Don
Duncan - 2007 Musher
Visit my web site at www.samoyeds4serum.com
It’s all about the dogs….
I live in Indianola Washington, a sleepy, but rapidly growing
community west of Seattle on Puget Sound. Employed as a Marine
Engineer for Washington State Ferries I live the best of two worlds,
dogs and boats. I have a maritime job, but rather then spend months
at sea; I go home every day to my family of 19 Samoyeds.
I got my first Samoyed in 1985 and began recreational mushing
about 1987. The below answer to one of the Serum Run Application
questions can best put into perspective my affection for, and
life with Samoyeds.
Why do you want
to participate in the 2007 Serum Run?
The opportunity to get to
know a true Polar Explorer, Norman Vaughan, was a major attraction
to the Serum Run. Sadly, that is no longer possible.
When I was about 8 years old and waiting for the main feature
of a weekend matinee to start, a short clip of Antarctica was
shown. Scenes of frosty Snow Cats illuminated by magnesium flares,
hoar breath of chilled personnel shouting above a roaring gale,
and a sense of bitter cold etched themselves into my imagination.
I was captivated.
I celebrated my 20th birthday stationed onboard the US Coast Guard
Icebreaker Glacier, and spent two seasons in Antarctica. A decade
later my first Samoyed inspired me to read the breed’s history
and I learned of their use during the Expedition era. Wanting
to know more, I read many accounts of the early explorers. I wish
I could return to those years of my youth and experience the Antarctic
vastness again with knowledge and appreciation of those who came
before me.
I fell in love with the Samoyed long before mushing became my
lifestyle. It was the intrepid Samoyed that hauled the loads of
Nansen and Jackson through grueling Arctic conditions. Paying
homage to those hearty dogs is the reason I have continued beyond
the occasional winter snow excursion to competing in mid distance
races with Samoyed teams. Doing the Serum run with an all Samoyed
team would be the ultimate tribute to those heroic fallen dogs
of the expedition era.
Anyone with sled dogs must know of the Iditarod trail, its many
challenges and wonders. It would be an honor and life’s
accomplishment to travel the historic route of 1925. Visiting
the villages and sharing the fluffy white Samoyed with the children
is irresistible.
Over the past years
I have ridden a rollercoaster of emotions with the dogs. From
spiritual starry night runs, to bidding farewell as beloved old
friends come to their final days. For all its up and downs, this
is a ride I would choose over and over again. It’s all about
the dogs!!!!
Photo: Paul Martin
