We lost a special girl yesterday. Vela was part of the Kasilof Crew that we got from our friend, James Wheeler when we were starting out our kennel here in Willow.
While Vela was super shy she was always excited to run, especially in races. She was one of our first command leaders and taught a puppy or two how to lead the team.
In this pic she (on right) is with her buddy TyTy at the start of the Tustumena 200 several years ago.
This is always the hardest part of being a dog musher. We try our best to provide them the best from the moment they arrive until they decide it is time to go. Vela, my sweet girl, you will be missed.