49th running of the Iditarod

[AKwannabe]

The great race got started on Sunday but has many changes and challenges.

The main change is that the mushers will not go to Nome. Challenges includes mushers not being able to get to the race from other countries and some from the US could not drive across Canadian territories and had to fly instead.

This is a bucket list item for me. If I successfully relocate to AK, I wawanna have dogs and maybe breed for the race. I am too damned old to be in it but I can supply dogs and those guys are the real “champs”!

Hope to be in attendance at the starting line of the 50th running of the Iditarod next year!

Link to Anchorage Daily News:

https://www.adn.com/outdoors-adventure/iditarod/2021/03/08/as-iditarod-mushers-begin-their-852-mile-run-getting-to-race-at-all-feels-like-a-victory/

> Snip

DESHKA LANDING — As she sorted through items to add to her sled bag before Sunday’s start of the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race, Mille Porsild expressed a common sentiment among mushers in this year’s Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race.

“I’m insanely thankful that this race is on,” she said.

Porsild, who placed 15th last year to earn Rookie of the Year honors, could have been speaking for all 46 mushers who left Deshka Landing on a brilliant, sunny afternoon for the start of a race unlike any other in the Iditarod’s 49-year history.

End snip<

[Ferrets are Cool]

1. I am probably in a minority, but I HATE this abuse of animals.

Anyone who says the dogs LOVE doing this can tell it to someone else. Cuz I will never believe it.

[AKwannabe]

2. Hate horses being a team too?

Idk what the diff is? Do you?

These breeds are working animals. They are bred for what they do...

Do you also consider guide dogs, service dogs, guard dogs, police dogs and beagles sniffing drugs as abusive? All are working animals.

[NoRethugFriends]

3. Lazy BS comparison

The others generally don't die and aren't abused doing their work.
The Iditarod is horrendous abuse.

[AKwannabe]

4. Whoa!

Take a chill there.

This is not a personal thing.

[NoRethugFriends]

9. I am against horse racing also.

My response related to the rest of the uses you mentioned.

[Ferrets are Cool]

5. You have the right to disagree with me.

Anything which trains or makes an animal WORK for our pleasure or puts them in harms way is wrong IMO. And remember, everyone has one.

[AKwannabe]

7. I respect your opinion

You replied to my AK heritage/tradition piece with your opinion.

I will remind you that animals have been helping humans for hundreds of years. In the case of the Iditarod - animals were the only way to get needed medication to Nome Alaska. The race is a tribute to the dogs that made that first trek.

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

8. My surprise is that they've only been running this race

for 49 years. I thought it went back much longer.