2012 GPS Updates

[thyra]

To tell you the truth, I would worry more about those dogs in the summer. Even Alaska has warm days, but all the dogs aren't from Alaska. I have had several dogs over the years that have some husky breeding - at least they had the mask and the hair. That coat makes them miserable as soon as there is any heat at all - fact is they really don't like to be in the house even in winter, they get restless and are in and out. They are so well insulated that the snow doesn't melt on them. I've seen our dogs go out, come in with an inch of snow on their back, dump it on the kitchen or bedroom floor and go out and get another load! lol I have heard that even in the snow, they will dig down, curl up, put their tail over their nose to warm the air a little and falling snow covers them and provides more insulation. Think about how ducks and geese survive in freezing water - its that downy undercoat.

[MLS]

Tonyas,

I am no expert, but I believe I've read in several places that if the dogs don't want to run, they won't. They will sit down and refuse to get up. Period. Several mushers who did not complete the race said their dogs were just not "having any fun." I imagine one could theoretically mistreat the dogs and force them somehow to get up, but they're not going to pull hard in that case and you'd lose anyway. Plus it would get you disqualified.

Many working dogs are like that. Real herding dogs will herd anything and want to run around all day. You can't stop them. If you try to keep them confined indoors they'll destroy everything in sight in pure frustration.

Thyra's comment about thick-coated dogs is correct, based on my experience with a thick-coated Saint Bernard. She was much, much happier in the deepest snow than in our cozy house!

[Libby]

In some small ways I agree with the protesters of the Iditarod. Small ways. I too think that the race is too long. ... These dogs are athletes. They thoroughly enjoy running. I just think that the length of the race is more than some of them can handle.

I too have wondered why the dogs are left outside year round. I know they are most likely exercised on a daily basis, but I do wonder if the harsh cold of the Winters may be too hard on them. Some mushers may have indoor kennels, but from what I've seen, it appears that most stay outside year round. I assume this is to condition them to the cold, and also because housing so many dogs indoors may not be feasible for some.

Anyway, I am curious about the thoughts of the others here.

As for the race being too long, you should check out the research of Dr. Michael Davis. One article (2008) is here: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/20 ... 072436.htm

In his research, he finds that unlike human ultra-athletes, sled dogs have an amazing capacity for long distance racing. After four days of long distance racing, their metabolic profile returns to what it was before they started racing--a human athlete needs recovery time to return to that kind of profile, the sled dog does not. He also talks about their ability to turn fat into usable fuel and so on. His research is fascinating and ongoing. Every once in a while, the SP Kennel blog will have a clip of one of their dogs on the treadmill as part of his research.

Also, as for the dogs being inside in the winter--I have noted that many mushers talk about when it is too warm for the dogs. From what I have read on the blogs, when the temps get really cold (-45), the mushers make sure they have enough food to keep their furnaces fueled and protect delicate areas from frostbite. But the dogs do not seem to suffer. In order to have a dog be able to stand those tempertures, you have to allow the dog to develop the fur for the weather. To make a comparison, we have a local cat that lives in a protected area outside. As the weather turns colder, he develops the thick coat to protect him in the winter months. I used to have a cat of a similar breed that lived indoors, she never developed that extra thick coat. So, in order to have a sled dog be able to thrive, you need to allow their natural adaptations flourish. These dogs are cold adapted and love to run.

Anyway, those are my thoughts on this. Others may agree or disagree. I think that there are many other places where energy about humane treatment of dogs or pets could be used. By focusing on the Iditarod, where the dogs are closly monitored and great care is taken of them since they are the super athletes of the dog world, the critics are barking up the wrong tree.

