Charley's Sled Dog Kennel
Wasilla, Alaska
Home of 2014, 2015, 2017, 2018, and 2019 Iditarod race finisher, Charley Bejna, a type 1 Diabetic with an insulin pump.
Charley's Sled Dog Kennel, LLC is located in Knik, Alaska which is 1 hour north of Anchorage. The kennel has 22 racing dogs and 8 retired dogs, owned and cared for by Charley Bejna. I am a one person operation, so it sometimes takes awhile to respond to emails on this website. I appreciate your continued patience.
I would like to thank all of our great sponsors for making it possible to continue mushing in mid-distance races and in the Iditarod. We appreciate it very much and always welcome any type of donations to the kennel throughout the year. I am racing in the 2019 Iditarod to raise awareness that being a type 1 diabetic may slow you down, but you can still live a normal life as long as you take care of yourself.
The countdown to the 2019 Iditarod is on! Please help us get to Nome by sponsoring us!
Our final week before the 2019 Iditarod starts! I have been extremely busy with getting the dogs final runs in. All the blood work, ECG's and vet check have been completed on the dogs. Oak who is an outstanding dog, had a recent injury at the kennel and will unfortunately miss this Iditarod. He is recovering very well but not in time for the race. He will be great missed as he is very valuable to the team.
We still have hoodies, hats, t-shirts and gloves available to purchase. Anything ordered after February 26, will be sent out after I finish Iditarod. I greatly appreciate all the support and patience that everyone has given.
All emails and skype interviews will be answered after Iditarod. I will have no communication while out on the trail.
Below are a few photos from the recent GB Tug 150. Thanks to Chuck Ashley for sharing the photos he took of the team and me as we started the race. We began in 10th place and finished in 3rd, which surprised me since we hadn't made any 75 mile long runs this season. The team looked great! Next up is the Iditarod!
I took this photo on the trip back from Talvista. The trail was slow with lots of drifting and poor visibility. I was running behind Cim Smyth and could barely see the tracks he left. Luckily, we made it back to the Tug Bar with a happy, healthy team and musher.
A BIG thank you goes out to Amber Johnson, Stacey Cardy, TJ, John Neilson, and all who have helped me prepare for this year's Iditarod! I couldn't have done it without you.
The team and I would like to thank the Pacifica High School M.U.S.H. Club for providing the wonderful and warm blankets for the dogs to enjoy when we rest on the trail this year. We would also like to thank the 5th grade students at Puckett's Mill Elementary School for making bandanas for the dogs to wear at this year's ceremonial start and for organizing another plush husky fundraiser. These schools' continued support is very much appreciated!
This proved to be a beautiful day for a run on a blanket of fresh, and much needed, snow!
The Iditarod is less than 3 weeks away. It's time to narrow the field. These dogs are strong contenders for this year's race!
Maple and Kodiak make a pair of leaders. Maple is always very focused and loves looking for moose. She is a pretty shy dog when other people are around.
Yukon and Maple are the leaders.
Black and Brown are leading Niina's team on this cold and sunny day.
These two brothers Grizzly and Kodiak are great leaders that have finished 4 Iditarods and a lot of other races.
A recent 40 mile run with Kodiak and Maple in the lead.
Non-stop Dogwear USA stopped by the kennel to talk about my plans for the racing season! I'm excited to be racing in my 7th Iditarod since moving up here about 8 years ago.