Going to the dogs...			...in Hazelton
			by Alex Merrill

What's usually done in snow, goes fast, needs no gas, and is nearly the best thing in the whole world? The Inuit word for it is "qumuksiit". Translation: "Dogs and people travelling together as a unit." If you haven't guessed it yet, the next clue is "Mush!" Dog sledding is a passion for mushers around the world from the Arctic to Australia (where the lack of snow is no obstacle--they just do it with carts in the sand.). Andy Busby is one of this breed of who seem have canine blood flowing through their veins.

Andy Busby gets his dogs Snap and Sarge ready for a ride.

I reach the Busby's along Highway 16 about 10 kilometres past New Hazelton. As I drive up Andy's lane, I'm greeted with a deafening chorus of husky halleluyah's. The 29 dogs will quiet down only when they get harnessed up and Andy kicks out the snow hook which anchors the sled. These dogs live to run. Sleek and slight, with not a gram of fat under their grey, white and black fur, they strain against their chains, pacing around their poles, yelping to be chosen for the sled.

Andy holds one harness

Andy started his dog sled business, Kitanga Tours, only last year but he's been in the sport for the past 20 years, starting out in the Yukon where he got into racing. One of his highlights was the Yukon Championship, a 220-mile race from Dawson City to Eagle Alaska. He came fifth place, doing it in 32 hours. That race is getting more and more competitive, he says. "The champs now do that race in 24 hours."