Hello Boys and Girls,

Here is an interesting question from one of the hundreds and hundreds of schools that are following the race and writing to us.  It is a good question, so I wanted to answer it in an article to make sure everyone gets to know the answer.

Good Morning Zuma,
Here in Brewster, New York it is 8:15 in the morning and my class has a question for you. We have noticed that some of the mushers are not running with the 16 dogs they all started with. What happened to the dogs that are not in the race anymore? Where do they go when they are out of the race and how do they get there? Also, is there a certain number of dogs that each musher must have when they cross the finish line?
We are really getting excited about what is going to happen next and who will win!
Thanks

The mushers start with 16 dogs on the team.  When a dog is unable to continue the race, the dog does not keep running with the team.  It stays behind at a checkpoint.  The dog that is left behind is called a ‘dropped dog’.  Dropped dogs are called that because they are ‘dropped off or left’ at a checkpoint.

Dogs are left a checkpoints for any reason.  Most reasons are simply because the dog may have a slight injury or the dog is tired and needs more rest.  Sometimes the dog is just having an off day.  Some of the dropped dogs are just not working as a good team member.

Each checkpoint is staffed with veterinarians who examine all of the dogs.  The vets talk to the mushers about their dogs.  The vets write information about the dogs into a little notebook that each musher must carry with them during the race.  That notebook is given to the vets at the next checkpoint.

When the musher leaves the dog at the checkpoint, the dog is in the best care.   Each checkpoint has veterinary staff.   The vets make sure the dogs get meals, water to drink, plenty of rest, and special care if the dog has an injury.

Small bush planes, called the Iditarod Air Force, visit the checkpoints.  The ‘dropped’ dogs are put on the planes and flown back to Anchorage or to Nome, which ever is closest or the best place for the dogs to go.

Most of the time, the slight injury a dropped dog may have is not even noticeable by the time the dog arrives back at the Millennium or in Nome.  The vets and dog handlers take good care of the dogs at these locations.  Before long, the dogs are picked up by handlers and on their way back to their ‘home kennel’.

To answer your last question, a musher must have at least 6 dogs in line when they cross the finish line.

Today, I’ll be visiting the dog lot at the Millennium.  I will take pictures of the dogs who have come back from the trail.  Watch for those pictures later today!

Lots of Tail Wags,

Zuma