Sled Dogs: A Short History
The partnership of man and dog goes back thousands of years and continues to this day. Just a little over 100 years ago dogs were an integral part of the Klondike Gold Rush. As those pioneers and their dogs did, you will begin your journey here in Skagway, the Gateway to the Klondike.
During the Klondike Gold Rush dogs were used for transport, freight and that all important item for the homesick prospector thousands of miles from home, " MAIL". Without the sled dog, travel in the North Country in the winter became almost impossible. It can truly be said that the sled dog played a key role in exploring and settling the North.
We honor this dog, his intelligence, loyalty and friendship and hope we can share this with you. The following poem by Harry J. Mason written at the turn of the century expresses our feelings about the sled dog.
The Malimote Team
By Harry J. Mason
Of all the methods of travel along forest, field and stream
There is nothing that will excite one's marvel like a well-trained Malimote team.
They are ready and willing and anxious to plod the weary way,
From morn till night o'er the snowy plains as they haul a Yukon Sleigh.
You can talk about your automobiles and other whirli-gigs,
Your big balloons and airships, and other sorts of rigs;
But of all the methods of travel to get from place to place
A team of well-trained Malimote will always win the race.
Your electric car is a cracker-jack till her batteries are done;
The gasoline car is a favorite, while there's gasoline she'll run.
There's cars that are fed on naptha and others fed on steam,
But a small amount of dried salmon is feed for the Malimote team.
The machinery of a Malimote team is quite a simple affair
Four sturdy legs and a bunch of grit that will take them anywhere;
There are no electric batteries, coal-oil or gasoline,
Or that other propelling agency commonly known as steam.
An extended trip in your fancy machines means particular preparations,
A great amount of mechanical skill and numerous alterations;
But the time it takes for a Malimote team to start off with a rush,
Is the time it takes for the leader's ears to catch the driver's"Mush."
I love those dogs, they are honest, they deserve the best of care.
It is the only reward I can give, but it will take me anywhere.
See those intelligent faces, do you think I suffer remorse,
To prefer them for my life-long comrades to our other old friend, the horse?
Now I will not dwell on the dangers we've been through together
For twenty-nine thousand miles in the last three years in all extremes of weather,
And never once in the thousands of times we've been hooked up ready to go
Have they failed to start with I said "Mush," or to stop when I said "Whoa."
"The goal of each of us is to offer you
the most unforgettable Alaskan experience of a lifetime."
