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
Buy from:
Black Bear Goes to Bangor to Find Beaver
(description) - (I-95 announcement)
by Denise Lawson
Buy from:
Run Like a Sled Dog
(description)
by Denise Lawson
Buy from:
Life Lessons from a Sled Dog
(description)
by Denise Lawson
Buy from:
Black Bear Saves Christmas
(description)
by Denise Lawson
Buy from:
Black Bear Goes to San Francisco
(description)
by Denise Lawson
Buy from:
Black Bear Goes to Washington
(description)
by Denise Lawson
Buy from:

Coffees


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

Other Goodies


All sales help rehome retired sled dogs
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.

My Friends & Adoptions


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

Let's Play!


Games

2 Current or Future Events


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

In-person events are listed below


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

Gulliver's Run 5k

Team up with the sled dogs to fight canine cancer!

Join in the fun, and run with a retired sled dog. Visit the Black Bear Sled Dog booth to learn about adoptions and meet the dogs. (The author of the Black Bear Sled Dog series will also be autographing books!)

Nov 5, 2023 @ 10:30 AM - 12:30 PM
Gifford Pinchot State Park

98 Past Events

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


Sep 23, 2023 - Lafayette Art & Wine Festival - Lafayette, CA - Author Visit. Visit the NorSled booth (space 472) and learn about husky adoption. Guest author, Denise Lawson, will sign books and share stories about dog sledding in Alaska. Titles from her Black Bear Sled Dog Children's Book Series include: Tails from the Bush; Black Bear Goes to San Francisco; and Life Lessons from a Sled Dog Buy a book and help support retired sled dogs!

Aug 12, 2023 - Dog Days of Summer - Bedford, PA - Author & Sled Dog Visit. Come meet retired sled dogs in downtown Bedford! The event has everything DOG with demonstrations and vendor booths. Food and beverages.

Jul 29, 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!

Jun 9, 2023 - Greenspring Village - Springfield, VA - SummerFest at Greenspring. Author book signing and meet the sled dogs!

Jun 5, 2023 - Laurel Ridge Elementary - - School Visit. Author visit with the sled dogs!

To view all events, click here

Let's Talk


Ask me a question,  request an appearance,  adopt a sled dog, ...

If you are under the age of 13, have your parent or guardian fill out this form