About Me

Hi! My name is Black Bear, and I am a retired sled dog. I was born in Eagle, Alaska and raised by Bush Alaska Expeditions. I was a lead dog in the 2009 Yukon Quest,

so I have a passion for running...especially in the snow!

When I'm not running or sleeping, I go around and give presentations to teach children and adults what it's like to be a sled dog. I have some people who come along to help me interpret and carry things. They also help me find good homes for my sled dog friends when they retire. Here is more information about what they do:

Radio interviews:
WCNI radio (CT, USA) (Oct 2019)

WCNI radio (CT, USA) (Oct 2021)

Chat & Spin radio (England) (Dec 2020)

Lady Tracey Show (Jamaica) (Dec 2020)

Articles:
Virginia Living Magazine
Ink Magazine

Connect with me via social media, enjoy my books, view my photos/videos, adopt a sled dog, meet my friends, play some games, or contact me.

Books

When you buy a book, you help rehome retired sled dogs!

Tails from the Bush
(description)
by Denise Lawson
Published by Brown & Lowe Books
Buy from:
Amazon,   Barnes & Noble,   Book Depository,   Books-A-Million
Black Bear Goes to Bangor to Find Beaver
(description) - (I-95 announcement)
by Denise Lawson
Published by Brown & Lowe Books
Buy from:
Amazon,   Barnes & Noble,   Book Depository
Run Like a Sled Dog
(description)
by Denise Lawson
Published by Brown & Lowe Books
Buy from:
Amazon,   Barnes & Noble,   Book Depository,   Brown & Lowe
Life Lessons from a Sled Dog
(description)
by Denise Lawson
Published by Brown & Lowe Books
Buy from:
Amazon,   Barnes & Noble,   Book Depository,   Brown & Lowe
Black Bear Saves Christmas
(description)
by Denise Lawson
Published by Brown & Lowe Books
Buy from:
Amazon,   Barnes & Noble,   Book Depository,   Brown & Lowe
Black Bear Goes to San Francisco
(description)
by Denise Lawson
Published by Brown & Lowe Books
Buy from:
Amazon,   Barnes & Noble,   Book Depository,   Brown & Lowe
Black Bear Goes to Washington
(description)
by Denise Lawson
Published by Brown & Lowe Books
Buy from:
Amazon,   Barnes & Noble,
Book Depository,   Brown & Lowe (hardback, softback)

Coffees

All sales help rehome retired sled dogs...and taste delicious!
Buy from:
Java Gourmet
Buy from:   email us
Buy from:   email us

Reviews / Quotes

"...children ages 3-8 will fully enjoy joining Black Bear Sled Dog and friends as they share some simple secrets of happiness. Through playful verse and illustrations, kids will appreciate these life lessons from the sled dog point of view. Entertaining, thoroughly 'kid friendly' in commentary and presentation, thoughtful and thought-provoking, "Life Lessons from a Sled Dog" is especially and unreservedly recommended for family, daycare center, preschool, elementary school, and community library picture book collections."
- October 2020 edition of the Midwest Book Review: Children's Bookwatch
"...'Black Bear Goes to Washington' is unreservedly recommended for family, elementary school, and community library Pets/Wildlife picture book collections."
- March 2019 edition of the Midwest Book Review: Children's Bookwatch
"...A thoroughly charming picture book story that will have a very special appeal for children ages 5-8, 'Black Bear Goes to Washington' is an especially recommended addition to family, elementary school, and community library Pets/Wildlife picture book collections for young readers."
- February 2019 edition of the Midwest Book Review: Children's Bookwatch
"...A thoroughly charming, engagingly entertaining, and thoroughly 'kid friendly' in tone and tenor, "Black Bear Goes to San Francisco" will prove to be a welcome addition to family, daycare center, preschool, elementary school, and community library picture book collections..."
- December 2019 edition of the Midwest Book Review: Children's Bookwatch
"...a rhyming picturebook about a hard-working, dark-furred Alaskan sled dog lead named Black Bear. Striking, colorfully painted illustrations bring to life this celebration of hard-working, four-footed sled dogs...A final page of dog sledding facts and special terms rounds out this excellent, read-aloud picturebook for storytime or bedtime."
- January 2020 edition of the Midwest Book Review: Children's Bookwatch
Black Bear Goes to Washington wins Honorable Mention in the 2021 New York Book Festival.
- 2021 New York Book Festival

My Friends & Adoptions

Meet some of my retired sled dog friends.
Some are available for adoption! (listed first)
Filter using the links below:

Gush
10 yr old neutered male

adopt me!

