For many of Snowy Owl’s retired sled dogs, life after the trails means slowing down and settling into a well-deserved retirement. For Anna Banana, that new chapter has been anything but quiet.
Now living on a sprawling family farm in Crossfield, Alberta, Anna has found her perfect forever home with Dave and Stacey Krieg, their two kids, Ariya and Paige, and an entire barnyard of animals, including five horses, three cats, countless chickens, and her fellow Snowy Owl alum, Khaki.
That’s right, Anna isn’t the first Snowy Owl sled dog to find her way to the Krieg farm. The family adopted Khaki first, and after falling in love with her calm, loyal personality, they decided one sled dog simply wasn’t enough. “Why stop at one?” Dave laughs. “We absolutely love having both dogs and getting to see how different they are. Khaki follows you wherever you go, while Anna loves parking herself right in the middle of every room so she doesn’t miss a thing.”
Anna joined the family in January 2025, and according to Dave, she fit in right from the start. “She was confident the day she arrived,” he says. “It was like she’d always been here.”
The adjustment period that many adoptees go through was nearly nonexistent for Anna. Within days, she’d established herself as a bold, curious, and affectionate presence, a dog who knew exactly who she was and wasn’t shy about making herself at home.
Life on the Krieg farm is full of activity, and Anna wouldn’t have it any other way. She’s happiest when she’s in the thick of it all, whether that’s joining the family outside, following the kids around, or “helping” with the animals.
“She loves being right in the middle of the action,” Dave says. “If something’s happening, Anna wants to be there.” Indoors, she’s just as lively. Anna has amassed her own collection of stuffed toys that she proudly carries from room to room, occasionally dropping one at someone’s feet as a not-so-subtle request for attention.
Meanwhile, Khaki continues to reign as the matriarch of the household. “She’s definitely the boss,” Dave says with a grin. “Khaki always makes sure she’s first in line for food.” The two dogs have found a natural rhythm together, Khaki’s calm leadership balanced by Anna’s playful spirit.
When she’s not keeping tabs on the household, Anna has a few favourite hobbies that keep her busy. She’s an expert gopher hunter, a self-appointed door monitor who insists that every door remain open, and a lover of belly rubs “from anybody, anywhere, anytime,” says Dave.
Even travel days are easy. “We’re still surprised at how well she travels in the car,” he shares. “She just loves looking out the window.” And though she’s quiet during the day, Anna’s family gets an occasional reminder of her sled dog roots at night. “We never hear a peep out of her, but when she’s sleeping, we can hear her little barks come out in her dreams.”
Adopting one retired sled dog changed the Krieg family’s life. Adopting two, Dave says, has been an even greater gift. “We absolutely love having Anna,” he says. “She brings so much personality to the house, and seeing her and Khaki together has been amazing. We can’t wait to adopt again.”
For Dave and his family, the decision to open their hearts and home to another Snowy Owl sled dog was an easy one, and the joy that Anna has brought into their lives proves why these dogs are so special.
“Every day, she makes us laugh,” Dave says. “She’s confident, affectionate, and full of character. We couldn’t imagine the farm without her.”
From the frozen trails of Canmore to the open fields of Crossfield, Anna’s journey is one of love, confidence, and second chances. Her story is a beautiful reminder that the same strength and spirit that make these huskies champions on the sled trail also make them the most loyal companions off it.
