Hello Boys and Girls,

With the school year off to a great start, I wanted to let you and your teachers know that the 2012 Iditarod promises to be an exciting race!  This race is the 40th running of Iditarod.  So what are we going to do to celebrate 40 years of Iditarod?

Well, first, we’re going to help you learn about the history of the race….

Most people believe that Iditarod is held because of the Serum Run of 1925.  During this important event, the sled dogs transported medicine to Nome.  But this is not why the Iditarod is held today.

The Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race® began because Joe Redington, Sr. and other people were worried that with all of the new inventions (air plane, snow mobiles, and other modes of transportation) sled dogs – driving dog sleds (mushing) would soon disappear in Alaska.  The sled dog had played an important part of Alaska’s history.  The sled dogs had been ‘used’ in the villages of Alaska as a means of transportation for supplies and for people.  These working dogs had pulled sleds to carry mail and help deliver supplies during the gold rush.  There were dog sled races long before Iditarod, too.  Mushing and sled dogs were very common in Alaska until transportation changes came along.

Iditarod was started to make sure the sled dogs were a part of Alaska’s culture always!

You can say that Iditarod celebrates all of the accomplishments that sled dogs have made throughout Alaska’s history.

Joe’s dream of sled dogs being important to Alaska is true today thanks to Joe’s dream and the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race®. I’m going to thank Joe by singing out a big howl song!

“H O W L   —   H O W L —  H O W L —- Song!”

Did you hear me sing?  Did you?  No?  Well, wait for your teachers 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 countdown and then, give me your best “H O W L   S O N G” to thank Joe Redington, Sr.

Lots of Tail Wags,

Zuma