Indy
When Frank Moe entered his 12-dog sled team in last year’s Gunflint Mail Run 100 mile race, his team included Indy, a blind seven-year-old Alaskan husky. Once the public became aware of the story, it went viral and Indy became somewhat of an international star.
“Indy was one of our rising stars when he was two and finished the Beargrease Marathon in 2015 in 6th place,” he said. “That next year, he lost the sight in his left eye. It’s called lens luxation, and it’s a rare genetic issue. Indy was still able to compete that year, 2016, with one good eye. He trusted his buddy Popcorn to run on his left, and he was still on our main team.
“That spring, the same thing happened to his right eye. We were so sad for him but just took care of him and did what we could to help him get used to being totally blind for the next year. He was still happy and healthy otherwise.”
“In 2018 and 2019, Indy started the season training with the main team but wasn’t comfortable going very fast, so he moved to running with the older retired dogs,” noted Frank.
In the fall of 2019 Indy started training with the main team, but something was different. Indy was more comfortable going fast again, said Frank.
When it came time to pick the teams for the 2020 Gunflint Mail Run, Frank said to Sherri, “Indy’s one of the best 12 dogs. He needs to be on the team.”
When the team was set for the Gunflint Mail Run, Indy was placed in the “wheel” position, just ahead of the sled and just behind the rest of the dogs.
The dog that is the “wheel” needs to be strong and fast, said Frank, which fits Indy perfectly, he added.
As for the John Beargrease Sled Dog Race, Frank said “Indy is still training with our marathon team and doing great. He turned nine this year but still is going strong. He doesn’t really like training with the ATV because of the noise, I think, but once we get on a sled, he pulls like he did when he was three and he could see.”
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