Could Breed be Named as State Dog?
By Susan Spisak
Cover photo: Togo Statue Photo Courtesy of Poland Spring Preservation Society
There’s a strong movement to name the Seppala Siberian Sleddog as the state dog, and it’s been spearheaded by Cyndi Robbins, owner of Poland Spring Resort and Golf Course. She’s also VP of the Poland Spring Preservation Society, a 501(c) 3 organization dedicated to preserving the historical architecture of the Maine State Building, the All Souls Chapel, and the affiliated museums.
The effort to name this breed have many supporters including Jonathan Hayes, owner of the Poland Spring Seppala Kennels and devotee of this heritage breed. He has written that no other breed of dog can lay claim to the distinction of Maine State Dog with as much history, honor, weight, and distinction. (He even recreated the original “Great Race of Mercy” as the Centennial Seppala Expedition 2025 with his CKC registered Seppala Siberian Sleddog team. For more, see below.)
Other supporters include three senators and seven representatives. They sponsored the sanctioned “HP 44 LD 80 in the Maine legislature: the act to designate the Seppala Siberian Sleddog as the Maine State Dog.” Cyndi’s not sure when it will be voted on, but she spoke at the public hearing on February 24. Readers can call or email their state representatives to express their desire to have it passed. (Follow updates: legislature.maine.gov/billtracker/#Paper/80?legislature=132)
Cyndi shared the background of this quest. “I really don’t know of another dog who deserves it more,” she said, referring to this hard-working breed becoming the state dog. The timing’s right as it’s been one hundred years since Norwegian-American breeder, Leonhard Seppala, led his Seppala Siberian Husky relay team in the 1925 Alaskan “Great Race of Mercy,” transporting diphtheria antitoxin to the part of remote Nome, Alaska. What’s more imploring is the fact that Seppala and lead dog Togo have a strong Maine connection.
After that transport in 1925 and being celebrated nationally, Seppala met New England musher, Elizabeth Ricker—her family owned the Poland Spring Resort in those days. Together they partnered to form Poland Spring Kennels. Seppala bred Togo, whose descendants contributed to the Seppala Siberian Sleddog, a sought-after working breed.
Cyndi’s journey to this started decades ago. She married the owner of the historic Poland Springs Resort property, Mel Robbins, in the 70’s. (Unfortunately, he passed away in 2007.) They worked together and lovingly renovated the properties. In 1982, he told her the story of Togo and the deadly outbreak of diphtheria in Alaska. Though another team member, Balto, often gets credit as he ran that final stretch, it was Togo who led Seppala and the team 264 miles during a deadly storm and across Norton Sound, a frozen bay of unstable sea ice, to save time and lives.
Disney eventually produced the 2019 movie, Togo, starring Willem Dafoe. Cyndi said after that, there was an interesting turn of events. “Some girl (Madison Parr) from Kansas City called the Poland town office and wanted to know who she could talk to about Togo.” Madison had seen the movie and researched Togo. She was interested in Poland Spring as it was his last home and final resting place. Cyndi said they referred Madison to her knowing she was a history buff and fan of the determined dog—she had even decorated and dedicated a Poland Spring Inn room to him. “Next thing I know, I’m raising money for a statue [of Togo],” Cyndi laughed.
It took several years to raise the necessary funds for the lifelike, life size bronze statue of Togo but it happened, thanks to the GoFundMe page set up by the Poland Spring Preservation Society, Cyndi’s dedication, and Hayes’ efforts as well. He wanted to participate in the project to not only raise funds for the $25k statue but to enlighten others on the unsung hero in his own way. He and his team embarked on an expedition akin to Togo’s legendary run by traversing remote areas of the Northwoods to Greenville.
Once funding was in place, local sculptor David Smus, carved the amazing statue, and it’s perched on a slab of Poland Spring granite that mimics ice. The statue, outside the historic Maine State Building at the Poland Spring Museums complex, was unveiled on September 17, 2022 during the annual Heritage Day Celebration. Cyndi was thrilled with the statue and was happy to take the project full circle. (It’s even more special to her as she owns and adores a descendant of Togo’s, Sawyer.) She hopes this masterful canine will become the state dog. She added, “I’m very proud that I had something to do with it all,” she remarked modestly.
Centennial Seppala Expedition 2025
Hayes is the owner of Mush Maine - Poland Spring Seppala Kennels in Ft. Kent, which is a respectful nod to Seppala’s original Poland Spring facility. For Hayes, a former Marine Corps Infantryman, ordained minister, author, and teacher at Wisdom Middle/High School in St. Agatha, dog sledding and racing is part of the family’s culture, and their dogs are direct descendants of Seppala.
His objectives for recreating the expedition were to retrace the historic serum run route and honor the legacy of Seppala and Togo. Hayes and his team of four men and the dogs traveled the same route that Seppala traveled, and they battled treacherous and bitter cold conditions for 23 days.
His teacher side emerged as he stopped at schools along the way to explain to kids about the history of the 1925 race, the 2025 expedition, and his Seppala dog descendants. Upon arrival in Nome, complete with police escorts and much fanfare, he presented the mayor with a box much like the original one containing serum that Seppala turned over to authorities all those years ago.
Hayes gave his 2- and 4-legged team members praise and laughed that perhaps he was the weakest link. This accomplishment was not easy, but for Hayes, it was much more than a journey. It was not only a commemoration of the original trek but a celebration of courage and teamwork. For more on the expedition, complete with videos, mushmaine.com/updates/.
Cyndi Robbins and Sawyer Credit: Gini Haines
Seppala and Togo Circa 1929 Courtesy of Poland Spring Preservation Society