Steady rain could not quell the enthusiasm at Last Chance Kennel in Mancelona, Michigan where festivities continued for four days to welcome Lance Mackey, two-time Iditarod and four-time Quest champion to northern lower Michigan. Up to 125+ dog mushers and racing enthusiasts from the Great Lakes region withstood the cold, raining weather to listen to Lance’s stories from the trail and beyond, gleaning as much as possible from Mackey - and the insights weren’t just about kennel management and dogs.
Mackey discussed how surviving a throat cancer diagnosis in 2001 changed his outlooks on life and his relationships with his family and his dogs. He spoke candidly about his struggles with regularly being “poked and prodded” during annual medical checks, and his wife, high school sweetheart, Tonya, talked about helping him prepare for the 2002 Iditarod with feeding tubes. He spoke about surviving throat cancer and all he's accomplished since that diagnosis. He says, "I wouldn't be disappointed at all if it all ended today," speaking like a man with a deep sense of satisfaction about his life's vocation.
Mackey said when he went in for surgery, his physicians told him to say goodbye to his family. He was motivated to persevere, however, because “I’ve got dogs who want to eat and a family who wants to see me.”
He spoke of a recent event with his dog, Zorro, who was hit by a snow machine while riding in the sled bag less than 22 miles from the finish line on the trail during the ‘08 All Alaska Sweepstakes. He recounted flying Zorro to Seattle for MRI and CAT scans, sparing no expense for his priceless top stud in his kennel.
Mackey won the 2008 Yukon Quest Veterinarian's Choice Award. He said he would rather come in "dead last" and win the humanitarian award than anything else. "That means more to me to have my team look good. Every dog that makes it to the finish line deserves to be on the front page of the paper, in my opinion."
He talked of his immense love for his dogs and of life in Alaska. Tonya heckled from the small circle of people listening about his failure to successfully shoot a moose so far during moose hunting season. He replied, “I don’t have time to hunt. I’ve got dogs to train!”
Mackey has a full agenda this fall; in addition to training for the upcoming Iditarod and Yukon Quest, he will also be heading to New York City in October for interviews with David Letterman and the Today Show to promote the upcoming Discovery Channel feature “The Toughest Race on Earth: Iditarod.”
Many mushers in attendance for the Mackey event at Last Chance Kennel waited on baited breath for the dog sledding superstar to appear, but soon were put at ease with Mackey’s charm and openness. He is just like any musher: at home sitting in a tent in the rain eating brats and talking dogs. We talk dogs like mechanics talk shop.
Still, talking with Mackey around a fireside, it’s easy to admire the humility and grace of a man who has accomplished so much, and yet, is so down to Earth and has such a reverence for life.
“We are in God’s cathedral right now,” he says, pointing out to the farm and rain falling steadily.
Last Chance Kennel, a sled dog touring company in Mancelona, Michigan, is owned and operated by Russ and Sherry Sutherby at Russ-Stick Acres.
Dog mushers attended the event from Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Wisconsin and Michigan, many camping on site. The event’s co-speaker was Tim Riley, owner and operator of Dream Catcher Kennel in Grayling, MI.
The event also featured local musicians Charlie Short and husband and wife duo, Ann & Will Rowland. Rowlands also performed in an on-site Sunday church service officiated by Pastor Bruce Standfest. Crouch Horse Farm provided horse-drawn shuttle service.
Door prizes numbered over 100, in addition to a 50-50 drawing. Door prize sponsors included: Canada-Goose, Wiggys, Michigan Dog Driver’s Association (MiDD), M.U.S.H., Avery’s Restaurant, Mancelona Do-It-Best Hardware, Jay’s Sporting Goods, Mackinaw Mush, Nature’s Kennel, Mountain Ridge, Redpaw, Sportmix, The Black Dog, Dog Booties. com, Sled Dog Central, Critterwood’s Snow Hooks, Mushing Magazine, Winterdance Dogsled Tours, Staci Short and Deb Troyer – Hobby Horse Riding Stable, authors Jim Warren, Michelle Phillips, Ken Anderson and June Price, Videographers Becky Bristow and Helen Hegener, Danny Dann hand-made picture frame, and quilt makers Michelle Riley, Bobbi Riley and Nancy Sanchez.
The Bellaire Smokehouse and the Walloon Lake General Store sponsor last Chance Kennel throughout the year.
Press Release provided by Shannon Miller (Into Focus Communications) with input by Russ-Stick Acres.