Iditarod finisher. Team dog. Brother to Flood and Fema Sweet goofy boy! Gush is neutered .

Flood
10 yr old spayed female

adopt me!

Iditarod veteran. Lead dog. Sister to Gush and Fema A bit shy but super sweet once they get to know you. Flood is spayed .

Fema
10 yr old spayed female

adopt me!

Iditarod veteran. Lead dog. Sister to Gush and Flood A bit shy but super sweet once they get to know you. Fema is spayed .

Quantum
9 yr old spayed female

adopt me!

Quantum is spayed .

Tempest
9 yr old spayed female

adopt me!

Lead dog. Alternate dog for the 2017 Iditarod. Tempest is spayed .

Nenana
8 yr old spayed female

adopt me!

Nenana is spayed .

Peeka
7 yr old spayed female

adopt me!

From J.Jay Levy's kennel. Mother of Cloud and Storm. Peeka is good on or off leash and well-behaved in the house. Good team dog, about 45 lbs. Sweet and luvs to cuddle. Would be a great companion for a family with kids. Peeka is spayed .

Brooks
7 yr old neutered male

adopt me!

Brooks is a laid-back fellow who would love to skijor, hike and walk with you and then join you back on the couch after adventures. He's housebroken. Brooks is neutered .

Grumpy
4 yr old neutered male

adopt me!

Grumpy is neutered .

Sneezy
3 yr old spayed female

adopt me!

Sneezy is a small female Alaskan husky who finished the 2022 Copper Basin 300 in 9th place. She runs in lead and in the main team, but isn't a very big contributor due to her small size. She does really well in the house, and loves playing with toys and cuddling on the couch. She is not fully house trained yet, but well on the way. She likes other dogs once she gets to know them, but sometimes has a little trouble when she first meets them (especially females). Parents: Jerry x Dragon. Jerry ran in 7 Iditarods with Jeff King. Dragon has many littermates in Dave Turner's team. She ran one day of ONAC as a yearling, finished the Yukon Quest 300 as a 2-year old, then ran the Fur Rendezvous as a 4-year old. Sneezy's siblings are from the Snow White and Seven Dwarfs litter. Sneezy is spayed .

Chunky
3 yr old neutered male

adopt me!

Chunky is neutered .

Ash
2 yr old spayed female

adopt me!

Sweet and playful Ash is spayed .

Fern
0 yr old spayed female

adopt me!

14 weeks old playful puppy ready to explore the world! She comes from a line of Iditarod dogs and seeks an active home life with lots of cuddles. Rosie's sister. Fern is spayed .

Quartz
6 yr old neutered male

Adopted!
4 November, 2022

Quartz is a sweet boy who loves to cuddle. Playful and active, he will make a great companion for outdoor adventures! Quartz is neutered .

Madam Curie
8 yr old spayed female

Adopted!
26 October, 2022

Wheel dog. Loves all people. Madam Curie is spayed .

Tesla
8 yr old spayed female

Adopted!
30 September, 2022

Tesla is from the scientists litter. Tesla is a smart dog and aims to please! Tesla is spayed .

Rocket
5 yr old neutered male

Adopted!
20 August, 2022

Playful dog wit lots of energy. Rocket is neutered .

