INUVIK - On Friday morning, mushing legend Frank Turner thought he was going to have to leave one of his dogs behind in Inuvik for weeks while he journeyed on to Herschel Island.

He'd been staying at the Nova Inn and when he went out to the parking lot to greet the 30 dogs who accompanied him to town from Whitehorse, Turner discovered his eight-year-old Alaskan husky Mischief suffering from two deep wounds, one on each leg.

Whitehorse musher Frank Turner, left, was over the moon after vet Peter Krizan came to his and his dog Mischief's rescue on Friday morning. - Andrew Rankin/NNSL photo

Several of the dogs had been tied to one line and Turner figured one or more of them became entangled and in a nervous fit snapped at Mischief.

Turner, who operates an adventure dog sledding company called Muktuk Adventures, was scheduled to depart in the afternoon with his guests. With Mischief's injuries too severe for him to treat, the animal would have to stay put unless Turner found professional help.

"I thought I had to leave him here. I didn't know what to do, to tell you the truth," Turner said.

Then Gerry Kisoun, his guide for the adventure, told him Inuvik has its own veterinarian - Peter Krizan.

They gave him a ring and sure enough, even on Good Friday, Krizan arranged to see Mischief right away.

"I couldn't believe it," said Turner. "It's incredibly amazing to have a veterinarian in Inuvik. It's far beyond what I could have imagined. I'm just so thankful."

Outside of Inuvik, the closest veterinarian is in Hay River or Yellowknife.

At his Carn Street practice, Krizan gave the animal a general anesthetic while he closed the cuts with two layers of stitches and then covered them with blue bandages. Mischief's now on antibiotics. Within four days, Krizan said, the dog should be fully recovered and in running shape. Without medical attention the dog would have taken weeks to heal.

The icing on the cake is Mischief will join his mates for a two-week journey to Herschel Island.

Turner had nothing but praise for Krizan.

"He was great with Mischief and he was so accommodating and again I'm so thankful for that," he said.

Turner is well-known for his records in the 1000 mile Yukon Quest from Whitehorse to Fairbanks, Alaska. It's a mushing marathon labelled "the toughest race on Earth."

He's entered that race a record 21 times, consecutively from 1984 to 2005. In 1995 he won the event in a record time of 10 days, 16 hours and 22 minutes, which stood for 12 years. He has also won the Vet's Choice award given to the musher who demonstrates exceptional care for their dogs throughout the race.

Although Krizan maintains Turner didn't receive any better service than a regular customer, he admits the experience was a memorable one.

"Having Frank Turner walk in with his dog was a special moment," he said. "It's nice to be able to help all around."

Understandably, Mischief looked a little subdued and woozy after his ordeal. But he also appeared grateful for Krizan's services as he rubbed his head against the vet's leg while the trio prepared for a photo.

Having gotten his name by being a spirited puppy, Mischief has grown up to be a musher's dream who, according to his owner, always perseveres and lives life to the fullest.

"He's funny," said Turner. "He doesn't get worked up on the trail when it gets heavy or it's really tough slogging or if we get into big winds. Mentally he's really tough. I can run him on lead and he's going to set a really good pace for me. He likes being out there. He's got a great attitude."

As for Krizan, he's just happy to be of assistance.

"It's what the job is all about," he said. "We do treat disease and problems, but whenever the outcome is positive it's wonderful. Sometimes it's not. But that's what you strive for, to help."