i was a sled dog
i was a sled dog is my photographic study depicting the visual diversity of sled dogs
Borne out of my mission to advocate for sled dogs used in commercial and long-distance racing, accompanying each dogs' photographs is a short bio completed by their adopter or foster human to help further illustrate the uniqueness of each dog.
about the project
When i met my first sled dogs in 2012 they were not what i was expecting - they didn't all look like huskies I had known. Over the years since, I've been photographing and documenting them and their lives for a variety of projects, and the one consistent comment I hear from those not familiar with the 'modern sled dog' is "THAT's a sled dog? he/she's so small!" "That doesn't look like a husky!"
Yes, there are big fluffy former sled dogs in this project, but there are also petite, single-coated dogs who weigh less than 40lbs!
What I'm hoping for by sharing this project is for people to view the photographs, read the bios and make up their own minds about whether the dogs within are suited to living outside 24/7, 365 days a year. Whether they deserve to spend their lives tethered to a 6' chain in a dog yard - eating, sleeping, urinating, defecating in that same space - when they aren't pulling tourists through the snowy tundra. And whether it's fair that receive sub-standard vet care (if any regular vet care at all - some dogs in here had regular staples used to close wounds) they spend their time eating rocks, chewing chains, or being made to live and work for the benefit of human entertainment.
I understand some may think this is a small sample size of dogs in this project. But I will disagree because here are 58 dogs, who live in my little corner of the world who came to my little photo studio. There are hundreds of retired sled dogs who have been adopted out in my area. And if you want to look at part 2 of my project, please do - there are about 120 more dogs who I've photographed over the years, who couldn't make it to my studio for various reasons, but they still lived and endured what the dogs in the project below went through.
No one was paid to participate in this project and no one paid me for sessions. I'm extremely fortunate to be able to continue my relationships with adopters (some for almost 7 years now!) and meet new adopters along the way. All I had to do was put the ask out, and really lovely, dedicated people who want to advocate for sled dogs jumped on board.
Any money that does get raised from any part of this project will be donated right back into helping sled dogs.
the on-line project
On march 3, 2018, the start of the deadly Iditarod - I shared a new rescued sled dog each day for 54 days. The the final dog was revealed on april 23, 2018 - the 8th anniversary of the second and final day of the whistler sled dog cull. To date, 22 dogs in this project are survivors of that cull.
a gallery showing of this project is set for early 2019
the session details
When I came up with the idea for this project, I knew I only needed two photographs of each dog - one against the backdrop and one of his/her face. When that first session began, a dog I knew to be very easy going generally was having a hard time getting into position so right then I knew I'd have to ease up on my expectations and just 'go with it', allowing space for the dog to just give what he/she was willing to give that day. Here are some more notes:
This project wasn't about getting a 'perfectly posed' photo - I took and tried to capture what the dog was willing to give that day so, you will notice signs of stress in the dogs, including tucked tails, low bodies, stress panting, eye-contact avoidance, big eyes, and ears pointing back to name a few. Hopefully by sharing how the dog was feeling it will provide more insight into the diversity of their natures.
But most importantly... like all dogs - no matter what breed or breed mix, whether they came from sledding lineage or not, no two dogs were the same and each dog was different.
Please click on the dog thumbnails below to learn more about each of the dogs!
*if you've adopted a former sled dog and are interested in participating in this project, please contact me*
Borne out of my mission to advocate for sled dogs used in commercial and long-distance racing, accompanying each dogs' photographs is a short bio completed by their adopter or foster human to help further illustrate the uniqueness of each dog.
about the project
When i met my first sled dogs in 2012 they were not what i was expecting - they didn't all look like huskies I had known. Over the years since, I've been photographing and documenting them and their lives for a variety of projects, and the one consistent comment I hear from those not familiar with the 'modern sled dog' is "THAT's a sled dog? he/she's so small!" "That doesn't look like a husky!"
Yes, there are big fluffy former sled dogs in this project, but there are also petite, single-coated dogs who weigh less than 40lbs!
What I'm hoping for by sharing this project is for people to view the photographs, read the bios and make up their own minds about whether the dogs within are suited to living outside 24/7, 365 days a year. Whether they deserve to spend their lives tethered to a 6' chain in a dog yard - eating, sleeping, urinating, defecating in that same space - when they aren't pulling tourists through the snowy tundra. And whether it's fair that receive sub-standard vet care (if any regular vet care at all - some dogs in here had regular staples used to close wounds) they spend their time eating rocks, chewing chains, or being made to live and work for the benefit of human entertainment.
