It may not be hard to imagine that a valentine can change the course of one's life, but that a valentine can change the continental address of a couple is another matter.
Such has been adventure surrounding the lives of Deanna and Kourosh Partow.
Having met in college in Europe, Kourosh presented Deanna with the most unusual Valentine's Day gift, a sled dog.
The four-legged gifts continued on occasion until they had five sprint-racing dogs occupying their Paris apartment. Rather than running the team on the grounds under the Eiffel Tower or under the fame Arc de Triomphe, the two would take their team to the French Alps to train.
In the meantime, Deanna earned a degree in international business, while Kourosh earned a dental degree from the University of Normandy.
As their involvement in the sport of sled dog racing evolved, it became apparent to the couple that a move to North America was necessary. The two moved to Wisconsin and "ran the circuit," traveling nearly every winter weekend to take part in sprint races.
Two years ago, the couple ventured to Alaska to compete in the North American Championships held in Fairbanks. The trip was a good one. More importantly, the Partows found a resting place for their restless souls and an ideal location to train their dogs and further develop their team.
Last year the couple was able to purchase a 2-1/2-acre property in Chugiak with Bureau of Land Management (BLM) land adjoining. The match has been amazing.
The couple has taken part in all Chugiak Dog Mushers Association races and has been warmly welcomed into the local racing community.
"The reception has been wonderful," Kourosh said. "They helped us build our kennel."
Currently the Patrows have 16 dogs, all males, in a kennel that can house four more.
While the Patrows compete to win, and have done so with great regularity, Kourosh said he is impressed with the warm hearts of his Alaskan neighbors.
"Things are so incredibly competitive among mushers in Europe," he said.
Although in Alaska, the Patrows have kept the bloodline of their dogs separate, choosing to race German short-haired pointers, rather than the husky or malamute blended breeds. They select dogs from their kennel partners in Michigan. The unconventional sprint-racing dogs have posted fast times - exceeding 22 miles per hour on the Beach Lake sled dog trails - and breaking course records on Anchorage's Tozier Track.
Perhaps the most interesting dog in the lot is Partow's family pet and lead dog Henry. Kourosh said the canine has a split personality, transforming from a demure, couch potato housedog to the "terror of the trails" when placed in the lead harness. "People are just amazed with him," Kourosh said.
With the continuous moves made by the Partows, some sacrifices had to be made - primarily in the occupational arena. Kourosh is now a mortgage banker and Deanne is a sales representative for a pharmaceutical company. Both now have more latitude to train and race their dog teams.
It has been the weather of late that has brought them the most frustration. Their team's training base has melted away with the snow.
"These dogs are serious athletes," said Kourosh, not happy with the team's interrupted training schedule.
While the dogs enjoy a summer full of play, once September rolls around, the animals are transitioned into a training/racing program that continues through April.
With little or no snow available in the area, the Patrows have had to travel to find snow. Earlier this month, the pair took the team to Fairbanks to train and prepare for the Wells Fargo Bank Gold Run.
Upon returning from the decent training session, the Patrows enjoyed a few days off. The mid-week regime became more complicated when Kourosh had to make a business trip to San Francisco that lasted until Friday afternoon.
"We decided that I would take the trip while she drove the dogs to Fairbanks," he said. "I would fly directly to Fairbanks and arrive at 1 a.m. on Saturday before racing the dogs later that morning," he said.
In retrospect, the plan worked well, for Kourosh finished second overall among 27 teams.
Kourosh said that ride that he and wife Deanna have taken over the years has been exciting. "It's more than just a hobby, it's a lifestyle."
One that began with a furry, four-legged Valentine.
