Tails from the Trail

Vet Checks

Karin Hendrickson at Vet Checks

Today was vet check day.   The health of every dog in the Iditarod is of utmost importance.  There are over 40 licensed veterinarians that volunteer their time to ensure the safety and care of the Iditarod dogs.  The veterinarians were working hard to assure every dog was prepared and healthy for the long race ahead.  During today’s exams, the veterinarians used a 21-item checklist as they examined each dog. 

Care for the dogs is not just a one-day event; this important job starts well before the race, at each checkpoint of the Iditarod Trail, and continues well after the Iditarod is over. 

Alan Eischens Team at Vet Checks

A Tribute to Perseverance:

Who crossed the finish line carrying a paper plate saying “END”? Red Fox Olson! The first finish line for the Iditarod race was not the Burled Arch.  In fact, it was a line in the snow made from Kool-Aid! In 1974 the last two mushers carried paper plates Joel Kottke carried the word “THE” and Oslon carried the word “END”.  Red Fox Olson found it a bit disappointing to not have a formal ending of the race, especially after spending 29 days on the trail, and so he set out to create the first Burled Arch.  To read more about this story and the history of the Burled Arch click here.

Who was the first musher to cross under the new Burled Arch?  Stay tuned…

Teachers:

Puppies are so much fun!  When reading stories from mushers and talking to mushers about litters one thing that has been fun it to find out the theme of the litter.  Using a litter of puppies, or two or three, is a great way to have your students practice classifying/categorizing.

What would be the theme of this group?

If the theme was Heavy Metal, what might be some of the names of the puppies?

What do you think the theme is of this litter and what might some of her brothers and sisters be named?