I understand some may think this is a small sample size of dogs in this project. But I will disagree because here are 58 dogs, who live in my little corner of the world who came to my little photo studio. There are hundreds of retired sled dogs who have been adopted out in my area. And if you want to look at part 2 of my project, please do - there are about 120 more dogs who I've photographed over the years, who couldn't make it to my studio for various reasons, but they still lived and endured what the dogs in the project below went through.
No one was paid to participate in this project and no one paid me for sessions. I'm extremely fortunate to be able to continue my relationships with adopters (some for almost 7 years now!) and meet new adopters along the way. All I had to do was put the ask out, and really lovely, dedicated people who want to advocate for sled dogs jumped on board.
Any money that does get raised from any part of this project will be donated right back into helping sled dogs.
the on-line project
On march 3, 2018, the start of the deadly Iditarod - I shared a new rescued sled dog each day for 54 days. The the final dog was revealed on april 23, 2018 - the 8th anniversary of the second and final day of the whistler sled dog cull. To date, 22 dogs in this project are survivors of that cull.
a gallery showing of this project is set for early 2019
the session details
When I came up with the idea for this project, I knew I only needed two photographs of each dog - one against the backdrop and one of his/her face. When that first session began, a dog I knew to be very easy going generally was having a hard time getting into position so right then I knew I'd have to ease up on my expectations and just 'go with it', allowing space for the dog to just give what he/she was willing to give that day. Here are some more notes:
- because a number of the dogs are survivors of the whistler cull of 2010, I've chose to use the term photosession, instead of photoshoot
- each dog was photographed within a 4'w x 3'h outline taped on the wall at my studio - the object was to have the dog stand within the outline of the box to best show the size differences between each dog - it worked most of the time and when it was difficult, I utilized a few 'treat systems' that sometimes helped.
- some dogs are wearing their collar, harness and/or leash and/or GPS trackers because I wanted to show what what life was like - for some dogs getting the harness on and off took some time, some dogs needed the leash or a gentle hand or treat being held to help them know to stand in one place. The leashes are all soft, except for one because he needed it to help him stand.
- some dogs are standing on a mat - the mat helped that particular dog stay in position due to issues with standing on wood floors
- some dogs would not stand in the box so they were photographed while walking through the frame or standing while eating treats off of the floor
- some dogs would only sit within the box
- some dogs didn't want to get too close to the wall so are shown standing a foot or two out from it
- some dogs had no issue with what was asked of them and easily stood in position and then wanted to play
- some dogs were nervous at first, but then relaxed while the humans had a pre-session chat
- some dogs just went and stood in position without any prompting
- some dogs went and slept in front of the box after the session was done while the humans talked
- some of the dogs that i knew to be very outgoing were some of the most nervous indoors
- dogs in this project have worked in various parts of North America including Ontario, Northwest Territories, British Columbia and the US (Utah, Idaho). As sled dog are sold, traded, rehomed from one operation to another and moved around it's very difficult to track where they were born, where they came from and where they've worked along the way.
- some dogs are of sled dog lineage and have not pulled a sled but they are included because they help illustrate the diversity of modern sled dog breeds and some of them have siblings that became sled dogs
This project wasn't about getting a 'perfectly posed' photo - I took and tried to capture what the dog was willing to give that day so, you will notice signs of stress in the dogs, including tucked tails, low bodies, stress panting, eye-contact avoidance, big eyes, and ears pointing back to name a few. Hopefully by sharing how the dog was feeling it will provide more insight into the diversity of their natures.
But most importantly... like all dogs - no matter what breed or breed mix, whether they came from sledding lineage or not, no two dogs were the same and each dog was different.
Please click on the dog thumbnails below to learn more about each of the dogs!
