To fuel any level of canine adventure, Racey’s Tasty Dog Treats believes every dog deserves handcrafted treats, made with real peanut butter or apple and pumpkin. A portion of all proceeds goes to local rescues, including Chequamegon Humane Association, and helps support Jim’s Team- our rescue sled dog team inspired by our treats namesake, Racey.
We are proud sponsors of the John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon and the Apostle Islands Sled Dog Race in Bayfield, WI.
We are proud sponsors of the John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon and the Apostle Islands Sled Dog Race in Bayfield, WI.
a funny video of our lead dog, O’Riley, Saying "Run, Run, RUn!"
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Adventures of an All-Rescue Sled Dog Team: Racey’s Rescues
Thanks to the Bayfield Chamber and Visitor Bureau for featuring our story.
The underdog is a term often reserved for the team that everyone expects to fail but secretly hopes will come out on top. Jim Lynch and Sally Hedges, pack leaders of Racey’s Rescues sled dog team, pride themselves on being the underdogs at the Apostle Islands Sled Dog Race, because for their six rescued sled dogs it’s all about living a life filled with fun runs and adventure.
It all started fourteen years ago with a bird-dog named Racey that Lynch and Hedges rescued from a neglect situation. At the time of her adoption, Racey was malnourished and tied up outside 24 hours a day without access to a doghouse.
“That was by far the most dramatic rescue we made,” Hedges recalled, who slept with Racey on the floor until she was comfortable with her new home. “The funny thing is, Jim always said he wasn’t a ‘dog-person.’ He’s had her by his side ever since.”
“She is the love of my life next to Sally,” Lynch laughs.
Shortly after the adoption, Lynch was cross-country skiing with Racey when a skijorer passed him. Seeing how fast this person was moving and the excitement of the dog pulling its owner, Lynch immediately purchased a harness.
“She started it all through skijoring,” said Lynch. “Once you have a good lead, everyone else just wants to follow.”
Each of the dogs on the Racey’s Rescues team was adopted as a puppy from varying circumstances, some of which were more tragic than others.
For someone who never considered himself a dog person, over the years Lynch has become a proud pack leader. He enjoys treating his pack to his own homemade smoked fish caught straight from Lake Superior. “It’s what I live for, it’s a part of me and it’s my hobby,” Lynch beamed.
“It’s really interesting taking a bunch of shelter dogs,” Lynch stated. “Eventually everything works, but it takes time and patience. Each one of them comes from a different background and they usually tend to be a little skittish. By the time they race, each one of the dogs must be accustomed to people, cars, ATV’s, snowmobiles, blizzards, windstorms, other dogs and trees falling in the forest.”
Three years ago, Lynch apprehensively approached the start chute of the Apostle Islands Sled Dog Race with a pounding heart, a head swimming with worries and a team of six rambunctious rescued sled dogs.
Although Lynch had been working with his team for seven years at that point, he had his trepidations about the race and the dogs’ ability to make it through as a team. The race usually draws about 50 sled dog teams and follows a course along a variety of terrains unique to the Bayfield Peninsula, enough to make even seasoned mushers and teams work for their keep.
“I was so nervous at the start chute,” recalled Lynch. “I just sort of wanted to get through it and I honestly couldn’t remember why I had decided to do it in the first place.”
As soon as the signal blasted and the dogs began running, Lynch’s worries about the dog’s performance and trail manners were left in the team’s snow-blasting wake. He was shocked at how well the team performed—passing without issues and finishing as a unified crew—Lynch couldn’t help but beam by the end of his first race.
“It went really good and the dogs did great,” Lynch said. “I was so ecstatic that night! I think I loved those dogs more than I ever had. They were heroes. The only time I really get emotional is when I get out on the trail and see those dogs and how happy they are. It actually brings a tear to my eye.”
Lynch said he never consciously decided to become a musher or adopted dog parent, it “just sort of happened.”
In fact, training the Racey’s Recues team over the years has been a true community effort asserts Lynch. Although he is the only person who currently runs with the Racey’s Rescues team, he said there have been countless individuals who’ve educated him on kennel maintenance, team operations and who still contribute to the Racey’s Rescues kennel today.
“What’s neat about this team is that the whole community has really embraced it and helped out,” said Hedges.
Lynch said he feels compelled to participate in the Apostle Islands Sled Dog Race because so many people in the community get excited to see his team of misfits.
“I have to do this for the dogs, it’s a part of the community and now it’s a tradition for me,” he said.
It all started fourteen years ago with a bird-dog named Racey that Lynch and Hedges rescued from a neglect situation. At the time of her adoption, Racey was malnourished and tied up outside 24 hours a day without access to a doghouse.
“That was by far the most dramatic rescue we made,” Hedges recalled, who slept with Racey on the floor until she was comfortable with her new home. “The funny thing is, Jim always said he wasn’t a ‘dog-person.’ He’s had her by his side ever since.”
“She is the love of my life next to Sally,” Lynch laughs.
Shortly after the adoption, Lynch was cross-country skiing with Racey when a skijorer passed him. Seeing how fast this person was moving and the excitement of the dog pulling its owner, Lynch immediately purchased a harness.
“She started it all through skijoring,” said Lynch. “Once you have a good lead, everyone else just wants to follow.”
