Comfort and a lot of love

If you run a sled dog race, you have to successfully groom with your dogs. And that is the reason why dogs always come first when running into the checkpoint over the journey. No matter how tired, hungry and weary the mushers are, the dogs shall be cared, fed and put to bed first. Only after they are in comfort already, the mushers can think of themselves and their own needs.

Most mushers have previously and carefully thought about all procedures at the checkpoints to be more flexible and fast. Time is important. The faster the dogs are fed and gone to bed, the more rest they get at the checkpoint. In the course of a long race, any second is meaningful and the trigger for any change in the competion. And there is much to be done yet.

LOVE: Man and dog in close interaction, when Inger Marie Haaland is having a delightful moment of love with one of her dogs.

The straw should be laid out, socks should be off, the liner should be removed, the dogs will get a treat and the boiler should light up and the food cooked. If needed, new socks should be put on, before every single dog is checked in order to ensure their welfare and their performance. With their blankets on, all dogs are now to rest. Love, encouragement and hugs are just as important as food.

BREAKFAST: Thomas Wærnes preparing the dogs' breakfast at Levajok.