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Justin & Rebecca Savidis
In 2004, we packed all our worldly belongings on a trailer and moved from living on a mountain in Park City, Utah to Alaska. (For a short time, and in true Clampett-style we had a rocking chair strapped to the top of our truck). We told family and friends we were moving because Justin was offered a job in Alaska; the real reason for the move was because Rebecca wanted to run dogs. Shortly after moving to Willow, we ended up on the doorstep of a stranger who was a musher, Lance Best. Quickly, he became Rebecca’s mushing mentor. After running her first team, Rebecca was addicted---it took some convincing for Justin to agree that this was a good idea. Rebecca started out with 1.5 sled dogs. The 1 being Tenzing who was born to pull, and the .5 being Luna the reluctant sled dog (she’s the mascot and matriarch of our kennel). Originally, Justin said someday our kennel might consist of a total of 4 dogs---Rebecca, of course, felt otherwise. Now, we have a 40+ dog kennel in Willow, and we are both working to qualify for and race in the 2010 Iditarod!
More about Justin (a.k.a. AJ)
Growing up in southeastern Idaho, Justin spent his free time climbing, mountaineering, and kayaking. He continued enjoying the outdoors as he obtained his degree in Parks, Recreation and Tourism from the University of Utah. He recently started new career with The Great Alaska Council, Boy Scouts of America as the Director of Camp Administration.
Some of you may know Justin as AJ, short for Angry Jesus---even after cutting his hair and trimming his beard, the nickname stuck. There is always a reason for a long lasting nickname, and AJ suits him just fine. Along with his nickname and claiming to be the voice of reason in all things dog related, AJ is also known for being mentally and physically tough, very protective of Rebecca, and a no-nonsense kind of a man. AJ enjoys being self reliant and self sufficient, and the solitude of being on the trail.
AJ’s race history includes the Goose Bay 120, the Knik 200 and the Don Bowers 300. AJ raced to a third place finish in the Don Bowers 300 in 2008.
Based on their similar personalities and attitudes, Rebecca says Bridger is the canine incarnate of AJ. They broke the mold with both.
Rebecca on AJ: “When we found each other he said he didn’t have much to give, but promised to give me everything his hands and heart could make and provide. He has lived up to his promise. I am very lucky have a man that can keep such a promise, and that supports my wild ideas and goals, plus he’s about as handsome as they come. Eat your heart out…”
A bit more about Rebecca
Like Justin, Rebecca grew up enjoying the rivers and back country of southeastern Idaho and the surrounding areas. And like AJ, she maintained her love of the outdoors while earning her degree from the University of Utah. Rebecca specializes in Human Resources and enjoys working with nonprofit groups as a member of The Foraker Group team. It’s been said by some that Rebecca’s professional 8 to 5 life is much different from her 5 to 8 which usually involves insulated overalls, work gloves and bunny boots, and she’s also been called the High Heeled Musher by others; the latter is out of necessity to accommodate her back more than any ounce of fashion sense.
Knowing she didn’t want to live a “safe” life, Rebecca states it felt like coming home when she and AJ moved to Alaska in 2004. Seeing her first dog team before she was 20, Rebecca pocketed the idea as a dream for the future, and it wasn’t until several years later, and after marrying AJ did she tell him of her dream to run dogs. After what Rebecca prefers to call persuasion, they moved from Park City, Utah to Willow to follow her dream. That, as AJ puts it, was the beginning of the end…Rebecca wouldn’t have it any other way.
Much to AJ’s dismay, Rebecca has a hard time resisting strays that aren’t claimed or dogs who need another chance. It seems as though there is always enough love to go around.
Highly motivated, fiercely determined, and a perfectionist, AJ says Rebecca and a young leader, Twig are one in the same. They make their mind up, and it’s best not to stand in their way.