Is there a local community of sled dog racers and recreational mushers?
There is. There are quite a few mushers in the area. Mushers have been training in Carlisle since the 1940s. It’s just a good community of people. We all have the same goal, and there is competitiveness, but it’s a camaraderie that we all have. It’s just a wonderful thing. We practice at Foss Farm, and I have a friend in Littleton who comes down and runs, from Barretts Mill who comes down and run and Westford who comes down and runs. And the kids, who I mentor, come out and run. … It’s a great family sport. It’s wonderful to see family and kids work with the dogs and respect them. It gives me heartfelt warmth to see the kids fall in love with the dogs and see their smiles when they cross the finish line. It’s a wonderful relationship between dogs and people.
