LOCALadk Magazine

27 Winter 2016 LOCALadk Magazine So what sparks a person to put life on the line and haul off into the bush of Alaska with a team of dogs? Many things. The bond between man and dog cannot be described. Spencer spoke of instances when all he could do was trust that his dogs would wake up and still want to go. Times when they were sleep- ing in a ball on the side of the trail buried under freshly fallen snow… and he wondered, Will they get up and run? They always did. Spencer learned a tremendous amount about the power of trust: trusting his dogs, trusting his own instincts. He was reminded hourly that nature is to be respected. He basked in the beauty of the Alaskan landscape, the kindness in other people with the same purpose, and the mutual love and understanding of his dog team. Dogs would continue to play an integral role in Spencer's life. Now, 23 years later, he and his wife Carolyn run Call of the Wild Kennels. Spencer has built a tremendous retreat center for any- one looking for a different - and exciting - getaway. A world class team is needed to ensure that a place like Call of the Wild is run smoothly. Spencer and Carolyn manage the cen- ter along with Andre and Natalie van der Merwe. Originally from South Africa, Andre and Natalie have more than 50 years' com- bined experience with Siberian Huskies. Call of the Wild Kennel offers rides in snow sleds and in dryland carts. The carts are fabricated metal with passenger seats and a platform for the driver. They are agile, lightweight and flexible, and provide an exciting sledding experience when the luxury of snow isn't available. The dryland carts are custom built. Thanks to Andre's wonderful designs and Spencer's training, Call of the Wild's sled dogs earned a bronze medal at the 2015 Dry- land World Championships. The Kennel has several teams that have been selected to compete in the 2017 International Federa- tion of Sledding Sports (IFSS) Snow World Championship - in both the sprint and mid-distance classes. "It's all about the dogs" Andre states. And it truly is. Upon arriv- al at Call of the Wild, the beasts are excited beyond words, bark- ing and howling, tails wagging, dancing, running, some on top of their dog houses. They are ready for an adventure. Call of the Wild is a year-round retreat on 660 scenic acres. Visit for an afternoon to meet the dogs, enjoy a 2-3 mile trail ride for $75, or book an entire weekend stay. Enjoy the luxury of private Adirondack rooms in the lodge, a rustic cabin on the trail, or a platform tent. Beautiful and abundant scenery can be enjoyed on the 660-acre property. Many come to learn to drive their own team. Guests from Australia, England, Scotland, and the U.S. have learned the commands and cues, how to hook up their dogs, and how to build a bond with the animals. Guests start with a small team and learn to add more to their lineup daily. Corporate re- "It's All About The Dogs"

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