Santa and the Sled Dogs

In a little mountain town far in the north country lives a family of four and their sled dog team. One winter’s day, there comes a knock at the door from a familiar friend...

Santa has come asking for help. His reindeer are sick and he needs to deliver Christmas gifts. But has anyone ever seen a team of sled dogs fly? Dad is a great dog trainer - but how can anyone pull off such an incredible feat? For this to work, one little girl has to trust her family and believe in the magic she has up her own sleeve.

Sarah van Rijsewijk is freelance writer focusing on local pieces about the Adirondack Mountains of upstate NY. She is a mother of two little girls and has raised malamutes for the past 15 years, along with my husband who is a recreational dog sledder and trainer. In October of 2023 her dog Luna, who inspired this story, made her transition over the Rainbow Bridge. My family is in the process of building a small home kennel and sled touring company.