

| About Us Getting started, well it is a lot different from every other musher. Meaning we didn't start with one dog and go from there. I lived by a couple (Steve and Arlene Trudel) who had sled dogs, Siberian Huskies. I walked by there house a lot to go to my friends house. At this time I was 10 or 11 years old. Every time I walked by there house, there was a black and white husky (Mitzi) that always barked at me. Well one day I walked by there and I had my friend with me, I told my friend that I wanted to go up there and meet them and their dogs. Because I thought what they did was really cool. Plus I love dogs. Well come to find out my friend knew them. So we went there and she introduced me. After that I was there ALOT, it was practically a second home for me. I ran their dogs for several years and learned a lot from them. Well of course mushers have musher friends so i got introduced to this other couple (Dwayne Peirce (The Brat) and Terrie Strout). They ended up giving me four dogs to race at sprint races. Than with a little talking to my parents (Mike & Carol Durant) the summer of 2001 I had 7 Siberian Huskies delivered to my home. Than it just goes on from there until where I am now. In saying all of this I want to send a special thanks to Mitzi, Steve & Arlene, Terrie & Dwayne, Joan Farnham, And of course my parents. Thank you all for helping me fulfill my dream, I couldn't of done it without you!!!!!! The core of Fort Illio consists of my mother and I, plus about 18 Siberian Huskies! We work as a team to keep these dogs happy, healthy, and in good solid running condition, where these guys are a part of our family! I am the one that does all the racing, and my mom runs the older dogs. Mom has been mushing for two years now and she is doing great! |
| Mitzi |


| Mom-Carol |
| Me-Kasey |