Upper row, left to right: Jolie, Merlyn, Gus, Dargo
Lower row, left to right: Apollo, Sage, Blitz, Boomer
Denali National Park introduced the newest members of their sled dog team in recent days.
Eight puppies were born at the park kennel last month as part of a breeding strategy that sustains the park’s mushing program. According to the park service, the sled dog kennel managers breed for qualities such as long legs for breaking trail through snow, compact paws for resisting build up of ice between toes, and sturdy coats to keep warm in Alaska’s harsh winter climate.
But physical traits are just part of the story. The kennel managers also look for specific character traits, such as tenacity, a love to run and pull, and social tendencies – dogs that seek human attention.
This year’s puppies are named Jolie, Merlyn, Gus, Dargo, Apollo, Sage, Blitz and Boomer.
These names have a very special meaning. Kennel staff chose to honor the hero dogs from 9/11 on its 20th Anniversary. They named the puppies after eight of the roughly 300 dogs who aided in search and rescue efforts after the terrorist attacks. They hope that these names will honor the memory of not only the search and rescue dogs, but of handlers, firefighters and law enforcement officers that responded in America’s time of need.
In addition, Denali National Park has also launched its live “puppy cam” so viewers can observe the puppies as they frolic and grow.
Interested viewers can find the puppy cam link posted on the KTNA website: https://www.nps.gov/dena/learn/photosmultimedia/webcams-pups.htm
