Meet The Musher
Hey there!
My name is Anna and I live in the beautiful state of Michigan! I'm a proud homeschooler who just graduated this year (2013). I am also an amateur photographer thinking of going pro. :)
I can easily say that I have been an animal lover why whole life. Dogs and horses, especially, have had a place in my heart. When I was little, my wish for every birthday was for a pony and I had a little stuffed dog as a constant companion.
I grew up always having a dog or 2 or 3 in the house. I was 3 years old when I got my very own Yellow Lab named Willow. We had other dogs at the time but Willow was considered to be "my" dog. She was like my second shadow; we did everything together.
I was about 6 years old when I finally stepped into the horse world. I started taking riding lessons with a lady who had given my older sister lessons.
Needless to say I absolutely loved it and I still ride today! I mainly just trail ride and go on camp outs with friends but I have been known to barrel race too. lol
I have one horse, an Arabian/Paint cross named Buckshot. He is an 8 year old gelding. I am in the process of training him to ride and to be a good trail, jumper and barrel horse.
My name is Anna and I live in the beautiful state of Michigan! I'm a proud homeschooler who just graduated this year (2013). I am also an amateur photographer thinking of going pro. :)
I can easily say that I have been an animal lover why whole life. Dogs and horses, especially, have had a place in my heart. When I was little, my wish for every birthday was for a pony and I had a little stuffed dog as a constant companion.
I grew up always having a dog or 2 or 3 in the house. I was 3 years old when I got my very own Yellow Lab named Willow. We had other dogs at the time but Willow was considered to be "my" dog. She was like my second shadow; we did everything together.
I was about 6 years old when I finally stepped into the horse world. I started taking riding lessons with a lady who had given my older sister lessons.
Needless to say I absolutely loved it and I still ride today! I mainly just trail ride and go on camp outs with friends but I have been known to barrel race too. lol
I have one horse, an Arabian/Paint cross named Buckshot. He is an 8 year old gelding. I am in the process of training him to ride and to be a good trail, jumper and barrel horse.
How I Got Started in the Sled Dog World
I have had an interest in sled dogs since I was little. I have a lot of family in Alaska so while growing up I was always hearing about the Iditarod and the famous Alaskan mushers. I also read books and watched movies about sled dogs. Never once did I imagine actually becoming a musher though.
I was "bit by the bug" in the in the winter of 2006 after watching the local Mackinaw Mush for probably the 8th time.
I got home from the race and decided to hook up my mom's Aussie mix to my plastic sled with just a walking harness and a leash to see what she would do. After "showing" her many times what she was supposed to do she pulled me across the yard. Since I knew nothing nor had any experience with running dogs at the time, a pull across the yard was enough to satisfy my growing addiction.......for then.
The following spring my mom spied a dog sled made by Frank Hall at an antique shop and she decided to get it for me, thinking that I would only use it once or twice a year.
Welllllllllll 8 years, many dogs, and LOTS of money later....I have started my own kennel consisting of 9 dogs, I race a team of usually 4 dogs in the 4-dog sport class at sprint races all over Michigan. Lets just say that my mom's idea to get me an old sled for playing with 8 years ago turned out to be an EXTREME life changer!!
I started my kennel called Small 'N' Mighty Racing Sled Dogs 6 years ago and we are still going strong. I am dedicated to the care and happiness of my dogs and I strive to meet their every need. I run and race sled dogs not for the pride or the money but for the happiness and the pure and simple joy that it brings me and for the dogs. Its all about the dogs. The dogs come first in my kennel.
Running sled dogs is a great way to get out doors and enjoy the winter in an earth friendly way. Also, taking care of a kennel of dogs is very exciting, fun, and LOTS of hard work. If you are interested in getting some sled dogs of your own make sure you do your research first!
I also warn you: SLED DOG RACING IS ADDICTING!
Once you see that first race or put your feet on the runners for the first time, be prepared to change your whole lifestyle!
"Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands, just as we told you, so that you may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody."
1 Thessalonians 4:11-12
I was "bit by the bug" in the in the winter of 2006 after watching the local Mackinaw Mush for probably the 8th time.
I got home from the race and decided to hook up my mom's Aussie mix to my plastic sled with just a walking harness and a leash to see what she would do. After "showing" her many times what she was supposed to do she pulled me across the yard. Since I knew nothing nor had any experience with running dogs at the time, a pull across the yard was enough to satisfy my growing addiction.......for then.
The following spring my mom spied a dog sled made by Frank Hall at an antique shop and she decided to get it for me, thinking that I would only use it once or twice a year.
Welllllllllll 8 years, many dogs, and LOTS of money later....I have started my own kennel consisting of 9 dogs, I race a team of usually 4 dogs in the 4-dog sport class at sprint races all over Michigan. Lets just say that my mom's idea to get me an old sled for playing with 8 years ago turned out to be an EXTREME life changer!!
I started my kennel called Small 'N' Mighty Racing Sled Dogs 6 years ago and we are still going strong. I am dedicated to the care and happiness of my dogs and I strive to meet their every need. I run and race sled dogs not for the pride or the money but for the happiness and the pure and simple joy that it brings me and for the dogs. Its all about the dogs. The dogs come first in my kennel.
Running sled dogs is a great way to get out doors and enjoy the winter in an earth friendly way. Also, taking care of a kennel of dogs is very exciting, fun, and LOTS of hard work. If you are interested in getting some sled dogs of your own make sure you do your research first!
I also warn you: SLED DOG RACING IS ADDICTING!
Once you see that first race or put your feet on the runners for the first time, be prepared to change your whole lifestyle!
"Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands, just as we told you, so that you may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody."
1 Thessalonians 4:11-12
Why Small 'N' Mighty?
Some people ask me "How did you come up with the name for your kennel?"
Well, the answer is simple. I was out in the dog yard, free running the dogs, one day when it hit me "All of my dogs are smaller than most of the people I run with...", I thought.
And it's true. The dogs on my racing team are about 30 to 40lbs while our competitors weigh anywhere from 50lbs to 60lbs.
Small dogs on a small team mean more work for the dogs (and musher...when it comes to hills anyway...), yet we still manage to do well in races.
So that is basically where Small 'N' Mighty Racing Sled Dogs stemmed from. I like to say "We may be small in size but we are big in heart and determination!" :D
Never underestimate the small guy!
Well, the answer is simple. I was out in the dog yard, free running the dogs, one day when it hit me "All of my dogs are smaller than most of the people I run with...", I thought.
And it's true. The dogs on my racing team are about 30 to 40lbs while our competitors weigh anywhere from 50lbs to 60lbs.
Small dogs on a small team mean more work for the dogs (and musher...when it comes to hills anyway...), yet we still manage to do well in races.
So that is basically where Small 'N' Mighty Racing Sled Dogs stemmed from. I like to say "We may be small in size but we are big in heart and determination!" :D
Never underestimate the small guy!