Who let the dogs out? Conner Family Sled Dog Tours!
By Joan Janzen
What’s your favourite thing to do when it’s -30°C degrees outside with the wind chill? If you said, ‘go on a dog sled ride,’ you’re absolutely right!
On Thursday, March 9th, Prairie Branches Enterprises Inc. in Kerrobert hosted the Connor Family Sled Dog Tours at the Kerrobert reservoir. Those in attendance had the opportunity to enjoy a free ride on a dog sled. Rides were booked on a first-come, first-served basis. Kerrobert Wildlife Association, a major contributing sponsor and a half dozen additional sponsors helped make the event possible.
PHOTOS BY JOAN JANZEN, click for larger images and captions
Cindy Ternes, Program Coordinator at Prairie Branches, said, “Kerrobert has been such a great business partner with our organization, so we just wanted to give something back. And I love thinking of something different to do.” Inviting Charlie Connor and his twenty dogs and sleds from Loon Lake was just what she was looking for.
Prairie Branches clients from Unity, Biggar and Kerrobert enjoyed the dog sled rides before noon on Thursday. Many of the clients enjoyed it so much that they wanted to go for a second ride. As soon as the dogs were hitched up to the sled, they began yelping and were ready to go! These dogs are the original breed used by the Peter Ballantine Cree Nation. The dogs are big, strong, smart, protective, fast and friendly.
“I wanted to find something local,” Cindy said. Charlie Connor’s family has been racing and conducting tours out of Loon Lake, Sask. He grew up with dogs in northern communities, and their mission is to provide education, proper dog care, and respect for animals, the environment, nature, and their heritage.
Before Thursday’s event in Kerrobert, the Connor Family Sled Dog Tours were in Biggar and area. “What a great educational tool!” Cindy said. It also offered a unique experience that people with special needs could enjoy. Students and the public participated in the rides later that afternoon.
Charlie, his wife, Tanya, and their three young sons love racing their dogs; it’s a family sport. Charlie and his boys won the Sask. Championships at the Prince Albert Winter Festival, entering the 10-dog, 4-dog and 1-dog races. And now they’re also offering school tours, educating the public on the care and history of sled dogs, which goes back multiple generations.
According to Charlie, sled dogs are faster but more work to look after. The estimated cost to maintain a dog kennel for 30-40 dogs amounts to $20,000 per year, plus thousands for equipment, truck, dog sleds, harness, chains, travel, and helpers. But Charlie and his family are grateful to have the resources to bring the dog teams to schools and help keep the tradition alive.
Charlie said they begin training the dogs in the summer but need to be careful that the dogs don’t get too hot. They take the dogs on short runs and lengthen the runs as the weather gets cooler. Charlie’s sons are closely involved in raising the dogs.
“The Canadian north has a great history with dogs. They’ve had dogs for thousands of years, and that’s a history we need to celebrate. That’s our goal,” Charlie concluded.