*if you've adopted a former sled dog and are interested in participating in this project, please contact me*
all photos © wendy nesbitt
you are welcome to link back or share the link to this project; https://www.wendynesbitt.com/i-was-a-sled-dog.html
however, please do not save, reproduce, or use any images and/or text from this project
without my express written permission... because that is stealing.
thank you.
you are welcome to link back or share the link to this project; https://www.wendynesbitt.com/i-was-a-sled-dog.html
however, please do not save, reproduce, or use any images and/or text from this project
without my express written permission... because that is stealing.
thank you.
chichi
|
galute
|
ash
|
fiddle
|
copper
|
silly
|
sun
|
daisy
|
greygrey
|
snail
|
jasper
|
beamie
|
ashley
|
mary kate
|
luna
|
storm
|
lunar
|
santana
|
jeff
|
river
|
roo
|
tj
|
jack
|
summer
|
farmer
|
sassy
|
shrek
|
pique
|
niv
|
eva
|
eskobar
|
lion
|
nordique
|
luna
|
lucy
|
charlie
|
mila
|
cane
|
calli
|
flash
|
apex
|
trixie
|
penny
|
stuart
|
picasso
|
kismet
|
knik
|
candy
|
bella
|
weasley
|
kirika
|
chase
|
hopper
|
pluto
|
echo
|
tag
|
kepler
|
arwen
|
|
|
dedication
This project is for all the sled dogs who continue to work for humans because that's all they have ever known and all they will likely ever know. Their lives spent tethered to a chain, the boredom, the living outside with a plastic barrel or wooden box for a home - in any and all weather - the ice storms, heat waves, flies, predators - until they get hitched up to pull again... and again... and again. Their bodies built for speed and endurance, but not always for the elements that they live amongst day after day.
These 58 dogs above are just the beginning as I will continue to share my photos of sled dogs who have survived some things we will never know about.
Since 2012, I have chosen to focus my efforts on the 'after', because I believe people need to put a face and name to the dogs in this industry. Through this project, I'm hoping that people reading may see a connection between their dog and the sleddies. That they can look into the eyes of these dogs and realize that it's not ok for them to live the way the industry self-governs and says is ok. That the commercial and sport industries need to recognize the advancements in dog-behaviour knowledge and third-party veterinarians (who have no connection to the industry) and see that they can do more for their dogs. They are not just a commodity.
I would also ask that if you are considering going on a ride to please do research and "look beyond the brochure" when it comes to this industry. Look at photos that other people have posted, not just the nice ones by professionals. From commercial rides at your favourite ski hill or wintery destination to the long-distance races that force the dogs to run themselves into sickness, pain and death. We can no longer turn a blind eye.
There are dogs in this project who were left tied up and watched some of their running mates starve and/or freeze to death, barely escaping themselves. There are dogs who witnessed the mass shootings and carnage in Whistler in 2010. Some were left in an outbuilding, sick and starving. When the sick ones died, the starving ones had something to eat. Some were just cut loose in the woods to fend for themselves.
There are the injuries and medical issues you may see, some only their adopters can see, and some aren't so visible.
The impact their working lives may have had on their minds and body cannot fully be measured, but it is the work of a small army of people from front-line rescuers to the non-profits rescues/shelters to fosters, veterinarians, behaviourists, adopters and advocates who continue the work to help the "cast-offs", the discarded. Loving humans who will continue to smile, laugh, celebrate the joys and successes with the dogs, but who will also pay the vet bills, buy the healthy food and supplements to help their dog's arthritic joints, have their homes destroyed by behaviour issues because their dog has never been inside, be there when it's time to say goodbye and who will also cry, scream and be angry that it ever came to this. And they will keep going.
We humans domesticated dogs to live with us in our world but the rules seem to have been changed part way through the game for some. For sled dogs, a history rich in helping humans has turned into their exploitation - the game now being played with human ego and greed and a skewed view of history.
This project is for all the sled dogs who continue to work for humans because that's all they have ever known and all they will likely ever know. Their lives spent tethered to a chain, the boredom, the living outside with a plastic barrel or wooden box for a home - in any and all weather - the ice storms, heat waves, flies, predators - until they get hitched up to pull again... and again... and again. Their bodies built for speed and endurance, but not always for the elements that they live amongst day after day.
These 58 dogs above are just the beginning as I will continue to share my photos of sled dogs who have survived some things we will never know about.
Since 2012, I have chosen to focus my efforts on the 'after', because I believe people need to put a face and name to the dogs in this industry. Through this project, I'm hoping that people reading may see a connection between their dog and the sleddies. That they can look into the eyes of these dogs and realize that it's not ok for them to live the way the industry self-governs and says is ok. That the commercial and sport industries need to recognize the advancements in dog-behaviour knowledge and third-party veterinarians (who have no connection to the industry) and see that they can do more for their dogs. They are not just a commodity.