Widow Lantern
8 yr old spayed female

Adopted!
15 August, 2022

Willow is the nickname for 'Widow Lantern' - a traditional lantern in the Iditarod race. Fifty and Widow are a brother/sister pair. These sweet retired Iditarod dogs would do great with a recreational musher or active family! They don't have to go to the same home, but they run so nicely together. Swing dog. Widow Lantern is spayed .

Fifty Below
8 yr old neutered male

Adopted!
15 May, 2022

Fifty is the nickname for '50 Below'. Fifty and Widow are a brother/sister pair. These sweet retired Iditarod dogs would do great with a recreational musher or active family! They don't have to go to the same home, but they run so nicely together. Wheel dog. Fifty Below is neutered .

Bashful
3 yr old spayed female

Adopted!
2 May, 2022

Bashful is a small sprint dog with lots of enthusiasm. She's a smart dog who loves looks at you and wants to please you. Loves to cuddle and lick. Bashful is spayed .

Guano
12 yr old neutered male

Adopted!
19 February, 2022

1 of 9 born at Wayne and Scarlett's (2 of which didn't survive) Went to Kristy around 2016 Guano and Black Bear ran together in their younger days. Guano is neutered .

Etta
5 yr old spayed female

Adopted!
20 December, 2021

Etta would be fine as an only dog or with another dog. She's very sweet tempered and good with kids. She is a 3-legged dog, without her front right leg, but she is still one of the fastest dogs we've seen. Wheel dog. Died of cancer. Etta is spayed .

Rugby
12 yr old spayed female

Adopted!
18 December, 2021

Rugby is a very sweet girl with people. She would do best in a home without other animals. She would be fine around children older than 8, as smaller children may not know what not to do around her.
Rugby has been an Iditarod alternate multiple times. She has been in many 200-300 mile races, retired from racing and ready for her retired home. She is active and healthy and has been running in team position until Oct 2020. Team, wheel dog. Rugby is spayed .

Cash
4 yr old spayed female

Adopted!
17 December, 2021

Cash, short for Cashew, from the nuts litter, is a happy go-lucky female. Team dog. Cash is spayed .

Coco
4 yr old spayed female

Adopted!
17 December, 2021

Coco, short for Coconut, from the nuts litter, is a happy go-lucky female. Team dog. Coco is spayed .

Hanna
5 yr old female

Adopted!
10 December, 2021

Hanna is very kind and happy to see people and kids. She recently recovered from an injury from a wolf. She is doing well both physically and mentally, but she is a sensitive girl.

Banana
11 yr old neutered male

Adopted!
14 November, 2021

Banana, of the Fruit Litter, is the musher Cindy Abbott's favorite dog. Lead dog. Banana is neutered .

Aang
10 yr old neutered male

Adopted!
5 November, 2021

Aang, of the Avatar Litter, has completed two Iditarod races. I call him my Hippy Dog because he is the most chill dog on the planet. Nothing bothers him. He shows no interest in the kennel cat, he loves all other dogs, and he free-runs exploring the kennel but never leaves the grounds. Aang loves when I softly sing into his ear. Everyone who meets Aang loves him. He is in excellent health. Aang is super calm and nothing bothers him. Lead dog. Aang is neutered .

Lonesome
10 yr old spayed female

Adopted!
22 September, 2021

Lonesome is a smart loyal dog, related to Black Bear Lonesome is spayed .

Peach
11 yr old spayed female

Adopted!
21 September, 2021

Peach, of the Fruit Litter, has completed one Iditarod race. She is in excellent health. Peach loves other non-aggressive dogs, she loves all people but can be a little shy. Peach needs a home without small animals like cats. She has never hurt another animal but she is very interested in the kennel cat. Peach free-runs on the kennel grounds and has never left the grounds. She also loves to have her ears and back scratched. Lead dog. Peach is spayed .

Runner
11 yr old neutered male

Adopted!
15 June, 2021

Runner is a sweetheart of a dog. Really good walking companion. Great indoors. Tolerates our cat but has never bothered her and yet always shows an interest. So a slow and careful introduction would be suggested. Lead dog. PatientID: 40361 @ Shenandoah Animal Hospital Runner is neutered .