[Lennie]

PLEASE HELP

This is the third year in a row that no dogs have died during the race. It is the first year I haven’t seen that statistic not mentioned in "The Thread." The article I’ll list below gives a good explanation on why this has happened. It’s very informative and well worth the read for that reason alone. What is distressing is the comments section. Someone calling themselves “Ann Rogers” is cuting/pasting vile misinformation in the comments sections of many Iditarod news articles. This particular site does not require you to register to vote yey or nay. Here is what she is essentially repeatedly posting (and it would be comical if people did believe him/her) after every news article she can:

“It’s great that no dogs died in the race this year, probably because the conditions were good. However, none of the mushers finished with all 16 of their dogs, some with only half or less, and 13 mushers scratched, most due to the fact that “the dogs weren’t enjoying the trip”. Hundreds of dogs were dropped at check points due to the two who collapsed, injury, illness, exhaustion, and just not wanting to run. This means it is too grueling for them. These dogs are pushed beyond their limits which is cruel and serves no responsible purpose. The Iditarod is too long, and the conditions and rough terrain too grueling for these dogs. The Iditarod is clearly exploitation of sled dogs, and should have ended long ago.

“The Iditarod is a once-a-year race for a group of egoist mushers to win money and bragging rights. The whole scheme of year-round training of the dogs and tethering (when not training or racing) each dog to his/her own small enclosure is no way to treat loyal companions. Tethering is considered inhumane and illegal in many communities. These magnificent dogs are treated like objects,--little machines that are only used for the sole purpose of mushers winning a brutal race.”

Breathe, one potato, breathe, two potato, breathe…

This year’s race was uber fantastic. Dogs and mushers alike gave us their all this year, as they always do, and we rode their GPS flags all the way and formed a solid community. We’ll never be able to return the favor but maybe we can earn some brownie points and learn some interesting information along the way. See the article
“No dog deaths in 2012 Iditarod,” link below, and then vote thumbs up/down in the comments section. Let’s do it for our mushers and pups as a show of well deserved gratitude. Please.

http://www.alaskadispatch.com/article/n ... ?page=full

At last Oscar and I agree on something! :)
Please go vote.

[anntm2004]

Hope your Insider access problems get straightened out -- has to be something like one of Wayward's cousins making a play for a Facebook page of his own -- certainly your posts are assets, not anything that would cause an intentional access restriction.

Hope someone in the planning for next year takes notice, too -- glitches happen, but if they want to sell Insider subscriptions, there does need to be a route to *someone* who can promptly fix such things.[/quote]

Love your post, JLJ,

I completely for got about THE Derby. That is always a bitter sweet day for me. My father followed the horses quite passionatly. From as far back as I can remember, we listened to the race results from Suffolk Downs on the radio EVERY single night while eating dinner. (actually back then, we Bostonians call it suppah.) The first Saturday in May was always kind of a holiday. We would place out nickle or dime bets, pick a horse, watch all the pretty ladies and get ready for the MOST beautiful of the day. Those magnificant animals, who also love to run. Those animals who are treated better than the majority of humans. My dad had all kind of personal notes on the trainers, owners, the horses lineage. It was always a great day. I love to see the triple crown unfold. Just hasn't been a winner in a while.

Thanks JLJ for remindng me there ARE other things besides The Iditarod. Just none as long and time comsuming AND EXCITING. For the best and most exciting two minutes in sports? Yup THE Derby's, Triple Crown and all the other little ones in between.

Happy to have heard from you.
- atm :D

[Bart]

I don't think you can make any animal do something they don't want to do. My dog, a Corgi, was born to herd. I thought I could get him to jog with me. However, Buddy only liked running short distances, so when he had enough, he just sat down. No amount of convincing could make him run with me. A tug on the leash only lead to his taking a couple of steps, after which he promptly sat down again. He would only move at a trot if I headed back towards home. You guessed it; I gave up on thinking Buddy would be my companion when I went jogging.

There was a Russian musher in the Yukon Quest with Chukchi Huskies. These dogs were the original sled dogs.

