About Me


Hi! My name is Black Bear, and I am a retired sled dog. I was born in Eagle, Alaska and raised by Bush Alaska Expeditions. I was a lead dog in the 2009 Yukon Quest,

so I have a passion for running...especially in the snow!

When I'm not running or sleeping, I go around and give presentations to teach children and adults what it's like to be a sled dog. I have some people who come along to help me interpret and carry things. They also help me find good homes for my sled dog friends when they retire. Here is more information about what they do:

Radio interviews:
WCNI radio (CT, USA) (Oct 2019)

WCNI radio (CT, USA) (Oct 2021)

Chat & Spin radio (England) (Dec 2020)

Lady Tracey Show (Jamaica) (Dec 2020)

Articles:
Virginia Living Magazine
Ink Magazine

Connect with me via social media, enjoy my books, view my photos/videos, adopt a sled dog, meet my friends, play some games, or contact me.

Books


When you buy a book, you help rehome retired sled dogs!

Tails from the Bush
(description)
by Denise Lawson
also from:
Black Bear Goes to Bangor to Find Beaver
(description) - (I-95 announcement)
by Denise Lawson
also from:
Run Like a Sled Dog
(description)
by Denise Lawson
also from:
Life Lessons from a Sled Dog
(description)
by Denise Lawson
also from:
Black Bear Saves Christmas
(description)
by Denise Lawson
also from:
Black Bear Goes to San Francisco
(description)
by Denise Lawson
also from:
Black Bear Goes to Washington
(description)
by Denise Lawson
also from:

Coffees


All sales help rehome retired sled dogs...and taste delicious!
Buy from:   email us
Buy from:   email us

Other Goodies


All sales help rehome retired sled dogs
Buy from:   email us

Reviews / Quotes


"...children ages 3-8 will fully enjoy joining Black Bear Sled Dog and friends as they share some simple secrets of happiness. Through playful verse and illustrations, kids will appreciate these life lessons from the sled dog point of view. Entertaining, thoroughly 'kid friendly' in commentary and presentation, thoughtful and thought-provoking, "Life Lessons from a Sled Dog" is especially and unreservedly recommended for family, daycare center, preschool, elementary school, and community library picture book collections."
- October 2020 edition of the Midwest Book Review: Children's Bookwatch

"...'Black Bear Goes to Washington' is unreservedly recommended for family, elementary school, and community library Pets/Wildlife picture book collections."
- March 2019 edition of the Midwest Book Review: Children's Bookwatch

"...A thoroughly charming picture book story that will have a very special appeal for children ages 5-8, 'Black Bear Goes to Washington' is an especially recommended addition to family, elementary school, and community library Pets/Wildlife picture book collections for young readers."
- February 2019 edition of the Midwest Book Review: Children's Bookwatch

"...A thoroughly charming, engagingly entertaining, and thoroughly 'kid friendly' in tone and tenor, "Black Bear Goes to San Francisco" will prove to be a welcome addition to family, daycare center, preschool, elementary school, and community library picture book collections..."
- December 2019 edition of the Midwest Book Review: Children's Bookwatch

"...a rhyming picturebook about a hard-working, dark-furred Alaskan sled dog lead named Black Bear. Striking, colorfully painted illustrations bring to life this celebration of hard-working, four-footed sled dogs...A final page of dog sledding facts and special terms rounds out this excellent, read-aloud picturebook for storytime or bedtime."
- January 2020 edition of the Midwest Book Review: Children's Bookwatch

Black Bear Goes to Washington wins Honorable Mention in the 2021 New York Book Festival.

My Friends & Adoptions


Meet some of my retired sled dog friends.
Some are available for adoption! (listed first)
Click on a name for more info and pictures,
and filter using the links below:

Let's Play!


Games

4 Current or Future Events


Learn about or schedule an in-person or online author visit here

In-person events are listed below


Barnes & Noble

Author & Sled Dog Visit

Book signing - meet the author and some real Alaskan sled dogs! Stop by and get a copy of the new Black Bear Sled Dog book ....Tails from the Bush!

May 11, 2024 @ 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Woodbridge, VA

Greenspring Village

SummerFest at Greenspring

Author book signing and meet the sled dogs!

Jun 7, 2024 @ 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Springfield, VA

Dog Days of Summer

Author & Sled Dog Visit

Come meet retired sled dogs in downtown Bedford! The event has everything DOG with demonstrations and vendor booths. Food and beverages.

Aug 3, 2024 @ 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Bedford, PA

Frying Pan Park

Black Friday 5K/10K

Come run or walk a 5K or 10K, meet some retired sled dogs and learn about life in Alaska (child-friendly).

Nov 29, 2024
2709 West Ox Road Herndon, VA

107 Past Events

Here are the 5 latest events. To view all events, click here


Mar 3, 2024 - Cobbler Mountain Cellars - 5909 Long Fall Ln, Delaplane, VA - Spring Cider 5K & 10K. The sled dogs are the beneficiary of this running race put on by Bishops Events. Run virtually or in-person and support retired sled dogs!

Feb 17, 2024 - Highland Lakes Country Club & Comm. Assoc. - Highland Lakes, NJ - Author & Sled Dog Visit. Book signing. Meet the author. Meet and learn about sled dogs.

Feb 12, 2024 - Kyle R. Wilson Elementary School - Woodbridge, VA - Author Visit. Learn about sled dog life in Alaska from the author of the Black Bear Sled Dog book series.

Dec 16, 2023 - Barnes & Noble - Woodbridge, VA - Author & Sled Dog Visit. Book signing - meet the author and some real Alaskan sled dogs! Stop by and get a copy of the new Black Bear Sled Dog book ....Tails from the Bush!

Dec 2, 2023 - Barnes & Noble - Woodbridge, VA - Author & Sled Dog Visit. Book signing - meet the author and some real Alaskan sled dogs! Stop by and get a copy of the new Black Bear Sled Dog book ....Tails from the Bush!

To view all events, click here

Let's Talk


Ask me a question,  request an appearance,  adopt a sled dog, ...

If you are under the age of 13, have your parent or guardian fill out this form