In Gentler Valleys Roaming

A Memoir of Sled Dogs

With a name inspired by the peaceful refuge in the song by the great Andy Williams, Summer Place Kennel provided a safe haven for retired sled dogs from some of the premier racers in the world, such as four-time Iditarod Champion Susan Butcher and Yukon Quest Champion Aliy Zirkle. They entrusted their beloved teammates to the care of Julie Verrette, the owner and founder of Summer Place Kennel in Florence, Wisconsin.

Julie’s initial goal was to simply live in the wilderness with dogs, but the retirees showed her another world, filled with fun and excitement and unexpected possibilities and limitless surprises: A life with sled dogs and all they bring to the table! There were hard times and difficulties, to be sure, but Julie had plenty of capable assistants who were willing to work and learn right along with her, and together they created a special place for the sled dogs and made Julie’s dreams come true.

An excerpt from the book:

I had already been in touch with Susan Butcher about another retiree. I needed a leader and told her of my plan to visit Aliy’s kennel in Two Rivers. Susan called me at Aliy’s kennel on the day of our planned camping trip. Aliy handed the phone to me with a big smile, saying “It’s Susan Butcher calling you,” a bit of a question in her eyes. I hadn’t mentioned to Aily that I was also going to visit Susan.

Susan said “Come early before your plane leaves and we’ll take a couple of leaders out that I think will work for you.” I told her “We have a planned camping trip today but it’s to be thirty below so I don’t think we’ll go.” Susan replied, “If I know Aliy, you’ll go!” We finalized our plans, Aliy would drive us to Fairbanks and we’d stop at Susan’s kennel enroute.

In Gentler Valleys Roaming, A Memoir of Sled Dogs, by Julie Verrette, will be published by Northern Light Media in August. Pre-publication orders are available now for $24.95 postage paid.