The community is invited to a unique gathering at Betsy Bowen’s Studio in Grand Marais on Friday, March 29—a celebration of a dog’s life. Friends are hosting the celebration and benefit in remembrance of Pony, the sled dog of Frank and Sherrie Moe of Moetown Kennels, who was killed when Moe’s dog team was struck by a truck at a road crossing during the UP 200 sled dog race on February 17, 2013.
In addition to remembering Pony, a dog described by Frank Moe as “a superstar” who was always pulling, the event will be a fundraiser to help the Moes with veterinary bills. In addition to losing Pony, several of Moe’s dogs suffered serious injuries. Cowboy and Boo were most seriously injured, requiring emergency surgery, but the entire team suffered some injury.
Frank Moe went on to enter the John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon on March 10 and ran a competitive race until leaving the Finland checkpoint. Unfortunately, Frank said, the dogs were not yet 100 percent.
“Late in the night on Tuesday the dogs kept stopping, looking back at me with those tired pleading eyes. Well I knew that I’d asked enough of them. It was time to go home,” Moe wrote in a Facebook post to friends.
Frank brought home a tired but happy team. Frank said he and Sherrie were very proud of what they did accomplish during the season. They are looking forward to next year. He said they are already signed up for the Copper Dog in Calumet, Michigan next year and plan to do the Gichigami Express here in Cook County again. They may travel to the Stage Stop in Wyoming next year as well.
But first, they need to spend some time at home in Cook County, surrounded by friends—as they will be at the gathering at Betsy Bowen’s. Everyone is invited to join the celebration, Friday, March 29 from 6 – 10 p.m. There will be music by Pete Kavanaugh and Earth, Wind & Todd, as well as food (bring a dish to share if you like) and silent auction items. All are welcome.
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