Talkeetna Flower Kennel and Homestead

Off-grid living with sled dogs

Self-Sufficient

Projects for a lifetime

The Homestead Workforce

Hauling water from the spring in winter

Subsistence Lifestyle

Preserving food

Cabin Life

The Flower Kennel Dogs

Exploring Alaska

Stories of adventures

Kennel and Homestead Tours

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TALKEETNA FLOWER KENNEL AND HOMESTEAD TOURS

OPEN FROM MAY – SEPTEMBER
Summer 2019 bookings are now available online.

Book Now

Visit the Flower Homestead, a musher’s homestead tucked away just south of Talkeetna in the Boreal forest of Alaska.

Here we live a sustainable life together with the Flower Kennel Sled dogs. The kennel is unique in that the sled dogs are not only part of the family, but an integral part of our real authentic off-grid Alaskan lifestyle. The dogs help with hauling water from our spring in winter and haul our building material and firewood we harvest from our homestead to keep warm and cozy during the cold Alaska winters.

We grow, harvest and gather most of our own food and live a self-reliant lifestyle as much as possible.

We are committed to our dogs and the Flower Kennel is their forever home. Our tours are an exclusive opportunity to see how and why we live in the far North. We are a small locally owned operation and our tours are casual and personal.

Welcome to our home.

Iris (owner)
Bluma, Rachel, Luke, Lilja, Sam, Mouse, Flora and Hayden (companions)

Kennel and Homestead Tour

Summer Tours

THE FLOWER KENNEL – Alaskan Sled Dogs

Bluma is very shy and it took me a long time to gain her trust. But then she gave it all, and became my soul mate and main go-to solid leader. She knows left and right, but sometimes has her own opinion. She is a major trail finder in the backcountry and drags the whole team over bare ice if I ask her to do so.

Bluma

Super shy, driven and stubborn

Position: Lead
Hobby: Chasing
Breed: Alaskan Husky
Sex: Female
Age: 8 years
Siblings: Rachel, Luke

Lilja has energy, energy and then some more energy. Her big long tail will sway in the wind all day, and I suspect all night. Along the trail she always finds fascinating sights and will let us all know with a bark or howl. Food or a snowflake falling out of the sky...why do the other dogs not get more enthusiastic?

Lilja

Energetic, cheerleader and lively

Position: Team
Hobby: Raising Alarm
Breed: Alaskan Husky
Sex: Female
Age: 5 years
Siblings: Diesel, Sam

Flora is all business. Organizing her dog house garden, learning to lead, working in harness, claiming the couch, she does it all with an intense dedication and focus. Oh, and super cute.

Flora

Focused, super smart and cute

Position: Lead (in training), Swing
Hobby: Hoarding
Breed: Alaskan Husky
Sex: Female
Age: 2 years
Sibling: Mouse

Rachel is super delicate and smart; why pull when the big boys can handle it. But when the going is hard, its Rachel who leans her full weight into her harness. She leads the team from the front and teaches the boys some determination. She is the only one who dares to stand up to her sister Bluma and can't live without her.

Rachel

Shy, elegant and smart

Position: Lead
Hobby: Observing
Breed: Alaskan Husky
Sex: Female
Age: 8 years
Siblings: Bluma, Luke

Sam is the big boy with a big heart. Always ready for a cuddle and he can't help himself, but giving a lick is his trade. Sam has a steady run and is always in for the long run. He takes over when the trail becomes long and boring. To Sam, the world seems intimidating and should be observed with a tilted head to see it from all perspectives.

Sam

Cuddly, graceful and lovable

Position: Wheel
Hobby: Loving
Breed: Alaskan Husky
Sex: Male
Age: 5 years
Siblings: Diesel, Lilja

Hayden is full of energy and the powerhouse of the team. He is super alert and never stops moving, except for the evenings on the couch.

Hayden

Strong, focused and a cuddle.

Position: Team
Hobby: Digging
Breed: Alaskan Husky
Sex: Male
Age: 3 years

Luke has no patience, hence he always gets in trouble. In harness his mind is on moving; stopping or resting is not to his liking. No rope (or car seat) is safe for his sharp teeth when he can not run. Out of harness he is the pack leader and reigns his pack with a calm and assertive paw.

Luke

Sweet, impatience and trouble child

Position: Lead, Swing, Wheel
Hobby: Pack Leader
Breed: Alaskan Husky
Sex: Male
Age: 8 years
Siblings: Bluma, Rachel

Mouse is the cuddle dude of the pack. In harness he transforms in a fearless hardworking dude most of the time. With his tail high up in the air, his eyes are always scanning for another opportunity to lead the whole team on one of his adventures.

Mouse

Adventurous, dude and snuggler

Position: Swing
Hobby: Playing
Breed: Alaskan Husky
Sex: Male
Age: 2 years
Sibling: Flora

Diesel was very goofy. He was obsessed with pruning his living space. If his food bowl was placed in the wrong spot, it had to be buried to protect the pristine look of his doghouse garden. He worked very hard, played very hard and slept even harder. Making snow angels was his favorite pass time.

Diesel (2013-2017)

Solid, driven and goofy

Position: Team, Wheel
Hobby: Making Snow Angels
Breed: Alaskan Husky
Sex: Male
Siblings: Lilja, Sam