I would also ask that if you are considering going on a ride to please do research and "look beyond the brochure" when it comes to this industry. Look at photos that other people have posted, not just the nice ones by professionals. From commercial rides at your favourite ski hill or wintery destination to the long-distance races that force the dogs to run themselves into sickness, pain and death. We can no longer turn a blind eye.
There are dogs in this project who were left tied up and watched some of their running mates starve and/or freeze to death, barely escaping themselves. There are dogs who witnessed the mass shootings and carnage in Whistler in 2010. Some were left in an outbuilding, sick and starving. When the sick ones died, the starving ones had something to eat. Some were just cut loose in the woods to fend for themselves.
There are the injuries and medical issues you may see, some only their adopters can see, and some aren't so visible.
The impact their working lives may have had on their minds and body cannot fully be measured, but it is the work of a small army of people from front-line rescuers to the non-profits rescues/shelters to fosters, veterinarians, behaviourists, adopters and advocates who continue the work to help the "cast-offs", the discarded. Loving humans who will continue to smile, laugh, celebrate the joys and successes with the dogs, but who will also pay the vet bills, buy the healthy food and supplements to help their dog's arthritic joints, have their homes destroyed by behaviour issues because their dog has never been inside, be there when it's time to say goodbye and who will also cry, scream and be angry that it ever came to this. And they will keep going.
We humans domesticated dogs to live with us in our world but the rules seem to have been changed part way through the game for some. For sled dogs, a history rich in helping humans has turned into their exploitation - the game now being played with human ego and greed and a skewed view of history.
HOW CAN YOU HELP?
- WRITE! in Canada, sleddogs are no different than livestock in the eyes of the law. Write the government to let them know that they are no different than the dogs who sleep on our beds, on our couches, on our laps... etc. They deserve care, compassion, enrichment and respect.
- ADVOCATE! learn about the commercial and sport sled dog industries so you can arm yourself with knowledge and speak up for sleddies!
- ADOPT/FOSTER/FUNDRAISE! as long as there are sleddogs, rescues will need all kinds of help. If you can't adopt, maybe you can foster. If you can't foster, you can fundraise - from bottle drives to yard sales to however you can raise money! Sleddogs have often gone years without proper veterinary treatment and once into care, the bills pile up with not just spaying/neutering, but possible other treatments, food, harnesses, leashes and transportation to get them into care.
I volunteer with a local rescue, The Victoria Humane Society, and I've seen the bills that can pile up.
HELPFUL LINKS & MORE PHOTOS
-- www.sleddogsfilm.com - a groundbreaking documentary taking a close look at -and inside- the industry - i am honoured to have some of my photos included in this film
-- www.humanemushing.com - a great resource with action alerts
-- facebook.com/from sled dogs to bed hogs - sled dogs from all over the world, living the retried life
-- facebook.com/whistler sled dog co - the Whistler cull survivors, where are they now
- WRITE! in Canada, sleddogs are no different than livestock in the eyes of the law. Write the government to let them know that they are no different than the dogs who sleep on our beds, on our couches, on our laps... etc. They deserve care, compassion, enrichment and respect.
- ADVOCATE! learn about the commercial and sport sled dog industries so you can arm yourself with knowledge and speak up for sleddies!
- ADOPT/FOSTER/FUNDRAISE! as long as there are sleddogs, rescues will need all kinds of help. If you can't adopt, maybe you can foster. If you can't foster, you can fundraise - from bottle drives to yard sales to however you can raise money! Sleddogs have often gone years without proper veterinary treatment and once into care, the bills pile up with not just spaying/neutering, but possible other treatments, food, harnesses, leashes and transportation to get them into care.
I volunteer with a local rescue, The Victoria Humane Society, and I've seen the bills that can pile up.
HELPFUL LINKS & MORE PHOTOS
-- www.sleddogsfilm.com - a groundbreaking documentary taking a close look at -and inside- the industry - i am honoured to have some of my photos included in this film
-- www.humanemushing.com - a great resource with action alerts
-- facebook.com/from sled dogs to bed hogs - sled dogs from all over the world, living the retried life
-- facebook.com/whistler sled dog co - the Whistler cull survivors, where are they now