It may have taken 9 years, but it happened!

Super Sleddie Reunion #8 happened on September 27, 2025 and it was a sight to behold.

27 sleddies gathered to run, play, steal snacks, swim, get muddy, explore, sniff, make new friends and even nap. 
You may think it would be noisy with over 30 dogs in all, in attendance, but it's not. The dogs have found new routines that are more than just being "on" or "off" for work. They've found a middle ground that allows them to make their own choices on their own time. To choose friends. To have some license when it comes to their daily lives.

The reunion took place at Victoria Humane Society’s new property - the site of what will be an incredible animal care and adoption centre - located in a magical forested area, just outside of Victoria. 

Since the first gathering in November 2013 to this latest almost 12 years later, I’ve had the honour to meet and photograph 278 former sled dogs who’ve had the opportunity to leave working life behind and live life as beloved family members. 

Aside from sweet Smokie who’s 15 (maybe 16?), the dogs at this gathering is a new generation of sleddies. The inspiration for this project - the survivors of the Whistler sled dog massacre - have all passed away, but their names and faces live on in some pretty cherished memories from those who knew them, along with photographs and stories on this site. And some of those original families have continued to adopt sleddies!
The majority of this crew have come from the Whistler area, but some are from the Yukon and beyond. 

To the new friends visiting this page/post, you will see many photos below. I haven’t picked out just the single portraits because I share as many photos as I can as this project is not just about the ‘pretty pictures or posed portraits - it’s about sharing the realness - the fun, the messy, the eyes closed, the turned away faces. 

There is a magic that comes along with sharing your home with a sleddie, a camaraderie between the human and the dog as you both learn about each other. The comfort that can be found in new routines. The time for the dogs to learn that life is not just about being “on” and “off” for work because there are now opportunities for mid-range adventures, hikes, or afternoon naps with their bestie.

But as it can be when bringing any new dog into your home, some assimilate very easily and some need a little more time. Time to learn about their new roles in a home. Time to trust.
But this group has stepped up.

These days I generally only get to see the dogs upon arrival, so it’s super special to see how those sweet, yet fearful dogs, have learned to relax and bond with their family. 

As long as there are sled dog operations, the Victoria Humane Society will need foster and adoptive homes, so if you’re interested, please contact them.

Sleddie roll call: Bagheera (adoptable!), Baloo, Biggie, Blue, Clyde, Dawson, Elton, Gadget, Heart, Idéfix, June, Keelah (formerly Akeela), Lady Arthur (adoptable!) (formerly Arthur), Louie, Louise, Oman, Patsy, Peach, Penny, Pepper (adoptable!), Raksha (adoptable!), Shine (formerly Shining), Smokie, Star, Titan, Toledo, Zuzu

As it's taken me over a month to actually get to sharing this post (life sometimes takes over), some super cool news has come in! At the reunion there were 4 adoptable sleddies (Bagheera, Lady Arthur, Pepper and Raksha), and I'm happy to say Bagheer, Raksha and Pepper have all been adopted! Our sweet Lady Arthur is, however, still awaiting her forever home.  I ask you to just take a look at the photos of this sweet girl near the end of this post -- most of the dogs had gone home, but Lady Arthur continued to request loves and attention in her very gentle way from any human close by. This girl is a 100% a gem. So sensitive and sweet. Whoever adopts her is going to be very lucky. 

Some other friends came too — whether they were sleddie siblings, honourary sleddies or “fake” sleddies… they all had a blast! Flurry, Murphy, Rachel, Wesley, Zoe

Thank you so much to the organizers (Jill + Deb) and all the fosters, adopters and supporters of this incredibly special group of sweet dogs!
Names and captions are included for all photos (fingers crossed I got them all correct!) - just click on the photo to view captions!

~wendy
​xo

p.s. printable versions of images from this reunion can be ordered for $10 each, with the money raised going back to help sustain this project and fund future sleddie-related advocacy. Please contact me for to order!

A big warm welcome to Adora, Elton, Jakala and Touché!

It's that time of year. When the sled dog operations end, and homes for former sled dogs are needed. Without the snow to pull the tourists around in, what does a sled dog do the rest of the year? Money earned through the winter, often has to last the whole year and has to cover a lot of expenses. 
This year is no different. 

So on Sunday, April 6, the Victoria Humane Society welcomed 4 new sleddies into care. 

It was a true group effort -- correspondence with the kennel, a ferry ride to Vancouver, drive to the meeting place, and the drive and ferry trip back. While at the shelter, food and supplies had been prepped for the fosters. Medicines were prepped. Mats were laid down to cover the slippery floors on the way to the scale. 
And when the truck arrived, and the back hatch opened, we were all so happy to see Elton and Touché's little faces peeking out of their kennels. Adora was in the kennel behind them and Jakala had been riding in the backseat of the truck cab.

The team unloaded the crates, then harnesses and GPS collars were fitted, leashes attached and then it was time to get weighed.
As the dogs walked the hall to the scale, they all got to peer into the window and see little Jitterbug, a sweet kitty who's awaiting her forever home, watching the action.

While the dogs were getting fitted and weighed, the fosters were all getting a refresher on fostering a sleddie and learning a bit more about their charges. 
Elton - the youngest of the group is about 3 years old. He did get some travel sickness, but was hungry again once he arrived at the shelter, super friendly and sweet
Adora - about 7 years old, very food motivated!, not a fan of other female dogs, but loved the attention of the volunteers at intake
Jakala - about 9 years old, apparently this girl is quite confident, but at the shelter, she seemed pretty stressed (not uncommon at intake), she's also food motivated (always helpful with the transition)
Touché - also about 8-9 years old, this guy has come to Whistler by way of Alaska last fall and has a racing history and competed in the Iditarod, however... he is a true couch master and that is his safe place. At intake, he wanted to be in the quiet corners and even took refuge in the washroom at one point. I can only imagine what it was like for him to be on display at the Iditarod with all the people and dogs and noise and action pre-race.... At intake it was observed he may have some sight issues, which the fosters are going to keep an eye on.

After one final photo op, the dogs were on their way to their foster homes, where they will be loved and cared for. And if nothing urgent comes up in the interim, in a few weeks they will go for a wellness exam with the vet. Should any diagnostics or surgeries be needed, they'll be scheduled and then paid for by Victoria Humane Society. 

As I write this, it's the next morning and all of the dogs have been settling in quite well. They've found soft spots to have big sleeps in, some have been eating, drinking and doing business outside, some have upset tummies (not uncommon from the travel/change/stress). 
There's a lot of new for these sweethearts, but there are some wonderfully, dedicated people who are there to help guide them into this new life.

And as we approach the 15th anniversary of the post-Olympic Whistler sled dog massacre, I am grateful that these dogs had the chance to come into the care of a rescue. 

Thank you to Jill and Deb for all your set up and being sleddie chauffeurs! To Janet, Cathryn and Sander for your muscles unloading crates, fitting collars, harnesses and giving love to such special, deserving dogs.

If you're interested in adopting one of these amazing souls, please contact www.victoriahumanesociety.com

xo
wendy