Finishing her first Iditarod in 2008, Zoya DeNure included rescued dogs on her team. Still learning, she ran the 1100 mile race conservatively, yet arrived in Nome in 12 days and 57 minutes, placing 53rd out of 90 mushers. In her interview with Suite101 Dogs Feature Writer, Joy Butler, this fashion model turned musher introduces us to some of her dogs and reveals why she left a world of glamour to race and rescue sled dogs.
Joy: What attracts you to sled dogs/dog sledding?
Zoya: The lifestyle. The adventure. Sled dogs are very eager to please, excited, athletic, loyal and self motivated. They are an exciting breed to work with. They have distinct personalities that make each of them unique and interesting to work with. Working outside in nature with my hands and body - this type of work brings me great satisfaction.
Dog mushing is about team work, problem solving and being in the present; dogs are always in the present and I love that. I enjoy dealing with individual dog personalities and bringing them together as a team, traveling down the trail doing what sled dogs love to do most--running. I feel honored to take part in their world on a daily basis.
Joy: Why do you rescue sled dogs and where do you find them?
Zoya: I rescue sled dogs because I care about dogs in general. In Alaska, there are many sled dogs that need homes, many dogs that need rehabilitation. I wish we could save all breeds, but I think to be effective in what we wish to accomplish, we need to work within our limits and set realistic goals. I choose this breed because I know sled dogs and I think I have a knack for working with them as individuals and as a team.
My rescues come from the Fairbanks Animal Shelter, other sled dog kennels and recently, mushers have phoned or emailed me with different cases in need of help. Some of these dogs are accomplished animals whose owner is being forced to quit sled dogs/racing due to finances, marital issues, relocation issues, etc. Some of these mushers have paid thousands of dollars for these sled dogs from other top mushers and now this dog they paid big bucks for is...homeless.
Some of the dogs from the shelter have behavioral issues, trust issues and or socialization issues. We work with them all; rehabilitation is the most important issue at our kennel. We not only rescue these animals, we retrain them to trust.
Joy: How are you making a difference in what is sometimes called a cruel sport?
Zoya: Whether or not this is a 'cruel' sport depends on one’s view point. I think that someone who thinks this is cruel is someone who has never truly worked with dogs - maybe they have had a house pet, but never a working animal.
Make a difference? We can only make differences through education. I think that being visible is important, and showing that dogs that others have given up on can go on to become successful and valuable members of the working dog community is important. Some of the dogs we rescue and rehabilitate can and will go on to race competitively. Others will work within their capabilities as a recreational sled dog.
It is important to understand that to make a difference in sled dog rescue one has to be successful in racing. The public, and other racers, will not look at a middle-of-the pack group of rescue dogs and be impressed; they will say; "Oh that's pretty good," and go on doing things the same way. Get that team into the top end of the field and one might be able to make a difference.
Joy: I noticed on your website that you sell as well as adopt dogs. What is the difference and how do you ensure that both get good homes?
Zoya: If you give away a dog for free, then it is perceived to have little value; if it is worth nothing to you, then why would someone else want it? Set a value on the dog and he becomes valuable. Reality is that if the right home comes along, then we waive the adoption fee, purchase price, whatever.
Joy: Can you tell me about one (or two) of your most memorable rescued dogs?
Zoya: Hunter. This dog came from the Fairbanks Shelter where he had but a few days left to live. He was from a sled dog breeding, but had been raised as a house pet before he became too rowdy for the house. He was aggressive with other dogs when we took him in. Several months of individual work eased his aggressive tendencies and he became a valuable working dog.
He quickly learned to lead and for the next two years he led from the start line in every race my husband or I entered. He finished the Yukon Quest in a rescue team with John and then went on to finish the Iditarod with me in '08. He is still one of the main leaders in the yard and a pleasure to have around. He spends much of his time loose playing in the dog yard.
Streak. This little female also came from the Fairbanks Shelter. She had been confiscated from a Fairbanks area dog yard that was not being cared for. She came to the shelter at just over 20 lbs. She was mean with other dogs so was to be euthanized immediately. We took her in and brought her back to a normal weight - 38 lbs. for her. Her aggression was food related and once she knew where her meals were coming from, and that they would be regular, she became a normal dog. Her only quirk was gathering up pans from around the dog yard when she was loose and hauling them to her house. At times she would have as many as 10 stacked in her doghouse.
She finished the Yukon Quest with John and also ran several other races. However, Streak never took to the daily training routine so it was decided that she would be better suited for a recreational home. She was adopted to a couple in Michigan and she presently lives there with two other dogs; she has learned to be the perfect house companion. We get monthly updates on her activities and pictures of her at play.
Joy: Will you be running rescued dogs in the 2011 Iditarod?
Zoya: Yes, there will be rescues in my 2011 Iditarod team. At this point in training, I am not certain how many, but it could be as high as half.
Watch for Zoya and her Crazy Dog Kennel in an Animal Planet documentary called Alaska Dogs, to be aired in January 2011.
TLE101
Related Reading:
Fashion Model Turned Iditarod Musher Rescues Sled Dogs
Joy Butler - Writer, retired lab tech, mom, and animal lover with over 20 years' experience rescuing, kenneling, training and showing dogs.
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