitor is his father! Sure there are stop-overs along the way, but those stop-overs are exactly that: stop-overs.
The Iditarod really is a passion and pursuit. Last race he won, he brought home $54,000 and a brand new truck in prizes, but turned around right away to write a $57,000 check for dog food. When he tallies annual costs for his entire kennel, Dallas spend about $250,000 in all. Not a cheap passion and pursuit — but racing is, again, a passion and pursuit, not a profession. There are many other ways to make money, ways he relies on as in his mind’s eye the other races are not worth the wear and tear on his team.
Basically what it comes down to is Dallas being a motivator for his dogs teaching them that they don’t have any weaknesses. How does he do it? By not allowing them to see their own weaknesses.
That is not to say he is a hardass 24 hours a day, 365 days a year though. Happy dogs are the best dogs, so he has to keep the fun in it. And when the dogs run their course, they’re still a part of the family.
Take Mr. Got (I think?) who raced with him in the 2012 Iditarod.
Mr. Got was booted by a moose and ended up paralyzed from the neck down. But don’t go thinking he was left for dead or forgotten. Mr. Got hangs out with the rest of the crew, enjoying the frozen fruits of his retirement.
Sled dogs are the best. Ski dogs are the best — truly. Huskies are the best. What we’re saying is, DOGS are the best.
Awww, look at them. That is one happy family.