Puma
5 yr old spayed female

Adopted!
27 April, 2021

Puma is spayed .

Dory
12 yr old spayed female

Adopted!
5 April, 2021

Dory is a shy dog. Dory is a special girl from the boat litter who loves hugs. At 40 pounds, she is smaller than her brothers, but just as tough. Dory has run the Iditarod 5 times and has no health issues, ever. She would be a good recreational musher. Tug's and Barge's sister. Team, wheel dog. Dory is spayed .

Tug (Dream A Dream)
12 yr old neutered male

Adopted!
5 April, 2021

Tug is very sweet and a little bigger than his twin Barge. Tug is Dory's brother. He always ran in swing. Tug was the 'rock' of the team. No matter what was going on, he always held the team! He ran two Iditarods! He never has any trouble when he runs. Swing dog. Tug (Dream A Dream) is neutered .

Cloud
3 yr old female

Adopted!
7 March, 2021

From J.Jay Levy's kennel. Storm's sister and child of Peeka.

Storm
3 yr old female

Adopted!
7 March, 2021

From J.Jay Levy's kennel. Cloud's sister and child of Peeka. Storm is eneretic, playful pup with a sweet disposition. Housebroken, good on or off leash and will behave in the house.

Julio
7 yr old neutered male

Adopted!
22 February, 2021

From John Schandelmeier's kennel. Julio is neutered .

Robin
2 yr old female

Adopted!
19 February, 2021

Robin is from J.Jay Levy's kennel.

Triumph
10 yr old neutered male

Adopted!
17 February, 2021

Triumph is from John Schandelmeier's kennel. He has run the Iditarod. Adopter: VA Tim Manville Triumph is neutered .

Barge
12 yr old neutered male

Adopted!
17 January, 2021

Musher Cindy Abbott's favorite dog. Barge is a newly retired Iditarod veteran. His brothers are Yacht and Kayak from the boat litter! Barge is a special boy with a heart of gold....very loving and ready for an active retirement. Barge has run in several Iditarods.. Retired Dec 16, 2020. Team dog. Barge is neutered .

Ruler
11 yr old neutered male

Adopted!
8 January, 2021

Ruler is from the 'School Supplies' litter and weighs about 60lbs. He completed the Iditarod several times with musher Cindy Abbott. Very loving and not aggressive. Would do well with small kids. Would do well with other dogs as long as the dog was not aggressive. Ruler is goofy. Team dog Ruler is neutered .

Eraser
11 yr old spayed female

Adopted!
7 December, 2020

Eraser is from the 'School Supplies' litter and weighs about 55lbs. She completed the Iditarod several times with musher Cindy Abbott. Very loving and not aggressive. Would do well with small kids. Would do well with other dogs as long as the dog was not aggressive. Eraser is shy. Team dog. Eraser is spayed .

Kayak
12 yr old neutered male

Adopted!
25 September, 2020

An Iditarod veteran. Gentle giant full of love, retired from racing and ready for his retired home. Team dog. Kayak is neutered .

Yacht
12 yr old neutered male

Adopted!
25 September, 2020

An Iditarod veteran. Gentle giant full of love, retired from racing and ready for his retired home. A team dog. Yacht is neutered .

Ruby
6 yr old spayed female

Adopted!
23 August, 2020

Ruby is very calm and gentle. She loves to give and get hugs and kisses. She loves to run, but isn't really interested in pulling a sled. Ruby is part border collie and very people-oriented. Ruby is spayed .

Timo
10 yr old neutered male

Adopted!
30 June, 2020

Super sweet; there’s not a mean bone in this boy's body, he loves everyone. He is very fast and is an honest, hard worker. Great eater, easy keeper. Enjoys outdoors and indoors. Loves kids, but would be just as happy as someone’s all-the-time adventure buddy. Timo is neutered .

Geega
5 yr old neutered male

Adopted!
30 June, 2020

Observant, calm, and sweet. Very kind and shy. Brown with some white and black; brown eyes. Prefers the company of older children and plays well with other dogs. Geega is neutered .

