The Sled Dogs of Whistler

I remember hearing about the 'cull'. The number was not confirmed but it was reported anywhere between 50-100 dogs - from puppy to adult - had been killed. These were sled dogs... used to pull tourists around the snowy trails in Whistler, BC before and during the 2010 Olympics that were hosted there. But the Olympics were over and there were a lot of dogs and fewer tourists. When the news broke, people debated the reports from all sides. I'm not going to go over it all again. I'm not a reporter or a journalist. I'm just a human being... a dog lover... a photographer, an advocate, who jumped at the opportunity to visit the kennels just outside of Whistler, BC in September 2013 and spend 3 days immersed in their 'retirement' world.

After meeting my first (known) retired sled dog in 2012, I have been captivated and fascinated with them and their stories and have wanted to share what I could with whoever would listen and look. From photographing new dogs arriving at a shelter to arriving in their adopted homes. From those days spent at the kennels to vet visits, to reunions and foster homes with hikes, beach adventures, and even being there for the final farewell to one very special dog, there have been many, many photos taken along the way so I'm taking this opportunity to share them.

But it goes beyond Whistler too, and if you wander through this site you'll see a diverse mix of dogs who are different, but a bit the same as well. And while the sled dog industries of tour, sprint and long-distance racing continues all over the world, there will be retirees awaiting homes. And though they shouldn't be the ones who step up, thankfully there are committed humans and organizations ready and willing to help get them into care, provide any necessary veterinary treatments and find them homes with humans who understand how the dogs lived and their needs once they are re-homed.

The links below will currently take you to the blog post where they were originally shared.