Check out this photo of the dogs at a Chukchi reindeer herders' camp.
http://www.arcticphoto.co.uk/supergal/r ... 005-08.htm

Here is a drawing of the Chukchi dogs:
http://booksdofurnisharoom.typepad.com/ ... 970b-popup

Chukchi sled dogs at work:
http://www.benedictallen.com/photo_8_Siberia.html
http://www.arcticphoto.co.uk/gallery2/a ... 244-25.htm

Does this dog look like it hates the snow?
http://www.dogs-wallpapers.com/user-con ... kgound.jpg

[thyra]

Seems to me a few years back DeeDee had her dog team quit on the Yukon River and no amount of urging, her trying to lead, or follow other team would get them going. And I also seem to remember since the GPS came into use that there was someone else we thought was having to lead and walk his dogs into Nome. The times of "cracking whips" like in "Iron Will" are long gone. Unfortunately, those images remain in people that don't keep up with the times. I truly believe that dogs run for the joy of it and herding dogs herd the same way. And BTW a herding dog will herd just about anything - ducks, chickens, kids, horses - in fact I have a friend who say he was at a large party and the hosts had a border collie. He said they weren't aware of being herded but shortly the dog had everyone rounded up in one area of the large room they were in!

[anntm2004]

Regarding DOGS. Particularly my "mutt".

Here is what I know having had dogs all my life. My two wire haired fox terriers were originally bread as "ratters". They love to run, are a bundle of endless energy, jump, are VERY intelligent and what they were originally bread for - waaaaaay back in time - is NOT bread out of them.

My BayLee Rose is 1/2 yellow lab and 1/2 border collie. She LOVES to run, LOVES to herd and LOVES people. She is a great retriever, intelligent and wonderful companion.
She also is an incredible herder. She will herd the little kids in the neighborhood into a small group who will love and pat her. She has a mind of her own, and get that Border Collie "attitude". She DOES know I'm the Alpha and will submit when she needs to. However her "tude" crack me up and gives me endless joy. There are two constants in my life. One - BayLee will make me laugh OUT LOUD every single day. Two, Ellen (DeGeneres) will also make me laugh OUT LOUD every single day.

My point: What exactly any living creature is "bread" (is this spelled correctly? I doesn't look right!) for, doesn't just disappear. A dog who has ALWAYS run for work OR play, doesn't just stop "loving" what they do. They do it because it is in THE GENES. It just doesn't stop. The bad genes CAN be bread out, but why would anyone want to breed out the genes that make a dog, cat, elephant, aligator OR any creature happy. Sometime I DO go on, however, in this case, it is an endless "discussion". And after all, isn't this what a public forum is for. Thoughts, facts, chatter that keep us "bonded" as a cyber family with one common interest.

Just one tiresome person's thoughts. Read or don't read. Enjoy or not. Reply or don't. Whatever you choose is just fine with me. I love you ALL just for who you are. God Bless! Hope my wish for God's Blessings didn't offend anyone. I never HAVE been know for being Politically Correct.

[Bart]

breed: 1. to produce (offspring); procreate; engender. 2. to produce by mating; propagate sexually; reproduce: Ten mice were bred in the laboratory.

bred: simple past tense and past participle of breed.

bread: a kind of food made of flour or meal that has been mixed with milk or water, made into a dough or batter, with or without yeast or other leavening agent, and baked.

Quito, one of Aliy's lead dogs, is quite the dog. This dog did a lot of leading this year. Aliy felt this dog should be rewarded, so upon return to SPKennel, Quito was rewarded with red roses for being the MVD (Most Valuable Dog):
http://www.spkenneldoglog.blogspot.com/

Karen's dogs are back in Willow. Check out the pictures of her dogs...in the snow...they are totally relaxed and enjoying themselves.
http://www.northwapiti.blogspot.com/

Karen's dogs - beautiful Siberians - in the snow:
http://www.northwapiti.blogspot.com/201 ... s-bet.html

[anntm2004]

breed: 1. to produce (offspring); procreate; engender. 2. to produce by mating; propagate sexually; reproduce: Ten mice were bred in the laboratory.

bred: simple past tense and past participle of breed.

bread: a kind of food made of flour or meal that has been mixed with milk or water, made into a dough or batter, with or without yeast or other leavening agent, and baked.

OK, make that 3 constants in my life. BayLee Rose, Ellen AND BART will make me LAUGH OUT LOUD every day. Thanks Bart. I knew it wasn't correct, but bred just didn't look right either. Chalk it up to have one of those brain farts or Senior Moments. Can you say f*a*r*t on this thread????
:lol: :lol: :lol:
Truly bart, thank you for the hearty, or is it hardy laugh. You made my day.