Each of the dogs on the Racey’s Rescues team was adopted as a puppy from varying circumstances, some of which were more tragic than others.
For someone who never considered himself a dog person, over the years Lynch has become a proud pack leader. He enjoys treating his pack to his own homemade smoked fish caught straight from Lake Superior. “It’s what I live for, it’s a part of me and it’s my hobby,” Lynch beamed.
“It’s really interesting taking a bunch of shelter dogs,” Lynch stated. “Eventually everything works, but it takes time and patience. Each one of them comes from a different background and they usually tend to be a little skittish. By the time they race, each one of the dogs must be accustomed to people, cars, ATV’s, snowmobiles, blizzards, windstorms, other dogs and trees falling in the forest.”
Three years ago, Lynch apprehensively approached the start chute of the Apostle Islands Sled Dog Race with a pounding heart, a head swimming with worries and a team of six rambunctious rescued sled dogs.
Although Lynch had been working with his team for seven years at that point, he had his trepidations about the race and the dogs’ ability to make it through as a team. The race usually draws about 50 sled dog teams and follows a course along a variety of terrains unique to the Bayfield Peninsula, enough to make even seasoned mushers and teams work for their keep.
“I was so nervous at the start chute,” recalled Lynch. “I just sort of wanted to get through it and I honestly couldn’t remember why I had decided to do it in the first place.”
As soon as the signal blasted and the dogs began running, Lynch’s worries about the dog’s performance and trail manners were left in the team’s snow-blasting wake. He was shocked at how well the team performed—passing without issues and finishing as a unified crew—Lynch couldn’t help but beam by the end of his first race.
“It went really good and the dogs did great,” Lynch said. “I was so ecstatic that night! I think I loved those dogs more than I ever had. They were heroes. The only time I really get emotional is when I get out on the trail and see those dogs and how happy they are. It actually brings a tear to my eye.”
Lynch said he never consciously decided to become a musher or adopted dog parent, it “just sort of happened.”
In fact, training the Racey’s Recues team over the years has been a true community effort asserts Lynch. Although he is the only person who currently runs with the Racey’s Rescues team, he said there have been countless individuals who’ve educated him on kennel maintenance, team operations and who still contribute to the Racey’s Rescues kennel today.
“What’s neat about this team is that the whole community has really embraced it and helped out,” said Hedges.
Lynch said he feels compelled to participate in the Apostle Islands Sled Dog Race because so many people in the community get excited to see his team of misfits.
“I have to do this for the dogs, it’s a part of the community and now it’s a tradition for me,” he said.
Photography by Hannah Stonehouse Photo
For Lynch, a Carhart-wearing, cross-country skiing and trail-blazing, northwoods man, racing with the dogs is really just for fun. “It’s not about winning or losing for me,” Lynch said. “It has always been about the dogs, their experience and their excitement. Out on the trail they are happy, just doing what they love.”
The Racey’s Rescue team is currently training and is excited to participate in this year’s Apostle Island Sled Dog Race. Lynch encourages anyone with an interest to attend because the atmosphere allows for interaction between teams and spectators.
“The start chute is cool. The dog’s excitement and love of the sport is infectious,” Hedges explained. “It is something everyone should experience.”
“The setting and type of race actually allows people to interact with the dogs,” Lynch noted. “It’s a really easy race to run in really nice country. It’s great for novice mushers because there is a lot of help and good handlers.”
In addition to daily kennel chores and readying the dogs for a run, Hedges is the founder and baker of Racey’s Tasty Dog Treats. The home-based company provides each team that participates in the Apostle Islands Sled Dog Race with a bag of nutritious biscuits before the start of the event. Hedges sells the treats year-round and for each bag sold donates 25 cents to the Chequamegon Bay Humane Society, paying it forward for all the other rescues who need a home.
Racey is now retired and enjoys spending cold winter afternoons by the fire in Lynch and Hedge’s home.
The Apostle Islands Sled Dog Race takes place annually in Bayfield, Wisconsin. The event is free and open to public. For more information, visit bayfield.org/aisdr or call the Bayfield Chamber and Visitor Bureau at 715-779-3335.
The Racey’s Rescue team is currently training and is excited to participate in this year’s Apostle Island Sled Dog Race. Lynch encourages anyone with an interest to attend because the atmosphere allows for interaction between teams and spectators.
“The start chute is cool. The dog’s excitement and love of the sport is infectious,” Hedges explained. “It is something everyone should experience.”
“The setting and type of race actually allows people to interact with the dogs,” Lynch noted. “It’s a really easy race to run in really nice country. It’s great for novice mushers because there is a lot of help and good handlers.”
In addition to daily kennel chores and readying the dogs for a run, Hedges is the founder and baker of Racey’s Tasty Dog Treats. The home-based company provides each team that participates in the Apostle Islands Sled Dog Race with a bag of nutritious biscuits before the start of the event. Hedges sells the treats year-round and for each bag sold donates 25 cents to the Chequamegon Bay Humane Society, paying it forward for all the other rescues who need a home.
Racey is now retired and enjoys spending cold winter afternoons by the fire in Lynch and Hedge’s home.
The Apostle Islands Sled Dog Race takes place annually in Bayfield, Wisconsin. The event is free and open to public. For more information, visit bayfield.org/aisdr or call the Bayfield Chamber and Visitor Bureau at 715-779-3335.