Fox
13 yr old neutered male

Adopted!
23 May, 2020

Fox and brother Paxson were lead dogs on Dallas Seavey's winning 2014 & 2015 Iditarod teams! Lead dog. Fox is neutered .

Paxson
13 yr old neutered male

Adopted!
23 May, 2020

Paxson and brother Fox were lead dogs on Dallas Seavey's winning 2014 & 2015 Iditarod teams! Lead dog. Paxson is neutered .

Gracie
3 yr old spayed female

Adopted!
15 May, 2020

Playful, energetic, loving and loves affection. Plays well with other dogs. Small/medium, black with some white and tan; brown eyes Gracie is spayed .

Bella
3 yr old spayed female

Adopted!
15 May, 2020

Sweet, gentle, patient & affectionate. Plays well with other dogs. Small/medium, tan and white with some brown; brown eyes Bella is spayed .

Zoe
5 yr old spayed female

Adopted!
24 April, 2020

Zoe is a 2-year old Siberian/Alaskan mixed sled dog hailing all the way from Alaska! Her owner had to downsize his mushing team due to financial hardships and had to let Zoe go.
She is an athlete and can run for miles and miles. She'd be great for someone who is active and likes to run and hike, and/or someone who would like to try canicross, bikejoring, or mushing with her. She's got a strong prey drive though, so she'd benefit from obedience training. She was raised with other dogs but doesn't seem to be a fan of her exuberant foster husky brother. We've heard that she loved to run and play in Alaska so we’re hoping she warms up to him as she adjusts to her new environment. She is completely fine with her senior foster sister though. Lead dog. Zoe is spayed .

Noland
7 yr old neutered male

Adopted!
18 April, 2020

Noland is a 55 lb. husky and likely part greyhound. He is very curious, playful, goofy and gentle, with a unique howl. Grew up in a dog yard and loves to run as a team or lead dog, but also loves to be in the house to nap and get attention. He is crate-trained, knows how to use a doggie door, and is good with other dogs and cats. Team dog. Noland is neutered .

Brush
11 yr old spayed female

Adopted!
25 March, 2020

Brush is a gentle soul. A wonderful quiet companion and sweet dog who likes to run.Lead, swing, team dog Brush is spayed .

Hippo
11 yr old neutered male

Adopted!
25 March, 2020

Hippo is a happy-go-lucky wheel dog. He loves to make new friends and would make a great partner for recreational running. He is from the safari litter. Lead, swing, team, wheel dog Hippo is neutered .

Gazelle
11 yr old spayed female

Adopted!
25 March, 2020

Gazelle is such a sweetie, everyone just falls in love with her. Gazelle is from the safari litter. Team, wheel dog Gazelle is spayed .

Two-some
10 yr old spayed female

Adopted!
25 March, 2020

Twosome is a relaxed pup who is a great companion for 2-legged and 4-legged friends! Swing, team dog Two-some is spayed .

Una
6 yr old spayed female

Adopted!
20 March, 2020

Una weighs about 50 lbs. She is a playful pup and loves to cuddle! She is trained as a sled dog, but prefers recreational activities over the working dog life. Una is spayed .

Chabo
12 yr old neutered male

Adopted!
9 March, 2020

Chabo is a Greenland Inuit Sled Dog. A sweet, affectionate boy with a heart of gold. Still very active and likes to run, but is ready to retire from pulling a sled. Wheel dog Chabo is neutered .

Lefty
12 yr old spayed female

Adopted!
7 March, 2020

A happy go-lucky affectionate dog. she can never get enough hugs. Wheel dog. Father: Bridger or Jake Lefty is spayed .

Comet
16 yr old neutered male

Adopted!
29 July, 2019

Team, wheel dog. He is Swannie's and Copper's brother. He loves to run and play. Comet is neutered .

