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Sanka W. Dog
In Iditarod it’s all about the dogs and it takes happy healthy dogs to reach peak performance. Any racing musher will tell you that healthy happy dogs are the basis for success and good dog care is the pathway to having healthy happy dogs. If that’s true for Alaskan Huskies, would the same be true …
Iditarod dogs are the healthiest of the healthy dogs on the planet. The health care they receive before and during the race is second to none. Stuart Nelson, DVM is the Chief Veterinarian for Iditarod. During pre-race physicals and out on the trail he is assisted by forty-five other Veterinarians specially trained in the science …
In the fall, after the boys who live in the big house begin school, we dogs all jump into our boxes on the dog truck and head over to the vet with Musher and Handler. It’s a fun trip. Dr. Becky is always happy to see us and we’re happy to see her. She really …
Exercise makes every day more fun! As a sled dog I believe that. I look forward to playing, some call it exercise, but I call it play. I look forward to playing every day. I wish I‘d come up with the slogan, “Play 60” that the National Football League uses. The first play (exercise) that …
The last time I was in Fairbanks was the summer of 2004. It was 105 degrees. There was exactly 110 degrees difference from then to today although it warmed up to 5 above. Folks totally enjoy the “race” aspect of Iditarod and folks enjoy the dogs. The fact is, folks come out to see the …
Northern breed dogs have multiple adaptations for the environment they run in. Their coat, their tongues and their feet keep them warm, keep the cool and keep them going. These sled dogs are amazing athletes. The tongue has an intricate system of blood vessels – lots of blood flows close to the surface. Then as …
Rookie Ben Harper of Wasilla was the first musher to reach into the mukluk and draw his starting position. He drew number 37. Aaron Burmeister of Nome was the final musher to reach into the mukluk for the one remaining starting number. It was 63. Drawing number 2, rookie Rob Cooke will lead all mushers …
Kevin Harper crossed the finish line at 0946 on Monday morning to earn the Junior Iditarod Championship. Harper is a two-time veteran of the race. He placed third in 2014 behind his brother Ben Harper and Conway Seavey. While living in Washington, Kevin was all about soccer and wrestling. When the family moved to Alaska …
Well, if you’re into checking Map Quest the distance from Anchorage to Cantwell is listed as 210 miles taking about 3 and a half hours. As visibility decreased coming out of Anchorage and snow flurries blew across the road, we knew the miles would seem longer and the time would be more than predicted. After …