Setting New Standards – A Personal Battle Against Windmills

Those who have followed us for a while know: here in Swedish Lapland, we are living our dream. Our dogs – our “mice” – are family. And for our family, we give everything. No effort is too much, no expense too high, as long as they are well. Their well-being is our measure. Always.

We deliberately chose this path: to work in tourism, yes – but in our own way. Genuine. Close to nature. And close to the animals. We want to bring people closer to the Alaskan Malamute – not just as a sled dog, but as a soul, a companion, a reflection of the natural world. In a time where life has become loud, fast, and excessive, we want to help people rediscover the small things. The real things.

Our dogs teach us every day what truly matters: to be present. To live in the moment. To give trust. They are not machines or tools for a purpose. They are family. And just like in any family, each one has their own personality, their own needs, their own soul.

Take Marry, for example – she loves digging. She could wander the forest for hours, nose to the ground, eyes alert, always in the middle of an adventure.

Kodiak loves to play with his sister Denali and their mom Marshmallow. And when we practice retrieving, he’s all in – with a joy that makes us laugh every time.

Juna? Juna is the clown of the bunch. Her silly faces are legendary. She loves agility – especially jumping, where she truly shines.

They are all sled dogs. Yes, and they love it. But they are also so much more.

From the very beginning, it was clear to us: we want to set new standards – in care, in interaction, in mindset. Not because it’s trendy. But because it’s right.

An enclosure isn’t just a fence with a shelter. It’s a home. It needs space to run, to dig, to chew. Insulated huts with thick straw bedding, changed regularly. Always clean. Always dry.

Grooming? For us, that’s not just a task – it’s wellness time. Attention. Touch. Connection.

Physiotherapy? Of course. Our dogs work hard – they deserve care, prevention, and appreciation.

Annual vet check-ups, insurance coverage, a healthy diet tailored to each dog – that’s our standard. Not because it’s required. But because we feel responsible.

We never stop learning. We keep educating ourselves, questioning, growing. Because earning money with animals comes with great responsibility. Everyone who visits us should feel free to ask: How are the animals really doing here? And we want to be able to answer that with a clear conscience.

We’ve made a conscious decision against mass tourism. For us, it’s not about numbers – it’s about connection. About real time together. We want to create space – for questions, for stories shared by the fire, for genuine experiences. No assembly-line groups. Just heart.

We take our time. With our guests. With our dogs. And even in our free time, we often go for quiet walks with just one or two dogs. Just us and them. No performance. No destination. Just being.

And still – so often it feels like a battle against windmills. Sometimes one glance at social media or a news report about animal abuse is enough to break our hearts.

But it’s exactly why we keep going. Why we want to set new standards. Not to be perfect. But to be real. Humane. Respectful. And full of love.

Because in the end, that’s what truly matters: that in the evening we walk through the enclosures one last time, pause for a moment, wish each dog a good night, offer a gentle touch – and know: they are safe. They are seen. They are loved.

And that’s when we feel it: this path, even when it’s hard, is the right one. And the fight against windmills? It’s worth it. Every single day.