Swannie
16 yr old neutered male

Adopted!
10 July, 2019

Swannie, Comet and Copper are brothers. Swannie loves to run and be outside, but he just can't quite keep up with the younger dogs these days. He loves to be in the middle of the action. Sometimes Swannie and I would get to sleep in the cabin at night when we were out on an expedition. We would doze off while listening to the mushers swap stories of the adventures of the day. Lead, swing, team dog Swannie is neutered .

Electra
12 yr old spayed female

Adopted!
15 June, 2019

Kimber and Electra are sisters and both are former lead dogs. Electra is very adoptable. She is friendly with all people and other dogs, and very intelligent & curious. She has helped train younger dogs. She is 50lbs, brown eyed, and spayed. She is 9 years old, like her sister Kimber. Electra is spayed .

Djemba
15 yr old neutered male

Adopted!
30 March, 2019

Djembe is one of our best leaders - he is big and strong and often used to break trail in deep snow for others because he had such long legs. But he is also such a sweet boy who loves to cuddle on the bed and make funny groan noises that crack me up!. Born sometime in 2007 Djemba is neutered .

Copper
16 yr old neutered male

Adopted!
29 January, 2019

Copper was a wheel dog.He is a quiet, lovable soul. He is younger than Black Bear by just a month. He started to slow down and is content to relax by the fire, but still likes to go out for short runs. Copper is neutered .

Black Bear
16 yr old spayed female

Adopted!
5 April, 2018

Salmon is so tasty. I am not sure, but I think my coat is so shiny because I ate so much salmon growing up. I was born to run. It is in my blood. Even though I am retired, I still love to run several times a week. When out on a run, creek beds are so cool and refreshing. I like to lay down in the middle of a creek to take a break on warm days. I get so excited when it snows. I love running and playing in the snow.
When I was in Alaska,I used to howl with contentment under the light of the moon after eating dinner. I don't do that now that I live in Virginia. I was a lead, swing and team dog. Black Bear is spayed .

Let's Play!

Games

3 Current or Future Events

Learn about or schedule an in-person or online author visit here

Join Black Bear Sled Dog & Friends at virtual events via Zoom!
Email: blackbear@blackbearsleddog.com to receive a meeting invite for a storytime event.
In-person and online events will be listed below

Wolftrap Elementary School

Author & Sled Dog Visit

Listen to sled dog stories and learn about sled dog life in Alaska

Apr 11, 2023
Vienna, VA

The Montessori School of Alexandria

Author & Sled Dog Visit

Learn about sled dog life in the Alaskan bush

Apr 19, 2023 @ 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Alexandria, VA

Dog Daze

Sled Dogs and Author Visit

Meet and learn about sled dogs at this gathering and demonstration of working dogs.

Oct 29, 2023 @ 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Middleburg, VA

91 Past Events

Here are the 5 latest events. To view all events, click here

Mar 25, 2023 - Barnes & Noble - Woodbridge, VA - Author & Sled Dog Visit. Book signing - meet the author and the sled dogs! Stop by and get a copy of the new Black Bear Sled Dog book ....Tails from the Bush!

Mar 22, 2023 - Keene Mill Elementary - Springfield, VA - Author Visit. Meet the author of the Black Bear Sled Dog book series and learn about dog sledding in Alaska.

Mar 21, 2023 - White Oaks Elementary - Burke, VA - Author Visit. Learn about sled dog life in Alaska and meet the author of the Black Bear Sled Dog book series.

Mar 6, 2023 - Keene Mill Elementary - Springfield, VA - Meet the Sled Dogs. Meet retired Alaskan sled dogs and the author of the Black Bear Sled Dog book series at the Keene Mill Book Fair!

Mar 5, 2023 - Augie's - Alexandria, VA - Family Friendly Happy Hour with Alaskan Sled Dogs. Learn about sled dog life in Alaska with the author of the Black Bear Sled Dog series and her retired sled dogs. Kids can enjoy hot cocoa and stories and there will be special menu items to benefit sled dog adoption.

To view all events, click here

Let's Talk

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