Leonhard Seppala, a famous musher from Alaska posed with his Siberian Husky sled dogs. Billiken, Seppala's lead dog in 1927 was under his right arm. The dog at the far right was Matte.

The team was part of a challenge race between Arthur Walden's Chinooks and Seppala's Huskies at Poland Spring in 1927.

Starting in 1927, at Seppala’s suggestion, Poland Spring, in addition to presenting a cup to the human winners, began awarding the dogs ribbons for good sportsmanship. Seppala noted the dogs would take part because they would enjoy it more than their mushers.