You gotta be kidding!  Who in his right mind would even think of starting a Jamaica Dogsled Team in a country with no snow. You gotta wonder what the creator of this wild idea was smoking. That is exactly what everyone including the family of the founder were saying. “Dad, you’ve really lost it his time”.

Meet Danny Melville our illustrious leader and founder (not exactly your normal, everyday business guy).  His Jamaica Dogsled team is a heart warming tale of tails that includes Jimmy Buffett, Scotland, Minnesota and more.

Danny was shopping for dune buggies for his Jamaican adventure tour business in Edmonton, Canada when he tripped over this “thing”, a metal frame with wheels, in the corner of a fabrication shop.  He was told it was a dog sled with wheels so it could be used in the summer when there was no snow.

“What, no snow, hollered Danny?!  Mush mon!

The owners of the shop ushered this giddy Jamaican to the door encouraging him to contact renowned dogsled trainer/coach, Alan Stewart near Aviemore, Scotland.  That was the beginning of what has become a spirited adventure filled with plenty of licks ‘n laughs. Read on.

After exchanging numerous phone calls with Alan in Scotland it was time to start training Jamaica’s first dogsled musher.

Meet Jamaica’s Dr. Doolittle

Meet Jamaica’s first Musher, Devon Anderson.  He is the sweetest, most gentle and caring person you will ever meet.  BUT…Devon had never seen snow or a dogsled team. No Problem Mon.  Devon has a very special gift.  He has the ability to communicate with animals, really.

Before he knew what hit him Devon was bundled up with winter clothes and was on his way to Scotland to start his training under Alan.  Alan couldn’t believe it. Devon was amazing, a natural. The dogs would do absolutely anything for him.

Smiley christens new sled (couldn't wait for a hydrant) Click to enlarge picture (200KB)

With Dogsled 101 completed it was back to Jamaica.  Within weeks Alan showed up with his flip-flops and with Minnesota’s famous dogsled trainer Rick Johnson.  They found themselves up to their elbows in spirited island mutts most from the Jamaica SPCA. We’re not talking Huskies we’re talking real mutts, mutts that are so uncontrollably happy to be fed, patted and loved that they are just as likely to pee on the feet of anyone with a kind word as they are to give them a big lick.

No Flip-floppin’ for Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville

Danny was flyin’. The press was abuzz with Jamaica Dogsled Team news and Rick and Alan were doing a great job training.  Danny quickly realized that the Dogsled Team needed additional financial support and international visibility. 

One afternoon Danny and Jimmy Buffett we’re wastin’ away in a Margaritaville in  Montego Bay, Jamaica.  Between gulps of Margaritas Danny told Jimmy about his Jamaica Dogsled Team.  Jimmy started roaring. He thought it was the coolest thing this side of Key West and agreed to have Margaritaville become the official sponsor of the team.

Now what…a movie, of course. Sun Dogs rocks!

	Danny Chris and Jimmy discuss where to go for margaritas. Click to enlarge picture (51KB)

Can you imagine?  A full fledged documentary. Thanks to the foresight of producer Chris Blackwell of Palm Pictures and Canadian Director Andrea Stewart the incredible evolvement of this outrageous undertaking has been captured on film and will appear on the big screen shortly. Yahoo!

And the beat goes on…

Since this backgrounder was written Devon and the Jamaica Dogsled Team have competed in several major events and are consistently finished as high as second place. Unbelievable!! Keep both eyes on our site for up to date progress reports

Become a part of the wildest, most off-the-wall group of fun loving animal lovers this side of Paradise.

We welcome you to get involved. Attend a race or two. It’s a blast. See the event schedule on our site. Better still, come to the team’s base in Ocho Rios, Jamaica. You can take a tour and actually race in a sled pulled by the real Jamaican Dogsled Team or you can do a Team Encounter.  Meet the dogs and Devon and enjoy a fun filled demonstration.

Want a super-cool gift for yourself or someone else?  Check out our super-cool products.  A portion of the proceeds from the purchase of all purchases goes to help the underdogs…the less fortunate mutts at the Jamaica SPCA.

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NOW THE REAL HISTORY OF SLED DOG RACING
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Sled dog racing is one of North America 's oldest winter sports and can be traced back to the Eskimos and Northern Indians.  They depend on teams of sled dogs for faithful companionship, assistance in hunting and as a sole means of transportation during the long winter months.  In 1908, the first formal racing event the "All Alaskan Sweepstakes" was run from Nome to Candle and back, a distance of 408 miles, with a winning time of 119 hours, 15 minutes, 12 seconds.

In January 1925, Nome once again became the site of another historic race.  Diphtheria was discovered and the supply of antitoxin was inadequate to avoid an epidemic.  A reply of 22 native and mail teams forged through the rough interior of Alaska and across the frozen Bering Sea to deliver the serum on time.  Sled dog teams have also aided exploration of northern frontiers by Byrd, Peary and Amundsen.

The dogs of today's racing teams have strong, slightly arched backs, well-angled shoulders and a deep chest, denoting good lung capacity.  Compact tough feet and a protective coat of hair aid the dogs.  Size is also a very important factor with most racing dogs averaging 23 inches at the shoulders and weighing less than 55 pounds.  An overweight dog, like an overweight person cannot run marathon distances at a competitive pace.  Drivers favor dogs that are even-tempered, gentle and able to stand the pressures of a rigorous training and schedule.  A sled dog may put in 2,000 miles in a training season and be transported in vehicles many thousands of miles over the coarse of a 3-month season.

Sled dogs are among the best cared for animals in the world.  Because the sport is based on athletic performance, the Musher must be constantly alert to anything that might endanger the health of his or her dog team members.  Many mushers use a balanced and fortified meat-based diet to provide the compact, highly digestible high quality protein and energy that the dogs need.