Libby Here!

Ms. Thompson’s class asked, “Is there criteria for the dogs?” Criteria is a set of characteristics or traits that need to be met.

Yes. There is a set of criteria for the dogs. The dogs have to be healthy and have passed their medical exams that are given right before the start of the race. They have to have had their shots, too. The dogs have to like to wear a harness and be willing to be in activities that show they like to run and pull a sled. The dogs of course have to have been trained for this kind of a race, they are canine athletes. The dogs in Iditarod have to be the kind of dog that can handle the extreme temperatures, too.

I am a miniature Alaskan Sled Dog. My breed is Klee Kai. Although ‘sled dog’ is part of my breed name, I am not an outdoor extreme weather dog. I like my human to carry me in the winter because my little paws really like the warm human home floors instead of snow and ice. When we go out in winter, after a few minutes of walking in the snow, I put one paw up and cry a sweet little howl to say, “Oh pick me up, my paw is cold.” Sometimes I pick up two paws when I howl-sing my ‘I’m so cold’ song. That really gets me picked up fast! I am not a sled dog and I couldn’t be because I would be too cold outside. It is the same with other house pets because they don’t have the winter coat or the conditioning to pull a sled.

You should discuss and think about these questions: What criteria do you need to meet if you are going to be in a race or an event? How about the criteria for Olympic athletes? What do you do to prepare yourself for being out in cold or hot weather? What ways can you keep your pets safe in extreme (hot or cold) weather conditions.

Just spinning de’tails’!

Libby