Alaska - July 2012
The riverboat stopped at a native Alaskan "village" (visitor center), where several native Athabascan guides (including this young lady, who had an adorable sense of humor - "This is the traditional Athabascan moose call.....'Here moosey moosey!'") explained traditional ways of doing things. On the rack are hides from a reindeer (i.e., domesticated caribou), a moose, and a brown (aka grizzly) bear.
Alaskan huskies have a very special double coat. The outside layer is water-proof and wind-proof, like Gore-tex. The inside layer acts like goose down, trapping and holding in heat. That's important in winter when they often have to just curl up and rest on the trail, exposed to temps of -20 to -50, and windchills twice that!
Salem has two gold harnesses hanging on the post by his house. Like "MVP" awards, they were given for his being the top lead dog in Iditarod races that he (and Jeff) won. Sled dogs keep training - and can actually keep racing - well into their teens. When they're finally too old, there are always people wanting them as house pets.