That is such a good story. I'm glad you rescued all of those wonderful dogs.
My parents would never let me keep a sled dog team with us, and the weather is not appropriate for mushing. I plan to learn how to much when I move to Alaska. I know musher's terms, and practice them with Lady by letting her pull me on my roller blades as well(oh does she love that!). Just for practice, when I need Lady to go right I yell "GEE" and, well, you know the rest. Lady is beginning to understand them. It is a lot of fun roller blading with a dog, though my sister does it more dangerously, and lets Lady pull her on a skateboard. When she attempts this, I must be present, to control Lady and make sure she does not go too fast. I disagree with her doing that, because the one time I tried it, Lady led me into a thorn bush. Ouch! Luckily LayLay wasn't hurt. Mushing does sound like tons of fun, that's why I am going to do it. And of course I am aware of the time, patience, and commitment I will need to learn, after all it is easier to learn at an young age, or at least that is what I have heard.For right, I use "GEE" and left is "HAW" I always teach them on leash first before I put the dog on a sled. Much safer that way. I rarely have to give a go command, but when I do it's just "let's go." They also know "easy" for going down hills and "hold" for when I want them to stop for a minute--that one doesn't work so well unless they are tired The other one we use alot is "on by"--we are getting better at that one. I use it for passing other dog teams, loose dogs or turns in the trail.
Good Luck with the training. Rollerblading with a dog would be a blast, but I like the brakes on the sled! Snow is much softer than concrete!
Sound like you and your pups had tons of fun! I'm glad your dogs have a wonderful mom like you.
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Then I'll end up hitting a tree. 
Mugsy is right, it's the people who should be considered the throw aways ...
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